Been to Focus

[vanman]

I visited the show this morning and felt like an alien among all those Photoshop worshippers. Despite that I thought that it was worth the eight quid parking rip off.
I arrived early and missed the horrendus traffic that I saw on the way home (it's only about 14 miles for me on good roads) and it was nice to have the opportunity to speak to reps.
I bought a couple of step up rings from S.R.B. and when I superglue them to some cheap (between £2 & £5-00 quid) process lenses that I have I will be able to front mount my Copal 3 shutter. Also some N.D. filters, good prices. Really helpful people.
I bought some of the new Bergger 400 sheet film (I'd heard that it wasn't being made yet) in 4x5. The young lady scotched all the rumors that the stuff was being made by Harman, it ain't. That was on The Lindhof & Studio stand (around the back).
I spoke to The Kentmere rep, nice bloke, and he assured me that POP has a future (thanks to The Albumen Works across the pond) and that a paper base for Document Art is still being sought (pressure from the Bromoil crowd). Unfortunatly the only catalouge that Harmans have provided the Kentmere rep to hand out dates from 2006 (commitment?).
I even bought some coating rods, imagine that, about 99% of the punters there wouldn't know what the hell they were looking at BUT I bought some, fantastic!
Teamwork were there as well, well worth a look as with Bob Rigby.
If you go on the Sunday next year it really is worth getting up early if you have far to travel.
Best wishes,
Vanman.

[IanG]

http://www.bergger.com/inter/release.html

From the horses mouth.

I'd check it is new, according to Bergger & Linhof Studios the films are:

Bergger BRF 15/100/200/400
NEW BRF 15 ASA - Extreme acutance and fine grain
NEW BRF 100 ASA - Extreme FINe GRAIN
BRF 200/400 ASA - Classic Bergger

Of course the a new Ilford/Harman produced 400 ISO film is expected, so it's possible that's what you've bought, but it's odd Bergger don't list it yet.

Ian

[vanman]

Ian,
I saw the stuff advertised on Lindhofs website a few days ago, thats why I headed for their stand. The girl/lady (depends on how old you are) said that it was new and not the stuff made by Foma. For the record it's Pancro ISO 400 25 x 4x5 Emulsion 7480 and traiter avant (use by date???) 01 2009. If she has misled me I'll still use the stuff and see what it's like.
Vanman

[IanG]

The info I posted earlier was from the Linhof Studio website. It's clear there and on the Bergger site that the 200 & 400 are the Classic films, which were manufactured by Forte. Actually the expiry date shows yours it's not a new film, as it's quite short dated. The film's OK I've only used it in 10"x8" but it stains well in Pyrocat HD and the prints are superb, I wouldn't like to use it in 120 or smaller though.

Some of the staff on the stand may have been hired just for the show, as it's very long tiring days at NEC shows, I know from experience. So it's easy to make a mistake.

The new Ilford/Harman produced Bergger papers have literally only been on sale for a week or so, and the 100 ISO film has been added to the websites very recently.

Ian

[vanman]

Thanks Ian. I've never seen their 400 in sheet form before, but thats me. It's in the freezer 'till I need it.
Vanman

[Steve Bell]

I arrived late around 1pm Sunday, and now I remember why I usually leave by then, it was hell. It took around 40 minutes to get into the car park.

I saw some interesting prints in the area used by local uni's to display students work. I liked 3 photos taken on 4x5 HP5+ on the Nottingham display of the inside of a derelict building. It was interesting talking the the person who took and printed them.

I staggered out into the rain carrying a few books and lots of large sheets of mount board, first time I have walked to the car park, caught the bus back to N6 and was glad to get away.

[Nigels]

I went on the Monday this year. Managed to avoid buying anything. Even met a couple of LFers from the site. Best part was the hour long talk by Joe Cornish. Excellent photography, very inspirational. But surely they could have found him a bigger screen!

[Tony]

Thanks Ian. I've never seen their 400 in sheet form before, but thats me. It's in the freezer 'till I need it.
Vanman

Hi just to give you the heads up I bought some Bergger 200 sheets at focus and tried yesterday to load some DDS, and it won't fit. The sheets are between 1 and 2mm to big. Linhof are sending me some replacments but check your stock
Tony

[Tony]

Thanks Ian. I've never seen their 400 in sheet form before, but thats me. It's in the freezer 'till I need it.
Vanman

Hi just to give you the heads up I bought some Bergger 200 sheets at focus and tried yesterday to load some DDS, and it won't fit. The sheets are between 1 and 2mm to big. Linhof are sending me some replacments but check your stock
Tony

Sorry for the duff grammar They won't fit
Tony

[Paul Mitchell]

Best part was the hour long talk by Joe Cornish. Excellent photography, very inspirational. But surely they could have found him a bigger screen!

I was there on Monday and also took the opportunity to take in the Joe Cornish/David Ward talk, you're right about the small LCD screen not doing their work justice.

Have been going to Focus for 7 years now, the first few years were spent oohing and aahing at all the nice shiny digital gear... now spend all my time mooching around the Linhoff, Teamwork and Ilford stands. As I was there early on Monday I had the chance to chat for some time with Chris Dickie (AG magazine) and Eddie Ephraums about self publishing.

Unfortunately I didn't leave unscathed... bought the 105mm Lee circular polariser & fitting ring... ouch!££££

[vanman]

Thanks for the warning Tony, I'll defrost it and check it out. Perhaps Sunday. The daft bit is that I bought some 8 x 10 from J&C a couple of years ago. It was cheap 'cos it was allegedly oversize and it was perfect.
Best wishes,
Vanman.