Jump to content
  • The Computer Audiophile
    The Computer Audiophile

    2013 Rocky Mountain Audiofest Analog Style

    1-Pixel.pngthumb.jpg

    This year I covered RMAF a bit differently than I have in previous years. Rather than use a digital camera I used my medium format Hasselblad 503CW camera with a 120 film back (Ilford Delta 400 B&W file) and 80mm Hasselblad / Zeiss lens. Readers unfamiliar with medium format 120 film rolls should note that each roll contains only 12 shots. After these 12 shots are taken the camera back must be removed and a new roll of film must be loaded. In addition to this very manual process, the camera has no autofocus or built-in light meter. Before snapping each photo a light meter must be used to identify the correct aperture and shutter speed for the film in use. Once the meter reading is done the camera lens must be set to the correct values for the specific shot, then the camera must be leveled on the tripod, before depressing the cable release to take the photo. Then, it's off to another room to start the whole process over again. There are some intermediate steps but the basic point should be understood, this is not a typical show coverage camera. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Fortunately I had a blast using this medium format system. Knowing that each shot is one of twelve one a roll and that I couldn't shoot until I get the shot made me focus much more on what's important. Limiting myself made me think about each photograph critically before setting down my tripod. I was a bit rusty shooting with this system as I usually cover shows with my Lumix DMA-GH2 digital camera. The final results turned out OK. I screwed up several shots. I even took several photos in the Ayre Acoustics room before loading the film properly. Once I figured this out it was too late. Oh well, the experience and conversations I had with people surrounding the use of a Hasselblad for show coverage made it worth the extra effort. I hope CA readers find something enjoyable about the photos as well.

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

    Hasselblad-503CW.jpg

     

    Medium Format System

    Camera: Hasselblad 503CW

    Lens: Hasselblad / Zeiss CFE 80mm f2.8

    Film: Ilford Delta 400 Professional

    Light Meter: Sekonic Dualmaster L-558R

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]8611[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8612[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8609[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8610[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8608[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8603[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8604[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8622[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8614[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8613[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8621[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8619[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8620[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8618[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8615[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8616[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8617[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8624[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8623[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8625[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8626[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8631[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8628[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8627[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8632[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8629[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8630[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8605[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8606[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]8607[/ATTACH]

     

     

    Rooms in order of appearance in photos.

    Photos 1-5 Wilson Audio, VTL, dCS, Transparent Cable

    Photos 6-8 TAD Labs, Blue Smoke

    Photos 9,10 McIntosh Labs

    Photos 11-13 Wilson Audio, VTL, dCS, Transparent Cable

    Photos 14-17 Peachtree Audio, Zu Audio, AudioQuest Cable

    Photos 18-21 Bel Canto, TAD Labs

    Photo 22 B&W, Moon Audio

    Photos 23, 24 Ayre Acoustics

    Photos 25-27 Fine Sounds (Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Wadia), Nordost Cable

    Photos 28-30 EMM Labs, Meitner, Sony, Kimber Cable

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Those new Sonus fabers. Dang are they good. And gorgeous? Wow.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Film is less data than digital? Which film do you mean? Take a good hard look at an original Ansel Adams photo and get back to me.

     

    I could be wrong, but I think elsdude was mostly being grumpy. Certainly I'm not buying into this idea that taking a Hasselblad to an audiofest is somehow a metaphor for everything that's wrong with high end audio. Not to mention that "A large, inconvenient... method that costs lots more money for lots less data" could apply equally well to the scary expensive and rather clumsy digital backs for medium format.

     

    Personally I'm looking forward to Chris's next photoshoot. I am expecting nothing less than a pinhole camera made from an old shoebox. It will be awesome! :)

     

    ps: I love Ansel Adams. As much for his technical writing as his pictures. FWIW, were he still alive today I bet he would be shooting digital (but that's another argument altogether)

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Damn... why didn't I think of that? :D

     

    Warhol-BC_zps218344c0.jpg

     

    Not completed & you can see black and white theory on reproduction system print

    best

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    But if you like colors Johaness Ittem fundamental universel ref. Reality often out passed the fiction

    petecare

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    ps: I love Ansel Adams. As much for his technical writing as his pictures. FWIW, were he still alive today I bet he would be shooting digital (but that's another argument altogether)

     

    No argument. I can not imagine that Adams would dream of it.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Film is less data than digital? Which film do you mean? Take a good hard look at an original Ansel Adams photo and get back to me.

     

    Depending on who you ask, medium format is approximated possibly as low as 12 megapixels or more likely somewhere around 16 megapixels. Film may have a dynamic range edge even then, but you can take more than one shot and combine them in digital to make up the difference. Obviously it isn't merely a megapixel function. One needs lens of equivalent quality as well. And proper processing along the way to the final product with both digital and analog.

     

    Hasselblad made a digital back for this camera in 16 mp, but I don't know that they claimed it equaled film. They also had a 39 mp back. Hasselblad now only offers digital cameras in 40 mp and larger (discounting a re-badged Sony with their name stuck on it.) Whether that is because they believe digital is superior or simply accommodating the fact the market for film is now a niche I don't know.

     

    No expert on Ansel Adams, but he did use many cameras. Some work in 35mm and medium format. But his most noted works were with large format I do believe.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I applaud Chris for trying something different. If he had actually gone the full "artsy" look, he might have gotten even more critical comments. Maybe next time he can add that. But I did notice that the amount of grain in the ISO400 film was significantly noisier that today's best Digital DSLR's even at ISO 800 and that at a print size that would actually warrant medium format, the grain would detract rather add (unless you did go the artsy route).

     

    Usually the pictures from these shows do little to make me want any of these systems in my living room (admitting that they are at the show for sound more than looks -- but then the sound at most shows leaves a lot to be desired). So maybe a few attractive high-res images can do more to attract consumers...

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    As opposed to some of the above I did enjoy the pictures. They took me back to the eighties, when I was attending Hifi shows as a kid, impressed by all the huge Tannoy's, B&W's, and Kef's driven by chunky Luxman amps. As the pictures show: visually not much has changed. Sentimental yourney: yes. Longing for those days: no.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Hasselblad can produce the best pictures..... My hat fallen down

    Thanks

    Pierre

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Hasseblad can produce the best pictures...; My hat fallen down

    Pierre

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Am I allowed to be descenting with my view...

     

     

    Depends whether you are trying to get him to smell better or offer a dissenting opinion.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Damn... why didn't I think of that? :D

     

     

    Because there are three primary colo(u)rs, not four.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Because there are three primary colo(u)rs, not four.

     

    Stou. .in drink a beer.

    best

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I was going to say something similar....the shpiel about the camera does resemble the slightly overly-technical and over-elaborate monologue that often goes into hifi equipment reviews! Great pics tho.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Because there are three primary colo(u)rs, not four.

     

    Aw jeez, talk about failed jokes. I messed that one up big time :(

     

    I thought I was doing a smartarse version of the Warhol screenprinted portraits, not an open invitation to a surreal discussion of colour theory.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    you're awesome

     

    PS emm labs room looks insane

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Why don't you get a 220 back and use 220 film so you can get 24 shots?

    220 film scratches easier, is harder to find, and I don't want to invest any more money into this platform.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments




×
×
  • Create New...