That was a crazy amount of work, and a crazy amount of expense to go to for a couple of shots … but you can’t argue with the results. You’ve created art. Well done Matt. And thanks so much for sharing!
I can't ever complain about having to lug around any of my cameras anywhere after seeing Mat hike with an 8x20. Thank you for what you do! Beautiful photos as always!
What a great treat to view this ULF channel and the immersive photos taken with 8x20! Saw your interview done some 8 months ago on NoctiGirl TH-cam channel. Subscribed.
Wow....GREAT to see you again!! LOL...my first thought at the beginning was..."Wow..what a HUGE backpack....this guy must be in incredible shape." Then I saw the big camera....very impressive stuff. I do miss you talking tho.....can't wait to see you next time!!! CC
Saltpetre Cave is actually a really simple hike, just a bit of vertical and sandy, wet rocks to deal with. Now to start pushing myself a bit more with some longer treks plus the 12x20! :)
Mat, I have an three wheeled "off-road" children's pram called a Mountain Buggy, that I use for lugging large cameras around. Ideal where the trails don't have too many steps. Saves the back. Great video thank you.
Thanks John, I debated initially whether to go the cart route or not. For now the pack is doing great, and somehow weighs in ~ 20 lbs. less than my fully stocked 8x10 kit!
It is amazing that there really isn't anyone doing ULF photography on TH-cam. Love your Canham 12x20. IMO the best camera maker. Wish I could afford one. I was thinking about getting a new 8x20. It would cost me almost $10K. I can buy a lot of film with that money. Have you talked about the format change from 8x20 to 12x20? Curious if you found it to be a smooth transition or if it took awhile to adjust to 50% more space on your GG? I have given thought about starting an ULF photo channel but I'm not sure I am for that time commitment. Don't know how you do it, but I thank you for it. @@MatMarrash
@@MichaelWellman1955 It's a huge time commitment, and it's better done with a small team if possible. As for the format change, 8x20 was never really in the plans, 12x20 had been the goal from early on in my days of LF. I find it to be a happy medium from 8x10 to longer panoramas. Also it doesn't hurt that I enjoy films in the Super 16mm aspect ratio (sooo close to 12x20).
Welcome back - hope to see a lot more of you here. Love the ULF camera you've got there and the shots look great - I guess you'll be making some contact prints soon enough if you haven't already.
Thanks Mat! Great way to start a Friday. Regarding your opening comment in the description, the trick is combining that gear and Mother Nature in just the right way. I'm inspired, going out to shoot too!
Mat, Ya dun a nice jorb here, mate!! Your demeanor, presentation, and humble style really, REALLY works well - very enjoyable video. However, if I’m honest…..and I’m trying not to be too jealous here (kidding)…I’m really jonesing for me own 12x20 ULF rig so I can go traipsing through the woods too!!! Keep up the great work!! -JD
Thanks JD! The setup is fun but I'd always recommend trying out something like this in-person before purchasing to see if it's the right fit. I've seen a lot of buyers remorse in the 8x10 and up category over the years.
I've never seen anyone backpack a 12x20 camera before. Or use a tent as a dark cloth. If that's what it takes to make the photograph then I applaud your determination! Great pictures. I assume you'll be back when you can walk again? 😢
Hey Michael! It's awkward in size but somehow lighter than my 8x10 backpack kit. Also it's horribly dirty and beaten-up, but that darkcloth is one of the larger Black Jacket models. Might be time to pick up a fresh one, but I like the idea of a tent!
First glance I thought you had a pack horse then I realised YOU were the pack horse, Mat 😄 Great to see you back and lovely, inspiring work as always. What a beast of a camera.
This ultra-wide has been my dream combination for the longest time. It would be interesting to see how this angle of view would do on a more squared-out aspect ratio like 11x14 or 14x17.
These were a pretty quick-n-dirty mirrorless camera scan. I took my Fujifilm X-T4 + macro lens and stitched together 8-10 frames each on top of an LED light table. The contact prints IMO look even better!
Ok first of all congrats for carrying around that beast of a camera, and secondly those were some awesome shots! I’d love to see you try some Portra 160 12x20 film with that camera. The film comes in packs of 10 but not sure how pricey it is!
Thanks for the video Mat! How are you handling exposure time for the shutter? Is it built into your shutter release, or lens, or ... something else? Thanks!
Bulb (B) exposure on the shutter for anything < 4 sec., and Timed (T) exposure for anything longer. When it gets into the minutes, I'll set a phone timer, otherwise I count them out (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, and so on).
Ultra-happy to see you out and about again, and with that splendid camera. The images are lovely and sombre. Two questions: Is that flare or light leak I'm seeing on the left side of the photos? And, with a larger camera and film holder, are you encountering more shake?
great video, asmr too!, but great you take us from the backpack to the shot, showing us how you set up, and tear down, nice!, but now it would be a good idea if you could do this with the sinar!!! ( even in the studio, of coarse, as that is a big and involved camera), as you did that video on wide angle lens choice, would be good if you shot with one live, to show us what the dof is like, and how amazing it is.
@@MatMarrash thanks mat, you inspire us, and knowing a "non" nightclub bouncer can do it, we can too; I have been urban landscaping and architecture shooting with 6x4.5 and 6x6 Hasselblads, and have a sinar F2 in 4x5", with a Fujinon swd 90mm 5.6 and 65mm 5.6 and cant wait to get out with it, but would be good if you showed us how the dof is and how you shoot with wides, and also are they macro capable?, and if so how long a bellows ext. (before CA, vignetting, etc. creep in)- when, and if you need a center filter, for what lens, what the bellows ext. factor is for these lenses, how you time those long exposures.
Hey there thanks for the question, and yes I am accounting for reciprocity failure. I don't have a standalone video about reciprocity calculations but a good segment from another field work video here: th-cam.com/video/kcmiuXR-H1M/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=212
Nice video matt, great to see you back! I would like to buy an infrared series shot that you made, but you dont offer them as silver gelatin prints, only as inkjet, is there any possibility to also print the IR film images on baryta paper?
Hi thanks for checking out the video and thanks for your question! Due to the very expired and fogged nature of my remaining IR stock, I don't offer these as silver gelatin hand-made prints. That said, shoot me a message: largeformatquestions@gmail.com and maybe we can work something out via a digital silver process.
How on earth can you print these behemoths?! I would imagine the enlarger would be prohibitively large, or maybe horizontally projected on a wall.. but still, the amount of light and coverage must be impressive. Amazing. Love it!
Once the camera is larger than 8x10 or 11x14, it's pretty much contact printing only. The contact prints are gorgeous, but to get anything larger the easiest route would be a high-end flatbed or drum scan.
@@MatMarrash 😂 Yes, agreed - but I have shoulder problems that can't be fixed with workout. Maybe I should become more creative in ways to carry all the stuff around (I would like to go 8x10, it would open up some possibilities that I miss out with 4x5).
@@c.augustin in the comments of this and just about every other 12x20 video, there are mentions of modified all-terrain baby joggers which are great for trekking with LF kits.
@@MatMarrash Yeah, a friend proposed something similar. I looked for something I could put into my small car, but wasn't convinced; these "baby joggers" are interesting with their large wheels (especially in uneven terrain). ULF gets expensive real quick! 😉
Hey thanks for the question! It's a Lightware case + hiking frame, I go over all the details in this video here: (link skips right to the backpack bit) th-cam.com/video/_ZAK3VaazHg/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=1328
@@MatMarrash many thanks. Looks quite interesting, although a lot of personal adaptation seems to be necessary depending on the kind and size of camera. I will check that on the web.
These were "scans" from my Fujifilm X-T4 + macro lens on an LED light table. 8-10 RAW frames stitched in Photoshop. Much more challenging to prep these for YT, contact prints are SO much easier!
This is part of a very well documented state nature preserve system in Ohio, been journeying to these places for over a decade. That being said, yes one must be careful when in these spaces. Kids are discouraged, no pets allowed, and you are taking a risk.
I'm going to chalk it up to dynamic range challenges with expired film. Pushing any further with exposure to gain shadow detail would obliterate any remaining highlight information in the frame.
You know if you got a donkey you could have the donkey to carry your stuff and also to pet while you're waiting to close the shutter. Just saying- a random mike.
TH-cam videos with gimmicky names that rhyme doesn’t do much for your cred. It feels as though you’re more interested in social-media attention than you are your artistic integrity. Also, as a visual communicator, you shouldn’t need to be told that light grey text on a white background is an astonishingly stupld design decision.
That was a crazy amount of work, and a crazy amount of expense to go to for a couple of shots … but you can’t argue with the results. You’ve created art. Well done Matt. And thanks so much for sharing!
At a certain point it's also about the full experience, though I really wanted some sharp contact prints after all the work. :)
I can't ever complain about having to lug around any of my cameras anywhere after seeing Mat hike with an 8x20. Thank you for what you do! Beautiful photos as always!
Awesome, thanks👍
It’s always a treat to see you take the big camera out and this was no exception. Relaxing, engaging video, Mat. Thanks for sharing!
Well worth waiting for 👏
Super size! Super committed👍
First image is Excellent clearly not lost any mastery of black and white.
Thanks Stuart! :)
What a great treat to view this ULF channel and the immersive photos taken with 8x20! Saw your interview done some 8 months ago on NoctiGirl TH-cam channel. Subscribed.
Welcome to the channel and we're glad to have you! :)
Nice to see you back
Good to be back!
@@MatMarrash oh, nice shots too by the way. Mind you it is a great environment so you are spoiled for choice 😂
Love the asymmetry !
Welcome back. Thanks for taking us with you.
All I can say is Wow! and thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Wow....GREAT to see you again!!
LOL...my first thought at the beginning was..."Wow..what a HUGE backpack....this guy must be in incredible shape."
Then I saw the big camera....very impressive stuff.
I do miss you talking tho.....can't wait to see you next time!!!
CC
Saltpetre Cave is actually a really simple hike, just a bit of vertical and sandy, wet rocks to deal with. Now to start pushing myself a bit more with some longer treks plus the 12x20! :)
a picture is worth a thousand words here you say it all
loved the zen of this mood for a Friday morning. Good to see you back!
Thank you for the video. It’s great to see you again!
Looking good MM
Thanks 👍
That was very inspirational, Mat. Very inspirational…
Thank you! )
Beautiful work
Dedication to the Art, amazing results
Thank you so much!
Wow. That was inspiring. I really need a "film break". Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks Michael! Happy to be at a point where I can share some of the 12x20 adventures. Hopefully many more to come.
Mat, I have an three wheeled "off-road" children's pram called a Mountain Buggy, that I use for lugging large cameras around. Ideal where the trails don't have too many steps. Saves the back.
Great video thank you.
Thanks John, I debated initially whether to go the cart route or not. For now the pack is doing great, and somehow weighs in ~ 20 lbs. less than my fully stocked 8x10 kit!
As a fellow ULF photographer I love seeing ULF work on TH-cam. Thank you.
Thanks Michael! When I started GAS'ing for ULF there were maybe 2 videos on YT, happy to give those numbers a much needed boost!
It is amazing that there really isn't anyone doing ULF photography on TH-cam. Love your Canham 12x20. IMO the best camera maker. Wish I could afford one. I was thinking about getting a new 8x20. It would cost me almost $10K. I can buy a lot of film with that money.
Have you talked about the format change from 8x20 to 12x20? Curious if you found it to be a smooth transition or if it took awhile to adjust to 50% more space on your GG?
I have given thought about starting an ULF photo channel but I'm not sure I am for that time commitment. Don't know how you do it, but I thank you for it.
@@MatMarrash
@@MichaelWellman1955 It's a huge time commitment, and it's better done with a small team if possible. As for the format change, 8x20 was never really in the plans, 12x20 had been the goal from early on in my days of LF. I find it to be a happy medium from 8x10 to longer panoramas. Also it doesn't hurt that I enjoy films in the Super 16mm aspect ratio (sooo close to 12x20).
love the silent video. beautiful photos!
Thank you so much!
You are back with a bang. Beautiful images, it's great to see your patient process in action.
Glad to see you back. Hope there is more to come.
Lovely video, Mat! Thanks for taking us along 🙂
Welcome Back Mat! I was missing being welcomed back to LFF.
Welcome back - hope to see a lot more of you here.
Love the ULF camera you've got there and the shots look great - I guess you'll be making some contact prints soon enough if you haven't already.
Contact prints are the name of the game! Also snuck in one from this episode in the latest DIY Darkroom. ;)
Its so nice to see another video from you Matt. Hope for more in the near future! Great work!
12x20" through a slot canyon? Now that's what I call dedication 😁
Great video. Now I’m itching to get my 11x14 out tomorrow. Rain be damned.
A little rain won't hurt it a bit!
The no-talking worked perfectly for this one. Really calming and, a great watch for a Friday. But that first sheet blew my mind!
It's always the warm-up shot with this big camera! ;)
So glad to see you working on the field again on YT. Great work. Lovely shots. Bravo
Many thanks!
This effort is worth it Matt. 👌 ❤❤❤
glad you're back
There goes my yearly volume of 120 in that one big a** sheet of huge film 😮
Gotta make 'em count!
That was super cool Mat!
Thanks Todd! :)
So inspiring. Makes me realize I’ve been in a little slump lately and that I need to get out.
I have never thought this would be so therapeutic.
Thank you so much.
BTW, just subscribed(should have done that sooner)✌
Good to see you back Mat, have been missing LFF
Thanks Mat! Great way to start a Friday. Regarding your opening comment in the description, the trick is combining that gear and Mother Nature in just the right way. I'm inspired, going out to shoot too!
And just like that Matt has spent his life savings in HP5 12x20 film!.... Love the first image. It's a beauty.
Thankfully the camera came with a decent amount of sheets (heavily expired, but I'll shoot 'em all).
Mat, Ya dun a nice jorb here, mate!! Your demeanor, presentation, and humble style really, REALLY works well - very enjoyable video. However, if I’m honest…..and I’m trying not to be too jealous here (kidding)…I’m really jonesing for me own 12x20 ULF rig so I can go traipsing through the woods too!!! Keep up the great work!! -JD
Thanks JD! The setup is fun but I'd always recommend trying out something like this in-person before purchasing to see if it's the right fit. I've seen a lot of buyers remorse in the 8x10 and up category over the years.
I've never seen anyone backpack a 12x20 camera before. Or use a tent as a dark cloth. If that's what it takes to make the photograph then I applaud your determination! Great pictures. I assume you'll be back when you can walk again? 😢
Hey Michael! It's awkward in size but somehow lighter than my 8x10 backpack kit. Also it's horribly dirty and beaten-up, but that darkcloth is one of the larger Black Jacket models. Might be time to pick up a fresh one, but I like the idea of a tent!
First glance I thought you had a pack horse then I realised YOU were the pack horse, Mat 😄 Great to see you back and lovely, inspiring work as always. What a beast of a camera.
I've got a few more years of being the pack horse, always looking for assistants though!
Nice video and images! I was just thinking that I need to take my 8x10 out in the landscape again, so your video is a nice inspiration!
While there's never a bad time to get out in the field with a big camera, my heavier shooting season has just begun!
That makes 8x10 seem like a sports and action camera... 🙂
Things slow down to the glacial pace once you leave 8x10...
Really lovely, Mat. That 210mm on 12x20 is amazing. I've been experimenting with 165mm on 11x14 and it just barely covers, but it's lots of fun!
This ultra-wide has been my dream combination for the longest time. It would be interesting to see how this angle of view would do on a more squared-out aspect ratio like 11x14 or 14x17.
Great vid and glad to see you back. I'm curious how you digitized these? Do you have a giant scanner or is it a digital photo of a contact print?
These were a pretty quick-n-dirty mirrorless camera scan. I took my Fujifilm X-T4 + macro lens and stitched together 8-10 frames each on top of an LED light table. The contact prints IMO look even better!
Joy!
Golf clap, in keeping with the silent theme.
Beautiful work Mat
Many thanks!
Ok first of all congrats for carrying around that beast of a camera, and secondly those were some awesome shots!
I’d love to see you try some Portra 160 12x20 film with that camera. The film comes in packs of 10 but not sure how pricey it is!
I would LOVE to shoot some ULF color, but last I checked they're about $150/shot! x__x
Thanks for the video Mat! How are you handling exposure time for the shutter? Is it built into your shutter release, or lens, or ... something else? Thanks!
Bulb (B) exposure on the shutter for anything < 4 sec., and Timed (T) exposure for anything longer. When it gets into the minutes, I'll set a phone timer, otherwise I count them out (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, and so on).
Pretty talented to direct screw mount that camera.
Hi Mat,
Hope you are well.
What do you exactly do when you checking the corners at 2:50?
Ultra-happy to see you out and about again, and with that splendid camera. The images are lovely and sombre. Two questions: Is that flare or light leak I'm seeing on the left side of the photos? And, with a larger camera and film holder, are you encountering more shake?
Sorry, Mat. I should have rewatched the previous video first, where you explain that it's the film base. Looking forward to more ULF.
great video, asmr too!, but great you take us from the backpack to the shot, showing us how you set up, and tear down, nice!, but now it would be a good idea if you could do this with the sinar!!! ( even in the studio, of coarse, as that is a big and involved camera), as you did that video on wide angle lens choice, would be good if you shot with one live, to show us what the dof is like, and how amazing it is.
I like that idea, thanks Andy!
@@MatMarrash thanks mat, you inspire us, and knowing a "non" nightclub bouncer can do it, we can too; I have been urban landscaping and architecture shooting with 6x4.5 and 6x6 Hasselblads, and have a sinar F2 in 4x5", with a Fujinon swd 90mm 5.6 and 65mm 5.6 and cant wait to get out with it, but would be good if you showed us how the dof is and how you shoot with wides, and also are they macro capable?, and if so how long a bellows ext. (before CA, vignetting, etc. creep in)- when, and if you need a center filter, for what lens, what the bellows ext. factor is for these lenses, how you time those long exposures.
These images are gorgeous! i have one question, when you're doing these longer exposures, are you allocating for reciprocity?
i'd love to know more about longer exposures and reciprocity, if that is something you do!
Hey there thanks for the question, and yes I am accounting for reciprocity failure. I don't have a standalone video about reciprocity calculations but a good segment from another field work video here: th-cam.com/video/kcmiuXR-H1M/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=212
Nice video matt, great to see you back!
I would like to buy an infrared series shot that you made, but you dont offer them as silver gelatin prints, only as inkjet, is there any possibility to also print the IR film images on baryta paper?
Hi thanks for checking out the video and thanks for your question! Due to the very expired and fogged nature of my remaining IR stock, I don't offer these as silver gelatin hand-made prints. That said, shoot me a message: largeformatquestions@gmail.com and maybe we can work something out via a digital silver process.
How on earth can you print these behemoths?! I would imagine the enlarger would be prohibitively large, or maybe horizontally projected on a wall.. but still, the amount of light and coverage must be impressive. Amazing. Love it!
Contact printing is a solution in a world of ULF. You can get contacts with the size of a typical enlargement if talking about smaller formats.
Once the camera is larger than 8x10 or 11x14, it's pretty much contact printing only. The contact prints are gorgeous, but to get anything larger the easiest route would be a high-end flatbed or drum scan.
This is insane! I'm already overwhelmed with my 4x5 setup … granted, I'm 60+, but still … 😁
LF and ULF definitely have a way of becoming a workout plan!
@@MatMarrash 😂 Yes, agreed - but I have shoulder problems that can't be fixed with workout. Maybe I should become more creative in ways to carry all the stuff around (I would like to go 8x10, it would open up some possibilities that I miss out with 4x5).
@@c.augustin in the comments of this and just about every other 12x20 video, there are mentions of modified all-terrain baby joggers which are great for trekking with LF kits.
@@MatMarrash Yeah, a friend proposed something similar. I looked for something I could put into my small car, but wasn't convinced; these "baby joggers" are interesting with their large wheels (especially in uneven terrain). ULF gets expensive real quick! 😉
Did you compensate for reciprocity?
Yes those final exposures are accounting for reciprocity failure.
And I complain about my Mamiya RB67 being heavy.... maybe you can trying shooting handheld next time ;)
Now that would be some trippy photography, ULF handheld!
wow, what kind of backpack is that?? I have a Vageeswari 10x12 and a Sinar with a 7x17 back and don't know how to transport them out of my car
Hey thanks for the question! It's a Lightware case + hiking frame, I go over all the details in this video here: (link skips right to the backpack bit)
th-cam.com/video/_ZAK3VaazHg/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=1328
@@MatMarrash many thanks. Looks quite interesting, although a lot of personal adaptation seems to be necessary depending on the kind and size of camera. I will check that on the web.
Were the scans raw? Do you still print in the darkroom?
These were "scans" from my Fujifilm X-T4 + macro lens on an LED light table. 8-10 RAW frames stitched in Photoshop. Much more challenging to prep these for YT, contact prints are SO much easier!
Dev ULF film in tray or cylinder or deep bath?
For now I'm processing these by hand in trays, but one of these days I'm going to make the switch to rotary.
Imagine tripping and falling there. They'll never find your body.
This is part of a very well documented state nature preserve system in Ohio, been journeying to these places for over a decade. That being said, yes one must be careful when in these spaces. Kids are discouraged, no pets allowed, and you are taking a risk.
Nice legs. Nicer video. Hi Matt lol
Why is the left edge of the images always underexposed?
I'm going to chalk it up to dynamic range challenges with expired film. Pushing any further with exposure to gain shadow detail would obliterate any remaining highlight information in the frame.
@@MatMarrashcan it be the lens IC not big enough?
@@toulcaz31 decent IC, but quite a bit of falloff if not using the $$$$ center filter.
You know if you got a donkey you could have the donkey to carry your stuff and also to pet while you're waiting to close the shutter. Just saying- a random mike.
Great now I'm going to need a bigger vehicle to haul the livestock trailer! ;)
This is why Ansel Adams had a donkey
A truly sweaty image format. But why are you carrying so much weight? There are Scherpas for carrying things. 🙂
Currently the budget allows for film or assistants, sadly not both. For now I can handle the extra slog. ;)
TH-cam videos with gimmicky names that rhyme doesn’t do much for your cred. It feels as though you’re more interested in social-media attention than you are your artistic integrity. Also, as a visual communicator, you shouldn’t need to be told that light grey text on a white background is an astonishingly stupld design decision.