I guess I'll do it, too.

["Leslie D. Martin" <ldmartin@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I had not intended to do even this but since everyone else seems to be
introducing themselves I will join in.

My name is Leslie Martin.  Currently I am employeed as a retail salesman
for the local outlet of a national computer chain.  I have an Associate
of Applied Science in industrial drafting and am currently updating my
resume for the purpose *getting a drafting job* <g>.  Two years ago I
moved my family to Anchorage, Alaska which was my "long-lost home".

To say that I am a rank amateur at photography would be kind.  I did
take  several photography classes in college many years ago but have not
had much opportunity to do much since.  I have recently decided that,
lack of time and money notwithstanding, I want to get "back" into
photography.

For hardware I have basic tools: A Minolta X-700 with the stock 50mm
lense, a pair of zoom lenses (28-85 and 85-200) which I am considering
replacing with two or three fixed length lenses.

My photographic tastes are fairly varied: I enjoy the work of Ansel
Adams (big surprise, eh?), semi-abstract photography (particularly--but
not limited to--monochromatic colour abstract architectural),
portrait/glamour, and (of course) infrared.  And of course I have nearly
zero talent in any of these areas.  <VBG>

I do not presently have the ability to do any of my own processing or
printing although I would love to be able to add this option in the
future.

I do not expect to make any useful contribution to this list but do
expect to ask ignorant questions as I "get back into" photography and
begin to experiment with IR film.

I will now begin by asking my first ignorant question <g>:

I have often read the admonision to load IR film in complete darkness
and have never entirely understood the purpose for this.  Since film
canisters have a light block which is designed to keep stray light from
entering the canister the idea that ir light can penetrate this
barrier--by virtue of it's being out of the visible light range--has
never really made sense to me.  It has occured to me that perhaps this
rule is based on the tendancy for most people to load the film into the
camera from "left to right"; that is, inserting the film canister into
the camera, pulling out the leader, then mounting the leader to the
take-up spool.  Since I tend to load my film backward (mounting the
leader to the take-up spool, then extending the film across the film
plane and then placing the canister into the camera) I am wondering if I
can get away with attaching the leader in the light, then (ham-handedly)
extending the film and installing the canister in the dark?

Ignorant question number two: What are the best filters to use with the
Kodak aand the Knoica ir films?  Does each film respond better to a
different filter or not?  I have the option of using either film since a
local dealer stocks both.  How do the "rated" speeds of these films
compaire, how do they compaire in their images, and what are everones
personal preferences?

Thanks.

Leslie D. Martin

------------------------------

Topic No. 27