The Monochrome Film Users Group caters for those interested in capturing images on black and white film of different formats and darkroom techniques for processing and printing. This year the group has welcomed 5 new members, to bring their membership to 12. They meet once a month on the third Thursday evening in Waikanae. Contact the organiser of the group, Michael Martin, if you’d like more information. They have a lot of fun, and value humour!

The topics in the first two meetings this year included learning about printing filter grades, lens focussing errors, hypo-clearing agent, resurrecting faded old prints, and matting and mounting. Members are encouraged to take along at least one print each to share and critique, and they sometimes have members sharing mini-portfolios – thanks to Herman Visser for his presentation to the March meeting.

Michael emails a newsletter to all members after each meeting, and the following excerpts and images are from the February one – thanks Michael.

New Products
Harman Technology Ltd., in association with Walker Cameras (who make the Titan range of large format cameras), are marketing a 4×5 inch large format pinhole camera kit which comes with the Harman Titan pinhole camera, 10 sheets 4×5 film and 4×5 direct positive paper.

Some suppliers reportedly sold out their stocks within 48 hours of the kits release.
This is great news for us 4×5 sheet film uses as it ensures a continuing demand and supply of 4×5 sheet film.

It can be purchased from, amongst others, Silverprint U.K. for £125 exc. VAT. So I urge you to all go out and purchase one so I can continue to buy sheet film.

This Month’s Image

Parakaunui River, Catlins, captured with a tripod mounted Bronica ETRSi 645 camera, standing in the mud.   Film used was Kodak T-Max 400 rated at 320 and developed in SPUR HRX-3.  The image was captured late in the afternoon. I was attracted to the late light coming through up river in what was otherwise a dark and foreboding scene. For me it had a spiritual feel to it.

Food for Thought

“Understand what you want to say.

Understand how you want to say it.

Then say it without compromise.

Now you are thinking in terms of creative photography.”

From Bruce Barnbaum’s book “The Art of Photography”

Look, See, Compose, Capture and most of all Enjoy.

Michael Martin.