Other collecting activities?

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun Apr 18 21:28:06 2004

> I thought the cameras that used glass slides, the photographer coated
> the plates with the light sensitive stuff before use.

With the some proceses -- the one nicknamed 'wet plate' for example --
yes you did. The checmicals had to be wet during the exposure. But the
'dry plate' processes used pre-coated plates, you used to be able to buy
these ready-made (in fact when I made the hologram I mentioned a couple
of days ago, the sensitive material was a very slow (and hence fine
grain) plate.

> I did read somewhere that one of the early photographic process used
> the same process as XEROX copiers. I wonder if nowdays that could be

I find that hard to believe, the Xerox process is essentially
electrostatic. I've never heard of it being used in a normal camera.


> improved on, as it the time over 100 years ago it gave better quality
> photographs.
> PS. I think a GOOD B&W photograph in many ways better than a quick
> blurry grainy color photo.

Depedns on what it's for. If it's to remind me which order to connect a
bundle of wires, then I'll want a colour picture ;-)

More seriously, I agree with you in general. Good B&W pictures _are_ good.

-tony
Received on Sun Apr 18 2004 - 21:28:06 BST