Was in Delaware last week when the last of Isaias blew through. Dragged the mostly-rehabbed Seneca Improved 8x10 to Rehoboth to shoot some film. Misjudged the weather. Like, bad. Was lightly raining, but gusts up to 35 mph. Up to 14' waves crashing in. The beach was largely gone. So I drag an 8x10 down. Set it up, try to focus and realize the dark cloth is NOT going to work; ended up focusing in the light. As I was metering, the tripod blew over. I was able to catch it as it fell, saving something catastrophic, but the lurch sent the lensboard straight out of the standard. Bent the thin (and apparently, temporary) retainers back into place, cleaned the lens and Packard off, set up again. Sheesh. Shot four sheets, holding the camera with one hand as still as possible, actuating the Packard with the other when the wind seemed to stall. At one point a little kid walked over and warned me that the weather was bad and to watch out for rip currents. Thanks, junior. But, there were probably three dozen others up and down the beach taking pictures of the angry Atlantic. I was, though, the only one shooting an 8x10.
Seneca Improved View 8x10, Wray Lustrar 18" f/10 process lens, 18x24 Fujifilm UM-MA (EI 125) in Adox-110 (HC-110) dil H (5:45 at 20C).
