At Home With Ilford Delta 400 and Zeiss Ikon Nettar

I took a few minutes to frame this shot. I put the vase in the middle with the curtains on either side and rearranged the flowers a little. I measured the distance between the camera and the vase to make sure it would all be in focus. I then put in the settings f8, 1/200sec, these settings I used across all the images. As soon as I went to take the shot the sunlight burst through the window! This overexposed the image as you can’t see the background or the tops of the flowers. I do like the dramatic light entrance, in the image itself, you can see the outline of the vase and some of the flowers. It is a very classic look and whilst it may not be visually clear what the image may be showing, I do think it is a nice shot, nonetheless. 

I decided to retake the image again this time as the cloud had slowly made its way in and covered up the sun as it disappeared into the winter's day.  This time the image has come out much better although a bit darker at the bottom end. It seems that images taken on this camera can be a little hit and miss at times. You can see the tops of the flowers, the window and the backdrop quite well. Combined with the added texture of the raindrops on the window adding a little more drama and classic feel to the image.  Overall, it has come out a little washed out, but I like the look and feel of the image. 

A little underexposed shot from this set. I put the vase on the tabletop as some nice natural light came through the window. I feel the exposure was much better on this image, albeit it has come out a little bit darker. There is loss of detail on the stems, but the flowers look much clearer, you can see differences in shades between them. Even with the backdrop which was an orange wall it has come out quite well. Overall, I am happy with the development of this particular frame.

This was one of my favourite shots from this set. You can see the white roses in frame with the two flowers on the tabletop next to the vase. You can also see the development streaks going across adding a little more texture and layer to the image. It looks it has been taken back in the 1920s or 30s and I really like the nostalgic look on this image. Overall, it’s a lovely well framed shot!

By the time I took this shot, the sun had already set, and it was very dark in the room. I flipped on the light and tried to recompose and take the image. The vase was on tabletop which is less clear in the frame. I moved the tulips away from the wall and took the shot. There was a little bit lighter coming from above. The flowers are visible, and you can make out the leaves although some detail has been lost from the stems and the bottom of the vase. This image has come a little bit washed out, I’m not sure why that is, whether it is to do with the camera or to do with the lighting in the room. Overall, a nice image, but it would be good to know if the results are because of the camera or the development process itself. 

No set is complete without a selfie. I framed this shot with the mirror in front of me and the white roses in the foreground. You see me with the camera lined up and taking the shot. The vase and mirror have come out perhaps a little washed out. On the negative itself you can see darkened edges, again, I’m not sure if it is to do with the development process or the camera. 

Overall, I am really pleased with the results from this set. These are 6 classic looking images, I have enjoyed the process of explaining how to use the Zeiss Ikon Nettar, the shooting and development process and then sharing these images with you. I hope you can get your hands on this classic camera and have a play with it, see what kind of images you can get and enjoy the process of shooting on medium format! I took a few minutes to frame this shot. I put the vase in the middle with the curtains on either side and rearranged the flowers a little. I measured the distance between the camera and the vase to make sure it would all be in focus. I then put in the settings f8, 1/200sec, these settings I used across all the images. As soon as I went to take the shot the sunlight burst through the window! This overexposed the image as you can’t see the background or the tops of the flowers. I do like the dramatic light entrance, in the image itself, you can see the outline of the vase and some of the flowers. It is a very classic look and whilst it may not be visually clear what the image may be showing, I do think it is a nice shot, nonetheless.

I decided to retake the image again this time as the cloud had slowly made its way in and covered up the sun as it disappeared into the winter's day. This time the image has come out much better although a bit darker at the bottom end. It seems that images taken on this camera can be a little hit and miss at times. You can see the tops of the flowers, the window and the backdrop quite well. Combined with the added texture of the raindrops on the window adding a little more drama and classic feel to the image. Overall, it has come out a little washed out, but I like the look and feel of the image.

A little underexposed shot from this set. I put the vase on the tabletop as some nice natural light came through the window. I feel the exposure was much better on this image, albeit it has come out a little bit darker. There is loss of detail on the stems, but the flowers look much clearer, you can see differences in shades between them. Even with the backdrop which was an orange wall it has come out quite well. Overall, I am happy with the development of this particular frame.

This was one of my favourite shots from this set. You can see the white roses in frame with the two flowers on the tabletop next to the vase. You can also see the development streaks going across adding a little more texture and layer to the image. It looks it has been taken back in the 1920s or 30s and I really like the nostalgic look on this image. Overall, it’s a lovely well framed shot!

By the time I took this shot, the sun had already set, and it was very dark in the room. I flipped on the light and tried to recompose and take the image. The vase was on tabletop which is less clear in the frame. I moved the tulips away from the wall and took the shot. There was a little bit lighter coming from above. The flowers are visible, and you can make out the leaves although some detail has been lost from the stems and the bottom of the vase. This image has come a little bit washed out, I’m not sure why that is, whether it is to do with the camera or to do with the lighting in the room. Overall, a nice image, but it would be good to know if the results are because of the camera or the development process itself.

No set is complete without a selfie. I framed this shot with the mirror in front of me and the white roses in the foreground. You see me with the camera lined up and taking the shot. The vase and mirror have come out perhaps a little washed out. On the negative itself you can see darkened edges, again, I’m not sure if it is to do with the development process or the camera.

Overall, I am really pleased with the results from this set. These are 6 classic looking images, I have enjoyed the process of explaining how to use the Zeiss Ikon Nettar, the shooting and development process and then sharing these images with you. I hope you can get your hands on this classic camera and have a play with it, see what kind of images you can get and enjoy the process of shooting on medium format!