Mikeinlagardette's photos

Had to be a train photo in this little set! Taken with a 1952 Welmy Six, - another regrettable sale - which had a wonderful Terionar lens, a triplet of remarkable sharpness. This locomotive has now left the area for more northern parts of France, but I enjoyed several trips behind it when it was based in Limoges. 1952 Welmy Six, f4.5/75mm Terionar lens, X2 yellow filter. Fomapan Ultra 200 in Caffenol C, 10 mins @21C. Scanned @1200dpi on Epson V500

For my sins, I have been made administrator of the group Vintage 120 Camera - not an onerous task, since the group has currently less than ten members !! Which is a pity, because there are a lot of lovely old 120 cameras, most of which are capable of making wonderful pictures. I haven't done too much photography recently, so here are three pics taken a while back, with some of the vintage cameras I have owned, all 120 format. This beautiful doorway which dates from the late 15th century, is in the former presbytery at Bénévent-l'Abbaye, and the little Voigtlander Bessa 46 which I used has captured much of the lovely workmanship, and the careful restoration of this feature of the building. The lens was an uncoated f4.5/75mm Skopar, a real jewel of a lens - I bitterly regret selling this camera !! 1940's Voigtlander Bessa 46, f4.5/75mm Skopar lens, Moment yellow filter. Foma Ultra 200 developed in Diafine 4+4 mins A&B. Scanned @1200dpi on Epson V500

The old town has many interesting buildings, mostly built with an oak framework, infilled with brick or plaster covered wood laths, and it's nice to see them still in commercial use, centuries after they were first built. 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 yellow filter. Kodak TMY400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

Montluçon 03100 Fr. It's quite a stiff climb up to the château, but once arrived, there is a good view over the old town, and a chance to look at some historic roofing at close quarters. I guess most of these buildings were built at least three hundred years ago, if not more, so they have been well cared for, but because they are so close to each other, repair work on the roofs must represent a real challenge. Nonetheless, they all have fairly modern clay tiles which have replaced the original "bardeaux" - wooden tiles made from split chestnut or oak, and because the clay tiles are much heavier than the original, they have probably had the rafters and battens replaced also, so much respect for the roofers of Montluçon !! 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 yellow filter. Kodak TMY400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

This is the château in the previous photo, but seen from the "parade ground", and although not completely original, it is still an impressive secular building from 1370. The clock is a more recent addition, but it looks good on the tower. The building is now a museum and cultural centre. 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 yellow filter. Kodak TMY400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

It seems a long time ago that we had lunch in Montluçon on Janty's birthday in March, and I've only just developed the film! This is the frontal facade of the château, first built as a fortress in the 11thC. The present building mostly dates from 1370, but there are signs of much subsequent restoration. Although not a huge building, it sits on a promontory above the old town, and is it's most visible landmark. 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 yellow filter. Kodak TMax400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

This is the back of the Priory building, which I'm pretty sure dates from the same time as the re-building of the church - some time in the 1600's. I don't know if the tower is for a bell, - it might have been a granary, but anyway it is quite an unusual design for this part of France, it has an almost Italianate look. As well as looking good, the building has been converted into a nice restaurant, called Auberge du Prieuré, so doubly interesting! 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 green filter. Kodak TMax400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

This is the view from the west, and the part nearest the camera dates from the 12th-13thC, but following a disastrous fire, the building was almost completely rebuilt in the 1600's. I suspect that the carpentered spire was added later. This was a Priory church, and the direct access from the Priory can be seen just beyond the buttress. Nicely restored, (if a trifle generous with the mortar!), and the interior has some nice medieval murals which were refreshed very sympathetically in 2012-13 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 green filter. Kodak TMax400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500

View of the eastern elevation. More play with PC-Glycol developer, this time with Kodak TMax400, which has been in my little Nikon L35AF for longer than I care to admit! I used a pale green filter instead of the usual yellow - a nice compromise which makes dark hedges and trees less gloomy! 1983 Nikon L35AF, f2.8/35mm Nikon lens, x2 green filter. Kodak TMax400 in PC-Glycol, 9 mins @21C. Scanned @2400dpi on Epson V500