Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: My thoughts on growing old.

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Community » Film-Yak » My thoughts on growing old. (Page 2)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Author

Topic: My thoughts on growing old.

Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 4441
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 05-16-2007 10:31 PM

Mark; that makes you a retired.............wolf! Louis

| IP: Logged

Dennis Udovich
Film Handler

Posts: 71
From: Sheboygan, WI, USA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 05-17-2007 12:22 AM

HIT THE BIG SIX-O last August. Still can't believe I'm sixty! Most people say I look much younger. I've never had a weight problem. Been in good health and feel well. Must be the movie life. Been around the business all my life. My dad was a projectionist for over 50 years and I continued in his footsteps. Love the business and have no reason to even think of retirement. [Smile]

| IP: Logged

Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 05-17-2007 12:32 AM

Dennis must work for a good company, or has his own theatre - where his great attitude comes from...

Sadly, some of us had great atmospheres like that in the past, but in this day and age, it has its moments to keep our attitudes in the up and coming side.

| IP: Logged

Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 05-17-2007 04:02 AM

Dennis, how old are you in your avatar?

| IP: Logged

Wayne Keyser
Master Film Handler

Posts: 272
From: Arlington, Virginia, USA
Registered: May 2004

posted 05-17-2007 09:21 PM

Stephen - have you considered the possibility that you're clinically depressed?

It's no shame - every now and then, we're depressed because we find our circumstances - uh - well - DEPRESSING. But something can be done to address that. It just doesn't look like that to someone "inside" the condition. You don't always need a psychiatrist - speak to your physician.

Everyone gets old (find me someone who doesn't). But people say that Americans (and, who knows, maybe Brits too) seem to think they can live forever if they only exercise enough and eat enough yogurt (or whatever the fad of the month is). We can't have that - but we CAN improve our vitality and well-being in older age with healthy habits. And adopting suchg habits doesn't mean you have to be miserable, eat twigs off the ground (rice cakes ... ugh!) or listen to every health-fad salesman.

Best of luck! Enjoy the rest of your life!

Alternatively, remember the banner above the casket in ELIZABETHTOWN: "If it wasn't this, it would be something else."

| IP: Logged

Robert E. Allen
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1078
From: Checotah, Oklahoma
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 05-18-2007 01:09 AM

O.K. kids. I celebrated three-quarters of a century last month (and yes that's a fairly recent picture) and can't believe the time has flown by so fast. I have no major health problems and the VA medical team is "maintaining" me for the few minor ailments I do have. There are times when I notice my age. Like when my mind says "Do this" and my body say "You've got to be kidding". I agree with the guys about losing weight. I'm at 280 now and on my way down. But I'm not done living. I currently am employed with a major circuit as an assistant manager (where I'm surrounded by kids) and just finished a talk today with the owner of a dark 1250 seat, single screener about the possibility of leasing, restoring and re-opening it. So take care of yourselves guys and look forward not back.

| IP: Logged

Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-18-2007 01:24 PM

quote: Wayne Keyser
Stephen - have you considered the possibility that you're clinically depressed?

Wayne, No, I've had depression, so I know what it's like, and it's not like I feel about this; it's far worse. For a couple of years a long time ago now I somehow dragged myself into work, then went home, sat on the floor just inside the front door and stared at the wall for the other fifteen hours or so before going back to work. Every few days I got so tired that I fell over and slept for an hour or so. The problems that I had then weren't all that serious, I've probably got worse ones to deal with now, but that's why depression's so difficult to get out of; you just can't bring yourself to do anything about what's causing it.

This is quite different; growing old is something I genuinely can't do anything about. The sort of problems that I do have are the same sort of boring everyday things that everyone has, long boring tax return form to fill in, stupid software that doesn't work the way it's supposed to, people who are never in the office when I 'phone them, that sort of thing, and I can deal with those.

quote: Wayne Keyser
Everyone gets old (find me someone who doesn't). But people say that Americans (and, who knows, maybe Brits too) seem to think they can live forever if they only exercise enough and eat enough yogurt (or whatever the fad of the month is).

What a terrible thought (living forever). The idea of being dead doesn't worry me at all; it's the process of getting to that state that I don't like the idea of. The idea that I might grow old and face years of slow, possibly painful, decay is something I don't want. I would want to stay in a good state of health until the end, and then die suddenly; that's a much better way to go.

quote: Wayne Keyser

Alternatively, remember the banner above the casket in ELIZABETHTOWN: "If it wasn't this, it would be something else."

That's a good one [Smile]

| IP: Logged

Wayne Keyser
Master Film Handler

Posts: 272
From: Arlington, Virginia, USA
Registered: May 2004

posted 05-18-2007 03:59 PM

What's a fella to do?

I picture making it to 99 years, 364 days, and lying fully lucid with a long white beard in a big four-poster bed dispensing my life's wisdom to my loved ones, as the field hands (don't ask me where they came from) moan a spiritual outside the window, and a little curly-haired girl kneels at the foot of the bed praying "Please, Mister God, don't let great-grampa die!"

I know, WAY too many Shirley Temple movies in my youth.

That whole scene is so revolting that it should energize me to action, so I'd make certain that the real scene involves one or more strippers in the back alley of a bar in a bad part of town.

I'm sure reality lies somewhere in between. Over the years, I keep telling my wife that if I get to a certain point of decline, she's to strap me in behind the wheel of a fast car, jam a brick on the gas pedal, head for a bridge abutment and jump. Except I keep changing the target: "When I can't walk without a cane..." - "When I can't do without a walker..." - "When I..." (anything more would be too much information.)

I dunno. There's been no fast car bought, so far ... and I can't keep her away from home-decor stores, so there's probably a four-poster bed on order already. Now ... where to get field hands? Maybe the corner where the Mexican guys hang out looking for a day's work?

---------------

PS - Everyone always asks why do I make such silly statements.

Answer: Cause if I don't laugh, I'll cry. I'd rather laugh.

[ 05-18-2007, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Keyser ]

| IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-18-2007 05:52 PM

quote: Stephen Furley
growing old is something I genuinely can't do anything about.

Yes thre is... Get rid of the old Speed Graphic and get a nice new Nikon or Canon Digital camera.... You'll feel alot younger then [thumbsup]

.

Just kidding of course....

Mark

| IP: Logged

Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-18-2007 06:31 PM

I haven't used it for about three years now; I just don't have the time. Lack of darkroom facilities doesn't help either, though I can develop film without. It's sitting in its case under my desk at work. Thinking of the other thread, it will be something for me to play with when I retire.

Of course, given enough money, it would be perfectly possible to put a modern large format digital back on the Speed Graphic; it would fit, and it would work. Not bad for a camera that's about 58 years old.

I did lend it to one of our students last year, and she took several shots with it, including one taken with a couple of the large flashbulbs; I've never personally dared to fire anything bigger than a No.5.

| IP: Logged

Chris Hipp
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1462
From: Mesquite, Tx (east of Dallas)
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 05-19-2007 01:00 AM

On occasion I like to take cemetery walks. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how young most people died even as short as 50 years ago. While I do see people who lived 60-80 years before 1950, it is probably 10 to 1 for people who died before their 20th birthday. I have no idea where the common notion that our life spans are getting shorter.

Here is how I look at things; The chances of someone being concieved are almost non existant. Throughout the course of human history, just being born was a long shot, much less making it to puberty. So, if you live to be 30 you have probably lived a longer and more full life that 99% of your ancestors. Don't even get me started on retards who claim that trans fat and eating "non organic" foods shortens the human life span. We are living longer than ever before, even with all the proccessed foods. Yes cancer rates are growing, but that is because there are more people and they are growing older. Of course I have not researched any of this.

That doesn't say much about growing old, I obviously won't know about that for a while, but I think about life with that perspective a lot.

| IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-19-2007 08:26 PM

quote: Stephen Furley
it would be perfectly possible to put a modern large format digital back on the Speed Graphic

The digital backs are wayyyyy toooooo expensive at this point in time. About 12K+ U.S. for a barely decent one. The thing about large format is that is film and processing doesn't kil you lugging that thing around certainly will... Since I've gotten my Canon EOS Digital camera I am seriously thinking od selling off both my 4X5 and 6X9 view cameras. This thing makes really nice 16X20 enlargements and the $$ from the view camera stuff could be better spent on extra lenese for the Canon. While the EOS body may go obsolete I think this series of lenses will be around for some time to come to use on newer and higher resolution bodies.

Mark

| IP: Logged

Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-20-2007 01:54 PM

I know Mark, way beyond my price range, but in theory you could do it.

I've actually got holders/backs for:

Plates

Sheet film (5x4 and 9x12)

Pack film (film packs no longer available)

Grafmatic

Roll film (in two different formats)

Polaroid roll film (film no longer available)

Polaroid Pack film (in two different sizes)

Polaroid sheet film

Kodak Rapidload

Fuji Quickload

Fuji Quickchange (a sort of cross between film packs and a disposable, though you can re-load it, Grafmatic)

I didn't pay much for any of this stuff; It was all picked up secondhand.

Then there are several types of one-shot and scanning digital backs.

That's pretty versatile! Then on the other end you're not limited to lenses of one particular fitting; bore the right size hole in a lensboard, and you can fit anything you like.

Then there are the movements, and the thing I like best about large format, the fact that you have to slow down, and think about what you're doing.

I've actually just bought a new large format camera today; it comes in a kit, and is made of MDF board. It was only £100, special show price at 'Photographica', the largest camera collectors' event in London. It's this one: web page The only problem is I haven't taken a decent photograph for several years; I just don't have the time. That's something I want to do when I retire, thinking of the other thread; spend some time doing photography.

| IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-20-2007 05:27 PM

After I moved out here to Utah I bought two view cameras to hike with. There are unlimited of photographic possibilities out here. One is a CAMBO 4X5... can't remember which model it is but it comes apart and fits into a large backpack I bought for it with its three Rodenstock lenses and many filters and adaptor rings and two light meters...one spot meter and one incident type. One person hikes with that... then another person hikes with the 12 film holders, and tripod. The changing tent stays at the motel or in the car.

The second camera is a 6X9 Galvin View camera. Its probably the smallest all metal view camera ever made at about 2 lbs. I have a 65mm 105mm Rodenstock for it and a 120 roll film back. If I take this camera I have the adaptor rings so I can use the filters from the Cambo and the light meters. All this fits neatly into a smaller backpack that I have just for it and the tripod attaches to the bottom of the back pack. This camera can all be toted by yourself on any hike and you hardly notice its there.... Weighs about 8 lbs total without tripod. The 4X5 is another thing though and is burdonsome to carry for very long although I have hiked for close to 15 miles round trip one time with it in Bruce Canyon.Other folks there thought I was form National Geographic or something and I had to convince them I'm just a crazy hobbyiest.

A while back I wanted to sellf off all this stuff anf buy a Fuji 6X17 panorama camera but have not gotten around to that yet and not sure if I will with film disappearing so fast from the market place. The digital stuff really spoils one big time.

The Better light Super10K HS is what I would call a decent digital back with a 10200 x 13600 pixel imager and 549mb image file size...TAKE NOTE IMAX! This makes my Canon EOS look child like in comparison. Its only 23K list price.... At the other end the Model 4000E-HS offers 3750 x 5000 pixels and costs 6.5K. I think at that point I'd rather consider the Hasselblad digital camera whose body is about $500.00 more. Not that they give their lenses away though [Eek!]

.

P.S. The kit camera looks interesting... don't leave the parts in the box for ever!

Mark

| IP: Logged

Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 05-20-2007 08:43 PM

quote:
The Better light Super10K HS is what I would call a decent digital back with a 10200 x 13600 pixel imager and 549mb image file size...TAKE NOTE IMAX!

That's a 138,720,000 pixel image. Provided the lenses that go with the camera are sharp and fast enough it might give 15-perf 70mm some competition...on a single frame basis.

Translating that into full motion video is another matter entirely.

The imaging chip (probably CMOS-based) in that digital back is probably like a lot of others, not all that fast and probably not nearly fast enough to deliver 24, 30 or 60 frame per second rates.

And then you have the issue of data bandwidth. An uncompressed 24-bit image in that pixel size is 3.329 GB. Multiplied by 24 times for 24 frames that puts the bandwidth upwards of 80GB per second. That might be a bit beyond today's best computer technology to handle.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.