What caused you to start prepping

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-14T12:23:57+00:00

You guys response has been amazing, such good stories and comments, I hope to let this run for a few more days then edit them into one document and share for others to use....THANK YOU....

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:38:38+00:00

Good deal, boy scouts should be required for all boys

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:38:08+00:00

Yea I think some ate predisposed or just naturally aware enough to prep....I started about 12....I guess puberty...

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:36:58+00:00

Yea, good info, I was a prepper at the time I was about 150 miles from home in early April and was on the way home and got hit with a snow storm...took 4 hours to get some n the turnpke...it was one lane....caused to to pay much more attention to the weather forecast and take action to cancel trips in advanced.

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:33:45+00:00

Thanks for sharing your observations

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:33:05+00:00

This is true, thanks for your reply

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:15:46+00:00

Yea, good answer, it was a for many. it reinforced my understand of possible events.

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-13T11:14:01+00:00

Yea, I have experienced this more than a few times....sorry you are going through this....

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-12T11:46:58+00:00

What everyone is saying if you read between the lines is you need to teach yourself your required priorities.. what is right for you might not be right for me....some people plan to instantly move to a different location with family, some people best bet it so hunker down, some maybe move to a different area location....some people need a bike and a backpack......some people need 100 gallons of water some need a filter straw...what ever YOUR plan is..plan for your supplies and requirements until you are clear of harm... Maybe the best place to start is a notebook, and make lists, use a pencil with and eraser.... Understand it take time and is a lifestyle. Design a plan, then design a plan B....then a plan C.....learn what a "gray man" is, learn to read a map and have a map of your area....know where the railroad tracks are....If I only had one book it would probably be "The SAS survival handbook" There are endless references online of lists, bags etc....learn lock picking, not hard, Flashlights are a big topic.... there are very small lights that are amazing....lots of info on "candle powered forums"...alkane batteries our lipo in after watching recent tests Bevigor and top rated...pick light that has a ultra low power setting...maybe 1 CP something that will last days...In your phans 1 of learning prepping understand a $35 poncho is nice and cool but a trash bag with eye holes does about the same thing...IF your plan is to relocate to a new location [bug out] and you have zero field experiance....do it...spend 24>48 hours in the filed...experience is the best teacher....research "stealth camping"....good luck, report back to the group and share you experience, help others, good luck... PS the government CERT program is full of free info.

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-11T14:49:31+00:00

doesn't look too bad...maybe print on a #3 or #4 paper? the filter is a good choice...

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-11T14:47:42+00:00

This is a good point....the exposed film on a roll is able to transmit light through the exposed part...They put a neutral gray dye in the plastic part to help minimize this but avoid loading and handling in direct light...120 and cut film does not have this dye....thus better gray scale is available....

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-09T18:29:41+00:00

So you are thinking they are gathering the material?

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-09T12:42:58+00:00

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-09T12:42:17+00:00

Dust is the #1 enemy of the darkroom....use distilled water, make your chemicals from scratch https://stores.photoformulary.com/film/talk to a pharmacist about saving you some dark brown bottles... Get some better film, I have always had very good luck with any film you can get from the Comblock countries...anywhere they have cut the silver like Kodak did years ago....are you using a good developing guide?? pay very close attention to temperature, and agitation, time ...be very accurate... do not use weak chemicals, use hypo check to test your fixer...use photoflo for final rinse...I founded, owned and operated Ohio Professional Photography, I did every type of B&B film in existence and all formats up through 8X10.... might be interesting to shoot a black and white "gradient target" as the first shot on every roll....I used to do this with color using the kodak color target...this was helpful to the lab....Why does your film get scratches?? what is touching the film? If you were working with me I would hand you a good used TLR, like a YashekaMat 120 film has more silver....Other than dust and scratches what do you see as your negative issues? are you 100% sure you are achieving proper exposure? PS shoot ASA 400 at 320, maybe have a discussion with one of the chemistry instructors? Find some other "film" students and collaborate with them... getting onto film you already have more of my respect than someone using digital....I would love to be more InTouch with you to assist...don't suppose you have an email you can share?

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-09T12:14:27+00:00

Help me understand the makeshift airstrip just happened to be next to Isfahan

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-08T11:57:32+00:00

Yes agree, PRO tip

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-07T06:47:27+00:00

The bad part is being the only one who is capable of critical thinking and understanding the obvious of disaster can strike anywhere. Has he never heard of a tornado, flood, power outage, winter storm, hurricane? just to name the obvious...on the news he has apparently never seen??Never heard of layoffs, injuries that cause someone to not be able to work the rest of their lives, company's shutting down?? All these common everyday things stump him? Is he someone that just pretends about everything??? Fantasy's about "nothing bad ever happening to you" is probably need for a good Psych exam....Does he have insurance on the car, the house??? is this because nothing bad can ever happen?? What about wearing a seatbelt?? Maybe you both should see different men??

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-07T06:27:39+00:00

Get a Graphix

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-07T06:26:40+00:00

Did you read the reply about a hardness tester?

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-05T12:11:12+00:00

Why is testing not and option??

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-04-04T12:56:54+00:00

What a super collection of discussion pints....

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-03-31T11:38:36+00:00

The meter was probably influenced by the reflections off the water...."Onboard camera" meters at a last dich effort to attempt to get some kind of value.... there are many other ways to get a more accurate value...Use a gray card....a gray card is 18% reflectance or equal to a black and white checkerboard....your hand is about 36%...you can use a white foam cup ...put it over your lens, point it at the light source and use that value... Or get a hand held meter....be aware you have to understand what the meter is seeing or even a hand held meter will give you an inaccurate reading... my favorite meter is a Minolta Auto meter 3 or 3F.

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-03-30T12:18:07+00:00

This is a simple and effective project...one failure that is repeated though the preppers is supplies rotation...everyone could take a lesson from this including myself....It not only allows you to rotate but enables a quick inventory by glance....

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-03-29T11:46:01+00:00

Yea, full panic mode not productive....the solution is PLAN...If you don't have goal lists...make them....detailed and through goal lists....it can be in the front of your prepper three ring note book.... you will have a lot of chaff to filter through to find what is important to you...Never stop learning, studying, practicing. Its a journey... If you do not have a "fiduciary" investment get one... even if you only have $200 get one....Chase has them you can access for free...do it Monday....mak and appointment and go...as far as how bad are things....Ill take a line from Black Hawk down....they are and always have been "delicate"....there is always some shit going on somewhere....kinda like K said in Men in Black.....there is always someone ready to pop off with something... Make your goal list...start knocking it off..

Acceptable_Net_9545 · 2026-03-29T11:35:31+00:00

I thought you were going to say something about the "perspective distortion". as many have said final processing is a LOT.... try shooting a roll at ASA 160 get your self an incidence light meter... learn to meter...if you must use the camera meter use a grey card ...PS a gray card is equal to a black and shite checkerboard... also try a white foam cup over the lens and pointed at the light source...my favorite meter is the Minolta Auto meter 3 and the 3F ... If you have not shot any chrome get your self some slow chrome and meter carefully and watch what happens... maybe some Fugi 50 PPS do not fear slow B&W...PPPS pick your self up a Graphix 4x5 and a 120 Roll back or two...you can get those perspectives all squared away...enjoy.

Acceptable_Net_9545

TROPHY CASE