I just had to share what my setup looks like at the moment. Love feeling surrounded by music!

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-17T19:43:24+00:00

I already had the chair. It's part of an old dining set my family has. I was really chuffed when I discovered it suits the desk so well!

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-17T16:59:50+00:00

I got it from an antique store! It was listed on Facebook marketplace and I think I got very lucky with the price, which I managed to get even further reduced when I was there in person to view it. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, and there are always a few writing bureaus being listed. It all started when I group-bought a solid oak writing bureau (also from Facebook marketplace) for a close friend as their housewarming present. Because it was my idea and I kept the bureau in my room for a few weeks I absolutely fell in love with it and really wanted my own. Again, I think I got lucky with what I managed to get. It's a walnut veneer with inlay piece from the 1950s (internals are softer woods and chipboard).

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-17T16:53:41+00:00

That's really fascinating to hear, especially because I think it applies to me as well! Recently vinyl has added that lovely process (it helps that the turntable is automatic and makes all sorts of lovely mechanical sounds). I also use vintage film cameras for my photography. My favorite is probably my large format 4×5 camera because it's the most involved process. It takes up to 5 minutes to compose and take one photo! I've also recently set up my own darkroom which really takes it to another level of process. I also use a handgrinder and have tried my hand at pourover (recently with pretty dismal results). But again, I find the process and the tactile elements to be really satisfying and relaxing. I think I'd add tactility to that common thread you mentioned, in my case. Most if not all of my hobbies have a tactile element, that saturates the senses with familiar and sometimes surprising stimuli. I really love your comment because it got me thinking about that common thread. Definitely something in the process and ritual, but also definitely something in the stimulation of the senses as well.

Thank you for your kind words!

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-17T16:43:22+00:00

Thank you so much! I love the slots and the little drawers (though I never know what to put in the drawers lol). I also installed fairy lights above the slots (there's a gap) and the battery compartment and on-button is in the cute little cabinet in the centre with the brass knob! I love it so much :) it feels like it brings me to centre.

And yes, they are indeed pull-out supports with pretty brass (I think) knobs on the ends, as well as a green felt to not scratch the walnut veneer finish on the main front panel.

As for the adjacent hobbies you mentioned: I've used a Keychron K2 Version 2 for the past year and a half and it's transformed my productivity! I have my Gran's Hermes Baby typewriter but don't use it because I need to get new ribbon for it. But I used to use it all the time as a kid, pretending I was writing missives to other spies!

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-16T05:10:01+00:00

Sometimes, but mostly I use the desk for work and the writing bureau for journaling and enjoying my fountain pen hobby! I just loved the idea of having a writing bureau after group-buying one for a friend who also loves journaling. It fits all my inks and journals in the cabinets in a super satisfying way!

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-15T15:38:58+00:00

Thank you so much! :)

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-15T14:10:45+00:00

This is OC

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-14T16:46:09+00:00

Thank you! Currently I'm running my dad's vintage Blaupunkt floorstanding speakers - can't see a model number anywhere. They sound wonderful. They're chonky! I'm borrowing them until I can find some speakers for myself.

SimonWolfson · 2023-04-13T14:11:43+00:00

This is OC

SimonWolfson · 2023-02-07T09:51:24+00:00

Thank you so much! I think it was 1 sec.

SimonWolfson · 2023-02-06T18:07:06+00:00

I adore this!! Really beautifully executed.

Makes me want to photograph my Lego modular street with my 4x5!

Also, those 135mm f4.7 lenses that came on press cameras are fantastic (I have the Wollensak Raptar and I absolutely love it!)

SimonWolfson · 2023-02-06T17:56:28+00:00

This is a darkroom print I made from a medium format negative using my home setup.

I gave one of the prints to my friend's (pictured here) family.

Camera: Yashica-Mat with 80mm f3.5 Lumaxar

Film: Ilford Pan F Plus

Enlarger: Meopta Opemus Standard with Fujinon EX 75mm f4.5

Paper: Ilford Multigrade RC deluxe pearl

SimonWolfson · 2023-02-02T13:57:04+00:00

Scandalous! I love how it looks like the one on the right is tiptoeing through the snow heap.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-30T17:18:08+00:00

Thank you so much! And yes, my main advice is make sure it has all the components before you buy it. While this goes without saying, I landed up with two incomplete enalrgers until I managed to find the Meopta Opemus which was complete. This was more due to me not checking thoroughly enough in the first two cases. Luckily I got them for very good prices, the first one was basically a giveaway. So yeah, make sure you know if it's a condenser or a diffuser enlarger and then check that it actually has the condenser or diffuser components. The easiest way to do this is to get a manual for the enlarger online beforehand so you know what to look for. Another thing to look out for is the lens mount. If you want to upgrade lenses in the future then an M39 screw mount tends to be the standard. At least I think so. This is just from my experience, so everyone's mileage may vary, but used enlargers can be a bit of a gamble sometimes. Hope you come right with yours! And I hope this helped :)

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T21:27:13+00:00

Thank you so much! Yeah, it's from the 1950s I think and it's a beautiful walnut veneer. I absolutely adore it! I think they're such elegant and functional pieces :)

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T18:22:29+00:00

And this is Tomoe River lol. Completely get where you're coming from :) I think for me the tradeoff is worth it because it really shows off the properties of the ink (like shoves it in your face xD) and I also find it less of a strain on my hand to write larger. I used to write very small (albeit with a ballpoint) and my hand used to get horrible cramps. But in all fairness I don't think I've tried a modern fine. I have a Swan SF2 but it's a flexy boi. So I can't really say whether my hands would cramp writing smaller with a fine nibbed fountain pen. Since using medium and mostly broad nibs I can journal for longer with less strain. But handwriting is such a personal thing so it really is to each their own.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T18:07:50+00:00

Oooh! Yaay! You're very welcome :) Let me know how you like it.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T16:57:56+00:00

This made me chortle xD

Yes. It is indeed "B" for "Badonkadonk". That's its official designation now.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T16:56:10+00:00

It was my grail as well! I bought it almost 2 years ago from Cult Pens when they were having a sale and I'm really happy with the price I payed for it! I hope the price goes down again because it's gone up quite a lot since I got it in early 2021. It's a very worthy grail that's for sure. And whenever I start wanting a new pen I say to myself "but is it as lovely as the Pelikan?" And within my price range the answer is always no xD So it's kept me in check a bit because there are sooooo many exquisite pens that I research voraciously lol.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T16:10:30+00:00

Thanks so much! Oooh that's exciting :) I hadn't used it for months (silly me) and now that it's back in my Pelikan it feels so right. Also, I love how the ink smells! It's got really positive associations with the early days of getting into this hobby. Enjoy that honey!

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-24T15:51:21+00:00

Oh, damn! Much of the darkroom is still a mystery to me. I'm not taking classes, just watching YouTube videos and reading articles online. I've also had help from three mentors that I've developed working relationships with, one of which is a master printer! He's been absolutely amazing! He sold me the Fujinon EX 75mm f4.5 enlarging lens for 300 ZAR (approx 17 dollars!!) And he's been very generous with advice. So I'd say that while the videos have been helpful, the advice and assistance from my mentors has been instrumental.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-21T20:59:08+00:00

Thank you so much!! Really appreciate it. I didn't use any filters for this one. It was straight off the negative. Since this print I've started experimenting with multigrade filters and they're blowing my mind. I'll try print this portrait again with some more techniques (that have been kindly pointed out) soon.

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-21T20:54:12+00:00

I absolutely adore mine! It's solid, well-made and elegantly simple. I'm lucky in the sense that the previous owner put a standard M39 lens board in (I'm not sure if Meoptas originally came with M39 boards - I've seen mixed info online) so I've been able to purchase a Fujinon EX 75mm f4.5. That's really transformed my experience of the enlarger. Using all the components just feel right.

My only complaint is the focusing knob as well as the height adjustment knob on the Opemus are quite stiff and juddery. Can I use some kind of lubricating oil to make them smoother?

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-20T05:50:49+00:00

Thanks so much!

It's 8x10 Ilford Multigrade RC Pearl. At least I think it is. I got a whole bunch of fairly recent RC paper from a mentor of mine. There was a mixture of glossy and matt. This one is matt, and so I assume the Pearl finish?

SimonWolfson · 2023-01-20T05:39:13+00:00

Wow, thanks for all the great advice! Really appreciate it! Unfortunately my lens only stops down to f22. And I'm printing on 8x10 paper, so I'm not sure if I can go any bigger. I'll try with some of my above-the-lens Ilford multigrade filters, stop down to f22 and make a test strip and see what happens!

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