It's an Instant 'Thang - Polariod One Step Flash

I dig instant photography, as you might expect if you've read any of this blog.  I like the immediate feedback and the ability to hold the finished product in your hand.  I primarily use them in my studio for behind the scenes shots during model or fashion shoots.

Recently I pulled out of my stash this Polaroid One Step Flash.  Pretty simple.  Like most 600 styled Polaroids it's simply point and shoot.  The only option is the light / dark slider which I always tend to keep in the middle.  I loaded this with a pack of Impossible Project Color 600 film, and used it during a shoot with model Kat Scott.

A few of the images taken against a black backdrop

One thing I do because I generally have 2-3 Polaroids loaded at the same time with different films, I write what I have in the camera just in-case I forget.  I know, very OCD-like.

Alas, my last shot of the pack got jammed in the camera, but magically popped out after I gave the camera a reasonable smack.  Uh, this doesn't look like my model

OK, does this have any practical value, nope, but it's fun.

End of An Era - FujiFilm FP-100c

If you are an instant film shooter, you know that FujiFilm has pulled the plug on their "peel-apart" pack film.  I wrote about it on an earlier blog post.  The FP-3000B was discontinued about 2+ years ago, and then this past month the color FP-100c.  I liked the B&W version of the 2 the best, so I was sorry to see it go.  However, I still shot the color version regularly.  As a matter of fact it was one of my go to's for behind the scenes shots during my model / fashion / portrait studio photography.  

It was an expensive novelty / fun genre that I've done for a number of years.  I picked up 5 packs recently and will slowly use them.   Sad to see this film go, but am not surprised at FujiFilm's decision. Oh well, I still have my Polaroids.  I'll focus on using Impossible Project film in my 600, SX-70 & Spectra cameras.   I'll shelve all of my Pack cameras.

Holga 120N Is Beautiful

Yes, I have a Holga 120N.  I got it as a freebie gift from my niece who lives in Prague.  Not sure where she got it, but she knew I still shot film. She said, "Uncle Steve, you want my Holga and a bunch of expired film that I have?"  It took me about 3 seconds to respond to that email.  The Holga is a cult, toy camera.  A medium format beauty!

Literally, the day I got the camera in the mail I saw the announcement the Chinese (Hong Kong?) manufacturer was stopping production.  A sad day, but hey, I got mine.  Soon after I got the camera I loaded it with a roll of Ilford XP400 Super 120.  And took it on a road trip out east and then another roll about a month ago.

The Holga 120N is simple to use.  There is really nothing to it.  It is a classic toy camera.  Very flimsy, plastic, plastic lens, minimal controls.  On my version it has a 60mm lens, 4 zone focus options on the lens, a sunny / cloudy setting (f/8 & f/13), and a N / B selector on the bottom.  The N mode is 1/100 second. What you also have (which screwed me up on one roll) is a 16/12 shot selector on the back.  Really, just a slider over the red window that tells you if you have the included in box insert for 16 shots.  

You'll note on the photos that they have that classic Holga toy camera vignetting and softness around the edges.  

I also did a roll with the 16 image selected.  Unfortunately, I forgot to put in the insert for 16 shots and it screwed up the roll.  However, it's kind of cool effect.  Semi double exposures.

The Holga is a fun camera to play with, but toy camera enthusiast already know this.  Get yourself one and enjoy.  Next for me is to try it with a roll of color film or sprockets on a 35mm roll.  Dig it.