Kodak Ektralite 10

Picked up a Kodak Ektralite 10 from Goodwill some time ago.  This is a cool little 110 sized film camera.  Super easy to use.  And yes, they still make 110 film.  I used Lomography Color Tiger 200 110 film.  Just open the film door in the back, and drop in a 110 film cartridge.  Close the film door, point & shoot.  Very groovy.  

I have several 110 cameras, and I shoot them just for a goof.  Not very practical since the cameras have little if no controls.  Just point & shoot.  The only control this camera has is an on/off switch for the flash.  No light meter, you just have to guess when you use the flash.  With 200 ASA film basically you use the flash indoors or in shadows.  No flash when outside.

My local camera store doesn't process 110 film, so I sent it away to The Darkroom.  They do a great job.  Here a a few shots while walking around Indianapolis

Hey look it's ME

Riley Tower

Back Alley

Bottomline, the Kodak Ektralite 10 is a fun pocket sized camera.  Super easy to use.  No controls, just point & shoot.  Enjoy!

Canon AE-1 During A Model Shoot

You may or may not know I'm an editorial fashion and beauty photographer for 90% of my photography.  However, whenever I'm not in studio I do street photography mainly with various film cameras.   Guess what, this past weekend during a shoot I actually used this cool Canon AE-1 with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens during a model shoot.  After each clothing change I took 2-3 photos with film.

Can't wait to get the film back and see if any came out.  The camera is easily older than any of the models I was working with.  Got to have film fun...right?  

BTW, this is the first AE-1 I've ever used.  Not sure if this is normal but the shutter release action sounds JUST like a Star Wars light saber being swung.  Its a cool sound.

Nikon & Canon - What I'm Shooting

I'm a Nikon guy on the digital side of the fence.  All of my fashion & portrait photography is with digital.  However, when shooting film, I could care less which camera I use.  Just to show that I'll give both sides some lov'in I'm shooting with both a Nikon AND a Canon.  

Right now I'm shooting with a Nikon N8008 & a Canon AE-1.  I got both at Goodwill for almost nothing.  It will be nice to see how the images turn out.

Instax Mini - Recharging My Film Stock

I did a number or model shoots the past week in studio.  During the shoots I use my Polaroid & Instax cameras for fun & behind the scenes shots.  I used all my Instax mini film during my shoot yesterday, so time to recharge.

The most recent photoshoot was with Playboy Playmate, Iryna Ivanova.  Got to play with the Instax which we all thought was fun

I've Been A Busy Boy

OK, OK, I know you've been breathily waiting for me to post again more regularly.  As I mentioned in my last post, it's been super busy on the digital side of my photography jones, so I haven't been able to spend much time on film & therefore my blog. 

Not to fear.  I still take a film camera out with me regularly, and just got a couple of rolls back today from Roberts.   Got film developed and scanned to disc from a Vivitar PZ3090 point & shoot and an Olympus Stylus Zoom 70.  Both came out really well.  Stay tuned to this channel for more detailed posts on both.

Photos I've Taken - Vivitar PZ3090

Ooopsie, I've been super busy with my digital photography side of things, so I've not had a chance to work much on film.  I picked up a couple of rolls today, so I thought I better get back to my blog.  Here goes.  

I purchased a Vivitar PZ3090 point & shoot from Goodwill, and kind of like it.  Compact, easy to use and packing a 38-90mm lens.  Really good range for a point & shoot.  It was clean.  It also packs a flash which is very useful for indoor settings.  I loaded it up with a new battery and plopped in a roll of Ilford XP2 400 B&W film. 

The camera was very responsive, and easy to use.  Just what you need in a point and shoot.  Here's a shot of the Indiana World War Memorial monument in downtown Indianapolis on an overcast day.

Toy Camera Fun - The Coca Cola Camera

Lens cover shut - it's a good looking camera

Viewfinder is directly over the lens which is nice, but the flash has a manual on/off switch.

I found this fun toy camera at my local Goodwill.  Yes, I agree why would anyone throw this beauty away?  No problems I rescued it.  It has toy camera all over it with it's all plastic body & lens and no features.  Oh yes, it does have a manual flash.

I popped in a roll of expired (not cold stored) Kodak T-Max 400 and fired away.  I even took it to a camera club Christmas party.  I was the talk.  After about 12 shots the shutter release button stuck in the depressed position.  Couldn't advance the film.  No problems.  A good smack on the palm of my hand and the shutter release button unstuck.  I had to do this on the last 12 or so shots.  

Anyway, I made it through the roll, and face palm I opened the back of the camera without rewinding the film.  Film photographers know that stupid feeling.

I closed 'er up and rerolled the film.  I didn't want those last 3 photos anyway.  I was surprised in good light (remember I was only using 400 ASA film) the quality was as expected.  Kind of creamy as might be expected with it's fine Chinese manufacturing of the 90's and it's plastic lens.  Right up there with toy camera stardom.  It will however end up in my "used" box because I don't want to have to go around whacking my camera ever time I take a picture.  Some photos, and few of the ones that have open back light leakage.  Enjoy

Lomography would be proud - filter compliments of an open film back

Pretty colors

Dynamic range stinks

Christmas party at the studio, maybe I should have used my studio strobes

Expired 400 ASA film in a toy camera on an overcast day = sucky photo

Tree outside of the studio

My Latest Camera Finds

Over the holidays I stopped at a Goodwill Outlet I had only been to once.  Not sure if I would find any film cameras, but I was wrong.  I scored big.  I found an Olympus Stylus Zoom 70 & a Nikon N8008.  

The Olympus is an advance point & shoot a bit bigger than my other Olympus Stylus cameras.  It's a bit scratched up, but looks good to go.  The Nikon was in surprisingly excellent shape.  I've never had an N8008 but have shot Nikon SLR's & DSLR's for a long, long time.  This one looks in excellent condition.  I simply changed out the batteries and put on one of my many Nikkor lenses and it looks good to go.  I'll give it a film check soon.

All in less than $2.  

Imperial Debonair with Rerolled 620 Film

I bought this Imperial Debonair as part of a film camera lot on Ebay.  I don't recall how much it cost but doubt it was more than a couple of dollars.  An unusual looking camera somewhat similar to a Kodak Brownie.  The difference is there is a look through viewfinder.  This is a medium format camera that uses 620 film.  

I knew nothing about the camera, or the company that sold them, Herbert George Co.  It looks cool however.  A very 50's, 60's look.  When purchased it was in rough shape.  Looks like it was either heavily used or just thrown around.  I cleaned it up as much as possible, and put it in my "to be used in the future" box.  

The challenge is unlike my Brownie, I couldn't fit a 120 roll in it.  There was a 620 spool already in the camera, but I didn't want to roll my own, and 620 film is either hard to find or expensive.  About a month ago, I placed an order with The Film Photography Project store and decided to buy a roll or 620 film.  This is rerolled Kodak 400TX 120 film. 

I loaded the camera up which is straight forward and easy to do.  Because of the cracks on the seams I sealed it up with black electrical tape.  After about 4 shots the winding knob was becoming very stiff and ultimately wouldn't turn.  Hmmm, I took it in a dark room and opened the camera up.  The spool had popped off the winder.  I snapped the spool back on and closed it up.  I took 2 more shots and the same thing happened again.  I repeated the open / close routine.  One more shot and the camera was toast.  I couldn't get it back on the winder, so I took the film out and rolled it up.  I think there were at least 2 more photos remaining.

So end result I took at least 5-6 shots that I think will come out.  The film tore slightly at that point (I noticed this when I rewound the film), so I doubt The Darkroom can process the film.  I'll send it in for processing soon and will report back.

Latest Goodwill Find

I stopped at Goodwill tonight on my way home from work.  Why?  Well, because I find film cameras on the cheap.  Scored tonight.  I found the following three 35mm point & shoot film cameras.  All of about $5:

• Lavec TC-305 Supervision (a rep's gift to a doctor since there is a label on the back "Lozol 1.25 Indapamide Tablets)
• Coca-Cola branded camera,
• Fun Shooter 450

I really like the Coca-Cola camera.  Very retro, although it's dated 1999.  Look forward to shooting with them.

Imperial Debonair

I'm shooting a found (don't remember where I got it) medium format Imperial Debonair. A retro looking plastic camera. Unlike a look down Kodak Brownie this camera has a look-thru viewfinder.  Shoots 620 sized film. This film size is hard to find. I bought a roll online from Film Photography Project store and loaded it up. After 5 shots the film jammed. I opened it up in a room with the lights off. The top spindle had popped off. I snapped it back on, and shot another photo.  Jammed again.  Opened it up, and put the spool back on.   Hopefully I can finish the roll.

Photos I've Taken - Kodak Star 110

I've bought several 110 sized cameras over the past year.  I hadn't used them because I didn't know where to get the film developed.  Found out The Darkroom in California developed 110 size, so I dusted a few of the 110 cameras off.  One was the Kodak Star 110.  I bought 110 sized film from Lomography through The Film Photography Project store.  Tammy the cat is the subject of my test shot.

Photos I've Taken - Vivitar Champion II

This was shot in the evening at Crown Hill Cemetery in downtown Indianapolis during a photo club photo walk.  I brought various film cameras to test & play with.  This camera was pretty beat up and many of the shots had pretty bad light leaks.  Very lomography-like.  The film door on the camera had to be forced open & the film advance was not smooth.  Shot with a roll Mitsubishi MX-III 400 film.  I got the camera at a local Goodwill Outlet, so what do you expect.

My Latest Camera Find - Canon A35 F Rangefinder

My latest camera find is a super clean Canon A35 F.  This is a classic rangefinder in the same line / family as the very popular Canonet.  I've never had a Canon F, so I was really surprised when I found this during my routine check at my local Goodwill Outlet.  It was dusty & dirty, but it cleaned up nicely.  The batteries were dead (one for the meter & one for the popup flash) but the battery compartment is clean.

The lens, a 40mm f/2.8 was protected by a clear lens filter.  All the moving parts seemed to work, except the ASA selector knob which appears to be sluggish.  It's set at 400 right now, so that's what I use most of the time so this shouldn't pose issues.   I loaded it with new batteries tonight and the light meter appears to work.  

This is going to be a fun camera to shoot.  It's the same size as my now dead Canonet, so the size is just right.  

Olympus MJU - A Sweet Point & Shoot

This little beauty is one of my longest running film point & shoots.  The Olympus MJU was the first in a series of the line.  First produced in 1991.  In NA it was branded as the Stylus.  I got this one while living in Hong Kong, so there is no Stylus branding.  This camera got used for years.  I put it away a few years ago when the digital bug hit.  The camera got put back into service this year when I reactivated my film interest.  This guy was right there ready to go.  All I needed to do was replace the battery.  I used this camera A LOT.

There's nothing to set on this camera.  Just load the film, open the lens cover slide and press the shutter release.  This is a rangefinder camera with the view finder right over the lens.  There is limited / no parallax issue.  The lens is a super sharp Olympus lens at 35mm f/3.5.  Not the fastest lens in the world, but there is an automatic flash that goes off when needed.  Two buttons are available for self timer & for turning on/off the flash.  

The camera is small, a bit chunky but fits perfectly in your hand.  The lens cover slides open very easily with one hand.  Once open the lens pops out about 1/4 of an inch and you are ready to go.  That's it.

I've really enjoyed this camera and will post some photos when the roll currently in it is developed.

Ansco Pix Panorama - A Simple Panorama Point & Shoot

I recently bought a bunch of simple point & shoot cameras.  One of the cameras is a very simple panoramic camera called the Ansco Pix Panorama.  No controls at all.  Just open the lens cover and take the picture.  I loaded it with a roll of Kodak BW400CN.  Got the film back today.  Leaves a black band on the top & bottom of the photo.  Only about 2/3 of the surface area is left in the center of the photo.  A fun little camera

Focus is fairly soft, but a very retro look.  I bet it would look really cool in color.  Here area  couple of shots.

Mamiya M645 - Total Medium Format Uberness

My first medium format film camera is right here, the Mamiya M645.  A classic beauty.  Built like a tank & really heavy.  I bought this about 3 years ago on a bit of a flier.  I was about 2 years into my editorial fashion / model photography focus and thought it would be interesting to use film during some of the shoots.  Good excuse?  Not really, but hey, who said photographers always made good purchasing decisions.  Anything can be justified.  Come on, you know it's true.

Anyway, I researched medium format cameras and decided to get something fairly simple and manual.  I'm fluent with lighting, aperture settings and using a light meter so I'm cool with a manual camera.  My search took me to the Mamiya 645 line.  I focused on the basic M645 with a standard pentaprism viewfinder.  No light meter on the M645, unless I switched out the viewfinder.  I bought it on eBay for about $150 including a Mamiya-Sekor 150mm f/3.5 lens.  A standard portrait lens as the effective focal length is about 85mm.  It was a good deal and really clean.  It already had a battery in it with good power.  This is important because the shutter won't fire without a battery.

I wanted a wider angle, standard lens and a hand grip, so during a trip to NYC I stopped by B&H Camera and made my way to their used section.  I purchased an Mamiya-Sekor Macro 80mm f/4 lens and a hand grip.  Dropped another $150+

The Mamiya M645 does not have a film back, but a film insert.  The inserts are available in both 120/220 sizes.  You simply open the hinged back (took me a while to figure out how to get this open), and take out the insert.  You load your film onto the insert (there are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do this, so I'll not bore you here), and put it back in.  When you put the insert back in there is a pleasing, click as it locks in place.  Don't worry, you can't close the back door if the insert is not properly seated.  You then wind the film crank until it reaches #1.  It stops at that point, and you are ready to go.  Once you get the hang of it, loading the Mamiya is easy.  

Simply set the aperture & speed to the desired setting, focus the lens and you are ready to go.  There are 2 shutter release buttons depending how you are using / holding the camera.  One is located on the top of the camera at the front on the right.  This can be triggered with your thumb.  The other is on the front of the camera lower right of the lens.  This is the release that is triggered with my hand grip.  2 shutter release buttons are handy.

Here are some basic specs on the camera:

• 120/220 medium format, 6 x 4.5 SLR
• All Mamiya M645 models share similar accessories including finders, screens, grips, lenses, etc.
• Flash synch tops at a whopping 1/60 of a second (that screwed me up during my first model shoot since I thought it was higher and I was using studio strobes - I didn't know the little red circle on the speed dial is to indicate the max synch speed....oh, now I do)
• Speed from 8 seconds to 1/500 second, there's also a B mode
• The shutter locks when there is no film in the camera and as I mentioned above, doesn't work without a battery
• Takes a 6v PX28 or a 4LR44 battery
• Red battery test button with a little green light to check the battery strength...very handy.
• There were several different M645 variants like the Super, 100S, M645J, etc.  The one I have is the first version & the most basic
• Focal plane shutter
• No mid-roll change possible because there is not film back with an insert.  You have to finish your roll if you want to change
• Mirror lockup & multiple exposure possible
• 2 flash synch terminals: electronic = "x", bulb = "FP"
• There are multiple viewfinder prisms available including a waist level "sport", metered prism, etc.

Shooting the camera requires a hand held light meter, the Sunny 16, or simply a good working knowledge of light settings.  I've used all 3 with good results.  

I'm really happy with the camera.  I've run about a dozen rolls through it.  All have been Ilford XP2 400 Super.  The results are soft.  I think part of the softness is that I haven't nailed the focus every time.  It is definitely a retro feel to the photos.  By the way, being a medium format the negatives are huge, so a well focused / properly exposed photo can be blown up greatly.  One other thing, when you take this beast out for street photography or a model shoot it definitely gets stares.

Here are a few images (please note, these images were taken from my 1st 2 rolls and were just to test the camera):

Model Wendy in studio with mono-lights,  but speed higher than synch speed

Model Wendy in studio with mono-lights,  but speed higher than synch speed

Abandoned house during an overcast day

Indiana cornfield during the early summer during an overcast day

Film Is Alive - Film Ferrania

The Italian film production company FILM Ferrania has been "resurrected".  Under the tag line of "100 More Years of Film" they kicked off a Kickstarter crowd funding to get the production up again (the production had been mothballed for several years).  

As you can tell by this blog I still shoot film, and have been aware that film has become niche to the more mainstream digital photography world.  Why, even I use film as a niche, since my main photography life is spent in digital.  However, I still work with film.  Unfortunately, while film is still fairly easy to get the number of types & brands are shrinking and the cost up.  We need more film producers, and FILM Ferrania had a plan to do just that.

I listened to a recent podcast by The Film Photography Project that discussed FILM Ferrania & their Kickstarter project.  The goal was to start production of several film types.  When the podcast was over I quickly pledged to the project.  I was uncertain if the project would get fully funded, but I was hopeful.  Today, I got an email that my credit card had been debited and then saw in my email that it had been MORE than funded.  Outstanding.

So there you go.  First it's The Impossible Project and now FILM Ferrania.  Even though film may be a niche, it's a fun niche and #Filmisalive

Congrats to FILM Ferrania & to the contributors to their campaign.  All film enthusiast are winners.

Time To Get Processing

Looks like I've gotten behind.  I just sent 7 non-C41 rolls off The Darkroom and now I need to take these into Roberts Camera in Indianapolis.  Got myself backlogged.  Yikes

A combination of Fujicolor, Ilford & Kodak films.

Fujifilm Discovery 270 Zoom - Ate My Film

Mean, mean Fujifilm - Ate My First Roll of Film

Another thrift store find was the Fujifilm Discovery 270 Zoom.  Looks like a fun little camera.  However, I loaded it with a roll of Kodak BW400CN as instructed.  I must have loaded it wrong because it immediately rolled the film into the can.  Great, one roll of film trashed.  I wanted to try the camera so I reloaded it with a roll of Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400.  Lets try this again.