For years, the Canon AE-1 (along with the AE-1 program) has been associated with the film addicted hipster. Some were spotted sporting a Praktica MTL5 but, outside Germany at least, the AE-1 became iconic and eclipsed the rest of the A-series.
This is somewhat strange. Continue reading “Canon A-1 –best of the A-Series?”
It has been a strange year …
This time of year, I would normally go through my shots from the summer, do some editing, some uploading and shoot some more. Not now, for obvious reasons. Time to focus on gear and old material for what remains of the year, until the outside world reopens –if ever …
The SQ-Ai Battery Holder and its Contacts
One of the more popular posts on this blog explains how to prevent the button cells in the SQ-Ai from slipping away from the camera contact, using nothing more than a piece of cardboard. This still leaves a problem for those who are missing the battery holder altogether.
About the only alternative to an expensive motor-grip or external pack is a 3D printed replacement holder. Luckily, there is a design freely available. This of course leaves open the question of how to design the electric contacts. I have never tried this, so the best I can do is produce some more detailed photographs. Let’s start with a view of the contact side of the battery holder with a basic scale.
This side shows the contacts of the battery holder: the holes in the middle provide access Continue reading “The SQ-Ai Battery Holder and its Contacts”
Acros 100 vs Acros 100 II: an Unscientific Comparison
Like many, I was pleased to hear that Fuji Acros 100 had risen from the dead. Of course, I had a few rolls of the old Acros in my fridge, and so wondered how the two would compare. Continue reading “Acros 100 vs Acros 100 II: an Unscientific Comparison”
Miranda Solo Panorama Doubleplusungood
A fair number of shitty cameras have graced the pages of this blog. They will all be under-performed by today’s example: the Miranda Solo Panorama.
The Miranda Solo Panorama is one of these very basic reusable cameras with all the technological sophistication of a disposable one. It sports a 28mm wide angle lens, fixed focus, a single exposure time (probably 1/60-1/125 or thereabouts) and an aperture like f11 or Continue reading “Miranda Solo Panorama Doubleplusungood”
Who on Earth is Alex?
One photography project for this year was to go through old negatives. Having grown up with film, I have plenty. In addition, I inherited a file with old negatives from my father. One set is dated 1967 and contains pictures from Berlin of a guy named Alex.
In the shot above, Continue reading “Who on Earth is Alex?”
Mamiya C330 Shutter Not-firing? Three non-issues to rule out before sending it for repair.
The Mamiya C330 TLR is currently gaining popularity. Deservedly so, it is a widely underrated medium format camera. Judging by online discussions of the C330, one frequent problem is a sticking shutter. So if you are new to the C330 and your shutter does not fire, here are three non-problems to identify before you send the camera or lens for a repair & service: Continue reading “Mamiya C330 Shutter Not-firing? Three non-issues to rule out before sending it for repair.”
Doreen Spooner: “Camera Girl”
As shooting occasions are scarce for the locked down photographer, opportunities to read on the subject should expand. At long last, I managed to read Doreen Spooner’s autobiography ‘Camera Girl’. Spooner’s claim to fame is having been the first female photographer on fleet street. The book is more about her than photography -not surprising in an autobiography- and it will mean a lot more to those who know at least half the celebrities she mentions. I had the rare experience of not being quite old enough -nor British enough- to get all the references but I guess the target audience will have no such problem.
Remember, remember the 9th of November ….
During this year’s #filmfeb I professed that my projects for the year were to shoot more 4×5 and revisit some old negatives. Shooting 4×5 in a lockdown is a bit of a challenge, but it seems to be the ideal time for digging into old negatives. I shall start by going some 30 years back.
One of the side effects of growing up in Berlin during the cold war, was being there when the whole affair ended. Continue reading “Remember, remember the 9th of November ….”
Paint it Black: Ortho Plus 80 – the rest of the roll
I finally finished my test roll of Ilford Ortho Plus 80. Doing this handheld in November in the north of England is not the best idea I ever had.
Even though, I got some results, developed in Continue reading “Paint it Black: Ortho Plus 80 – the rest of the roll”