Sweet dreams

Sweet dreams, a photo by JuanRoman on Flickr.

Pentax K2 | 50mm f/1.4 | Ilford HP5+

Is this gonna work?

Is this gonna work?, a photo by JuanRoman on Flickr.

OK, set the exposure...check the focus...lower the camera...steady...

Pentax K2 | 28mm f/2.8 | Ilford HP5+

Found Film, Part 1

We bought a vintage Kodak Petite folding camera on eBay. These were produced between 1929-1933 as the "ladies" version of the Kodak Vest Pocket Model B folding camera. The original list price was $7.50, which is approximately $100 in 2013 dollars. This was an Autographic model, which meant it came with a small stylus pen. When loaded with special Kodak autographic film, one could write on a portion of the negative through a small opening in the camera back in order to make small notes after you shot each frame that would appear on the developed image. Neat.

To my surprise there was a roll of 127 film still captive inside the camera. It appeared to be fully exposed, as well. Since 127 film is not a film type that is produced any longer, I looked up a film lab that I thought could process it. I sent it off, only to find out about a week later that they couldn't process it and were returning my film. It turns out this film (Kodacolor-X) requires special developing chemistry (C-22) that is no longer readily available. This film was apparently manufactured between 1963 to 1974.

Fortunately there still are a few labs that have the ability to process C-22, though it takes longer than the 35mm standard C-41 color processing because they have to process in batches to get the most use of their chemicals. The first lab I tried (The Darkroom) was kind enough to refer me to Film Rescue International, which I had also got a recommendation about on Twitter.

I have been very curious to find out what memories might be captured on this film. I also find it interesting that someone was using a camera in the late-60s/early-70s that was already 35-40 years old at the time. My hopes of finding Mad Men-type images from the film were dashed, though, when I learned the likely age of the film. Hopefully, there's still something cool and interesting there.

Part 2 to come when I receive the images...

Why do you?

Interesting post & comments over at Japan Camera Hunter: "Why do you shoot film?"

Well, I shoot film because I can. It really is that simple. It is a lifestyle choice, just like being a vegetarian or a smoker.

I'll go with that. It's pretty much the same question as "Why do you listen to vinyl?", right? 

I've touched on why I am choosing to shoot film, here and here and here. Click over to the link and give it a read.

On the Twitter? See:

Why do you shoot film? - japancamerahunter.com/2013/03/why-do… Come and join in. Get involved #shootfilm #photography
— JapanCameraHunter (@Jpncamerahunter) March 17, 2013

600 on a 600

I signed up to participate in a project started by the site snapitseeit.com called "600 on a 600."

Their original idea was to send a single Polaroid 600 series camera around the country and get volunteers to collectively shoot 600 photographs (75 x 8 = 600) using new film from The Impossible Project. The response was so great, they'll be sending out three cameras total: two in North America and one in Europe. Read more about the original idea by clicking on the image above. At this point, the project is underway and there are a few posts up with images.

I'm excited to take part, and to try out the new film(s) produced by TIP for the old Polaroid cameras. After my turn comes around, I'll write about the experience here. The photos will be uploaded to Snap It | See It.

In the meantime, I got my hands on some expired Polaroid 600 film and a One Step Closeup camera. Most of the film was too far gone and had barely any developable image area left.

The last pack had a 2006 expiration date and, I was pleased to discover, actually developed for the most part. Shooting a 24 or 36 shot roll of 35mm is hard enough. Being limited to 10 shots (only 8 with the new TIP films) really makes you think twice before pressing the shutter button. The new films are not cheap, either. This image below I tried framing up in the viewfinder, but I wanted to get low to the ground. The actual shot was a little bit of a snap-and-hope-for-the-best type of thing. The bluish horizontal lines are just artifacts from the scanner I used. The rest is pure expired Polaroid film "goodness."

Day At The Beach

I shot a roll of expired Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 800. The majority of the roll was shot at Torrey Pines State Beach. Much of it was downrated to 400 since it was so bright (as previously discussed). Here is a sample of images. See more at my Flickr photostream

I decided to shoot my next roll with Ilford B&W film I bought (HP5+ 400). Plus, I'm seeing my dad this weekend... I'll reunite him (temporarily!) with his newly refurb'ed Pentax K2!

Mistakes

Mistakes are bound to happen. That's life and that's part of learning. I made a few mistakes today before and during a trip to the beach.

My camera was loaded with 800 speed film, and upon arriving at the beach it was fairly clear and very sunny. I was shooting my 50mm f/1.4 lens. After getting out of the car, I took a quick peek through the finder and saw my light meter pegged at the full (+) end of the scale. I twirled the aperture and stopped it down all the way, checked I was at max shutter speed (1/1000), and peeked again...still pegged.

This camera is actually a second K1000 body I picked up and this was my first roll in it. I turned to my resident photog (my wife): "you want fast shutter speed in bright light, right?" I asked. She concurred. "I think something's wrong with my meter. I can't get it down from fully overexposed...that's the plus side, right?"

I thought to myself as we walked...hmmm...

More thinking...

*Light bulb!*

Oh, I'm shooting 800 ISO film. Duh.

I changed the ISO dial down to 400 and checked the meter again. Ah, there you go. So, I shot several frames that way. At this moment, I'm not really sure what affect this has on film, since obviously the speed of the film didn't change. I'll look it up later.

And maybe that's not so much a mistake as a lack of knowledge. Regardless, I'm sure to make more than a few mistakes in the future. That's sometimes the best way to learn.

Here's a shot the wife took of me. Can you guess where the strap is from?