When I first started to return to film photography, I sought to shoot with modern, professional gear that I only dreamt of using prior to the advent of digital photography — primarily medium format gear made in the 1990s and later. But when the pandemic started cranking-up, I began to embrace film cameras that not long ago I dismissed as too old and too fussy to bother with. Honestly, it was probably a combination of “retail therapy” and nostalgia for a (theoretically) simpler time that was responsible for driving this, but to my surprise, I discovered that there is both incredible enjoyment (not to mention technical mastery) to be gained from the experience, especially with simple, so-called viewfinder cameras.
Continue reading…Education
Time Capsules: The Voyeuristic Joy of Found Film
I like shopping for classic cameras, I suppose — I must, given how many web sites I frequent, just seeing what I can find, and at what price point. So it was a few weeks back when I was on shopgoodwill.com, the online auction site for numerous Goodwill Industries chapters through the US and Canada. The site has myriad camera listings, but most of the merchandise is, candidly, not that desirable to me. Still, I look from time-to-time, which is how I found an interesting listing, for a not-so-interesting camera.
Continue reading…Tracking Fixer Exhaustion: My Approach
I used to think that the best way to get into an argument with someone was to discuss politics. I think there may be a close second: Talking about exhaustion of darkroom chemicals — at least if reading photography forums is any indication. But I’d prefer not to argue about it, and instead offer a way to track the exhaustion of a key chemical in the development process: fixer.
Continue reading…Camera Repair: Specialist, or Generalist?
As my camera collection has now reached the point where the cameras can be counted in dozens instead of one at a time, there’s one aspect of old cameras I’ve come to know pretty well: getting them repaired. And recent experiences have driven home a choice we often make when having our older cars repaired too — do I take it to a generalist, or a specialist?
Continue reading…Tips for View Camera Newbies
While I’ve truly only just started my large format journey, it feels like I’ve made so many fundamental mistakes that it seems the perfect time to begin documenting all of them in the form of written tips before I forgot all the stumbles I’ve made. It’s my hope that if you’re new to view cameras, you’ll benefit from the effort.
Continue reading…My First Foray Into C-41: Success!
A few months ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic dug its claws fully into the United States, I finally decided it was time to open-up the box of CineStill C-41 chemistry that had been sitting on a shelf since December, and set about processing the pile of color negative film that had been accumulating up to now. I have to confess: I’d been dragging my feet, fearful of this moment — worried whether I’d end-up simply ruining some film and losing shots I’d worked so hard to capture. As it turns out, the worries were unnecessary.
Continue reading…Film Comparisons Made Easy (Courtesy of The Darkroom)
The Darkroom is arguably one of the leading mail order labs in the country at the moment. Their team has been very proactive in engaging with the film community, eager to interact with photographers on social media, and working to meaningfully contribute to the community with information and education through their occasional blog posts. But the company recently launched a new project that I’ve found quite helpful: their Film Index.
Continue reading…How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets
One of the great things about film photography is just how much information there is on the internet about various esoterica related to cameras, accessories, film development, and more. But it’s sometimes surprising just how much information is not actually available, and the Rolleinar close-up attachment system for Rolleiflex cameras is a prime example of that.
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