tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35340073983786792732024-02-19T02:44:57.127+00:0052 film cameras in 52 weeksIn 2010 I decided to start taking photos with my collection of film cameras, using a different one each week.
After 10 years, and 522 cameras, I brought the project to a close. I have been writing a regular column about it in the UK magazine "Amateur Photographer" since 2011.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.comBlogger1545125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-54144613398767330602021-01-12T16:39:00.000+00:002021-01-12T16:39:02.268+00:00522 Cameras in 522 Weeks<p>This blog has been dormant for a couple of years, but the project is very much alive. </p><p>At the end of 2019, I had completed 522 weeks of using a different film camera each week, without missing any. In 2020 I used a different camera each month, using in chronological order the various cameras that I owned for use rather than display, and covering 5 decades of photography as a hobby.</p><p>In 2021 I'm using a different film format each month, working my way up from the smallest to the largest, kicking of with th Minox format in January.</p><p>Further information will follow, in the meantime here is an image showing all 522 cameras that I used.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YDy8XG7QdxYHxYNzEy0lHE6HZ5ae-Owiskem8C8LLF8uyFvq1AecrrIzBSDMWxvWN8um-BF-i4x9L2VZnP8pkOHP6GI-eAWVMR6d_eoQwr2krTQFWSJVlAqfpw2KxNWmdJc-mLT9m9s/s2000/522cameras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="803" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YDy8XG7QdxYHxYNzEy0lHE6HZ5ae-Owiskem8C8LLF8uyFvq1AecrrIzBSDMWxvWN8um-BF-i4x9L2VZnP8pkOHP6GI-eAWVMR6d_eoQwr2krTQFWSJVlAqfpw2KxNWmdJc-mLT9m9s/w487-h1220/522cameras.jpg" width="487" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-89113993172748880792017-05-03T19:55:00.001+01:002017-05-03T19:55:34.378+01:00Still going strong!Recently I've not had time to update this blog, but the project is still going strong, now in week 383. You can see the cameras and their photos on my Flickr stream:<br />
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-50052790314691189172017-01-05T12:41:00.000+00:002017-01-13T12:42:29.439+00:00photo from week 366 - Konica Auto S3<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31366227514/in/album-72157678580944456/" nbsp="" title="King Kong"><img alt="King Kong" height="256" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/481/31366227514_ef2904cc70_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
King Kong in Leedspho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-60068046187790983202017-01-05T12:40:00.001+00:002017-01-13T12:41:42.545+00:00photo from week 366 - Konica Auto S3<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/32207575255/in/album-72157678580944456/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Konica Auto S3 camera and inside out hat (square crop)"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Konica Auto S3 camera and inside out hat (square crop)" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/662/32207575255_29fb466f2b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I set the shutter speed to 1/15th sec in order to get enough exposure, but just about managed to keep the camera still enough.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-70268576519101984492017-01-05T12:40:00.000+00:002017-01-13T12:40:25.779+00:00photo from week 366 - Konica Auto S3<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/32058688942/in/album-72157678580944456/" nbsp="" title="Cherry Pickers"><img alt="Cherry Pickers" height="213" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/683/32058688942_a41b0f53fa_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The camera was simple and intuitive to use, but I did find that the plastic strap was very stiff in the cold weather, and kept poking me in the eye!pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-37786878356461869522016-12-31T11:26:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:30:02.086+00:00The end of year seven!<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31684240070/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="25 cameras, 25 hats"><img alt="25 cameras, 25 hats" height="320" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/268/31684240070_0c0fb6ffc8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Well, another year has gone by, this is a selection of some of the hat/camera combinations from year seven.<br />
I'm pressing on with another year, with plenty of cameras still to try out.<br />
Happy New Year!pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-1506504619293254802016-12-30T20:17:00.000+00:002017-01-09T20:17:15.289+00:00Week 366 - Konica Auto S3<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/32036064726/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Konica Auto S3"><img alt="Konica Auto S3" height="256" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/551/32036064726_d6d0fced2c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The Auto S3 is a very compact 35mm rangefinder camera, I also have the S2, which is much larger. This one came from a charity shop for £5, I've loaded it with Agfa Vista film from Poundland.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-16117007634093765012016-12-28T11:19:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:23:49.741+00:00photo from week 365 - Thornton Pickard Junior Special<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31790807562/in/album-72157676343016842/" nbsp="" title="sheep skull"><img alt="sheep skull" height="213" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/342/31790807562_c82672ef61_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The lighting were was very simple, a miniature LED torch placed underneath this sheep's skull. The film is Rollei Retro 80S, and the exposure here was around 20 seconds.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-63609828286913321612016-12-28T11:17:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:19:25.261+00:00photo from week 365 - Thornton Pickard Junior Special<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31098496844/in/album-72157676343016842/" nbsp="" title="four manequins (panoramic crop)"><img alt="four manequins (panoramic crop)" height="128" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/390/31098496844_fb3cff5e00_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
These manequins were quite happy to keep still for the 30 second exposure needed, I've cropped the image slightly after scanning.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-67785172171946562712016-12-28T11:15:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:17:39.971+00:00photo from week 365 - Thornton Pickard Junior Special<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31565177440/in/album-72157676343016842/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Thornton Pickard Junior Special camera and dragon headress"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Thornton Pickard Junior Special camera and dragon headress" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/602/31565177440_428acc0afd_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
First up, my mirror self-portrait, the exposure was around 20 seconds and the aperture f8.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-84037712940307840912016-12-23T11:09:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:14:55.389+00:00Week 365 - Thornton Pickard Junior Special<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31772043026/in/album-72157676343016842/" nbsp="" title="Thornton Pickard Junior Special Reflex"><img alt="Thornton Pickard Junior Special Reflex" height="320" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5607/31772043026_ec90192fa0_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
This is the last week of the seventh year of the 52 cameras in 52 weeks project. Seven times fifty-two makes 365, so this is something of a special week.<br />
To mark it, I decided to wring some images out of a functionally dead camera, the cloth focal plane shutter on the ancient single lens reflex is broken, but I reckoned that if I stuck to table top photography in artificial light, I could use long enough exposures to bypass the shutter and use a lens cap instead.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-12280955969801668732016-12-20T11:06:00.001+00:002017-01-09T11:17:15.916+00:00photo from week 364 - Agfa Billy Compur<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/30968222114/in/album-72157677860643076/" nbsp="" title="King of the River"><img alt="King of the River" height="213" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/537/30968222114_5efed54d52_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I was disappointed with this week's results, the weak winter daylight meant that I had to use a large aperture, so the focusing was not very forgiving. I suspect the lens is capable of better results than my attempts suggest.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-71648175778141976352016-12-20T11:06:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:06:32.296+00:00photo from week 364 - Agfa Billy Compur<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31808878935/in/album-72157677860643076/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Agfa Billy Compur camera and marine's hat (square crop)"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Agfa Billy Compur camera and marine's hat (square crop)" height="320" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/376/31808878935_d1653ffb0a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The obligatory, but grossly out of focus self portrait...pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-78575527065919852012016-12-16T11:04:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:04:48.324+00:00Week 364 - Agfa Billy Compur<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/30894987513/in/album-72157677860643076/" nbsp="" title="Agfa Billy Compur"><img alt="Agfa Billy Compur" height="320" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/524/30894987513_ebf85bed48_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Agfa used the "Billy" name for cameras over a nmber of years. This is a folding model that takes 120 film, it is named after the Compur shutter, which, as is usually the case, works perfectly even after many years of inactivity. I loaded it with some expired Kodak Portra colour negative film.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-7189050412456922282016-12-14T10:57:00.000+00:002017-01-09T11:00:08.113+00:00photo from week 363 - Praktica GP100<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31579979532/in/album-72157676063130932/" nbsp="" title="carousel and fountain"><img alt="carousel and fountain" height="131" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/442/31579979532_257fec0d26_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
With hindsight it was a bad idea to use this camera in December, the forecast sun didn't materialise, and it was a struggle to get enough light onto the film, as seen in this grainy underexposed shot of a carousel.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-71316689585838902032016-12-10T10:55:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:57:32.367+00:00Week 363 - Praktica GP100<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31266066190/in/album-72157676063130932/" nbsp="" title="Praktica GP100"><img alt="Praktica GP100" height="240" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/758/31266066190_d406d5787e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
This is one of many ultra simple faux-panoramic cameras that are found regularly in charity shops. They need good light, and the weather forecast suggested it would be sunny, so I took the risk of loading it up at the darkest time of the year.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-33580737714071204892016-12-06T10:52:00.001+00:002017-01-09T10:54:02.310+00:00photo from week 362 - Contax D<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31626060725/in/album-72157675818458871/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Contax D camera and coloured headdress"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Contax D camera and coloured headdress" height="205" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/661/31626060725_a3b6236827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The cloth focal plane shutter has a tendency to stick, but performed OK here, at a speed of 1/25th sec.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-3435800603240474022016-12-06T10:52:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:53:38.668+00:00photo from week 362 - Contax D<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31588878316/in/album-72157675818458871/" nbsp="" title="festive balloonery"><img alt="festive balloonery" height="213" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/148/31588878316_6040174f0a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Elaborate balloon figures in the Christmas Market in York.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-91837871704555064432016-12-01T10:45:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:50:15.663+00:00Week 362 - Contax D<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31383541486/in/album-72157675818458871/" nbsp="" title="Contax D"><img alt="Contax D" height="256" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5768/31383541486_2a426d5387_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Although the Contax D uses the Contax name, it bears little resemblance to the classic Zeiss Ikon Contax cameras, after world war 2, Zeiss Ikon was split between East and West Germany, initially both companies used the Contax name, but after legal battles, the right to use it was given to the West German branch. The East German part became Pentacon (said to come from "Pentaprism" and "Contax"). These SLRs were the first to use the pentaprism for viewing the focusing screen.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-73318595766544227392016-11-29T10:02:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:04:02.598+00:00photo from week 361 - Voigtlander VF 101<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31474327636/in/album-72157673127479063/" nbsp="" title="Not Vital @ YSP"><img alt="Not Vital @ YSP" height="213" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/150/31474327636_894b608c49_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Another indoor shot, but this time there was just about enough light to get a reasonable exposure.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-61546639868210928022016-11-29T10:01:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:02:42.814+00:00photo from week 361 - Voigtlander VF 101<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31140986130/in/album-72157673127479063/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Voigtlander VF101 camera and ornate hat"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Voigtlander VF101 camera and ornate hat" height="205" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/284/31140986130_2eaa147ca4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The slowest shutter speed is 1/30th sec, and this indoor shot is under-exposed as a result.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-82965184718682708652016-11-25T10:00:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:00:49.856+00:00Week 361 - Voigtlander VF 101<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31257417565/in/album-72157673127479063/" nbsp="" title="Voigtlander VF 101"><img alt="Voigtlander VF 101" height="256" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5444/31257417565_62b4f29034_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
This is a very compact 35mm camera with a coupled rangefinder and semi-automatic exposure system. pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-38395972386646786762016-11-21T09:56:00.000+00:002017-01-09T10:04:28.472+00:00photo from week 360 - Contax IIa<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31260722941/in/album-72157675257921401/" nbsp="" title="London Bound"><img alt="London Bound" height="320" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5767/31260722941_0a43c7f3cc_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I didn't have long to set this one up as I spotted the London bound train approaching, I think the shutter speed was 1/125th and the aperture f8.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-68330302417497275632016-11-21T09:52:00.000+00:002017-01-09T09:55:28.029+00:00photo from week 360 - Contax IIa<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31339394046/in/album-72157675257921401/" nbsp="" title="reflected self-portrait with Contax IIa camera and faux-fur hat"><img alt="reflected self-portrait with Contax IIa camera and faux-fur hat" height="197" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5668/31339394046_10c8302505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Despite the fast film, I needed to use a slowish shutter speed and wide aperture for this indoor shotpho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534007398378679273.post-4638265971686298322016-11-18T09:47:00.000+00:002017-01-09T09:52:40.787+00:00Week 360 - Contax IIa<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/31000399471/in/album-72157675257921401/" nbsp="" title="Contax IIa"><img alt="Contax IIa" height="213" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5518/31000399471_78e1c324da_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
This precision post-war rangefinder camera belonged to my dad, it has the f2 50mm Sonnar. I've loaded it with Rollei Retro 400S black and white negative film.pho-Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14163441152551268547noreply@blogger.com0