52 film cameras in 52 weeks

photo from week 110 - Minolta 110 Zoom SLR

2012-02-11T22:30:00.001Z

access control, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This was taken with the Mark II version of the Minolta. The film is a couple of decades past its use by date, and this probably accounts fo the grain in the shadows.

photo from week 110 - Minolta 110 Zoom SLR

2012-02-11T22:28:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with Minolta 110 Zoom SLR camera and Chinese hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is the Mark I version, I also took a picture with the Mark II, but that was one of the 20% of the frames that were blank, I already knew both cameras were unreliable, so this was not really a surprise.

Week 111 - Olympus Quickmatic

2012-02-10T22:25:00.001Z

Olympus Quickmatic, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The 126 cartridge format is now well and truly obsolete, none has been made for some time, and they can only be found on the second hand market. I've loaded this camera with a "Meteor" brnad colour negative film, I can't remember where it came from, and it isn't even in it's sealed wrapper, but it seems to be unused. It is quite possible that I won't get any pictures from it!

photo from week 109 - Baby Ikonta

2012-02-05T19:18:00.001Z

Eye Witness Works, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

One of the surviving old industrial buildings in Sheffield looks out over the derelict site that one hosted another old manufacturing site. Appropriately, it is the "Eye Witness Works".

photo from week 109 - Baby Ikonta

2012-02-05T19:11:00.001Z

reflected self portrait with Baby Ikonta camera and leather hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I decided to use an old tripod that goes with the era of the camera, but this backfired on me, as the tripod is not a stable of some of the more modern and bulky models, and I managed to jog the camera part way through the 4 second exposure.

photo from week 109 - Baby Ikonta

2012-02-05T19:08:00.001Z

Art Deco House, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This house dates from around the same time as the camera. I seemed to have problems keeping the camera level this week, not sure if it was user error or some problem with the alignment of the simple viewfinder. This one is fairly level compared with some of the others.

Week 110 - Minolta 110 Zoom SLR

2012-02-02T22:20:00.001Z

Minolta 110 Zoom (Mark I), a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

In week 110, I am using a 110 camera, or to be precise 2 cameras with the same name. The Minolta 110 Zoom is one of the rare 110 SLRs (the only other one I am aware of is the Pentax Auto 110). There were 2 models of the Minolta, the Mark I is horizontally arranged, rather like a bulkier version of the common Kodak Pocket Instamatic cameras, while the Mark II takes the form of a conventional 35mm SLR camera, though it is much larger than the Pentax version. I have one of each, neither of them is fully functional, my Mark I seems to work OK, but there is a several second lag betwen pressing the shutter release and the shutter actually firing, though when it does, it covers the full range of speeds. My Mark II fires only at one shutter speed, which I think is around 1/125th second, the aperture is fully manually controlable, so the camera is quite usable albeit in a limited range of lighting conditions. I have put a cartridge in the Mark II, and plan to transfer it to the Mark I midweek.

photo from week 108 - Minolta 16

2012-01-27T21:56:00.001Z

dragon dance (head), a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The head of the dragon celebrating the Chinese New Year.

photo from week 108 - Minolta 16

2012-01-27T21:54:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with undersized grey beret, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

At close range the parallax problem is quite apparent, if I was using this camera regularly I would probably get a feel for where to aim to ensure the subject is where I intended. Hand held, and in poor available light, at full aperture, this was never going to be the sharpest of images.

photos from week 108 - Minolta 16

2012-01-27T21:51:00.001Z

graffiti triptych, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The home-slit film worked well, and went in the camera and then the developing tank without any problems. With the negatives only being 10mm x 14mm, the quality is not very good, but at least I was able to use the camera.

Week 109 - Zeiss Ikon Baby Ikonta

2012-01-26T22:16:00.001Z

Zeiss Ikon Baby Ikonta, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is possibly the smallest folding 127 camera ever made. A range of lens and shutter combinations were available, this is one of the more basic models with a 5cm f4.5 Novar lens and a Derval shutter. I've never used it before, and have loaded it with a roll of Efke 100.

Week 108 - Minolta 16 (II)

2012-01-20T23:13:00.001Z

Minolta 16 (II), a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is a recent acquisition, it came with a range of accessories, most importantly a 16mm developing tank. To date I have been using a rather flimsy 16mm reel, but half the time the film comes out during processing, this one seems more rigid, and has deeper grooves, so hopefully the film will stay in place.
I re-loaded one of the cassettes that came with the camera with home-slit Kodacolor Gold film.

DIY film slitter

2012-01-20T23:09:00.001Z

DIY film slitter, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

In week 108, I am using a 16mm subminiature camera. Film is not easy to find in affordable quantities, and enthusiasts often cut down 35mm film to fit. This is a version of one pattern of DIY slitter, it works fine, the only problem was I managed to slit my fingertips along with the film!

photo from week 107 - Ihagee Parvola

2012-01-20T20:06:00.001Z

Alcopop Princess, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another photo taken at the minimum focussing distance, this time I was in the stree, with no tripod, and the dull daylight menat I had to shoot at around f5.6 to use the slowest speed I coull risk hand-holding, 1/25th second. The focus is not very accurate, or maybe that's the effect of the alcohol!

photo from week 107 - Ihagee Parvola

2012-01-20T20:03:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with Ihagee Parvola camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Shooting near the closest focussing distance, and in dim indoor lighting, I set the aperture to the smallest, f22 to minimise focussing errors, this meant an exposure of around 8 seconds.

Week 107 - Ihagee Parvola

2012-01-13T19:36:00.002Z

Ihagee Parvola, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This camera was made in the early 1930s in Germany. It takes 127 film, using the 8 frames per roll format. Many cameraa of this era used bellows to make them smaller when not in use, but this one uses a double helical screw barrel, which extends the lens to it's full extent with what seems like only a small amount of rotation. The Prontor II shutter on this one does not work below 1/25th sec, but otherwise the camera seems OK, especially as it is around 80 years old. I've loaded it with a roll of black and white Efke 100 film.

photo from week 106 - Minox EC

2012-01-12T23:03:00.002Z

reading room, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Retired KGB agent looking for microdots...

photo from week 106 - Minox EC

2012-01-12T22:58:00.002Z

Llamas, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I think the Llama on the right has spotted the spy camera...

photo from week 106 - Minox EC

2012-01-12T22:56:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Minox EC camera and undersized top hat., a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Allowing for the low light and resulting slow shutter speed, coupled with the difficulty in holding such a small camera still, this isn't too bad, probably good enough for a spy to use as evidence!

The Book of 52 cameras in 52 weeks - Year 2

2012-01-11T22:45:00.003Z

The Book of 52 cameras in 52 weeks - Year 2, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

It doesn't seem like a year since the last book. The new book can be previewed here:
www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2865127
you can even order a copy from there if you want!

There is also a book which covers the first 2 years:
www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2869629

Week 106 - Minox EC spy camera

2012-01-07T16:48:00.003Z

Minox EC spy camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.
Minox were famous for making a range of precision, expensive miniature spy cameras. This isn't one of them. Made towards the end of the Minox story, this tiny camera has a fixed aperture of f5.6 and fixed focus, it does however have a fully automatic electronic shutter with speeds from 1/500th to 8 seconds, so it can be used in very low lighting conditions provided there is something to rest it against. The camera came with a 15 exposure film, which though expired will hopefully still have some life in it. The film is 9.5mm wide and takes images 8mm x 11mm.

photo from week 105 - Start (Cmapm)

2012-01-07T16:46:00.003Z

request STOP, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another shot at full aperture and minimum focus, taken on the top deck of a bus on a dull late winter afternoon, the shutter speed was 1/30th second, so various factors have contributed to the lack of sharpness.

photo from week 105 - Start (Cmapm)

2012-01-05T19:09:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Cmapm camera and red trapper hat (landscape), a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Using available daylight indoors at this time of year inevitably meant shooting at or near full aperture, at least with a reflex camera one can be sure of the focus.

photo from week 105 - Start (Cmapm)

2012-01-05T19:06:00.002Z

hanging socket, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This was taken in a very dark abandoned factory during very heavy rain which was coming through what was left of the roof. I wanted to take full advantage of the limited depth of field, and given the low light I had no choice anyway but to use full aperture if I was going to hand hold. This was 1/30th sec at f2

Amateur Photographer column about the Minolta Disc 7 camera

2012-01-03T17:50:00.001Z

Amateur Photographer column about the Minolta Disc 7 camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This week's Amateur Photographer.

Week 105 - Start (Cmapm)

2011-12-31T12:25:00.002Z

Start (Cmapm), a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

What better camera to start year 3 with than a camera called START? This Soviet camera is around 50 years old, it was based on the German Exakta range, but internally is very similar to the much more common Zenit range from this era. It has the ubiquitous 58mm f2 Helios lens.

photo from week 104 - Ensign Selfix 820 Special

2011-12-30T14:56:00.002Z

Ho ho ho - reflected self-portrait with Ensign Selfix 820 Special camera and santa suit, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

My last reflected self-portrait of the year has a festive element to it. By using a tripod I was able to stop down to f22 in order to be sure of enough depth of field. The exposure time was 1 second.

photo from week 104 - Ensign Selfix 820 Special

2011-12-30T14:54:00.002Z

Christmas Eve Sycamore, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Taken on Christmas Eve at about 3pm, the low sun shows up the ridges and furrows on the grass.

photo from week 104 - Ensign Selfix 820 Special

2011-12-30T14:53:00.002Z

winter foliage, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This was taken on a Boxing Day walk in Rother Valley Country Park. The aperture was quite large, and the focus was set to the minimum of 5 feet. I like the shallow depth of field that results.

Week 104 - Ensign Selfix 820 Special

2011-12-22T14:38:00.002Z

Ensign Selfix 820 Special, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is the last week of the second year, when I started in January 2010, I really didn't know if I would keep going, but far from losing interest, the project has galvanised my interest in continuing to use old cameras.
The Ensign Selfix is a well specified (and very heavy) folding medium format camera. I can't remember where this came from, but I know I didn't pay much for it, and at the time I didn't appreciate how sought after these cameras would become. It takes 120 film, and has built in masks to allow 6x9cm or 6x6cm images (8 and 12 per roll respectively). I've opted for the 12 frames and loaded it with a roll of "Lomography" ISO400 colour negative film that I found in the remaindered box of a museum gift shop, thus rendering it a bargain.

photo from week 103 - Wide Pic Panorama

2011-12-22T09:24:00.002Z

underpass, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This kind of subject seems well suited to the panoramic format, quite a lot of grain/noise in the darker areas, again due to under-exposure.

photo from week 103 - Wide Pic Panorama

2011-12-22T09:23:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Wide Pic Panorama camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Unsurpringly, even with ISO800 film, this one was underexposed due to the low light levels at this time of year.

photo from week 103 - Wide Pic Panorama

2011-12-22T08:35:00.002Z

suburban rainbow, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another rainbow, this time I angled the camera to fit it all in!

photo from week 103 - Wide Pic Panorama

2011-12-22T08:31:00.002Z

horse chestnut and rainbow, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

We had some very heavy rain this week, but I didn't feel to precious about risking this cheap and cheerful camera getting wet. This is one of two rainbows I saw this week.

Week 103 - Wide Pic Panorama

2011-12-19T13:36:00.002Z

Wide Pic Panorama, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I'm using another charity shop camera this week, this one cost 75p. There were many variations of this style of cheap and basic point and shoot camera. Some models have retractable masks to allow for normal full frame photos as well, this one is panoramic only. I've loaded it with Fuji ISO800 colour negative film in view of the low light levels around the winter solstice.

photo from week 102 - Chinon Bellami

2011-12-19T13:32:00.002Z

flocking, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This camera slips easily into the pocket, so I was able to quickly get it out, set the focus to infinity, and let the camera take care of the exposure in the few seconds that these birds were circling overhead.

photo from week 102 - Chinon Bellami

2011-12-18T18:01:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Chinon Bellami camera and leaf-patterned hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This indoor photo was at the limits of the camera's range, particulary as I set the ISO to 50 for this one, a deliberate 2 stop overexposure to prevent the meter being fooled by the direct light from the window. I kept as still as I could, and the exposure felt like the longest the camera is capable of, 1/15th of a second.

photo from week 102 - Chinon Bellami

2011-12-18T17:58:00.002Z

pink raindrops, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The camera seems to work fine. I used it in a range of lighting conditions, and all the negatives seem to be correctly exposed. It really is a very compact design, slimmer than the Olympus XA series, if it had the shutter speed range of the Olympus, it would be a serious competitor.

Week 102 - Chinon Bellami

2011-12-11T19:45:00.002Z

Chinon Bellami, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I'd never heard of this camera until I spotted it in a charity shop for £3. It has "barn doors" to cover the lens when it's retracted, rather reminiscent of the Voigtlander Vitessa that I used in week 89, and the Laack that I used in week 18.
The doors are opened, and the lens extended, when the wind on lever is moved backwards. The batteries that were in it were corroded, so I wasn't sure whether it worked until I got it home and put some fresh ones it. The exposure system is fully automatic, with shutter speeds from 1/15th to 1/500th sec.
I've loaded it with a roll of Kodak ColorPlus ISO200 from Poundland.
The rewind crank is missing, so I will have to unload it in a changing bag.

photo from week 101 - Voigtlander Vitoret 110EL

2011-12-10T19:57:00.001Z

bauble tree, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

A seaonal shop window display, I braced the camera up against the glass, the exposure felt like about 1/4 second.

photo from week 101 - Voigtlander Vitoret 110EL

2011-12-10T19:55:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with Voigtlander Vitoret 110EL camera and Xmas hat from Poundland, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The tripod was necessary for this indoor shot, the exposure was around 2 seconds.

photo from week 101 - Voigtlander Vitoret 110EL

2011-12-10T19:53:00.002Z

stairwell shadows, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I was quite pleased with the results from this camera, the lens is sharp and the automatic exposure works even in very dimly lit places. This was taken in the stairwell of a new museum near Amsterdam.

Week 101 - Voigtlander Vitoret 110 EL

2011-12-03T19:44:00.003Z

Voigtlander Vitoret 110 EL, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

At this time of year, daylight is in short supply, so I chose to use this little 110 camera which is unusually well specified. It is fully automatic, with an electronic shutter giving speeds from several seconds up to maybe 1/500th. It appears to work, though I have not used it before. I've loaded ith with Konica film which expired in 2001.

photo from week 100 - Watch Pocket Carbine

2011-12-02T23:32:00.002Z

Mop, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This was the last exposure on the film, I wanted to finish it off so I could develop it, so this was taken inside near a window, with the camera on a tripod and a time exposure of 45 seconds at f32.

photo from week 100 - Watch Pocket Carbine

2011-12-02T23:29:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Watch Carbine camera and droopy Xmas hat from Poundland, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I wasn't too surprised by the scratches, as the film was very stiff to wind on, and it felt as if it was dragging on something inside the camera. This was an exposure of several seconds at the minimum aperture of f32, chosen to get the maximum possible depth of field, as this was shot at the closest focus possible, 3 feet.

Week 100 - Watch Pocket Carbine

2011-11-27T19:20:00.002Z

Watch Pocket Carbine, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is the 100th week of the project!
I was hoping that I might have a 100 year old camera to use, but none are quite that old, though this one was introduced in 1911 and remained in production for a decade or more.
At first glance it appears to take 120 roll film, but the spools are narrower than standard 120, more like 620 spools, though this format was not introduced until much later. The camera had one wooden spool in it, and I was able to re-roll a film onto an old 620 spool to make the supply side. The way the old wooden spool engages with the wind-on knob is not compatible with the 620 spools, so it was lucky the old one was there.

photo from week 99 - Paxina

2011-11-26T16:10:00.002Z

walking the dog, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is a disused and derelict laundry near where I live. I waited until there were no passing cars, and luckily at that moment a dog walker appeared.

photo from week 99 - Paxina

2011-11-26T16:08:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Paxina camera and strange hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The camera has 2 focus positions, 1-3m and 3m to infinity. I was about 60cm from the mirror, giving an effective distance of 1.2m, so I used the smallest available aperture and exposed the scene for around 10 seconds using the "B" setting and a tripod.

photo from week 99 - Paxina

2011-11-26T16:04:00.003Z

Sycamore in the mist, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The cross processed Fuji Velvia slide film has a pleasant orange/red/purple cast to it. This photo was taken on a foggy afternoon, at times the sun briefly became visible through the mist.

Week 99 - Paxina

2011-11-22T19:44:00.002Z

Paxina, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is a 120 rollfilm camera, it takes 12 square photos per roll. It's fairly basic, but does have 2 shutter speeds plus "B" and has 3 apertures using the Waterhouse stop method. The lens panel collapses into the body, and when closed it fits in a largish pocket without too much trouble.
I've loaded it with some expired Fujichrome Velvia ISO100 slide film, which I will cross process at home in C41 chemistry.

photo from week 98 - Durst Duca

2011-11-22T19:40:00.002Z

sycamore, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

It seems that my changing bag is far from a dust free environment!

photo from week 98 - Durst Duca

2011-11-22T19:39:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with Durst Duca camera and Che Guevara hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This camera has a fixed shutter speed and aperture, so can't be used indoors, meaning that my reflected self-portrait had to be taken in a window of the local college..

photo from week 98 - Durst Duca

2011-11-22T19:37:00.001Z

snicket, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I only managed to get nine exposures this week, re-loading the Agfa Rapid cassettes is a bit hit and miss, this time I obviously didn't load enough, but the resistance had got to the level where I was going to damage the film if I tried to cram any more in.

Week 98 - Durst Duca

2011-11-13T14:09:00.001Z

Durst Duca, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I left my final decision about the choice of this week's camera until I saw what the weather was like, we have had a very gloomy week, and this camera, with a fixed shutter speed and aperture needs good light. Saturday morning was sunny, so the Durst Duca got the go ahead. There are only 12 exposures per load, which is just as well, as we are now back to very dull conditions.

photo from week 97 - Pentax S1

2011-11-12T16:58:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Pentax S1 camera and leather hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

One advantage of using an SLR for the mirror self-portrait is that I can be more accurate with the focus and so use a wider aperture to allow a hand-holdable shutter speed indoors.

photo from week 97 - Pentax S1

2011-11-12T16:56:00.002Z

three sparklers, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Several seconds hand held exposure, using a Sigma 24mm lens, with the aperture set arounf f11.

photo from week 97 - Pentax S1

2011-11-12T16:54:00.002Z

Passing Through Tudor Square, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I chose to use this camera this week partly as there would be fireworks and other outdoor events to photograph, where I might be able to use long exposures to good effect, but this one was taken using the slowest shutter speed I thought I could get away with hand-holding. At full aperture, f2.2 I used 1/30th sec. Even with ISO400 film, it is somewhat underexposed.

photo from week 96 - Sprocket Rocket

2011-11-06T19:40:00.002Z

The Freak, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Time exposure of a spectacular white knuckle fairground ride, the shutter was open for about 20 seconds.

photo from week 96 - Sprocket Rocket

2011-11-06T19:39:00.001Z

reflected self-portrait with Sprocket Rocket camera and yellow crown, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Now I know from first hand experience why the early Victorians always looked so po-faced in photographs. The need to keep still (in this case for 30 seconds) made it difficult to keep anything but a straight face.

photo from week 96 - Sprocket Rocket

2011-11-06T19:36:00.002Z

zombie, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I took most of this week's photos at "Fright Night", an annual halloween event in Sheffield city centre. I made full use of the camera's multiple exposure capability and "bulb" setting. For some of the shots I used an electronic flash gun with coloured filters in front of it.

Week 97 - Pentax S1

2011-11-06T19:30:00.002Z

Pentax S1, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This 35mm SLR dates from the early 1960s. It came from a local charity, and at £30 was not a bargain, but a reasonable price. The camera is entirely mechanical, so there are no electronics to go wrong. Everything seems to work OK and I've loaded it with some Fuji ISO 400 film.

photo from week 95 - Zeiss Ikon Kolibri

2011-11-05T12:37:00.003Z

under Hungerford Bridge, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I didn't think this octogenarian camera would like the rain very much, so I stood under Hungerford Bridge to take this photo of the South Bank with the Houses of Parliament in the distance.

photo from week 95 - Zeiss Ikon Kolibri

2011-11-05T12:35:00.002Z

reflected self-portrait with Zeiss Kolibri camera and winter hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This was taken using available light with the slowest shutter speed I thought I could get away with, it is somewhat underexposed, and further complaicated by having accidentally triggered the shutter while setting it.

photo from week 95 - Zeiss Ikon Kolibri

2011-11-05T12:33:00.001Z

South Bank Centre, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I took the Kolibri with me on a day trip to London on a very wet day, there were plenty of puddles and reflections. The film was Efke 100 black and white film which I developed in Ilfosol 3.

Week 96 - Lomography Sprocket Rocket

2011-10-30T22:33:00.002Z

Lomography Sprocket Rocket, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Production of new film cameras has plummeted since the advent of digital photography, novelty models being one of the few areas to be expanding. The Lomography Society International is often credited with reviving interest in film photography through advocating a lo-tech, shoot anything, take the camera everywhere approach, which they originally made popular with the Russian Lomo LCA, an automatic camera not dissimilar in specification to the Olympus XA series. Recently the company have been selling new designs, this one, the Sprocket Rocket, has a panoramic format and includes the full height of the 35mm film, sprocket holes and all, in the image. People have been including sprockets in their photos for some time by loading medium format cameras with 35mm film, but the disadvantage of that is that the lens then has a relatively long focal length, the Sprocket Rocket gets around this by having a 30mm lens, giving a wide field of view, though image quality away from the centre is poor. I try to find subjects where the sprocket holes can become part of the composition.
I bought this camera new in June this year, and have already had several films through it.

Week 95 - Zeiss Ikon Kolibri

2011-10-23T19:59:00.001+01:00

Zeiss Ikon Kolibri, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is a lovely little camera dating from the 1930s, it takes 127 rollfilm, and has a lens which retracts into the body when not in use. The slow shutter speeds are unreliable, but otherwise it seems to work. I will be loading it with Efke 100 Blakc and white film.

photo from week 94 - Cosmic 35

2011-10-23T19:55:00.002+01:00

Horse Chestnut with light leaks, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The multiple light leaks on this frame are because I was trying out a muliiple click technique on the next couple of frames, whereby the film is advanced a small amount before re-firing the shutter.

photo from week 94 - Cosmic 35

2011-10-22T22:54:00.002+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Cosmic 35 camera and embroidered hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This week's self portrait, with added interest from the light leak.

photo from week 94 - Cosmic 35

2011-10-22T22:53:00.002+01:00

Holy Trinity Church, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I could see as soon as I took the film out of the developing tank that there was a significant light leak in this camera. It seems to come from the right hand side of the back cover (as seen with the camera pointing away from me). The leak is attenuated towards the bottom of the negative (top of the image whenseen the right way up) due to protection from light from the camera case.

photo from week 93 - Petie miniature camera

2011-10-18T16:55:00.002+01:00

Colosseum, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This camera is so tiny, that for several hours I was convinced that I had lost it. After searching through the suitcases and bedside cabinets, I eventually found it in the pocket of the trousers I had been wearing throughout!

photo from week 93 - Petie miniature camera

2011-10-18T16:53:00.002+01:00

Piazza del Popolo, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another photo from my brief trip to Rome with this tiny camera.

photo from week 93 - Petie miniature camera

2011-10-18T16:52:00.002+01:00

statue on the Ponte San Angelo, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I shot the roll of re-spooled FP4 in Rome, the conditions were full sunshine, and the camera coped well. There are many dust spots and blemishes, presumably due to fumbling around in a changing bag to re-spool the film.

Week 94 - Cosmic 35

2011-10-17T19:39:00.002+01:00

Cosmic 35, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The Cosmic 35 is one of many similar models made in the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s, this model was also called the "Smena 8" in some countries. With a 40mm f4 lens, and shutter speeds from 1/15th - 1/250th, it can be used in a range of lighting conditions. There is no double exposure prevention, so it is possible to fire the shutter as many times as you like before advancing the film, I intedne to try some double/multiple exposures this week. I've loaded it with some expired "Boots" ISO200 colour negative film.

Week 93 - Petie miniature camera

2011-10-08T16:13:00.003+01:00

Petie miniature camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

These toy cameras were made in Germany in large numbers in the 1950s and 60s, they were sold under various names, and some of the later models had more than one shutter speed or aperture.
The film is a proprietary format using 17mm film wide on a spool with backing paper. Fortunately my camera came with four unused rolls of film, with expiry dates of 1964. I have managed to get images from older stock than this, so was cautiously optimistic that they might be usable, but there was only a trace of a picture to be seen. Film loses speed as it ages, a rule of thumb is to allow one stop per decade, but this camera has only one shutter speed and no "B" setting, so it was impossible to compensate for this loss of sensitivity.
I have re-rolled that old spools and backing papaer with some of the 40 year old FP4 16mm movie film that I used last week, I've already shot one test roll, so I know it works. The film has perforations, unlike the original, but this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

photo from week 92 - Mikroma miniature camera

2011-10-06T22:21:00.002+01:00

autumn leaves, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The Mikroma focuses down to 50cm, so at near full aperture I was hoping to get a very narrow depth of field when I put the camera on the ground amongst the autumn leaves.

photo from week 92 - Mikroma miniature camera

2011-10-06T22:19:00.002+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Mikroma miniature camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Taken indoors, I knew this photo was going to be underexposed, looking at the negative, it is almost blank, Photoshop has rescued the ghost of the image, but the quality is pretty poor.

photo from week 92 - Mikroma miniature camera

2011-10-06T22:16:00.002+01:00

King's College Cambridge, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The 40 year old FP4 has survived remarkably well, I developed the film in Ilfosol 3 and then scanned the negatives at 3600dpi. There are lots of scratches near the edges of the film, I think this must be due to scraping along the margins of the film plane, which would not appear in the picture area, but can be seen on the full width scans.

Week 92 - Mikroma miniature camera

2011-10-02T22:12:00.002+01:00

Mikroma miniature camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I've had this camera for a couple of years, but have been waiting until I could get hold of some affordable 16mm film before using it. The camera was made in the 1950s in Czechoslovakia. This is the first Mikroma model, with a limited range of shutter speeds, the Mikroma II had a seven speed shutter. It uses 16mm film loaded into proprietary cassettes, luckily there were a pair in the camera, less luckily one of them is for a different model, so doesn't fit! I was able to get around this problem by using a "naked" take up spool instead of a cassette, which means that I have to unload the camera in total darkness, but that doesn't really matter.
I've already done a trial run with some of the 40 year old FP4 film that I bought, so I know the camera works. The use manual tells you what length of film to use for a given number of exposures, the maximum being 90cm for 50 exposures, which is roughly what I've loaded it with.

photo from week 91 - Fuji Instax 200

2011-10-01T19:18:00.002+01:00

Legend by Damien Hirst, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another sculpture from the "Beyond Limits" exhibition at Chatsworth House.

photo from week 91 - Fuji Instax 200

2011-10-01T19:16:00.002+01:00

church + church, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Holding up the not quite fully developed print of the church I had just photographed.

photo from week 91 - Fuji Instax 200

2011-10-01T19:13:00.001+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Fuji Instax 200 camera, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This reflected self portrait was taken in a shiny metal sculpture at Chatswoth House in Derbyshire. It shows that the camera is quite large!

Week 91 - Fuji Instax 200

2011-09-25T15:42:00.002+01:00

Fuji Instax 200, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This week I am using an instant camera for the first time. This is a Fuji Instax that I picked up for £1.50 in a car boot sale, it had one remaining exposure in it, and when I put batteries in I found that it seemed to be working OK, so I recently bought a pack of film for it. This film is still manufactured and is easily available.

photo from week 90 - Bilora Boy

2011-09-24T23:02:00.001+01:00

Tia Anna - Sheffield's drag-queen extraordinaire, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The subject was a little closer than the nearest area of sharp focus (note the figures in the backgound are sharper) but I don't think it matters too much...

photo from week 90 - Bilora Boy

2011-09-24T22:59:00.001+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Bilora Boy camera and pointy hat, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

It was inevitable that this shot was going to have some camera shake, the tripod is not very sturdy, and was at maximum extension here, the exposure was 15 seconds, there is no "T" setting, only "B", so I had to hold the shutter release down (and therefore "shake" the camera) during the exposure. It could have been worse!

photo from week 90 - Bilora Boy

2011-09-24T22:56:00.001+01:00

Heeley Baths, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The "Boy" has a single shutter speed and a fixed aperture, so requires good light. The weather has been mixed this week, so I have had to catch what I can. This old building is quite timeless, were it not for the recent banners displayed on the front.

new arrival - expired 16mm film

2011-09-18T19:34:00.002+01:00

Ilford FP4 16mm film - develop before March 1974, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I've been looking out for some 16mm film to use in my Mikroma miniature camera, although this is 40 years old, it still seems to work, so I'll be using the camera in the next few weeks.

Week 90 - Bilora Boy

2011-09-17T22:18:00.001+01:00

Bilora Boy, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

The last three cameras have been quite technically advanced, requiring various settings and adjustments to be made, so I thought it was about time to get back to basics. This Bakelite camera from 1949 takes 127 roll film and has no adjustments at all other than "B" and "I" settings for the shutter. It takes 8 exposures on a roll, and I'm using it now before the light starts to get less intense as autumn progresses.

photo from week 89 - Voigtlander Vitessa

2011-09-15T22:32:00.001+01:00

The Heart of Trees, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

Another photo from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

photo from week 89 - Voigtlander Vitessa

2011-09-15T22:30:00.002+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Voigtlander Vitessa and matching tie, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

For this week's mirror self portrait I am wearing a camera themed tie, the Voigtlander Vitessa is a destinctive design, and is clearly recognisable on the tie.

photo from week 89 - Voigtlander Vitessa

2011-09-15T22:28:00.001+01:00

29 Palms, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is a 50 metre long curtain of poems, part of the Jaume Plensa exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I shot this one at full aperture and minimum focussing distance in order to get a shallow depth of field.

Week 89 - Voigtlander Vitessa

2011-09-11T17:01:00.003+01:00

Voigtlander Vitessa, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This unusally designed 35mm rangefinder camera dates from around 1952. It has a "barn door" front, and the lens assembly springs out for use. There is a plunger which both winds the film on and tensions the shutter, the name Vitessa refers to the rapidity with which it was possible to take a sequence of shots using this quick wind-on method.
The lens is an f2 Ultron, so I hope the rangefinder is accurate, as I plan to take some photos at full aperture. I've loaded it with a roll of Fuji ISO400 colour negative film.

photo from week 88 - Edixa Stereo

2011-09-09T19:40:00.002+01:00

chair ride, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This is an example of one of the double/multiple exposures that I got from the Edixa. I quite like the result!

photo from week 88 - Edixa Stereo

2011-09-09T17:07:00.002+01:00

not amused, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

There was a problem with the wind on mechanism on this camera, which meant that there was quite a lot of blank film, and lots of double exposures. This is one of the view stereo pairs I was able to obtain. This is "Queen Victoria" looking distinctly unamused.

photo from week 88 - Edixa Stereo

2011-09-09T17:04:00.002+01:00

blue tannoys, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

photo from week 87 - Zenit Fotosniper FS-12

2011-09-05T21:45:00.002+01:00

American Civil War Soldier, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I felt quite at home with this camera, surrounded as I was by guns and telephoto lenses.

photo from week 87 - Zenit Fotosniper FS-12

2011-09-05T21:43:00.002+01:00

reflected self-portrait with Zenit FS-12 Fotosniper and Fez, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This one is rather under-exposed, a result of choosing a fast enough shutter speed to avoid camera shake, while having to work indoors where there was a mirror.

photo from week 87 - Zenit Fotosniper FS-12

2011-09-05T21:41:00.002+01:00

American Civil War Soldiers, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

I took the Fotosniper to a military re-enactment event where I thought it was less likley to attract attention than in a town centre.

Week 88 - Edixa Stereo

2011-09-04T22:14:00.002+01:00

Edixa Stereo, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This camera was made in the 1950s and takes stereo pairs on 35mm film. It was given to me by a work colleague, having belonged to his uncle.

Week 87 - Zenit Fotosniper FS12

2011-08-31T22:48:00.002+01:00

Zenit Fotosniper FS-12, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This shows the Fotosniper fully assembled. I've loaded it with ISO400 colour negative film so that I can use the fastest shutter speed possible. I'm taking it to a historical re-enactment event, where hopefully I won't stick out too much!

Week 87 - Zenit Fotosniper FS12

2011-08-31T22:45:00.002+01:00

Zenit Fotosniper FS-12, a photo by pho-Tony on Flickr.

This Russian outfit comes in a fitted metal box and is assembled to make a "rifle" like device to hold a 300mm telephoto lens steady, the trigger connects to the camera's shutter release using an additional socket on the base of the camera. I've had this kit for a while, but deliberately waited until the "Sheffield Fayre" before taking it out. This event is a multi-period historical re-enactment, and involves lots of guns and spectators with long lenses, so I reckoned this was a safe place to give it a go.