-
Reloading a 126 Film Cartridge
126 cartridge cameras, like the Kodak Instamatic, can still be used by reloading the 126 film cartridge.
-
Kodak Ektachrome – The first time that nearly wasn’t
A story on how the first use of the new Kodak Ektachrome went, with initial impressions and review.
-
Yashica 44A – Twin in small package
The Yashica 44A is a TLR in a small package producing much larger results.
-
Mamiya 7 – First Impressions
First impressions on the Mamiya 7, an extraordinary camera which came as the most luxurious birthday present.
-
Combinations – 2 Leicas, a Fuji and a Nikon in Auckland
We all like to do similar hobbies with our kids, I am lucky as my son is getting into film photography and this is a trip we took together to Auckland, using film cameras.
-
Kiev 30 – Spy the grain
The Kiev 30 is a camera that inspires day dreams of cloak and dagger spy games. It belongs to the subminiature class of cameras, which are specifically designed to be as small as possible. In reality, if they were ever used for international espionage they had to be small to stay discreet. You’re not going to get away with breaking into an office, photographing secret documents and escaping a gun fight with a medium or large format camera. To prove the point, there is a version of the Kiev 30 branded the John Player, as in the cigarette brand John Player Special. This particular and rare version is inserted into…
-
Loading a subminiature spy camera – the Kiev 30
The day has come, you have been recruited by a secret agency and given a mission to capture a photograph of the evil organisation’s plans, preparing to take over the world. The leader of which is likely to have a fluffy cat. To expose them and stop them in their tracks, the world is depending on you. But wait, the camera does not have film in it, so you have to quickly get it ready. How do you do this, how do you load a subminiature spy camera? Luckily there is this article on loading a subminiature spy camera and you quickly read up while you are flying to your…
-
Kiev 4 – The Non-Clone
The Kiev 4 is a beautiful, silent and graceful camera. It has a classic rangefinder design which just makes you want to pick it up and start shooting with it. Paired up with the well regarded Jupiter 8M Contax mount lens, it forms a formidable team. Especially with a very accurate focus, achieved through one of the widest available rangefinder bases, on paper it should be a dream to use. It is unfair to call it a clone, as it was manufactured using a significant number of tools and machines the Contax originals were made with. That is because it was built with plans and equipment taken from the Carl…
-
BelOMO Agat 18K – Plastic Fantastic
The BelOMO Agat 18K is a bit of an oddity. It is a camera that by all intents and purposes sells itself as a toy camera, but has functionality which even some “better” made cameras lack. When you first pick it up is feels very light and is considered one of, if not, the lightest film cameras that use 35mm ever made. As it is a Soviet made camera, it continues the theme of Red October this month. The styling is colourful and playful. The camera does come in different colours to give the impression of fun. It is also the kind of camera that is ideal for not attracting…
-
Combinations – Zorki 4 and Redscaled Film
Shooting with the Red October theme is one thing, shooting a Soviet Zorki 4 camera with redscale film is a combination that doesn’t get any more red. This ensures that the tool is red (aka Soviet), but also the result (aesthetically). The thought of this came through a suggestion from a friend on the yearly Red October theme that is shot by photographers that appreciate cameras made from former Soviet countries. They do have a reputation of quality issues, but also a fanatical following. This is sometimes attributed with the unique look the glass from the Soviet factories gives photographs. Redscale is a way of modifying how colour film is…
