Film Fun Folio #19 - Kodak Autographic 1A and Velvia 100F

Periodically, I'll be posting scans of some complete rolls of film on here, showing both the good and the bad, and giving some basic information as well a little write up of the shoot as well as the reasons why I selected each camera and film.  Enjoy the trip! 

Feature #19:

Camera: ca. 1929 Kodak Autographic 1A Camera with f/7.9 lens

Film: Fuji Velvia 100F

Locale: Frederick County, MD.

Once an instantly endeared additon to the collection for the size and quality of the images it could provide, the 116 format Kodak 1A camera had been sitting idly for a while as my attention turned to the larger 122 format 3A camera for experimental purposes.  On my fall rambles through Frederick County, Maryland, I decided to give this camera a shot to see what it could do with some bright Central Maryland landscapes in the shadows of the Catoctin Mountains.  

1 - Thurmont, MD - f/8, 1/25 - The roll starts off on a fuzzy, blurry note.  Had I propped this on a tripod, I might have had a better result.

Kodachrome Classic Monday #74

Every Monday, I'll be spotlighting a different classic Kodachrome slide that I've picked up, and trying where I can to detail the who, what, when, where, why, and how (much) of the image:

This Week:

What: The Colors of the 1950's mountainside

Six In One Hand: The Gossen Sixtomat

I shoot a decent amount of film on cameras that lack a meter, and I spend many days walking around with a bulky $300 exposure meter.  That meter is also known as an Olympus PEN E-PM2.  Okay, so technically it isn't a meter, but the statement brings up a bigger point.

There are numerous times when I am carrying around a fairly bulky digital camera that I don't intend to shoot photos on, particularly if I am shooting subjects for which I'd rather use film as my medium. Sometimes I can get around this by using the "Sunny 16 Rule" but when shooting transparency film, a miscalculation of the degree of overcast may wind up resulting in an over or underexposure beyond what the film can handle.  Similarly, I have a light meter app that works well, but can be prone to glare on the screen.  As well, I have seen my phone itself reset the calibration of this app on one occasion, so I can't quite trust it without worry.

Thus, the Olympus PEN has been a fairly regular staple in my small camera bag, even if I don't intend on taking photos with it.  I generally trust the readings I get from it to provide me enough accuracy to shoot transparency film using its settings.  Aside from the bulk of it however, it has additional hiccups as well.  I can not set the ISO rating below 200.  Thus, if I am shooting Provia 100, Velvia 50, Retro 80S, or RPX 25, I have to do a number of quick calculations on the fly to determine exposure based upon the readings for ISO 200.  Also, the PEN obviously runs on batteries, and there are times when I have to take my readings quickly when the battery is mostly depleted.  And if it does crap out, I am out of luck until I can charge it - and I still have to carry around its bulk.

How nice would it be if there was an affordable and compact way to take accurate exposure readings for even the slowest speed films that did not depend on batteries.  The cynic in me would expect this to be an absolute impossibility.  That cynic has since been proven wrong. Meet the Gossen Sixtomat!

Clad in ivory and trimmed in gold, the mid-century appearance of the Sixtomat is hardly what I would call contemporary, but therein, I hardly consider it to be a fashion accessory, and more of a tool.  But that's not to say that this little device isn't fascinating in its design. Quite the contrary. The Sixtomat shows a clear degree of simplicity, easy form factor, and sensible layout and readings.  Have a look!

Kodachrome Classic Monday #73

Every Monday, I'll be spotlighting a different classic Kodachrome slide that I've picked up, and trying where I can to detail the who, what, when, where, why, and how (much) of the image:

This Week:

What: Dawning of an Icon

Film Fun Folio #18 - Balda Pontina and Provia 100F

Periodically, I'll be posting scans of some complete rolls of film on here, showing both the good and the bad, and giving some basic information as well a little write up of the shoot as well as the reasons why I selected each camera and film.  Enjoy the trip! 

Feature #18:

Camera: ca. 1951 Unbadged Franka Solida with Schneider 75mm f/2.9 lens.

Film: Fuji Velvia 100F

Locale: Central Maryland.

There have been times when I thought that this camera and my Zeiss Ikonta 521 were the only 6x9 folders that I would ever need, but some light leaks in recent rolls cast some concerns about my beloved Balda Pontina's ability to be completely trusted to deliver a competent image free of defects.  The summer was spent with the Balda sitting with a roll of Provia loaded, but unused.  Finally, with Fall upon me, and some time to explore, the loaded Balda got the call for 8 more images to see what I could muster from it.  I did a nice range of images, including some landscapes in bright light and some time exposures taken in the wee hours of the morning.  

1 - Thurmont, MD - f/5.6, 1/50 - Nice pictoral representation of colors, but a light leak is again evident in this shot.

Classic Kodachrome Monday #72

Every Monday, I'll be spotlighting a different classic Kodachrome slide that I've picked up, and trying where I can to detail the who, what, when, where, why, and how (much) of the image:

This Week:

What: Hustle and Bustle

Fun with Film: Film X by Washi in E6 Chemistry

From the Lomography Site:

If you believe that life is best captured in color, then give Washi Film X a try. This panchromatic negative mask-less color film delivers high saturation, crystal clarity and an overall warm tone. Originally designed for road traffic surveillance, this emulsion yields a distinct texture to give your photographs beaming with character. What’s more, you can also process it as a slide film for even more vibrant hues!

Imagine a 400 speed color film that you could elect to process either as a color negative for printing, or in E6 chemistry as a vibrant transparency with amazing color.  This is pretty much what is claimed of Washi-X, a new film offered by Lomography.

The name derives from a hand made Japanese paper, and indeed the purveyors of Washi-X are actually trying to summon the spirit of hand making paper in another of their products, Film Washi, an ISO 25 medium made in small batches for the analog market.  This French made product is certainly unique in its nature and made with a great degree of pride.

But what of their Washi-X product?  Is this some miracle product made from scratch that might forever change the dynamic of analogue photography?  Is it even possible to make color film from scratch with any degree of consistency?  Is it possible to make a version with a Kodachrome palette? Can I get "less filling" and "tastes great?"

Packaging of Film X is admittedly pretty slick, with a sleeve bundled by a label rather than the typical plastic film can. 

Classic Kodachrome Monday #71

Every Monday, I'll be spotlighting a different classic Kodachrome slide that I've picked up, and trying where I can to detail the who, what, when, where, why, and how (much) of the image:

This Week:

What: Commercial Crossroads

Film Fun Folio #17 - Zeiss Ikonta 521 and Provia 100F

Periodically, I'll be posting scans of some complete rolls of film on here, showing both the good and the bad, and giving some basic information as well a little write up of the shoot as well as the reasons why I selected each camera and film.  Enjoy the trip! 

Feature #17:

Camera: ca. 1946 Unbadged Franka Solida with Schneider 75mm f/2.9 lens.

Film: Fuji Provia 100F

Locale: Frederick County, Maryland.

Very few of my 6x9 folders lack some sort of issue.  Some are just less than stellar performers, while others have an issue or two that make completely care free operation an impossibility.  The Zeiss 521 along with the Agfa Billy Record are in fact the only two 6x9s that I have which function just as they should, and of these, the Zeiss is the far more capable of the two.  Given this, you would think that the 521 would constantly have an active roll of film going through it, but in fact, it had been sitting idle and empty since March for little good reason.  

Finally, with Fall in bloom, I rekindled my affection for this reliable and venerable folder by feeding it a roll of Provia, to see what would result in my rambles through Frederick County, Maryland.  Enjoy!                                                       

1 - Lewistown, MD - f/11, 1/100 - I made the error of not really checking out the shutter a few times before loading film into the Ikonta, and when I shot this image, I heard a bit of drag.  I thought I had overexposed it, but it wasn't so bad.  Since I shot the image again, I didn't bother cleaning up the dust after the scan.