new life for a 126 camera

<p>most 126 cameras are pretty simple and can be replaced with a thrift store all plastic camera.<br>

but a few were better and pobiibly worth trying to use.<br>

but the last 126 film has been sold or used.<br>

and the single peroration on the original film makes it hard to use bulk 35mm film.<br>

has anyone gone thru the process of using 35mm bulk film in a 126.<br>

it would involve opening a plastic cartridge without destroying it.<br>

BUT what after that? any schemes for not using an old 125 cartridge?</p>

<p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuhM7McQOpc<br>

here are the basics but has anyone gone beyond this</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/film-and-processing-forum/00LFfW</p>

<p>I still see more of the same<br>

maybe there si NO improved or advanced method<br>

I did run into Micah's post on pop photo<br>

the above link is so dated.</p>

<p>The best of the 126 cameras were the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 126, Rollei 26, Kodak Instamatic Reflex, Ricoh 126C, Instamatic 500 and a few others.</p>

<p>At one time in the late '70s and early '80s people were making lamps out of box cameras so use your Instamatics to make a retro photo lamp.</p>

<p>And a bunch of old slides that never turned out right can be linked together to make a lampshade. Sounds stupid but it looked good when the host did it on the "She's Crafty" show (<a href="http://www.ionlife.com/shows/shes-crafty">http://www.ionlife.com/shows/shes-crafty</a>).</p>

<p>the BETTER instamatics we have a yashica ezmatic may not have had exposure control<br>

thru the notch in the cartridge. we used color neg slides were over expossed.<br>

at that time there seemed to be no EASY to use cameras<br>

eventually my wife started using my slr.<br>

trying to use one now is possibly a lost cause.</p>

<p>I did have fun using my old Kodak 500 Instamatic with film a few years back. The camera came with a cartridge already inside and I reload the cartage using the method I found online, for doing so with type 135 film. I used B&W film so i could develop it myself too.<br>

The Instamatic 500 has a great <strong id="yui_3_3_0_1_13645415490991053"><strong id="yui_3_3_0_1_13645415490991052">Schneider</strong></strong> <strong>Kreuznach</strong> lens.</p>

<p>If you are only really interested in the lens, and not the camera, you can remove it and glue/tape/screw it to a mount and use it on another camera. The expert at this is John Evans. He has a comprehensive ebook called "Exploring Simple Lenses" which tells you more than you ever thought existed about this area.</p>

<p>Cheers</p>

<p>Alan</p>