wendy_cunningham

Having just returned from a trip to Europe, your film will be safe going through the carry-on baggage x-ray. I did a London/Germany/London/Paris/London/Dublin/London trip, so my film went through security many, many times. I had 400 ASA film with me, and I'm guessing it went through x rays about 10 times total, and developed flawlessly. In fact, one roll that I thought was exposed but went unused came out absolutely clear in the image area, there was no fogging whatsoever. No x-ray bag or hand inspection is needed, these went through both U.S. and EU security. I also had both 120 and 35mm film, and both look fine.

 

I had a roll accidently get left in the camera bag in my checked luggage. I understand that will probably be shot, but I'm going to develop it just to test it out.

Rajiv - Is that the Climatron in the background. Actually, those are nice pictures for a first roll!

 

I remember someone saying that they process negs differently for scanning, as opposed to darkroom printing.

If those plastic reels have stainless steel ball bearings, you do NOT want to use bleach to wash them. Bleach can oxidize stainless, and will cause the bearings to bind. I have some ss reels that really got mucked up using bleach as a cleaner.

 

I would follow the suggestion of using more solution to cover the film, tap down the tank to dislodge air bubbles after each agitation, and if you're still having problems, replace the reel.

Here is a fairly complete history and detail of the Technicolor process, I studied this for a humanities course last year.

 

http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/oldcolor/technicolor1.htm

 

It's also very interesting that NASA still uses a 3-color process (though electronic, not film) for deep space photography, such as the Hubble telescope.

Scot - Very nice pictures, they have me pining for spring. It has not arrived yet in Chicago, but very, very soon I hope!

Is that a crane or a heron in that picture?

Hmm...Stag AND Falstaff are still available - and on TAP no less. I thought both of these beers died out in the 80's.

 

These pictures (complete with the wrecked truck) brought back memories of my father, who would often drag us kids to these "social events" rather than miss them when my mother worked nights. Thanks for sharing those! :-)

Nancy - I have this same camera and lens - EXCELLENT camera. If you've been shooting Holgas, it's gonna be like going from a Dodge Dart to a Lexus (okay, maybe not THAT nice, since you still gotta focus, cock shutter, estimate distance, etc.) the pictures will knock your socks off. As a Holga user, you are at least used to winding on after each shot, so you're better off than I was when I started. Have fun!

Sorry- I needed to convert that and sent the wrong file

Alan - I like to think I do a combination of shooting to serve both purposes: 1) Visual recording of memories (places, people, and things that are near and dear to me. 2) Artistic shots, old cars, buildings, scenics, etc. that I like to look at or practice technique on. I'm still one for looking for interesting textures, they just don't always make interesting pictures.

My great grandmother was a wonderful archiver, wrote a book on the family history before most people ever heard the word "geneology". Along with the books are hundreds of photographs and negatives. The oldest dated ones I have are 1906. Somewhere in the family is the old cameras. Those are the pictures that will be cherished by future generations, while your "photographer" pictures will be admired as well.

Oh, I missed that...so the camera is to be from 1955, not the year *I* was born. That certainly opens it up, since I have more cameras from the fifties. Can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit to give these cameras a workout! :-)

Does anyone have a rundown of good 1963 cameras? I want to stay away from 35mm (was originally thinking argus). I have in my possession an Ikonta 521/16 and an Isolette III, the rest are definitely too old. Of course, I could always use this as an excuse to buy another camera, so I'm open to suggestions - I prefer 6x6 folders, but I've been thinking about maybe playing with a TLR as well (which I've never done).

 

In 35mm, I have an Agfa Karat IV and a Solinette, but again, I'm not sure if they're too old.

 

Thanks!

What would I want people to say about my negatives 50 years from now?

 

Wow, that girl had *some* camera fetish! :-)

 

Seriously, I would hope that people find them as interesting as we find 50 year-old negatives of people, wondering what kind of life they were living. I can't imagine anyone finding one of my cameras with undeveloped film, cause I'm still at that stage that I can't wait to finish a roll and have it developed (and I've been at it quite awhile!) That eagerness to see my shots hasn't worn off. I guess in the old days it was a relatively higher cost for film and processing - people seemed to not click off a whole roll in one day. But should anyone find an old box of photos and slides, well...a lot of my pictures are of gatherings and celebrations - so I guess I would want people to say "this person recorded all the important times, places, and things in her life..and I should, too"

Ken - I LOVE the "obscured" photo - they're all pretty nice, BTW. But the window provides interesting composition, and the face almost looks "unobscured" as if the window is more clear there. Nice framing!

Matthew - Not bad at ALL for a banged up cruddy camera! I've rescued a couple like that, but have not yet got them to work..got them as practice cameras that I could sacrifice if my repair skills didn't pan out.

 

After seeing what comes out of some of these cheap junk shops, I may never leave one again without at least ONE cheap camera! :-)

Why do they bother? 'Cause apparently they get other morons to bid. I looked at both seller's "other items", some have pictures, most do not. Looking at the seller's feedback, many say "item as described", which technically is true!

 

Could this be a new form of gambling?

I've had a good chuckle reading some of these responses, especially the photographer in Kosovo, they really saw him coming! I guess it's time to admit my biggest blunder.

 

My first and only photography class was almost 20 years ago. When it came to developing, the instructor had us practice loading the reel - several time with eyes open, then a few times with eyes closed. I was really getting the hang of it by the 3rd or 4th time. So into the closet I go with the actual roll from the camera, seal the door, and load the film onto the reel.

 

I had a little difficulty, but I finally got it all on there. I opened the door, holding up the reel in hand proudly. My instructor sighed and said "where's the tank?" Looking at the reel, I realized I'd just exposed all the film. The second really stupid move I made was trying to dash back into the closet - as if I could move faster than light!

The "black outer shell/case" really narrows it down now, doesn't it?

Helpful? Very! While I have been visiting this board off and on, (it does, after all, make me lust for more cameras!) I did finally subscribe this week. Even if I never posted a question, it is well worth digging around, the photographers here have some interesting work that I find inspiring. Many are very adventurous and even experimental, instead of following some textbook technique method. Everyone has been first-rate about answering questions and sharing knowledge.

 

As far as "clumsy" goes, perhaps you meant disorganized. Well, maybe a little, as it IS a freeform board, with no subtopics. You may have to do a little digging to find your answers, but no telling what treasure you'll find while you do. If this were an organized board, I would have missed a lot of great posts & pictures.

 

You will not find a friendlier bunch. Welcome to the group!

David - Thanks, I know it's a long shot, but I thought I'd experiment a bit. They do come pretty close to me, I think they've accepted ME as part of the environment (it helps that I feed them). My problem has been with a telephoto/remote is that the field of view is very small, therefore the birds have to be in just the right spot. My thought was to get them on medium format,then I can crop as needed. I'll see how it works out, worst thing, I've spent a roll of film and an afternoon on the deck :-)

Thanks for the quick response - I didn't know such things existed. Yes, I almost forgot that I will need some kind of bulb release cable as I usually use the wireless remote on my 35mm to trip the shutter. There's no need really to hide, as the birds don't seem to mind me a bit - but sudden moves will make them skittish.

 

I've got these two items on my list. Thanks!

I have several folders that I usually handhold when shooting. While

these things aren't exactly made for action shooting, I want to use

them for shooting birds. I've often set my 35mm up on a tripod on my

deck, and between lounging and barbecuing, managed to get some good

shots. I think I can take my Isolette and point to a branch where

birds often perch. But the Isolette and the other folders I have

don't have the same type screw bushing. Do I need to find an older

tripod?

Dean - Very nice pictures, and one nice-looking camera! I loved the old mower, I just love to see the stuff they used "back in the day."

 

I was very tickled by your comments also...this group has a good sense of humor!

Gene - It never ceases to amaze me how much old film you find lurking in cameras! The words make this so powerful, how many things happened while she was in the camera. I guess I'm even more amazed that there *are* that many cameras in junk shops with pictures still in them - vacations, parties, or just this little girl. Were those owners just not interested in their memories?

Dean - That is a really nice looker, and your pics are VERY nice, too. Did you find working on these old cameras pretty straightforward? I get a clunker now and again (hey, they're cheap!) sometimes I just use them for a bookcase, but I've got some that would be nice if I could only fix them. Is it hard to learn?

Gene - I've enjoyed all of your pics, especially this barn series. There are quite a few barns left here in NW suburbs of Chicago and S. Wisconsin, but I must say a lot around here are dying fast to make way for shopping malls and such. I keep saying I'll go out and shoot them, but I realize now I'd better do it soon. Thanks for the inspiration, I'll post some photos soon.