alexandre_crotti

<p>A Yashica D is worth something if you use it.<br>

You can try fixing it yourself. It could be that the shutter is sticking due to old lubricant. If you like to tinker with stuff you could give fixing it a try.<br>

Or you could sell it for cheap to someone who is willing to fix it. If it is just a simple fix, it would be a shame to throw it away.</p>

<p>I've had good luck at WalMart for regular B&W film. I just use the send-out envelopes and write "B&W film develop only". This works for both 35mm and 120. So far the negs have all been nice and clean, especially the 120 film which comes sleeved. It's also incredibly cheap at around $2 each roll. I think Duane's does their B&W developing. I don't know how much longer this will last, but take advantage of it while it lasts.<br>

I don't use them for color C-41 because they don't let you get develop only. Even if I write "develop only, no prints" I always get prints when I have my C-41 film sent out. I'm going to try a local place I've heard about for color negs.<br>

I would stay away from drug store developing unless you know for sure that the person handling your negs knows what they are doing. After several instances of fingerprints, scratches, and even chocolate all over my negs (at least I hope it was chocolate) I will be going to a more professional local place for my C-41.</p>

<p>It's interesting that the point of focus seems to be on the lower portion of the frame, especially the lower left. I wonder if different Herco-flex cameras have different focus points depending on how it was assembled on a particular day so long ago.</p>

<p>Chris,</p>

<p>If you go there during Spring, there is a pond towards the Southern end of the preserve that gets a population explosion of frogs. It's a good place to practice some nature Photography. Visiting throughout the year, you see the changes that the seasons bring to this land.<br>

Using these old cameras to record it makes the experience even more special.<br>

Alex</p>

<p>Great shots. I need to get some color film in my folder now, I don't know why I haven't yet.<br>

The location is great, I've been there a few times. It's a shame development is encroaching so quickly on the unprotected hills sorrounding this area, but hopefully the preserve will stay protected.</p>

<p>I will test out my sister's Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL SLR. I cleaned and changed the light seals on this camera for her and need to make sure everything is working well.</p>

<p>I was wondering the same thing, as I saw an actual brick and mortar pet photography studio in West Los Angeles the other day and wondered how they stay in business.<br>

Some dog shows have good photographers, and some have terrible ones. The bad thing is everyone is required to use the official photographer if you want an official show photo, whether you like it or not. And they usually aren't cheap.</p>

<p>There is film available for this camera and it is being manufactured by Fuji.<br>

Fuji <strong>FP100c</strong> (color) and Fuji <strong>FP100b</strong> and <strong>FP3000b</strong> (black and white) fit the 600 series cameras. You can buy this film for about $10 a film pack from Freestyle. Look for the film packs that are equivalent to <strong>664</strong> and <strong>669</strong> Polariod film packs. These are the Peel-apart films.<br>

You can also buy the Polaroid film packs, but they are more expensive since they are no longer made.<br>

600 integral film such as the one above does not work, they are for the newer cameras that spit out the photograph.</p>

<p>I was going to mention the Salton Sea area... very interesting. The funny thing is I was there this weekend as well, and drove through the Imperial sand dunes too. Where did you stop and take photos at the dunes? I drove through on hwy 78 and there were "no stopping any time" signs all the way through the dunes:(<br>

I would also suggest driving down old route 66 going through Amboy; there are interesting places such as the Amboy crater and interesting salt production trenches just south of that.<br>

Also the Mojave preserve is nice for desert scenery.</p>

<p>My camera does indeed have the double stroke film advance, which is nice and smooth.<br>

I had never seen this camera before, and am guessing it is hard to come by here in the US as well. I'm glad I bought it.</p>

<p>And some leaves at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is an image taken by this camera of a bamboo grove at the Huntington Library in California.</p><div></div>

<p>I recently bought this Leidolf Wetzlar Automatic Unimark II at an antique shop for $15. There is very little information on the web about this camera, but I have been able to learn that it dates from 1958 or so.<br />This is a viewfinder camera sso you have to estimate the focus, and the meter is not working, but it it still a pleasure to use. It has a nice solid feel to it.<br />Here is an image of the camera. I had seen it at the antique store for several months and no-one seemed interested. It was covered in dust and grime and just didn't seem very attractive for $25 until they had a sale. For $15 I decided to give the camera a chance.</p><div></div>

<p>I still have to get used to estimating the focus, but I think I may have fun with this little camera.</p>

<p>Here is an indoors shot with indoor lighting.</p>

<p>Here are a couple of outdoor shots</p><div></div>

<p>I recently bought this cute little camera for $15 at a local shop. It is a Wards (Konica) Eye half-frame camera that was sold at Montgomery Wards department stores around 1964 or so.<br>

It was meant to give you automatic exposure but that is not functioning on this camera. I have determined that the shutter speed is permanantly stuck at around 125sec, which is a usable speed to work with so I am not complaining.<br>

I am impressed at how sturdy and solid it feels in my hands. Here are some test shots with this camera taken both outdoors and indoors.</p><div></div>

<p>I agree with some of the comments about buying a cheap old box camera built anywhere between the 1920's to the 1960's, or older if you like. You can find them for about $10 or less at times and they use medium format film.<br>

I also agree about looking for cheap plastic point and shoot 35mm cameras at thrift stores. Every time I go to a thrift store there are piles of Vivitar 2011 and Argus 520 plastic point and shoot cameras for $2, and these cameras give you some nice effects. </p>

<p>The plastic developing reels made by the Spanish company AP has a setting for 127 in addition to 35mm and 120. I just bought one the other week from Freestyle, so I know they have them.</p>

<p>I have trimmed my 120 spools down and it worked fine, you just have to be slow and deliberate to cut it nice and even. Also it's best to do it in a darkened room. It took me only a couple of minutes, much less time than it would have taken me to re-spool onto 620 reels.</p>