Youngsters & Cameras

I recently purchased a Pentax ESPIO 738 for my son.  Now, it's nothing fancy, just a P&S zoom camera that has a few little neat features, like fill flash, no flash, and BULB.  Yes, BULB on a P&S camera, including FLASH SYNC with BULB.  The interesting thing about it is the simplicity of its use, and that my son loves it.  In fact, he picked it out, and asked me with a pleading face if he can get that camera, which I gladly obliged.

I took this camera out for a run, just to see what sort of images it is capable of taking, of course, in capable hands.  What I got was nothing short of quite nice.  From some great landscape shots, to a few interesting shots of some.  To the right is one of the shots I thought would make for some interesting bit of landscape.  A small cluster of winter dead wood.  Of course, it could be that the trees were not quite ready to return to the land of the living, being that it is still relatively early in the year for it, but at the same time, there is a fair bit of greenery sprouting up.  I mean, April 18th isn't exactly late spring, but it should be late enough that even a bud or two should have popped up.

Nonetheless, back to the story at hand.  I have been teaching my son how to hold and use a camera, but not to the point that he's going to be an expert, and he's far from ready to use a SLR or rangefinder.  I mean, come on, he's 4!  Perhaps when he is 7 or 8, then I'll move him up to a SLR if he really wants to use one.

But the fun thing is that he's learned how to use it, and without actual instruction on composition, or lighting, or anything like that, he has just started to shoot images how he feels they should be.  I won't stop and say, "no that's not how you do that.." In fact, I think that since he doesn't have any preconceptions on how to take a photo, they are far better than they would be if he stopped to think about RULE OF THIRDS.

Sure, that image is "out of focus" and a little underexposed under the hat, but seriously, again, he is 4, and I'm not expecting him to work absolute miracles.  But, think about it.  The soldier, because he looks like he is a British soldier out of the second world war (or earlier) is not centered, but not so tightly cropped at the side of the frame that his arm is cut off.  In fact, it's fairly well done with his shoulder being JUST inside the frame enough that it's not crowding him, plus he's even looking toward the center of the frame, which again, would be considered to be very proper composition.

This shot really impressed me, and did so in such a way that I think I'm going to take him out again soon to take part again in more impromptu shooting.  But I think this time it's going to be with much better lighting than overcast skies.

Finally, the last image that I was very impressed with is this one.  That's me, by the way, holding my Bronica ETRs, and he wanted to take a photo of me holding that camera.  He really likes my Bronica, but says it's too big and heavy.  I always tell him that's because it is a very big and clunky camera but it's Daddy's camera only!  Needless to say, he has never once tried to pick it up to use it.

I will have to take it out again for some more shots around the city, and hopefully even more portraits. 

I really do hope that Nikolas will continue with using a camera, beyond just as a passing fancy, but really go beyond a hobby or as an amateur photographer.  I hope he does so professionally, because he has the talent for it, and I really do beleive that he'll go far if he continues with it. 
Since he doesn't have any misconceptions about it, or any kind of preconceived notions of how a photo should be, I believe he will be great.

The most intersting thing about the photo he took of me, is that I'm completely in the frame.  He made sure of it, and even the rotation of the camera is a huge benefit to this photo.  Definitely does he show a hidden talent, and this is one talent I plan on nurturing, but not pressing.  I hope he continues with it, I really do, but pressuring him into shooting photos if he doesn't want to, that I won't do!

Until next time, keep this shutters firing...

If you have kids, encourage them to pick up a camera, you might be surprised to see how the world looks through a childs' eyes.  I know I am!

A Roll In A Day/A Day In A Roll - Take 2

So today marks the day for a second take on this little adventure that was started in March.  As you recall, I participated in that one and truly had a great time with it.
Currently, it is only 9:41am, and I have only shot 2 frames of film with the camera I have chosen to use, my Exakta VX IIa 35mm SLR and using a Waist Level Finder.  I might switch it out to a Prism Finder later in the day, but I really like the WLF on this camera.  It's different, and compares, although not fantastically, to the one on my Rolleicord V.  During the first RIAD I used a Canon EOS 500N/Rebel G, which is a nifty little 35mm camera, and a wonderful camera to use due to its small size, light weight, bright viewfinder, and EF mount which I have multiple lenses for, but I feel is a little like cheating, with its AUTOFOCUS and AUTOEXPOSURE settings, which can easily make you lazy in the way you shoot your images.  Flip to Av (Aperture Priority) mode and you can pretty much just shoot the images you want without really thinking much about it.  Of course, this is a preferred method of shooting for many people, digital and filmies alike, but I prefer the more manual method found on non-auto cameras.

So ARIAD/ADIAR #2 is underway, and looking like it'll be not much different that the first one..  Working for part of the day, and dark dreary and rainy outside, but it's supposed to brighten up, and clear to variable cloudiness and sunny blue skies.

The original idea was floated by J. Nicholls, on March 17, 2012 in the I Shoot Film forum on Flickr.  It was, and still is, a well thought out idea for many of those that shoot film who only go through a roll or two a week, or more.  I, personally, do not shoot less than a Roll a day, but on occasion I will only go through a frame or two on a roll. 
It has garnered much success, and has also caught the attention of the Flickr Blog, not once, but twice, which has caused a number of members to gain some strong interest in their photos that they took that day, and has hopefully also increased the interest in film as well.
I do enjoy seeing the results that people have posted during their time on the first occasion that they shot a roll in a day, and I am excited to see what everyone has shot during their second excursion out with this nifty little adventure.

I do believe that there are a few more people taking part this time around, which might garner even more interest in Film, or at least in film photography.

Right now, Mr. Nicholls has let the idea fall under the control of these two people, Marcelo Yanez (Kil. Trout), and Josh Johnson (Josh Wolf), who are both doing a fantastic job. 
Both are avid film photographers, followed up with this idea and have really run with it.  Letting the group of people who participate, and even those that would like to participate in the future, each have a say in what goes on, and how/when future days will take place.
From the start, this project has gained in popularity, and I believe it will continue to do so.  Those that wish to take part in this ongoing project can do so as they wish, whether it is monthly, in its current incarnation, or bi-monthly, quarterly, or even yearly if they see fit.

A smart idea this turned out to be, and I feel it will continue to gain momentum as the year progresses.

Cheers to keeping this project on track..

Keep those shutters firing!

How To Use A Camera Phone

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 12 - 2012
Toned in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 4

My brother gave a really good point regarding Cell Phones of today.  We truly should stop calling them Cell Phones, as there is little emphasis on the "PHONE" part, and more on the technology crammed into them.  So I came up with the ideal term of "Mobile Communicator" or even the "Portable Communication Tablet".  Granted, Cell Phone is a far simpler term, but we've long been moving away from a mobile phone, and have basically turned it into a mobile office, with word processors, internet data usage, text messaging, video conferencing, HD Video & high resolution photography... and lastly, it seems, the phone.

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 04 - 2012
Toned in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 4

It seems that the lowly CELL PHONE is a thing of the past now.  Consider this.  How many out there have a CELL PHONE that is nothing more than a phone.  No camera, or just a very rudimentary basic camera...? 

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - March 05 - 2012
Toned in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 2
Kodak Pantomic 32ISO B&W Film

Most out there will have a Blackberry, iPHONE, Android Phone, or Windows Mobile Smartphone.  These are most designed specifically for the business user, yet have become the mainstream method of portable communication.

I highly doubt we'll stop calling it a "CELL PHONE", but we should consider that we are truly moving away from a cellular mobile phone, and more keeping a mobile office instead, and the phone is just a perk that seems to carry along with it.

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 4, 2012
Toned in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 4

Now, the interesting thing about this phenomenon is that the cameras on these "phones" are becoming more and more sophisticated.  From the Nokia mobile that has a Carl Zeiss Tessar ƒ/2.8 lens.  REALLY?!  A CZ lens on a mobile phone?  Insanity!  But it's true! 

I, personally, do not have this phone, nor do I want it.  I like the camera that is on my phone, because it's so stupidly basic, that nobody truly expects the images I take with it to come out the way they do.

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 16 - 2012
Bokeh ; DoF in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 4

Of course, a lot to do with that is know how to use a camera, and how to use the software to process the image afterward.
On thing I have found, though, is that the camera takes EXCELLENT close up images.  The colour saturation is, obviously adjustable, but rather neutral in comparison to the average digital camera.  The 3MP sensor is perfect, considering its miniscule size.  Sure, you get some bad noise on some images, especially low-light images, or ones that you are processing slightly too heavily and trying to tone the levels differently.  Well, you have to learn how to cope with that, or you scrap your idea with the image, and try something else instead. 
I have had to do that once, and that was with this image below;

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 12 - 2012
Toned in CS5 with Alien Skin Exposure 4

I wanted to get this to be similar to an IR photo, but for the life of me, I could not do it.  I tried and tried and tried, but to no avail, so instead I decided to just adjust it to be a Fujichrome VELVIA shot instead.  That bumped up the Saturation levels and gave it a warmer punchier look.  Now the funny thing is, I actually had a CPL filter (Circular Polarizer) that I used with this one.  I held it over the camera lens, rotating it so that I'll get a darker bluer sky, and shot the image that way. 

The hard part of shooting this in the bright sunlight, is that the screen gets washed out.  I have a very hard time shooting without the viewfinder, because I'm both not used to it, and because it's just so difficult to see the LCD screen in bright light.

Either way, it worked out in the end.  The image, when viewed on my home computer screen, was just the way I wanted it, although slightly washed out in colour compared to the above image, and far cooler.

The other difficult part is adding a DoF (Depth Of Field) to the image.  Noted above the Detour sign, I had to add a DoF to it because otherwise it was very flat, and uninteresting.  Sure, shooting with a cellphone camera is rather uninteresting, until you start adding effects to the photo in post.



This leaves me with my most fun image yet.  It's a shot of my Canonet QL25 Rangefinder, which I took for a bit of a workout with me yesterday (April 16th - 2012) so that I could both finish the film inside it, and so I can bet better acquainted with this little rangefinder.  Very formidable camera, it is, and one that I should either use more often, or put it up for sale.  A camera like that truly does not deserve to be a shelf-queen at all!

HTC Kaiser Smartphone - April 16 - 2012
Toned in CS5 with Niks Silver EFEX Pro Infrared
Colour Channel Swapped In CS5

I know the colour seems really weird, and in truth, it is.. But I actually did NOT use Exposure 4, nor did I do anything other than a little bit of channel swapping here.
First I created a new layer, than used Niks SilverEFEX Pro to swap that new layer to Infrared.   After that, I took the first layer, and swapped the Green channel with the Blue Channel, then the Red Channel with the Green Channel.  Now, why the Infrared layer then?  Simple, I took the entire layer in Infrared and copied it into the RED channel on the lower layer.  This toned it for an EIR image. 
Great fun, and gives it a different type of look entirely.  The entire image takes on a reddy pink tone throughout.  I'm really wanting to try to shoot an image in dIR with sweeping deep blue skies as well. 
Perhaps one day I'll do that with my dSLRs.

Until then, I'll have to be satisfied with being silly with my Camera on my Portable Communications Tablet!

Not to mention, I'll definitely be shooting some REAL infrared film.  Efke IR820 anyone?

Highpark With A Nettar

Took my family out to High Park, and thought we'd have a little bit of a photo-walk through the park.  Who was I kidding?? Through the park?  Yeah right!  Literally only to one spot, and that's it.  We ended up shooting a roll or three with these silly Geese..
As odd as it may seem, but they were rather tame.. err, well they weren't afraid of people at all.  In fact, they were eating out of our hands!  One even came right up to my Bronica and stuck its head out almost to tap the lens with its beak.  Yeah, that was interesting.  I do have to get those images developed too, because they will most likely be some really other worldly images!
I was very happy with a lot of the results from this camera.  Very sharp lens, and a simple zone-focusing system. In fact, I was very impressed with the depth of field I got with this camera, considering it's just a 75mm lens, and not one that's all that fancy.

Well, I got some great depth, and excellent results!

I had originally shelved my Nettar after it took an unfortunate tumble, and damaged the case.  There is a part on the bottom of the base plate that is bent, and actually a little separated from the body.  It's not too bad, and I'll probably just JB weld it in place, which is a high textile epoxy adhesive for binding metal to metal.

Needless to say, I am glad I moved this camera back into rotation. 
To be honest, I wasn't going to until I saw this image by Josh Wolf which actually inspired me to start using this camera again.
The simple operation of this camera, combined with the lightweight design means that you can use it continuously without ending up fatigued.  The only issue is the lack of a rangefinder.  This camera could be truly amazing if it was coupled with a rangefinder, better shutter, perhaps a Prontor, and a faster lens, but stopped down, like the above images, at ƒ/11, it wouldn't make too much of a difference.  But I have a feeling it would be a touch sharper.

Either way, I am still very happy with this camera, and it's a fun camera to use, and try to figure out.  There is no Parallax correction in the viewfinder, so you have to make mental notes about cutting off heads and other various parts of the body.
The 6x6 frame is also tricky for portraits and for framing up the images.  When you're used to doing portraits in 35mm or with 4x5 film, it's a change when it's 6x6... Although it's fairly simple as well with 6x4.5..

Cheers

The Kodak Signet 35c

Perhaps one of the most elegant cameras that Kodak has produced, is the Kodak Signet 35c.  In comparison to its predecessor, the Kodak 35 Rangefinder, with angular lines, bakelite case, and strange items jutting out from here and there, this one is extremely simplistic.  The shutter is a simple 4 speed shutter, with speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300 + B, it is also the camera's weakest link.  After many years of disuse, perhaps probably in the vacinity of 30 to 40 years, the shutter has developed a minor hiccup or three. 
Although the shutter is a rather weak point of this camera, the lens, on the other hand, is not.  This lens is the highest end Kodak Ektar lens.  As the name says, EKTAR is the highest possible ranking of any lens that Kodak produced.  In fact, it is considered their "Professional" line of lens.  If the namesake of film, Kodak Ektar 25 or Kodak Ektar 100, has anything to say about it, then it definitely lives up to its namesake!

The only issue that I have with this camera is the rangefinder window.  It doesn't seem to work, unless I point the camera at a bright light source, such as a light, or a chrome surface reflecting a lot of light.  Otherwise, I get no image at all, perhaps there is a complete lack of contrast on the internal glasses?

I have completely cleaned this particular camera, inside and out, other than the lens, as that part is the only part I cannot seem to open.  The elements are nicely glued in place, in fact, there is lock-tite holding the front embellishment in place, come on people, this is a camera not an automobile!

When I originally came into posession of this camera, I wasn't sure what to make of it.  I enjoy using old cameras, and really enjoy bringing old cameras back to life, even if I only use them once or twice a month.  The thing is, cameras such as this, are meant to be used and abused!  As you can tell by the casing of this camera, it has been used a lot, and probably taken its fair share of abuse.  I must admit, I don't exactly carry it around in a soft padded camera bag.  Nope, in my backpack for work, usually jammed with another heavier camera, such as a Praktica L2 or LLC.

Designed for military applications, in a Black model for the Navy, or a Olive model for the Army, it screams that it is a well built model.  I'd almost think this camera has been through a war, considering the amount of battle scars, pitting, abrasions, and corrosion on this model, well not that there is any rust, but certainly a fair bit of aluminum oxidation on the body.
The focusing ring is a bit tight to turn, and feels like the bearings are dry, needing a fair bit of lube to get back to soft focusing again, but I think I'll just leave it as is for now.  I don't feel like having the shutter get more gummed up than it has been, considering that it is working, for the most part!

I will continue to use this camera, and will continue to abuse this camera for as long as it continues for function.  If it eventually dies, it will be retired to a quiet corner of the display with some of its most intriguing and interesting images to come out of this camera on display with it.

One day, I intend on putting a roll of Efke IR through this camera!  I just need to get some kind of adapter (or make one) to affix my IR filter onto it...  One day soon, I hope!

Until next time, keep those shutters firing!

Cheers

The High Park Zoo

Today we spent a bit of time down at the High Park zoo..  Opened in the early 1900s, is the attraction in the largest park in the city. Quite the nifty little place, except it is now slated to be closed in June.  Although they are taking donations to save the zoo, we hope it's not a matter of "too-little too-late"...  There are some interesting and educational exhibits there, from Llamas to Bison and Highland Cattle, to even Peacocks and Emus.

I think the Emus are fairly interesting, as they are very large birds, and amusingly have a very small head to go with their massive bodies.  Their feathers are very fine, almost like hair, and have what looks like an afro going on.  How much better of a look can you get than that?  Such an awesome animal..
And from a different perspective, they do taste good too.  You can buy Emu meat from various butchers across Toronto.

The zoo is actually considerably busy, as there is no admission fee, and is open all year from 7am to sunset.  The animals are in large enclosures, and are obviously well cared for.  It would be nice to see this zoo saved, as it is the destination of many school trips, and family outings.
How much more reason do you need to visit a small zoo, than free?  That's probably as good as it gets..

So get out there, and help save the zoo!  Even if you don't frequent the park, you can still help make a difference, as they are one of the last great things in Toronto.
Even if you just drop off $1.00 into their coffers it'll go a long way.  Just think about it, if everyone in Toronto donated $1.00, that's $2.5m!  All from just a single dollar donation..

You can't get much better than that!

Exactly With An Exakta

What a camera!  I had a grand ol' time today shooting with my "new" Ihagee Dresden Exakta camera.  It's the VX IIa Model, and I tell you, what an over-engineered piece of mechanical beauty.  It's just fantastic!

From the simply elegant design, to the shape and big bold and beautiful viewfinder..

Oh, did I mention the chrome and black accented body?  Well, this camera is a beauty to look at.  And that's where it ends.  It is probably the most difficult camera I have ever tried to use. The shutter release is on the front LEFT of the camera, the film winds right to left, which is just weird for a 35mm.. the shutter release button is in an awkward place to press it, the lens mount is difficult to work with, and don't get me started on loading the film!
If it wasn't for the fact that I absolutely love this camera, I would have to say, I absolutely, and undeniably HATE it too!
It is just over-engineered!  Sure, it's got 3 PC Sync ports for X F and M sync.  It also has a great big viewfinder and an impressive look to it, plus the fact that you are pretty much stuck with Carl Zeiss lenses, not a bad thing in the slightest, makes it one expensive camera to own!

The big Biotar lens attached in the image above, sadly, is not my lens.  It's a fellow photographer's that I have cleaned up.  Found some damage, so I am testing it for him, and seeing how the lens performs under various conditions.

At the moment, it appears, the lens is perfect!  And I do mean perfect for some spectacular images!

Really enjoy using this camera, even though I have only had it for a couple of days. I think it's going to become my main go-to 35mm SLR.  Even over my Spotmatic and AE-1!  Go figure!

 Here I was wanting to test the overall sharpness of this lens, and figured, what better way than to use it by photographing a fence with strong vertical lines, and circles.
This also gave me a chance to see how it handles b/g separation, which the lens does incredibly well!

This gave me a great opportunity.  Not only did I get to help a fellow film-shooter out, but I got a chance to try my hands on a brilliant and highly sought after lens.  This is just phenomenal!  The build quality is really high.. 

Wish I had more time with this lens, but alas it is being returned to its rightful owner, who I'm sure will enjoy his time shooting with this lens.

The camera handles beautifully, for an old 35mm SLR.  It is well weighted so it is nicely balanced, and will probably be much nicer with a longer lens on.  

Exakta VX IIa - 35mm SLR - Carl Zeiss Biotar ƒ/2 - Polypan F 50

I had to try this lens out up close and personal, so I found this little garden accent light, snuck up to it, and snapped this shot.  The image took shape quite quickly, and sure enough, a razor thin depth of field, plus an idea subject for testing the sharpness of a lens.  Round sides, sharp edged corners, and a great b/g separation.  Nothing could be better.   Or could it?

Exakta VX IIa - 35mm SLR - Carl Zeiss Biotar ƒ/2 - Polypan F 50

That's where I was wrong.  This little purple plant was growing in, and made the perfect subject for testing the closer focusing of this lens.  I can get as close as I need to, it won't get cropped out of the frame, and it'll show some awesome sharpness.

Sure enough, it does more than that!  It proves that this camera and lens combo is one of the most idealistic choices that I can use.
Sadly, though, this lens is packaged off for return shipping to USA.

Exakta VX IIa - 35mm SLR - Carl Zeiss Biotar ƒ/2 - Polypan F 50

A New Film Lab

So today I found a new film-lab to have my film processed.. Sure, it's not Silvano... but they use the Dip-Dunk processing that I have grown to love.  No nonsense machine processing, so I know it's being done properly, and being done how it has been for more than a century..

Toronto Image Works - Located at 80 Spadina Rd, just North of King Street in unit 207.

I dropped off a roll of OLD Ektachrome, but not really expecting anything on it.
Really looking forward to the Provia 100F 4x5 shots.. Those are the shots I have been DYING to see. 
Shot it back in Februray (19th) and the thought of them sitting in my fridge just waiting to be seen has been bothering me for almost 2 months.  Oh how I wish Silvano hadn't closed, but sadly... they did.

With this film becoming more and more difficult to process, I might have to give up with Transparency film.  Really sad, considering there is nothing like it.

So in the next couple of days I'll be making my way down to that lab to pick up my images.  Probably Thursday, which means Friday the scans begin.

2 sheets of 4x5 Provia 100F... 2 rolls of 120 C41, and 2 rolls of 35mm C41...

The single Ektachrome, well, if it's blank, it's blank!  If not.. Oh, well, that'll be quite amusing to see!

For now, I will have to wait and see...

Cheers