Back to Basics – With Film Photography.
Some years back I visited a friend and fella photographer, Nigel and found he had this fabulous collection of vintage cameras displayed on glass shelving, which made my jaw drop and and my mouth drool. It was truly an outstanding collection of beautiful classics and I have to admit it made me quite envious. By comparison, all I had at the time were three cameras, Agfa Box Camera, a Pentax Auto Compact and a Pentax ME SLR; it was hardly what you would call vintage.
It could have only been a couple of months later, browsing some Old Peoples’ Charity sale in Harare, where I spotted and bought a Balda Super Baldax vintage camera in excellent condition and still in its original leather cover for US$20.00.
“Oh, Nigel will love this.” was my kindly thought and intention and that he certainly was when I phoned to tell him about it. As it turned out I never got around to seeing him again before I left and quite pleased because I had grown very fond of this little gem.
March 2011 saw me arrive to live in the U.K. suit-cased up to the hilt, exhausted and bewildered. Physically, spiritually and mentally, I was in tatters after packing up to leave my old life behind and start a new one ahead.
Recovery for me has always been quick, so once I was settled and enjoying my new status, I was out and about, wide eyed and bushy-tailed keenly shooting hundreds of digital pictures of all things new to me in this beautiful countryside of West Sussex, with my Canon 450D, 18-55mm and 70-300 kit lenses. Naturally I travelled further afield around England but that is for another post. For a preview of what is to come have a peek at my collection of Landscapes
The Canon A-1
Without doubt, the Canon A-1 is a beautiful camera and remains another of my favourite cameras to shoot with, as there is something very tactile about it and even though it’s built like a tank, it still feels great in my hands with very satisfying mechanical feedback and controls. When I first got it I found it had the dreaded “Canon shutter squeak” common to this series of Canon. However, I found several videos online suggesting ways to fix the issue, bought the oil and tools needed and had it up and running soundlessly very quickly.
It is not a straightforward camera to use like the Pentax K1000 but that’s the joy of it, lots to learn and experiment with and face the flops along with the magical-moments. It was primarily designed for the enthusiast not as a professional model like the Canon F-1 but due to its build, capabilities and dependability it became a favourite of many pros, especially as a back-up camera.
Chinon CE Memotron
This Chinon is what I consider a ‘funny little egg’ of a camera but once I had one, I found reviews very favourable giving it titles like ‘A hidden jewel’ and an ‘Under-rated classic’. The only reason I bought it, was that it has the M42 lens fitting which meant I could use all my Asahi Takuma M42 vintage classic lenses on it.
I have used it only once and did so before reading the instructions fully and later discovered that this camera has some very useful features, if not intriguing features. It is also built like a tank, quite heavy to hold and not that comfortable but nevertheless manageable.
These images above were taken on the same day at Wiston Steam Show and highlight the difference in texture between film and digital taken with a Canon A-1 and Canon EOS70D.
To round off, I have to admit that I totally love the journey of mine into film photography. From the start of loading film into the camera up to the final stage of holding a print in my hands is enormously exciting and satisfying. It’s that beaming grin we all share in a Neg35 group. Of course, there are disappointments along the way, thinking you’ve totally bagged a shot to find afterwards you totally missed the mark – it’s out of focus, under or over exposed or blurred – but these disappointments have made me far more careful and thoughtful with each shot I take as I go along.
My Black & White Photo Gallery shows a collection of photographs that I have scanned, printed, matt mounted and framed and are all for sale. All prints are of high quality having been printed on A4 Canson Infinty Baryta Prestige Fine Art and Photo paper.
Photographs can be purchased either framed or only matt-mounted.
Thank you and cheers to you all for reading my blog, hopefully an enjoyable read for you. I would love to see your comments and read your thoughts on this lovely genre in photography. For more information on purchasing please email me and I will get back to you immediately.