Impossible Faces no. 5 (Tough Bunny)

Polaroid Macro 5 SLA 1200 Impossible Spectra Black and White Instant Film - Inspired by my Instant Faces post, I decided to do a series of images on artificial faces using Impossible Project's Black and White instant film and my Polaroid Macro 5 1200 instant camera. This is the fifth and final image in a series of capturing faces on various toys and objects around the house, "found" beauty so to speak. This tough bunny has seen better days, but stall has a well worn cuteness.

Scanned using a HP ScanJet G4050 using HP's OEM Software software

Impossible Faces no. 4 (Tenchi)

Polaroid Macro 5 SLA 1200 Impossible Spectra Black and White Instant Film - Inspired by my Instant Faces post, I decided to do a series of images on artificial faces using Impossible Project's Black and White instant film and my Polaroid Macro 5 1200 instant camera. This is the fourth in a series of images capturing faces on various toys and objects around the house, "found" beauty so to speak.

Those of you familiar with the Anime series Tenchi Muyo will recognize the face above as the title character.

Scanned using a HP ScanJet G4050 using HP's OEM Software software

Impossible Faces no. 3 (Ryoko)

Polaroid Macro 5 SLA 1200 Impossible Spectra Black and White Instant Film - Inspired by my Instant Faces post, I decided to do a series of images on artificial faces using Impossible Project's Black and White instant film and my Polaroid Macro 5 1200 instant camera. This is the third in a series of images capturing faces on various toys and objects around the house, "found" beauty so to speak.

Those of you familiar with the Anime series Tenchi Muyo will recognize the face above as the space pirate Ryoko Hakubi.

Scanned using a HP ScanJet G4050 using HP's OEM Software software

Impossible Faces no. 2 (Angry Guy)

Polaroid Macro 5 SLA 1200 Impossible Spectra Black and White Instant Film - Inspired by my Instant Faces post, I decided to do a series of images on artificial faces using Impossible Project's Black and White instant film and my Polaroid Macro 5 1200 instant camera. This is the second in a series of images capturing faces on various toys and objects around the house, "found" beauty so to speak.

Scanned using a HP ScanJet G4050 using HP's OEM Software software

Impossible Faces no. 1

Copyright 2014 D. Matthew Dair All Rights Reserved

Polaroid Macro 5 SLA 1200 Impossible Spectra Black and White Instant Film - Inspired by my Instant Faces post, I decided to do a series of images on artificial faces using Impossible Project's Black and White instant film and my Polaroid Macro 5 1200 instant camera. This and the next few posts to follow are all images of faces on various toys and objects around the house, "found" beauty so to speak.

Scanned using a HP ScanJet G4050 using VueScan v. 9.0.96 software

The Polaroid Macro 5 SLR 1200

Meet the Polaroid Macro 5 SLR 1200. Definitely one of the odder cameras in my shooting arsenal, this Polaroid Spectra film shooting instant behemoth is a cool niche camera designed for medical and technical photography. The camera has two built in flashes either side of the lens for even illumination and can focus down to .07" or 1.7mm via a turret system if five lenses.

Copyright Polaroid Corporation 

As the name implies the camera is a true SLR (Single Lens Reflex) and framing through the view finder is very accurate. Focus is achieved both visually and by a system of matching light dots projected onto the subject by the camera, when the dots line up, the subject is in focus.

Copyright Polaroid Corporation

My previous posts using the Macro 5 can be found here.

Instant Faces

                                    

Lomography Society Lomo'Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film - Sometimes life gets in the way. I have been woefully neglectful of both my photography and this blog over the past few months. Between work and other concerns I have had difficulty finding the time. In the mean time I have been playing with my new Lomo'Instant camera and here are a couple of funs shots. The Lomo'Instant camera comes with colored filters that insert over the flash, so I thought I would use them for a couple of self portraits. I also used the auxiliary portrait lens that I purchased with the camera.

Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 Scanner using HP's OEM software.

A Simple Beginning

Lomo'Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini Film - Just a quick shot to make sure my new Lomo'Instant Camera is working properly. A cute pile of Prey over Predators caught my eye as a good first subject. The lens of the camera is surprising sharp, especially since focus is limited to two broad zones. This was shot with the closer zone which is 0.4m to 0.9m. More to come soon...

Scanned with a HP G4050 scanner using HP's OEM Software.

It's Here! The Lomo'Instant Camera

I backed the Lomo'Instant Camera Kickstarter project from the start and finally received my reward, presenting my new Lomo'Instant Camera. I purchased the Black Camera with the full lens set, including the Fish-Eye, Close Up and Portrait Lenses. I have always been a huge fan of instant photography of all types and was happy to support this project. The final product exceeded my expectations. The camera is well made, with an excellent fit and finish, while keeping the "Plastic fantastic" feel you expect from the Lomography Society. I cannot wait to start working through my first two pack of Fujifilm Instax Instant film to see the results.

Vanishing Point

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - An eery trip into light and shadow, this track trails off into oblivion. The late afternoon sun casting shadows made this shot for me.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Around the Bend

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - This is the kind of building I always dreamed of having a studio in, old, urban and big. I love the way the tracks bend around the rear of this structures.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Under The Bridge

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - The supports of the Lynchburg Expressway Bridge that crosses the railroad tracks and the James River. An interesting mix of symmetry and chaos.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Ivy Guardian

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - Two columns of Ivy stand guard over this door, with crossed arms barring entrance.

Caffenol always seems to bring a vintage looking tonal range, great for subjects like this.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Spray Paint Gospel

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - A section of graffiti painted on the side of the Piedmont Flour Mill grain silos in downtown Lynchburg VA. The silos are a favored canvas for graffiti artists in the area.

Caffenol Recipe:
1 liter Water
54 grams Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
16 grams Vitamin C granules
40 Grams of Instant caffeinated instant coffee
20 gram iodized table salt
Add ingredients in order given, stirring in between until fully dissolved. Use immediately and discard.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Textures and Tones

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - An interesting mix of textures and tones combine in this image. Nature and Graffiti Artists seem to be battling to see who can cover this building first.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo using Epson OEM Software.

RAZA

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - A Graffiti Artist and Nature making use of the same canvas.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo using Epson OEM Software.

Private Property - Rustotica

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - A great old sign in the lower basin in downtown Lynchburg Virginia, rusting to perfect Rustotica.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo using Epson OEM Software.

Every Car is out to Kill You

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - Apparently I did not get the memo on the Car conspiracy, but now I have been warned.

Scanned with and Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Door No. 3

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - The Lower Basin in downtown Lynchburg Virginia provides almost no end of great subjects. This is the loading door of an old warehouse building. I love the way brick and weathered wood renders in black and white.

Scanned with and Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Virginia Creeper

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Acros 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - A swarm of Virginia Creeper vines are slowly consuming this building, like a dark spirit in a horror movie.

1984 Michael Stipe of R.E.M. at the Virginia Beach Pavilion

Nikon FE2 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Ektachrome 800/1600 E6 - Michael Stipe of R.E.M. during their Reckoning tour at the Virginia Beach Pavilion in Virginia. The Album "Reckoning" remains one of my favorites to this day.

Scanned using a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III using Silverfast SE Plus Software.

1984 R.E.M. at the Virginia Beach Pavilion

Nikon FE2 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Ektachrome 800/1600 E6 - Grain, grain go away, come again some other day,,, not in this image. R.E.M. during their Reckoning tour at the Virginia Beach Pavilion in Virginia. Shot from about two or three bodies back from the stage, I was basically guessing the focus and holding the camera over my head and shooting. In the days before auto focus everything that was the best you could do. Surprisingly I got a number of good shots with the grain, contrast and stark lighting really playing up the feel of the band at that point.

Scanned using a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III using Silverfast SE Plus Software.

Bug Eyes

Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm Precision Zoom Lens Kodak Ultramax 400 Arista C41 - The last, at least for awhile, of my plastic camera shots, this is a playful image of a piece of playground equipment. Another image from the Kalimar 35-55mm Zoom, this time using the built in flash as daylight fill.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

Battered Passage no. 2

Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm Precision Zoom Lens Kodak Ultramax 400 Arista C41 - A tighter view of the doors from Battered Passage no. 1, giving them a more abstract feel. Shot with the Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm, this is still part of my Plastic Fantastic series.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

Battered Passage no. 1

Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm Precision Zoom Lens Kodak Ultramax 400 Arista C41 - Here is another from my Plastic Fantastic Camera series. A side door to the old Virginia School of the Arts building in Lynchburg VA showing the ravages of abandonment. This image is a little eery considering the boards look like they were added to keep something inside from getting out.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

Meet The Swinger!

Crazy, Hip Swingin' Cool

No Backspace for a Graffiti Artist

Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm Precision Zoom Lens Kodak Ultramax 400 Arista C41 - The first image from my Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm illustrating the qualities of its plastic "Precision Zoom Lens." At 35mm the lens has much more noticeable focus fall off at the edges than the Excel Deluxe-I, but otherwise has a similar look. Even though the lens's wide setting is only 35mm I expected more barrel distortion, the horizontal lines on this image are surprisingly straight. A fact that is almost disappointing.

I found it interesting that the Graffiti Artist started once, crossed out his work and then redid his "Tag."

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM Software.

Plastic Fantastic - The Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm

May I present the Kalimar Zoom 35-55mm, yet another one dollar thrift camera. This slick looking plastic wonder sports a 35-55mm Kalimar Precision zoom lens and a built in flash. Its unique look makes it one of the most stylish of my plastic camera collection. Other than the flash, there is no exposure control, so the camera relies heavily on the latitude of most color print films. The shutter sounds like is fires at around 1/100th of a second and I am guessing the fixed lens aperture is f11. The lens is fixed focus or "Focus Free" if you prefer, and seems to have a focus range of 4 ft to ∞, zoom range is 35-55mm neither very wide angle or telephoto.

Here are the Specifications as near as I can tell:
Camera Type: Compact 35mm film camera with built in zoom lens and flash
Lens: 35-55mm Kalimar Precision zoom lens manually driven
Focusing: Focus Free (fixed focus)
Exposure System: Fixed shutter speed assumed 1/100th Fixed aperture f11?
Flash: Built in Manual on/off via switch
Film Advance: Manual via knurled dial with manual rewind
Power Source: Single AA Battery for flash
Other Features: Rubberized hand grips and zoom dial, wrist strap, film type window, frame counter, instructions for use printed on back of camera

Images from this camera to follow soon.

1921 "Knowledge is Power"

Excel Deluxe-I 50mm f6.0 Out of Date Fujifilm Superia 200 Arista C41 Kit - The corner stone of the now empty Virginia School of the Arts formerly Garland Rodes High School in Lynchburg Virginia shot with the Excel Deluxe-I.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

Plastic Impressionism

Excel Deluxe-I 50mm f6.0 Out of Date Fujifilm Superia 200 Arista C41 Kit - Another image from the Excel Deluxe-I, showing the unique qualities of the plastic 50mm f6.0 lens. Some of the images have an almost "Impressionist" feel, nice when you are trying to elevate common objects and make them compiling images.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM Software.

Plastic Fantastic - Chair

Excel Deluxe-I 50mm f6.0 Out of Date Fujifilm Superia 200 Arista C41 Kit - A plastic chair shot with a plastic camera, seemed like a fitting subject for the first post from this camera. The Deluxe-I has some interesting qualities. The uncoated plastic lens has a nice combination of distortion, "unsharpness" and chromatic aberration, giving the images a unique feel. Some notes on shooting with this camera. The viewfinder is inaccurate, there is parallax, even at distances greater than 4 feet. Leaving ample room for cropping on any shot is a must. Close focus distance seems to be a little over 3 feet, in bright sun, stopping all the way down to "Sunny" gets you a little closer, but 4 feet and beyond is a good bet for the sharpest possible images (in this case "sharp" is a relative term). Advancing the film too quickly seems to case mis-framing. I suspect the camera back does not exert enough pressure over the feed sprockets allow the sprockets to skip. Overall I am pleased with the results. The Excel Deluxe-I makes and excellent Lomographic camera. 

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

Plastic Fantastic - The Excel Deluxe-I

I thought I would indulge my fascination for cheap plastic camera this weekend, so may I present the Excel Deluxe-I. A thrift store find, this plastic wonder has all the styling of a 35mm SLR, with none of the features.

Here are the Specifications as near as I can tell:
Camera Type: 35mm viewfinder camera
Lens: Allegedly a 50mm f1:6 Optical Color Lens (I am pretty sure it is plastic)
Shutter: One speed I am guessing around 1/100th depending on the age of the spring,
Exposure Control: Manual via aperture setting "Full Sun," "Half Sun," "Cloud" and "Flash"
Viewfinder: You can see through it and seems vaguely useful for framing
Film Advance: Manual via knurled dial.
Other Features: Built in hot shoe for flash, built in clear lens protector, Frame counter, Tripod Socket, Raise hand grip and Red shutter release button.
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan

I am pretty sure the body has a lead weight in it as the camera seems to weight more than I would expect from its plastic construction.

My first roll through this camera is hanging to dry, test scans will be posted soon.

Rescued

Nikon FE2 Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8 Kodak Ultramax 400 Arista C-41 - Not a perfect shot, but damn cute, this poor little kitten was abandoned by her mother, and we are now bottle feeding her. She is curious, mobile, demanding and above all adorable. A mother's loss is a kittens gain, as she will spend the rest of her life as a pampered indoor cat.

Scanned using a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM scanning software.

From the Web - Weekend Project: Pinhole Panoramic Camera

This was forwarded to me by a friend, it is an interesting reminder of how simple a camera can really be. If you are looking for an interesting weekend project, check that out.

Broken

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Gold 100 C-41 - Shot in the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg VA. sometime in the fall of 1992. I liked the play of light and shadow. I rediscovered this image while testing a new film scanner.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F-135 Film Scanner using Pakon's OEM software.

Caffenol Concoction - Caffenol premix from Labeauratoire

For those of you wanting to try Caffenol or Coffee Developer for black and white film, but do not want to track down all the ingredients, this is the product for you. Caffenol Concoction is a premixed packet of Caffenol that allows you to just add water and go.

For those of you wanting and easy entry into the world coffee developers purchase information can be found here: http://www.labeauratoire.com/caffenol/cc.html

Monolithic

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Gold 100 - An image from the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg VA, shot in the Autumn of 1992. I rediscovered this negative while testing a new film scanner. I like the sense of isolation the narrow depth of field creates.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM Software.

Decay

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Gold 100 - Some new archive mining inspired by a faster film scanner. This was shot in the Autumn of 1992 at the Lynchburg Old City Cemetery, one of my favorite shooting venues since my arrival in Lynchburg VA. I love this cemetery in Autumn. It is filled with healthy mature trees that provide amazing color. The contrast of the somber mood of the cemetery and the festive colors of the trees can be amazing.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus Scanner using Pakon's OEM software.

Scanner Test - Kodak Pakon F135 Plus Scanner

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Gold 100 -  I picked a roll shot years ago to test my Kodak Pakon F135 Plus scanner. I wanted a roll with strong colors and some challenging lighting to get a good feel for the scanners capabilities. Generally the scanner preformed very well. Scans had good sharpness and contrast, with accurate color reproduction. I saw minor issues with dominate color shifts toward cyan when image contain a lot of red, but this was easily corrected within the scanner software prior to exporting.

Scanned with a Kodak Pakon F135 Plus using Pakon's OEM software.

New Scanner - Kodak/Pakon F135 Plus

I have always liked shooting 35mm for the conveniences of the greater number of exposures per roll and smaller lighter cameras. Heading out with one or two 36 exposure rolls can cover a long day's worth of shooting with limited bulk. The downside to this, when working with a hybrid analog/digital workflow, is exponentially higher time spent scanning once the film is developed. Up until this point, I have been using a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III and Silverfast's SE Plus scanning software for all my 35mm scanning needs. This scanner software combination is capable of producing great scans, but workflow can be slow and tedious. So much so, in recent years, I have shied away from shooting 35mm in favor of medium format. Not all together a bad thing, but I do miss the more casual nature of shooting 35mm. I am much more likely to keep my Olympus XA2 or Stylus in my pocket for day to day shooting, than lugging one of my Kiev 60s or even my point and shoot Fujifilm GS645Zi. Hopefully my most recent scanner acquisition will even the playing field for back end workflow between 35mm and medium format 120 film.

The Kodak/Pakon F135 Plus is a 35mm roll film scanner designed for low volume analog/digital retail labs in the early 2000's. You would commonly see them in chain drug stores supplementing their digital printing operations. I know, I installed a few of them as a field service technician in a past life. They were a way for smaller locations to have film scanning and printing capabilities without the foot print or capital investment of the high end Fujifilm Frontier hybrid digital systems that the bigger retailers were installing. Made by Pakon with Kodak branding the F135 Plus was no speed demon when compared to the higher end scanners of the day, but it would scan a full, uncut roll of 35mm film in a few minutes. Coupled with one or two tabletop dye-sub printers and a CD burner a lab could have a reasonably capable analog/digital lab in a small foot print.

The quick rise of digital as a replacement for film brought and end to Pakon, which closed their doors a few years back, so the once $2,000+ scanners can now be found ebay selling for around $250. Due to their age, you must keep in mind that the software only works with Windows XP and there are no Mac drivers available at all. That being said, the software will work on a Mac running Windows XP on Parallels  Desktop and I have seen a few reports of it running on Windows 7 in XP mode. Luckily I had an older Dell Dimension 4700 laying around that had more than enough horsepower to handle the software.

I have installed the software and done some initial test scans and I have to say I am pleased with the results. The 2941x1960 pixel 16 bit RGB scans are very good quality, perfect for proofing and prints up to 8x10. Digital Ice dust and scratch reduction technology is built into the scanner and appears to be effective in reducing negative imperfections during scanning. The software is not pretty or intuitive, but it is functional and relatively easy to learn. The initial color and exposure judgements made by the software are close and can be tweaked before exporting the files. For critical work or large prints, I can still fall back on my Dimage Dual Scan III, but for getting a decent initial scan onto my computer, this is a great new tool.

I will not dive into operational specifics, as the are a number of great tutorial already up on the web. A Google search for Pakon F135 Scanner will get you started.  Sample scans to follow in futures posts.

An Awwwwww Moment...

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Foma Fomapan 400 Adox Adonal 1:25 - Three of the neighborhood feral cats using a lawn chair to escape the mid day sun. One adult and two kittens showing the softer side of cat life.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Hen of Chicks...

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 40mm extension tube Foma Fomapan 400 Adox Adonal 1:25 - A just watered Hen an Chicks plant basking in the mid-day sun. My first experience using Adox Adonal (Rodinal) at 1:25 dilution. Sharpness is great and grain is better than expected. I love the magnifying effect of the water droplets.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson’s OEM Software.

Lomo'Instant Camera on Kickstarter

Here is a great KickStarter Project from the Lomography Society, a NEW INTANT CAMERA! Check out the links for details, but features like manual exposure control, add on lenses and long exposure capability , make this and interesting competitor to the great instant cameras Fujifilm is currently producing.
Lomo'Instant Camera on Kickstarter

Ilford posts a step by step film processing guide for beginners

Ilford has posted a new guide to black and white film processing for beginners. It is, of course, built around the using their products, but the PDF is very detailed and a great way to get you film wet with processing. Click on the links above to download the PDF.

Impossible Project - Instant Imperfection

Polaroid Macro 5 SLR Instant Camera Impossible Project Coloring Instant Print Film - Four shots from a recent pack of Impossible Project instant film. Though none of them achieved the intended image, I thought they were interesting enough to share....

Cactus Flower Blow Out

Fuzzy Rose

Mal-Focused Maple

Dark Black Widow

Instant Fiesta...

Polaroid Macro 5 SLR Impossible Project Instant Color Print Film for Spectra Cameras - Just some more instant film fun, the Macro 5 SLR has incredible macro abilities and the twin built in flashes give great even illumination. The color rendition of the Impossible Project film is always interesting, even if hard to predict at times, but then again this has always been true of integral type instant films.

Scanned with a HP G4050 Scanner using HP's OEM software.