Love....

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f4.5 Fujifim Reala 100 Arista C-41 Kit

The "Love" statue near Riverfront Park in Lynchburg, Virginia. Not much to say on this one other than I like the way the Arsat 45mm accentuates the converging lines of the sculpture from this angle.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Handles, Chains and Locks

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X 400 Adox Adonal 1:50 - Another study as much about the textures and tones, as the subject. Great later afternoon like made this image pop, and the Tri-X/Adonal combination completed the look.

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

Catching Up - The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens

Another Great idea from the Lomography Society, a modern take on the classic Petzval Lens.
Check it out on Kickstart The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens.

Impossible - Instant Cats

Polaroid JobPro Instant Camera Impossible Project Color Shade UV+ Film - A couple more images from my first pack of Impossible Project Color Shade UV+ instant film.

The Cat on the left is Kuron Neko, this sly little kitten managed to work her way into our home by hanging herself by a rear paw in our hedges. Her weak cries and injured foot played in our sympathies and earned her indoor status. After limping around for a few days to insure her permanent indoor status, the paw magically healed. Mission Accomplished.

The Cat on the right is Greymon, son of Bob. He is the current dominate male of the neighborhood's ferrel clan. They keep the mole and snake population under control and like to leave the kills on the front porch in exchange for food...

Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM Software

Impossible - Instant Spring

Polaroid JobPro Instant Camera Impossible Project Color Shade UV+ Film - Spring is here and with it comes color. A good time to break out the new Impossible Project Color Shade UV+ Instant Film and fire away.... Actually, I have had this pack since Autumn, but am just now getting around to finishing the pack. Like most Polaroid 600 Series camera, the JobPro is as basic as it gets. Fixed shutter speed, the built in flash fires whether it is needed on not and the only exposure control is the lighter/darker slider on the front of the camera. The JobPro does have a built in Close-Up Lens that allows for close-up shots between 2 to 4 ft. (0.6 to 1.2m), but correcting for parallax error with a marginally accurate viewfinder can make framing a challenge. Ah the joys of instant photography Polaroid style. Still, somehow, the results are worth it.
Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM Software.

A Slight Breeze

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - The last of this "Dark Corners" series. There was very little wind this day. I squatted patiently, waiting for a breathe of life to lift the flag. It teased me... lift slightly then falling, until finally an exhale.
Scanned with an Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Espon's OEM Software.

A Mute Reminder

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - Another from the Old City Cemetery, interesting shadows and tones. Many of the grave marks here are so old the marking have been lost to wind and weather, mute reminders.
Scanned with an Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Espon's OEM Software.