Film Photography Podcast – Episode 99 – March 15, 2014
The internet radio show for people who love to shoot film! Discussions include Point and Shoot Half Frame Cameras (Canon “Auto Boy” and Yashica Samurai), Canon Photura, Pentax 67, Book of the Month, Darkroom Chemistry Disposal and More!
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Show Notes
Film Photography Podcast – Episode 99 – March 15, 2014
Show Notes By: Alex Luyckx
It’s the internet radio show for people who love to shoot film! Joining Michael Raso in the studio today is Mat Marrash, Leslie Lazenby, and Mark Dalzell. On today’s shoe we have the mighty Pentax 6×7, 1990’s “Tube – Bridge” Cameras, Half-Frame cameras, Darkroom Tips, and a Book of the Month!
above: Joseph Brunjes’ “Wet Plate” shot at The FPP back in 2013
Wet Plate
You may remember back in December on Episode 92 the FPP Studios were visited by superfriend and wetplate photographer Joseph Brunjes. Joseph sent the gang their plates (and they smell of lavender). Mark’s interest is raised and asks about the tintype kit you can pick up for 35$ from Freestyle. Mat replies that “cheap and wet plate” rarely go together and if you want to get into it, go all the way by shooting the “real deal”. The International Center for Photography in New York, NY often holds workshops for Wet Plate and the next one takes place from May 31st to June 1st, and the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY is hosting a Tintype event along the Erie Canal on June 2nd to June 6th.
Speaking of Workshops, keep an eye on filmphotographyproject.com for details on our upcoming walking workshop this May in lovely downtown Findlay, OH!
Tube Cameras! (a.k.a. Bridge Cameras)
You may have seen them, you may have used one, these are wacky 35mm cameras from the late 80s through mid-1990s that look more like a camcorder than still camera. The first camera out of the box is the Canon Photura (also known as the Epoca or Jet Boy for the European and Japanese Markets respectively). This is a normal 35mm camera with a 35-105mm f/2.8-6.6 power zoom lens, shutter speeds between 2” and 1/250” and DX code reading between ASA-25 and ASA-3200. They’re a monstrosity, most of the group agrees, although Leslie says these were decent cameras, and part of a group of cameras known as bridge cameras.
Bridging the gap between point & shoot and full out single lens reflex. The format sadly never caught on too much in the film world, mostly due to the price tag of between 300 and 400$. Plenty of other camera companies produced them, Olympus, Chinon, Ricoh, and Yashica. But the format really caught on in the digital market or as their known in that field ‘super zooms.’
Half-Frame Madness
Another box arrived from Superfriend Matt Ayers, containing some odd Canon Point & Shoot half-frame cameras, the Multi-Tele (or Prima Tele, Tele 6, Autoboy), produced in the same time range as the Photura. These cameras can shoot either the full 35mm frame or an interior switch can switch the camera to half frame. Because the switch is internal, you cannot switch formats mid-roll. Just remember on half-frame, you 24-exposure roll becomes 48, and on 36, a whopping 72. It’s Mat’s personal hell because it takes so long to finish a roll. But if it’s your cup of tea, sign up to win one in our giveaway section!
Book of the Month
Leslie’s pick for book of the month is The Polaroids by acclaimed Hungarian photographer Andre Kertesz. The photos in the book were shot following the death of Kertesz’s wife and it was the act of taking these photographs using a Polaroid SX-70 that helped him honor his wife’s memory but bring him out of his depression. It’s not a big book, but a Polaroid is a smaller format, very personal Leslie explains. The book was released in 2007 and is readily available through Amazon.
Darkroom Tips
It’s probably something we’re all guilty of, dumping used chemistry down the drain. Now compared to industrial waste, film chemicals aren’t that bad, but they can cause harm. Leslie discusses this further. Your developer and stop bath are perfectly okay, dump the developer and then the stop followed by cold water and everything will be neutralized. The trouble comes with the fixer. Fixer just on its own and unused is safe, however after it’s been used we’re getting into Heavy Metal territory, but there’s a quick easy way to safely dispose of it. Get a bucket and some steel wool, pour the used fix into the bucket and throw in the steel wool. Over the next couple days the wool will attract the silver and separate it from the liquid. The liquid is now safe to dump down the drain, you will still need to take the sludge leftover to a hazardous waste disposal centre, just use Google to locate your local site. Alternatively you can pick up a silver magnet to do the same job, but steel wool is cheaper and easier to come by.
The Pentax 6×7
Not to be confused with the Fridge (the Mamyia RB67), the Pentax 6×7 was a series of medium format SLRs that were initially released in 1969 (Pentax 6×7). An improved version came out in 1989 (Pentax 67) and the final version in 1998 (Pentax 67 II). These cameras use either 120 or 220 medium format film (and is very easy to switch between the two) and produced a 6cm by 7cm exposure. They look like a regular 35mm SLR, just bigger. The best part is the system is fully modular, Mark was able to take two semi-working cameras and combine them into one working one. Pentax produced a dozen lenses for the cameras and a pile of different accessories. If you find one that has the mirror stuck half-way, there’s a neat reset switch that will unlock it and then just pop in a new battery. KEH has a pile of bodies, lenses, and accessories up for grabs or you can look on Ebay.
That’s it for this shoe, but join us in a short two week for the big 100th episode on April 1st! Want to leave us a note of congratulations? Send us an email: podcast@filmphotographyproject.com or leave us a voicemail at: 973-850-6330. Looking to write us an actual note, or donate something to the podcast, you can send those to: Film Photography Project PO Box 152 Butler, NJ 07405 USA
To close off the show, my personal favourite Ballard Pop (Darren R) song: Dead Jennifer! (from the NO POCKETS EP!)