Film Photography Podcast – Episode 168 – September 15th, 2017
Show Notes By Alex Luyckx
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Podcast 168 timing
0:00:29 Introductions Michael Raso, John Fedele, and Mark Dalzell
0:01:02 Lomography’s analog camera for Instax Square film kickstarter.
0:02:41 Text of kickstarter is fully funded read.
The kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lomography/the-lomoinstant-square-camera/
0:04:19 Polaroid and Impossible Project have merged
0:08:12 Flickr mentioned – Verizon purchased from Yahoo Flickr in July 2016.
0:09:37 Back to the Lomo’ kickstarter. Closes September 29 2017 9:00 AM PDT.
0:11:48 Letter – donation of cameras. Donation program discussed.
0:19:40 Break
0:20:18 John’s Mamiya 645 experience
0:21:11 Lomography cameras: Purple, B&W, Color. Simple use not Single use. Available at FPP store.
Example: https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/35mm-cameras/products/35mm-film-camera-lomo-simple-color-400
31mm lens; f/9; 1/120 sec; 1meter (39 inches) to infinity (infinity)
0:30:11 Letters 126 cartridge loaded with 135 film tips and Mike Raso’s fav 126 camera the Keystone
0:36:43 116 or 616 cameras. 70mm film! Roll your own https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/all/116-film
0:47:22 ECN-2 proper developing by Film Rescue https://www.filmrescue.com/
1:00:10 FPP’s special 116/616 special email list.
1:01:57 Break
1:04:40 Some 116/616 cameras covered. Kodak Six-16 etc.
1:20:15 Music to close
Hey, folks, we’re back! Yes, it’s been an amazing summer holiday but we’re back on the air! Joining Michael Raso in the studio today is John Fedele and Mark Dalzell! And we have a great show for you today! Lomo’Instant Square, Lomography Simple Use Cameras, Kodak 616 and 116 film sizes, Listener Letters and More!
New From Lomography, a Square Automat
First up is some news from our friends at Lomography. If you remember, Fuji recently released a new format to their Instax lineup, and Lomography immediately hit the drawing board. Now the biggest drawback to the Fuji Instax Square camera is that it is firstly a digital camera then it prints it onto the square film. So Lomography provided an all analogue answer. Building on their Lomo’Instant Automat camera, they took it all and turned it into a sweet little square format camera. The funding is already through the roof on their Kickstarter campaign, but there’s still time to join in! Both John and Leslie have jumped in to get this sweet camera when it finally hits the production line. There are thirteen days left on the campaign and plenty of options left for rewards.
For Michael he never really jumped on the Instax bandwagon, he remains a loyal supporter of Polaroid and Impossible Project and he wants just one thing, the return of the Rainbow OneStep. It’s something iconic that everyone knows, and whenever someone emails the FPP looking for a Polaroid camera, it’s the one that everyone wants. Sadly being on the older end of Polaroid instant cameras, they are broken more than working, so now is a time to bring back a new one. And now that Impossible Project owns Polaroid, and in a recent announcement, Impossible has rebranded itself to Polaroid Originals! Complete with new labelling on their film and a successor to the rainbow OneStep, the OneStep2! More on this next episode!
Single Use or Simple Use?
If you are of a certain age you remember disposable cameras. Simple, single-use cameras that you shoot through the roll and turn the whole thing into your local photo-lab. Well, Lomography sees the value in these sorts of camera. But they decided to change it up a little, instead of being simple-use or single-use, you can change out the film, if you dare. These cameras come in three different flavours and Michael has been shooting these like a madman all summer. The flavours are, Black & White 400, Colour Negative 400 (that’s C-41), and Lomochrome Purple! The lens is a basic fixed 35mm lens at f/9 and can focus between infinity and 1 meter.
Michael has already figured out how to reload these cameras and decided to cut off the yellow flash filter and put FPP Infrachrome Colour IR film into these cameras and use the yellow filter over the lens and he shot three rolls, with fantastic results! Now you can pick these up at the FPP Store (all three flavours). These cameras are quick, easy to use and re-loadable, great to keep in your pocket. Don’t worry, we’ve even included instructions on how to reload them so you can do it without getting the film sweats.
Shooting 126!
FPP Listener Steve-o has written in with a question about 126 films, specifically which camera is the easiest to use with reloaded 35mm film! Of course, it’s hard to find fresh 126 films, but it is possible to reload 35mm into the 126 cartridges. However, the trouble comes with using the old Instamatic cameras. Most Kodak ones have a fixed pin that will stop the film from advancing as it catches in every sprocket hole on your film and you can’t advance again until you fire the shutter. Michael recommends seeking out a Keystone 125 XL, one of his favourite cameras (pictured above). While it has the same pin there’s a little trick. If you shoot the frame, keep the shutter release held down. Now your shutter won’t stay open but it will keep that pin released so you can easily advance the film to the next frame so you don’t get frame spacing. You just have to figure out how far to run the advance. We’re still thinking and hoping that Lomography or Film Ferrania comes out with fresh 126 film again!
116 / 616 Film!
Before 120 roll film, there was 116 roll film. First released by Kodak in 1899, this film is B-I-G 70mm wide producing a negative 2.5 by 4.25 inches. Kodak also had a format called 616 – same size…just a different spool. Both formats would stop production in 1984. However, there’s still plenty of usable cameras around that shoot this film format.
This summer Michael Raso was testing up a storm with his 116 and 616 cameras by rolling his own using Kodak Vision 65mm film. The optimum film is 70mm film for 116 or 616 but with that size not available, Kodak 65mm is the next best thing! Impressed with the results, Michael purchased fresh, direct, 65mm Vision3 200T (ISO 200, Tungsten Balanced – remember to use an 85B filter/gel to correct the balance if you’re shooting outside). This new, fresh Kodak 200T for your 116 or 616 camera is available now HERE in the FPP on-line store. You will need your own spools and backing paper (available on e-bay). Michael did a video explaining how to roll your own posted below.
This new 116 / 616 film is ECN-2 process film. Our friends at Film Rescue International are bringing in the proper chemicals to run the film processing for all your 116/616 processing! Now you can do this yourself in a home C-41 kit, but the ECN-2 process does produce a better negative. If you’re looking for a camera that uses these films, check out the Kodak Classic page for some ideas to hit up eBay, Antique, Flea markets to keep an eye out for. If you’re interested in this format, shoot us a line, podcast@filmphotographyproject.com, and mention you’re interested!
Keeping with the 116 theme, Mark has a great camera that shoots the stock for some time, in fact, he even has a stash of sprocket-less Kodak Portra 160 70mm film. Mark even has a couple cameras in hand to show off. But the one he really wants to show off is one of the last 616 cameras ever produced, the Kodak Vigilant Jr. Six-16. The camera was produced from 1939-1948 taking 616 film producing 6.5×11 sized negatives. Being a junior version, the shutter is limited to two speeds (1/25 and 1/50 plus bulb and time) with a basic Kodet lens. The camera had a smaller 620 format cousin the Vigilant Six-20. The one trouble that Mark finds with this camera is that focus is achieved by adjusting the bellows, but overall it’s a fun camera to use and shoot. And being one of the last cameras produced that use the format, it’s a good bet if you want to purchase and try out the format, it’s worth it just to see those BIG negatives.
That about wraps it up for this episode, but don’t worry we’ll be back in a couple weeks. Until then you can interact with the whole community by searching us out on our FPP Flickr Group, you can catch up on our latest news by subscribing to our email newsletter by signing up on our site. You can also find all your film needs at our Store. If you’re reading this fine print – BOOYA to you! Take 5% Off anything in our store by using the code BOOYA at checkout! (Offer for one-time use – expired Sept 20, 2017)
You can also connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, sending us an email podcast@filmphotographyproject.com or even putting pen to paper by writing us Film Photography Podcast PO Box 264 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. You can also send old (working) cameras, film, and treats to the address for our School Donation Program (cameras for kids, treats for us!)! Singing us out of the show is Kevin Neblung, if you’ve been in the archives you’ll recognize him as part of the Pink Delicates with his latest tune! See ya in two weeks!