Film Photography Podcast – Episode 78 – March 15, 2013
The internet radio show for people who love to shoot film! Big Episode 78 featuring Michael Raso and John Fedele! The ABC’s of shooting a model! Mamiya m645! 127 film! 620 film! Kodak Duaflex IV! The px625 battery dilemma, Canon QL17 and lots more!
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Show Notes
Film Photography Podcast – Episode 78 – March 15, 2013 – Show Notes by Alex Luyckx
The end of Winter Show (what show?!) in the studio today is Michael Raso and Jon Fedele! On today’s show the mighty Mamyia m645, the PX625 battery, 127 Film, 620 film, the Kodak Duaflex IV, the Canon QL17, The ABC’s of Shooting a Model, listener letters, and so much more!
The PX625 1.3v Conundrum – The PX625 battery, the power source for many cameras made in the 1960s and into the 1970s has one problem – it’s a mercury based battery (the whole mercury being poison thing). So these days you can’t buy these style of batteries. You can however get the PX625 size still, but unlike the older ones the new alkaline based batteries are rated at 1.5v rather than 1.3v. This has been giving people, as Michael called it, “film sweats” worried that the .2v difference will throw off the meter (it does) but as John says, don’t worry too much about it.
But if you are concerned there are a few options out there to help you out. The first is the C.H.R.I.S. Cam MR9 adapter – this clever little device slips into the battery compartment then you put in a 386 silver oxide battery, circuitry in the Mr9 will step down the voltage to 1.3v. You can pick them up online from. Another option is the Wein Cell, an air-zinc battery that fits perfectly in your old camera and is naturally rated at 1.3v.
FPP Walking Workshop April 2013 – Did you hear? April 12th to 14th in lovely downtown Findlay Ohio is the first FPP meet-up of 2013! The FPP Walking Workshop is a casual fun time to learn, shoot, and talk with other film shooters. Hosted by Leslie from Imagine That and The Mecca, FPP’s very own Michael Raso and Mat Marash, and the famous Professor Jeff! The event is free, but you have to RSVP to Leslie by sending an email. For all the details check out: http://filmphotographyproject.com/content/news/2013/02/fpp-walking-workshop-2013
620 Film! Also did you know the FPP Store now offers 620 film! Both fresh stock re-rolled onto vintage 620 spools (remember to keep the spools or get them returned to you) and cold stored expired 620 film!
above: Desiree shot by Michael Raso on his Canon T60 / Canon FD f1.2 lens / PolyPan F BW film
below: Image from Michael Raso’s film shoot in Queens NY. Shot on the Canon FT / 19mm Canon FL f3.5 lens / Kodak Ektachrome 100 – Read the Analog Revival blog about this shoot HERE
The ABC’s of Shooting a Model – Recently Michael has gotten back into shooting models and was recently contacted by a local model to do a 1940s/50s themed shoot in Manhattan along with Paige Davis for hair/makeup! He has three pointers on anyone shooting models or thinking of shooting models.
a) Get a release (if you don’t have one, you can get one at the store)
b) Make sure to get a photo of the model’s ID (All models must be 18 years or older and you must prove it!)
c) Get the terms of the shoot: compensation, what images the model gets to see and such. Also be willing to be a little flexible when negotiating, and make sure the terms are on paper.
Another model Mr. Raso shot recently agreed to sit down for a quick interview for the FPP. Desiree speaks on the subject of Model Mayhem. A popular site for models, photographers, and stylists (hair, make up, clothes) to network and engage each other’s services. Desiree noted that (in her opinion) it has since become more a haven for fetish based models and photographers, so she really isn’t too active on it anymore.
The Mamiya m645! There seems to be an upswing in people using the Mamyia m645 camera system. This beautiful piece of equipment was a staple of wedding photographers in the late 20th century. This medium format SLR shoots on 120 or 220 film (depending on the insert) and creates 6×4.5 exposures. This manual camera can use either a waist-level finder (John’s camera), or a prism eye-level finder with a full meter in it as well (Mike’s camera). Manual focus, with a lot of good lenses, most kits you find will have an 80 or 90mm lens as part of it. Other accessories include flash bracket (no Hot Shoe, PC Sync connection) or an auto advance. They’re fairly cheap as well if you look on ebay or KEH.
127 Film! The mystery of 127 film, this small 4.6cm wide roll film was introduced by Kodak in 1912 for their Pocket Vest cameras, and grew into a whole line of ‘baby’ cameras, including the Yashica-44 and the Baby Rolleiflex. You could get 8 shots per roll (4×6.5cm) exposure. Manufacture of 127 film by Kodak continued until 1995. You can still get fresh 127 film from Bluemoon Camera!
Need a Vintage Camera Manual! Got a classic camera, need a manual for it, look no further than Mike Butkus’ Orphan Camera site, and while you at it toss him a donation to help him keep the manuals on his site free!
Still on the roll film kick, Mike shows off his Kodak Duaflex IV, this handsome faux-TLR was a simple snapshot camera from the 1940s and 1950s (it was discontinued in 1960). The camera however takes 620 roll film (which is now available from the FPP), 620 film was another Kodak invention with a secret. It really is just 120 film on a different spool. It also means if you have 620 spools, you can in a change bag re-roll 120 film onto a 620 spool.
above: Michael Raso reviews one of his fav cameras – the classic Canon Canonet QL17!
Another new camera from John’s bag is the Fed 3, this Russian camera is a copy of a Leica camera, this is a great cost effective way of getting a classic 35mm rangefinder without shelling out big bucks for a Leica. Plus with an M39 lens mount there are lots of good glass options. You can also get an adapter ring that can allow you to use your other lenses (Nikon, Minolta, Canon) lenses on the camera. Another good rangefinder for that slick look is the Canon QL17, a fixed lens (40mm f/1.7) has come to gain a cult standing among street photographers. John however finds the shutter sound lacking, preferring the other cult range finder Olympus 35RC instead.
Michael ends this show with another “Inner Groove” extended music segment!
Michael admits he’s a huge fan of ShoeGaze Music and shares a new band with John called Papercuts. (Michael discovered them on Pandora Radio)!
KILSY is a Jersey City artist and performer (and super pals with fellow FPPers Dane, John and Mark). If you’re a fan of 1980s new wave, you’ll love her album Bonit-O! It’s a fav of Michael Raso! Check out her albums here!
Ballard! FPP Super friend Darren “Ballard” Riley’s new, awesome EP is out NOW and features the FPP Super Hit “No Pockets”! (pictured above – Mark Dalzell, Darren Riley, John Fedele and Dane Johnson)
No Pockets EP – http://ballardpop.bandcamp.com/album/no-pockets-ep
Little Rockets Album (featuring new hit The Cocktail Set) – http://ballardpop.bandcamp.com/
The Smoove Sailors NEW ALBUM SmoovaChrome is out NOW! Cuts have been featured on the FPP! You can purchase the album here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thesmoovesailors (also available on iTunes and Amazon.com
The Pink Delicates music can be had at http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/ThePinkDelicates
That’s it for this marathon episode! We’ll see you in two weeks!
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