For many film photographers (admittedly myself included), large format photography is an unfamiliar frontier. Whether it's all the technicalities (lens movements? Bellows? What does it all mean?) or a matter of price and accessibility, there's a large number of us that just haven't gotten to the point where we feel comfortable diving in just yet.
That may soon change.
Steve Lloyd, whose Chroma project I've been following for the past few months, is now live on Kickstarter.
As Steve explains, he wanted to build a large format camera that was light and easy to carry, so he did what any sane and reasonable person would do: he designed a camera from the ground-up. Weighing in at roughly 1 Kilo, or just over 2 pounds and being made of laser-cut acrylic, it can be made in any number of colors!
If you can't tell, I'm excited. This camera will be my first foray into large format photography and I'm especially excited that I'm supporting a brilliant maker and friend with his project.
I'd drop all the tech specs here, but I'll be the first to admit that I don't know what most of it means, so it's best that I just direct you to the Kickstarter campaign for all those juicy details.
Also, as we had the idea a little later on in the process, ShootFilmCo is working with Steve on creating a limited edition custom Chroma Lapel Pin available as one of the rewards. Design is not yet finalized but we're going to unveil those very soon.
Kodak just released an update about their forthcoming Super 8 camera via a short email with an accompanying audio interview with Steve Parsons, the project's Program Director, Holger Schwaerzel, Product Manager, and Yves Behar, creator of the original design concept.
One notable piece of news that will likely stand out:
"The KODAK Super 8 Camera and processing ecosystem will be available in 2018 for approximately $2500-$3000"
Pinhole is a VERY different process than what I'm used to. As "simple" as it is, I always found it a bit intimidating!
When I saw these beautifully crafted pinhole cameras by @ondu_pinhole, I knew I wanted to give it a shot. I even tried to take a 1-second portrait...fingers crossed! They also have a customized engraving option, which I absolutely had to take advantage of.
I shot some videos of my first pinhole shooting experience, and as soon as I get the results back, I'll be sharing that video and the photos.
This model is the 6x12 Multiformat, which shoots in 6x6, 6x9, AND 6x12! Of course, I HAD to shoot 6x12. The crew at ONDU are also offering you guys a pretty chunky discount of 30% for the 6x12 Multiformat! Just use code "mikeondu30" at ondupinhole.com! The code is good until November 23rd, 2017.
Oh, and another thing: you'll get a free "Analog Forever" ShootFilmCo lapel pin with the discount code, too!
Ihagee's Kickstarter campaign for an all-manual, mechanical 35mm SLR using Nikon's F-mount has gone live.
The camera is completely mechanical in function, has no light meter, and thus requires no battery, and will be manufactured in the Ukraine. Notably, it comes with a 2-year "guarantee", the details of which are unknown other than service will be done at a German-based repair center.
For the first 24 hours of the campaign, a $499 pledge will get you the camera, followed by a Super Early Bird pledge at $529, and the rewards climb from there. One reward option comes with a Trioplan 50, a lens from German manufacturer Meyer-Optik, at $1299.
After the campaign is over, the camera will be "made to order" with unspecified wait times and the retail price of the camera will be an estimated $1500. Looks like they're gunning for the "luxury" market with those kinds of dollars.
EDIT: We're keeping the updated version of this article on MEDIUM.COM
Okay, so maybe “ultimate” might be a bit of hyperbole. The fact is, this list is still growing and constantly evolving, so bookmark it and keep checking back. And some of the fine companies listed have been nice enough to offer my readers coupon codes, so be sure to take advantage of those discounts!
Gift giving seems to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it feels good to give a loved one something they need, want, and appreciate. On the other hand, one can potentially give a gift that the recipient simply doesn’t like. I’m here to help you, the gift giver, with a guide that looks into what photographers, and more specifically, photographers who shoot with film, might be hoping to get as a gift.
To begin my research, I did an informal poll of several active Facebook groups that deal with film photography. I started by asking the groups what they want in a gift. The items listed here are simply the most popular answers, along with a price range and a description of the gift. I’ve sorted the items from least to most expensive, in hopes to help those of us on a budget. All prices are USD. Let’s get started!
FILM, FILM, AND MORE FILM
Price range: $4.00 to $9.00 (per roll)
Here’s the biggest no-brainer on the list, and one of the least expensive, too: Film! While there are many, many different types of film, let’s take a look at the most popular variations that you can’t go wrong with.
TIP: Film comes in different formats/sizes. The most common ones are 35mm and 120 (known as medium format); find out which size you need to get before buying!
JAPAN CAMERA HUNTER FILM CASES
Price: Starts at $9.00
Simple and handy, these film cases hold rolls of film in a compact space. Available in 10- and 5-space versions, these inexpensive cases will be useful to most any film photographer. He even has a version filled with a “Surprise” — a case filled with various types of surprise film.
PATCHES, STICKERS, AND LAPEL PINS FROM SHOOT FILM CO.
Price range: $2 to $10
Okay, full disclosure: I design, create, these patches over at Shoot Film Co. The film photography community has really taken to the message and they have been super popular with film shooters that want to adorn their jackets, hats, and bags with the message that film is alive and well. The stickers are made from durable vinyl outdoor usage like cars, and the patches are custom embroidered and made in the USA.
Filters can range from protective (clear/UV) to having special purposes, such as neutral density or color balancing. They come in different sizes so make sure to get the right size for your photographer’s lenses. Hoya is a great brand that is a great balance of price and performance.
The PhotoMemo Photographer’s film photographer’s notebook gives the film photographer a versatile, easy to use, and inexpensive way to keep organized notes and technical data for your film exposures.
Each two-page spread is designed as a “roll journal,” which has space to notate data such as camera/lens choice, film type, and more. It also offers ample area for free notes, sketches, lists, and anything else.
Price range: $14.99 and up — the bigger the book, the more expensive it gets.
Using Blurb, you can create, publish, and sell your own collection of works in a book. Few things are as satisfying for a photographer as seeing their work printed. This is a fun way to be able to get pictures from a negative to a printed page. They offer options for direct sales, sales through Amazon, and even eBook sales.
If you’ve noticed your film-shooting loved one is always buying, taking apart, tinkering with, and fixing old cameras, then this is the perfect inexpensive gift. Precision screwdrivers are a necessity for taking apart cameras and the many other things that need repairing and tinkering around the house. Many sets can be had for only a few dollars, but those are usually of low quality and break or wear down quickly. This set is high quality, yet still very economical, and sure to last much longer than cheaper sets.
Consider this a personal recommendation: I’ve been using my set for over a year now!
Price: $19.49 Vivan Maier worked as a nanny and was known to be socially reclusive. After she died, it was also discovered that she was a inexplicably talented street photographer that had thousands upon thousands of negatives discovered by people in her storage locker. Curated exhibits, books, and even a documentary have been created about her discovery and her beautiful work.
To a photographer, (especially a film photographer), there is nothing quite like a printed photo. Seeing photos by the masters in books is one of the most satisfying and engrossing ways a photographer can spend their time. They can enjoy, learn, and get lost in the images. Here are some suggestions that come the most highly recommended by film photographers:
These versatile and protective wraps can be used for lenses, cameras, tools, or anything else that needs protection. Come in a variety of sizes different colors for quick visual identification and organization. They are made from a padded velcro-compatible knit with a non-scratch nylon backing.
These lens pouches are inexpensive and help protect the multiple lenses one might have. The belt loops and clips will help you to attach the pouches anywhere you want. They can be purchased individually in different sizes, or an an economical 4-pack for only $20.
Any film photographer will naturally need their film processed. Luckily, the folks at Old School Photo Lab have made it easy to give film processing as a gift with prepaid film development packages and gift certificates. The folks at Old School will develop your film, and even have the ability to scan and upload digital images to a secure website for download, so you can view your photos quickly — and they ALWAYS mail back your negatives.
Price Range: $20 to $50; use code “ SFC20” to get 20% off your order (Expires January 1, 2017)
For those in the UK: 595strapco specializes in making leather camera straps and other leather goods using traditional leather working methods for photographers looking for something a little different to the standard strap their camera ships with.
Each strap is made by hand to order in the UK. Their range of camera straps are hand cut from a single hide, hand dyed where required and finished with a combination of natural oils and wax to help preserve and protect. This means each strap is unique, no two are ever quite the same.
They use premium quality leather for all of our products, always of the highest grade and sourced within the UK. These are married together with high quality components and thread together with pure natural beeswax and oils for finishing and protection.
This is going to be the quirkiest gift for the photographer that has everything. This cult-status camera has been modified to shoot infrared film, and packaged in the box are two rolls of color infrared and one roll of black & white infrared film. Check out the samples in the FPP shop for the unique results this combo can get.
Here’s where you’re going to start getting into some deep thought/research. A camera bag can be a very personal thing for a photographer. They come in many styles, shapes, and sizes. Does the photographer like sleek and modern? Or maybe vintage and military-inspired? Messenger-bag style or backpack? There are enough options to make your head spin, but a little bit of observation on your part will go a long way into the type of camera bag they might like. Here are a few suggestions:
Domke — The longtime workhorse for journalists, Domke bags and accessories (like the straps I mentioned earlier) are of excellent quality, simply designed, and unpretentious. Function definitely precedes form in their design, though that’s not to say the design is at all lacking. The Domke design aesthetic sits somewhere in between vintage and modern, and they definitely don’t cry “I’m a camera bag, steal me!”
Billingham — Gorgeous, vintage styled bags designed and made in Britain. Famous for being sturdy and long lasting, these bags have a legacy dating back to the 70’s and retain their quality and heritage to this day. They offer a number of different sizes but each version retains the look of a Billingham.
Filson — U.S.A.-made bags that are classic in style and have a long heritage of fine craftsmanship and quality. They have lines that are “designed” in part by famed photographers Steve McCurry and David Allan Harvey (they have pictures on the website with these photographers pointing at fabric samples!), so expect to pay a bit more to have those names attached. The bags certainly are beautiful.
Think Tank — Lots of gear to cart around from job to job, location to location? Think Tank is the preference of many professionals that have an abundance of equipment to be carried and moved safely. The Airport series is classically and simply styled as rolling luggage, with lots of room, compartments, and padded dividers to keep equipment safe.
HOME DEVELOPMENT SUPPLIES
If you’ve got a darkroom nut on your hands that likes to develop at home, home development supplies are always handy, and always needed. Freestyle Photographic has the entire range of supplies needed to stock a darkroom, or to get a novice started on developing their own film. There are lots of pieces involved, but Freestyle Photographic Supplies has created a guide to all the essential equipment needed for a darkroom in the handy list below. All the tools and chemicals can get confusing, so a gift certificate might be in order. Freestyle Photographic offers certificates that you can order by phone.
You’ve probably noticed that your film-shooting loved one has claimed a good portion of real estate in the refrigerator for something other than food — precious, precious film. That’s right, film expires — it must be refrigerated, or even better, frozen to keep the emulsion from losing sensitivity and causing colors shifts. If you find yourself running out of space for food because of a freezer or refrigerator full of film, this is the gift you’re looking for. These are not specialized refrigerators — they’re the same kind you put your sodas and beer in when you were in college, but one you can dedicate solely for the storage of film!
Many old film cameras don’t have a light meter. Remedy that for your film shooter using a small, relatively inexpensive light meter that attaches to a smartphone. Companies like Sekonic have made standalone handheld light meters for years, but for those who like to travel light, the Lumu is a great solution since the smartphone will be pulling double duty as a light meter and most everybody will be carrying a phone anyway. TIP: make sure the smartphone being used is compatible with the Lumu!
A twin-lens camera that uses Fujifilm Instax instant film. Stylish, and attention-getting, it looks like a classic camera. It’s a new concept and it looks like a lot of fun to shoot, and has recently gotten a 2.0 upgrade.
We’re getting up there in price range, and this item is definitely a luxury, though likely to last a lifetime. Considered one of the finest rangefinders ever, and what many believe is Leica’s finest iteration of their M line of film rangefinders. Operates mechanically and still fires without batteries. While you can find bargains on auction sites such as Ebay for a price at the lower end of the spectrum, I suggest sourcing yours from Bellamy at JapanCameraHunter.com because he can find you a clean, working model that he can guarantee amongst a vast used market. You don’t always know what you’re getting into with an Ebay auction unless the seller is very knowledgeable and reputable, so working with a reputable dealer like Japan Camera Hunter is highly recommended for extra piece of mind. It might take him some time to source the perfect combo, so contact him early!
The following ideas can vary in price widely, and will require a bit more involved and extensive research.
PRINT FROM A FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER
Very few things are as important to a film photographer as the final print. Many photographers don’t consider a photo finished until it’s printed. Thus, a print from a favorite photographer is sure to warm the heart and bring years of joy. If you already know who some favorite photographers are, then finding out if prints are available are an internet search away. You might also ask in casual conversation who some favorites are if you don’t already know.
PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS/WORKSHOP
Learning from those with more experience, and learning alongside other like-minded people can be a very motivating and fulfilling experience for any artist. Photography classes and workshops are a great way to quickly advance one’s knowledge and ability in a fun and challenging way. There are literally hundreds of workshops held all over the world, so you’ll have to do the legwork on finding something suitable.
TRIP/ VACATION
This could be as good for you as it is for the recipient of the gift! Taking a trip to a new destination with the focus being on photography can help to rejuvenate a photographer with a change of scenery. Is there a place you’ve both dreamed of going? Then this can be a gift for both you! Just be prepared to stop more often when the photographer sees a beautiful scene and needs to get the tripod set up.
