Category: 35mm

Restrictions and the freedom they bring: Lomography Simple Use Camera

Sometimes you don’t really need much. Sure it’s nice to be carrying around an slr or rangefinder on holiday. Knowing your lighting is being expertly metered or you’ve been waiting to try out that new wide angle lens in a city you’ve never visited before.

But somewhere along the way you get bogged down by the burden of choice.

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by RPeterThomas

Yashica Electro-35 GT

There are some entries in my collection that exist because they were found. This camera I actively sought out. Back when I was addicted to Tumblr I came across some amazing work that was shot exclusively using the Yashica Electro-35. As this was very early on on my collection, I became obsessed with this camera thinking “I can take photos like that if I had that camera” of course now I realise while a camera can have certain distinctive characteristics, the camera actually had very little to do with the images in comparison to the photographer who shot them.

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by RPeterThomas

Polaroid 600 Extreme

UPDATED POST: this first went live YEARS ago so please excuse the incredibly basic review format

There are more varieties of Polaroid 600 cameras out there than there’s been iPhone updates – it would be ridiculous of me to review every single one. However, you will see more Polaroid reviews from me in future, if I find something that breaks the convention.

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by RPeterThomas

On Lockdown

I’ve been in two minds about posting these images. But I feel that it’s even more important to keep making work during times like these. It’s our responsibility as photographers to keep working and creating even with the lockdown in place.

With all the downtime I’ve been landed with as a result of Covid-19, I ended up shooting and processing my remaining rolls of Kodak TMAX.

These images were shot using a Nikonos IV-A and Zorki 4 during the first 2 weeks of lockdown. Some images taken in Cardiff in the week before the lockdown came into effect, and the latter shot where I live in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

Despite the past month being the warmest of the year, the whole world has seemed cold. Seeing the social distancing measures in place as people queue up for supplies, or seeing near deserted beaches at Barry Island.

Places such as this rely on tourist trade as a source of income. It was sobering to have the sun beating down on your back while every shop on the waterfront had closed shutters and empty displays. The rides have not moved an inch in over a month.

 

 

 

 

 

by RPeterThomas

From Russia With Love (Zenit 11)

This camera came to me from my first every camera haul, where I was incredibly lucky to be able to get this as well as 5 other cameras gifted to me in one go Including the Agfa Isolette I it has not seen as much use as I’d liked it to have seen. But someday I’ll end up using it again when the time is right.

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The Zenit 11 was manufactured between 1981 and 1990 by KMZ and MMZ It is a single lens reflex camera with a selenium cell meter and M42 lens mount system. some of the controls are a little odd to find, for example the film rewind release wasn’t the most easily marked button on the camera which caused me to tear the first roll of film a little.

Zenit 11. FP4+ Push processed to 200ISO. Cardiff Bay
Zenit 11. FP4+ Push processed to 200ISO. Carmarthenshire.
Zenit 11. FP4+ push processed to 200ISO. Cardiff Bay.

I have missed using this camera. It has a nice reassuring nice, reassuring weight and is built like a tank. For it’s age it’s in great condition, and it always performs well. The parts are all still moving freely. The non-coupled metering system was unfamiliar to me when i first shot the Zenit, but now having shot vintage cameras for a few years, taking non TTL readings is business as usual.

Zenit 11. Expired Film. Cardiff.
Zenit 11. Expired Film. Cardiff.
Zenit 11. Expired Film. Cardiff.

I’ve used the Zenit in many different situations. It’s just as comfortable in the hills as it is on the street, just beware that becoming a regular Zenit shooter will give you a hell of a workout just carrying the thing around. but it’ll be worth it for the images!

by RPeterThomas