Mira’s new friend – REX the Dinosaur from Toy Story. This was a quick photograph to get to the 36 frame mark so that I could try my hands at loading a stainless steel reel for like the second time in my life. After fumbling around in the dark for about 30 minutes I finally was able to load the reel. In the process I managed to scratch. kink, and maul the film 
. But I think I have the technique down.
I did not know anything about Canon Cameras until recently. I have always been a Nikon guy and never owned a Canon until I came across a used Canon AE-1 camera at the local pawn shop. I paid $40.00 for the body plus lens (50mm f1.8 Canon FD lens) and another $10.00 for a Energizer A544 battery to power the metering system and the electronic shutter. The battery is supposed to last for about a year but I managed to completely drain one within a day – just don’t ask me how it is embarrassing. Just turn the switch back to the “L” (Lock) position when not using the camera and you will be safe. It wasn’t soon after that someone was selling another Canon AE-1 (not the Program version), three lenses including a 50mm f1.4, and an unused Canon Flash for $50.00. The lens itself is worth $30 – $50 on eBay and KEH. The 50mm f1.4 lens soon became my favorite combination to use with the AE-1. Although I rarely use the lens at f1.4 because it is a bit soft at that aperture. However it gives me an extra stop in a pinch which is always nice.
For a more detailed description of the camera please visit this LINK.
Here is a portrait of Mira that I took with the AE-1 Program and 50mm f1.4 lens wide open. The film used is Ilford HP5 Plus, developed in Kodak HC110 for 11 minutes at 68ºF, scanned and edited in Photoshop CS3.
The camera is an absolute joy to use and feels really solid in your hands with easy to reach controls. The meter is dead on and the camera itself is very rugged having survived multiple drops from my clumsy hands. The viewfinder is bright and big, the shutter is a bit loud but very smooth, and the film advance is just fabulous. I highly recommend getting one if you can find one for under $50.00 – you won’t regret it.
Every few months I get into this mode where I cannot help but collect old film cameras. I usually start at Goodwill and make the usual tour of all the pawn shops around the city. So if one of you saw me going in and coming out of a pawn shop – it is not because I am broke, but just hunting for that gem of a find. For some reason the prices for cameras at the local Goodwill have been going up consistently – good for them though. Back to the original topic – so I found a Nikon L35 AF P&S camera about a month ago at Goodwill and I instantly discovered the joy of the snap shot. No more fiddling around with aperture or shutter speed. Just point, focus, and click. I was hooked.
I then started scouring the internet for other classic P&S cameras and came to know a lot about the legendary Olympus XA series of cameras. Many have expounded on the brilliant Japanese design here and here.
I got lucky and took a chance on an AS-IS sale on eBay and now I am a proud owner of both an Olympus XA and XA2 cameras. I put both cameras to the test not only to make sure that they were working, but also to check for light leaks etc. The Olympus XA2 is a P&S cameras in the truest sense. It is a Zone Focus camera and is fully automated. Here is a photograph from the Olympus XA2 first:
The Olympus XA is a range finder and gives you little bit more control and operates in the Aperture Priority mode. Here are some photographs from a test roll that I shot using the Olympus XA:
Film Used in Olympus XA test: Ilford HP5 Plus ISO400
Developer: Kodak HC110 Dilution H
Time: 11 Minutes
Small towns have the best parades. It is something that everyone looks forward to and the entire town turns out to support the troops and the community. Highland, IN is one such community. We were visiting a good friend of ours and took advantage of the opportunity to see the Fourth of July parade. We were sitting opposite the setting sun so it was pretty darn hard to get good photos of the parade. It did however work very well for the photo above of a marching officer and his US flag against the sun.
The vintage car broke down threatening to hold up the parade. But some men jumped to the rescue and pushed the car along.
And finally yes that is me with a StarWars Stormtrooper. I found him hanging out with Darth Vader
A series of images I am creating using a Holga.
Almost missed this one walking down Virginia Ave. this afternoon. Had a lunch meeting with a couple of good friends in the historic Fountain Square Area in Indianapolis. I noticed this from the corner of my eye and just shot it as I was crossing the street. The message is so simple and yet so powerful.
PK loves photography. This blog is a record of his photographic adventures and projects. If you like what you see congratulations - you have a good taste in photography. If you want to commission me for a portrait or just to hang out drop me an email at pk [at] photoindica [dot] com.
