Canon FTb Review – A Fifteen Dollar Beauty

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I just had my Canon FTb photos developed and I am delighted with the outcome.  Wonderful photos in my opinion for a 40 year old camera.

Canon FTB

Canon FTB

My daughter and I meet for Sunday breakfasts every now and then and on this day I metered and focused on her and then gave the Canon FTb to her.  She took my photo (I am proudly wearing a Carnegie Mellon University baseball hat).

Canon FTb, Claire's Portrait of Dad

Canon FTb, Claire’s Portrait of Dad

I had to purchase this rock solid Canon FTb at a quirky antique shop on Chicago’s far north side.  I knew it was worth a solid $25, the teen-age clerk texted the distant owner for a price on the camera with its 50mm lens, and the owner said sell it for $15.

I tried to persuade Michelle behind the register to purchase it for $15 dollars.  It was a bargain.  She declined (she said she had too many projects going on).  So I purchased it.

I own 70 cameras (35 untested).  So why did I purchase it?  It’s a fine camera oozing with old school quality from 3 to 4 decades ago.  Also, I believe we all need to spend some money in antique shops to keep these great little places alive.

So what did I get for $15 dollars this chilly January 21, 2012?

Initial Impressions on my Canon FTb Camera

Now that I have actually purchased and used various film cameras, I actually know how to determine if a camera is decent before purchasing it.  This is what I learned about the Canon FTb in the antique store.

  1. Lens.  I found this camera with a Canon 50mm 1.8 FD lens.  The skylight filter would not come off but the lens looked fine in the light.  No scratches or fingerprints.
  2. Body.  At the time of purchase I thought the body was in good shape.  But only now I notice a previous owner scratched an 11 digit code at the bottom of the camera.
  3. Shutter speeds.  I tested all shutter speeds in the store and they all sounded accurate and worked.
  4. Aperture.  I opened up the back of the camera, pointed the camera to the artificial lights, adjusted the aperture, and tested different aperture sizes to see if they were working.  Tested OK.
  5. Film advance.  I opened the back of the camera and was pleased to see that it had the Canon QL system for loading film.  The QL or Quick Loading system is an easier method for loading film.  A spring tensioned plate pressures your film when you close the back of the camera.  Trust me, it’s just easier to load.
  6. View finder.  No debris or tiny black pieces in the viewfinder.
  7. Battery chamber.  No battery but at least the battery chamber was in good shape, no sign of battery acid.  The battery chamber is on the left side by the rewind crank.

This camera seemed rock solid.  For a camera over 30 years old, it seemed just fine.  I would later learn the camera was made in 1971 and the Canon FTb plus its 50mm lens weighed 3 pounds.  Since I couldn’t persuade the young lady behind the counter to purchase it, I gladly purchased it.  Offered $15 and the owner texted back to take the offer.

Canon FTb Review – Technical Details

I know that visitors want specs, but I’m not a spec kind of guy.  Neither am I willing to steal somebody else’s work off the Internet.  So if you want terrific detail on specifications go to the Butkus manuals.  But for now, here are my simple technical details.

  1. Produced.  Production started in 1971.
  2. Camera type.  35mm SLR.
  3. Lens mount.  Canon bayonet type FD mount.
  4. Mirror.  Canon’s manual claims it is a “shockless quick return system”.  It doesn’t jump much in your hands at any speed.  Nice feell.
  5. Shutter.  B and 1 second to 1/1000 of a second.
  6. Film Speed Scale.  ASA 25-2000.
  7. Exposure Meter.  Built in using CdS photocell.  Match needle meter through the viewfinder.
  8. Film Loading.  The wonderful Canon QL (Quick Loading) method for loading film.  You will enjoy it.

When I purchased this camera it felt good in my hands.  But if you’re researching purchasing a Canon FTb, you need to visit Photography Review, people are very fond of the Canon FTb, their reviews of the camera are very flattering.  With 49 reviews the Canon FTb has a 4.82 out of 5 rating.  Impressive.

Provenance or History

I prefer purchasing cameras at garage sales or even on Craigslist where I can learn something about my new, old camera.  But no history on this camera.

Again, visit Photography Review for the wonderful stories about the Canon FTb.  Vietnam War veterans purchasing their first camera overseas, forest fire fighters parachuting into the unknown with a Canon, students hiking in South America have all loved the Canon FTb.  I’m getting excited about the camera just writing about it.

But now my Canon FTb has its own short history.  I don’t know where it’s been for 40 years, but I know this solid camera has its own stories to tell.  It can tell you about a Sunday morning drive in Mike’s pickup truck in central Illinois in the spring of 2012.

Canon FTb, Mike driving his Pickup Truck

Canon FTb, Mike driving his Pickup Truck

My Repairs for the Canon FTb, None

No repairs needed, thankfully.

Canon FTb Battery

This is another mercury battery you can’t purchase in the United States anymore.  I hear rumors that you can buy mercury camera batteries in Canada.

Try a 1.35 volt zinc-air battery to replace the mercury battery used in the Canon FTb.  Or better still, consider purchasing a light meter.

How does the Canon FTb feel?

It feels like a professional SLR:  heavy, solid, it even makes a nice sound when it advanced the film automatically..

Nice features of the Canon FTb.

  1. Solid, but not horribly heavy.  Yes, I’ve used that phrase before to describe other cameras.  But for a 30 minute walk in Chicago I don’t mind having the Canon FTb over my shoulder.  Hiking with my camera bag, Canon FTb, two lenses, and light meter is a different story, that’s heavy.
  2. Feels good.  Yes, it feels good when you shoot it.  It’s always cool to the touch and I like that feeling.  It’s metal folks, heavy metal
  3. Canon QL.  I had to learn how to load film all over again when I took up film cameras after a two decade hiatus.  But the Canon QL (Quick Loading) contraption makes a lot of sense.  The film almost loads itself.  Shown below is the backside of the camera, perhaps you can see the QL door swung to the right.  As you close the rear of the camera, the QL gate closes on the film and holds it in place.
Canon FTB, QL Feature

Canon FTB, QL Feature

Problems?  Yes.

  1. Battery problem.  This camera was built around a mercury battery.  That’s now against the law in the United States.  Finding a replacement that gives you the same voltage will be a problem.  But perhaps finding the correct battery is worth it to use this fine metal camera.  This seems to be the correct replacement for the mercury battery, this is a Wein MRB625 1.35v Zinc-Air battery.

Canon FTb Sample Photos

I can’t remember having so many “keeper” photographs from the first roll of film through an old camera.  My son now works at the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL.  It’s next door to the Hancock Building.

Canon FTb, The Hancock Building, Chicago, IL

Canon FTb, The Hancock Building, Chicago, IL

My first roll of film through the Canon FTb was Walgreen’s ASA 400 speed film.  I think in the future I’ll use ASA 200 speed film.  I thought my battery had died because when turned on the metering the needle was off the charts on a sunny day.  Apparently, ASA 400 speed film doesn’t like sunny days that much.  Later at home I tried my camera and the battery and meter were fine.  The problem?  A sunny day at noon was too bright for the ASA 400 speed film and my camera’s metering system.

I thought this 24 exposure roll of film would be boring.  I was wrong.  1/2 of my exposures came out nicely.  Two thirds of the roll was shot in my Chicago neighborhood and the last 3rd of the roll was shot near Chestnut, IL.  I used the camera’s meter (with a 1.5v battery) and also my Gossen light meter.

It’s nice visiting farm country, taking photos of tractors, and getting away from Chicago.  Central Illinois is my second home.

Canon FTb, Mike's Truck

Canon FTb, Mike’s Truck

Canon FTb Review – Summary

This Canon FTb was a wonderful purchase for $15.  On my first roll of ASA 400 speed film, using a slightly incorrect battery for the metering system, using my Gossen Digisix light meter, 12 of my 24 exposures were wonderful.  What a great piece of engineering from approximately 1970.

Whether you’re taking a stroll by Kilbourn Park in Chicago, IL on a misty spring morning or driving central Illinois in a pick up truck, the Canon FTb won’t let you down.

Canon FTb, Kilbourn Park Fence

Canon FTb, Kilbourn Park Fence

Thanks for reading my Canon FTb review today.  I don’t know where this 40 year old camera has been, but I do know its home for the next one or two decades:  my home.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

35mm Film Cameras and Blogging

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Why do people blog?  Is it for joy, money, or both?

For this website on film cameras, I blog for the fun of it.

Trying Google AdSense One More Time

I am turning my Google AdSense ads back “on” for this site.  I hope you don’t mind.  If Google AdSense pays for 35 mm film purchases and film developing, that’s a good thing.

Why do we blog?

I always smile when I hear that someone is starting a blog.  Blogging is hard work if done for the wrong reasons.

Blogging for Money

If you think that blogging is a path to wealth you’re sadly mistaken.  I read once that over 90% of all new bloggers stop blogging in the first 30 days.  If you’re not blogging about something you enjoy and you’re blogging for money, reality sets in pretty quickly.

For most bloggers, they begin to realize the tiny ROI (return on investment) for each blog.  Crafting a decent blog article in 30-60 minutes and doing it again and again without making money tends to diminish your interest in blogging.

Blogging for Joy

This is something dear to my heart.  I do like the feel of heavy old film cameras.  I enjoy meeting people, discussing cameras, and pointing them to my website.  I also enjoy writing.  I’m not a great writer but I’m a decent writer (hope you agree).

And as you have seen on this website, I do enjoy telling stories about acquiring old film cameras and testing those old cameras out in the field.  Every now and then I take some great photos.

I was becoming disappointed with this website because I couldn’t earn some income from it.  Maybe this blog was trying to tell me something.

Monetizing Websites

I love my old film cameras.  The photos always seem more thoughtful than my digital photos.  Don’t get me wrong, I own two DSLRs, both Nikons.  If I’m taking photos at Thanksgiving, I’m shooting with digital.

I like telling a camera’s story.  And if I can make a few dollars along the way, that’s a good thing.

Thanks for Visiting my Website

I do have other websites including Online GED Site and Your Excel Coach.  Online GED Site are articles of advice for high school dropouts trying to pass the GED test.  Your Excel Coach is a website with some Microsoft Excel advice that will soon be offering an ebook of mine named The World’s Shortest Excel Book.  Although I am passionate about helping high school dropouts and also teaching Excel (I was a computer training consultant for a decade or more), both of those websites are monetized.

But for now, What is a Film Camera is all about my joy of acquiring, owning, and using old film cameras.  Perhaps I’ll monetize it one day with a few ads or places to buy old cameras.

But for now, for What is a Film Camera, I blog not for money but for the joy of it.  I’m always glad to hear from my readers.  In this last month alone I had visitors from 75 countries.  Wow.  Thanks for visiting today.

eBay Auction Sniping and Film Cameras

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Am I a bad person because I am an auction sniper on eBay and other places for film cameras?

Do you get Better Deals with Auction Sniping?

For me, it’s worked out.

I remember purchasing a Zeis Ikon Contaflex IV for maybe $12 dollars.  That was fun.  Purchased in the last 5 seconds.  I’ve had fun taking photos with that camera.

Zeiss Ikon Contaflex, Gloria on my Dashboard

Another time I sniped 4 used film cameras for $12 plus shipping.  One of them was a Kodak Motormatic which worked wonderfully well.

Then there’s my Nikon N6006 camera body that worked great.  Purchased in the last seconds of an eBay auction for $10.  I already had a lens that would work.  That was another great buy.

Simple eBay Auction Sniping Tactics

Login, search for “35mm”, use drop down for time ending soonest, click the Place Bid blue button to see if your connection is working properly.

  1. Login.  That’s pretty simple.  Obviously, you can’t bid on eBay if you haven’t logged in.  But honestly, people get excited and forget to login.  Then when you try to place a bid you learn you haven’t logged into eBay.  Precious seconds are lost, and so is the auction.
  2. Search for 35mm in the search box.  You might be searching for a Sears TLS or a Yashica GSN.  As for me, I just browse eBay looking for 35mm gear that’s ending in minutes.  For me, it’s fun.  I’m looking for bargain in general, not a certain camera.
  3. Refine your search in Categories.  Click on Film Cameras.  This helps to filter out some junk.  I’m not looking for car parts or jewelry items that are 35mm.  I’m looking for film cameras.
  4. Sort.  Sort by Time Ending Soonest.  You want to see auctions ending in a few minutes.
  5. Click on an auction item.  Choose an item you are not sniping.  Why?  See the next step.
  6. Test your Place Bid update time.  If you’re serious about sniping, you hope that your Internet is working fine that day.  Sometimes your Internet connection may be slow.  I never do eBay auction wireless, always wired.  More dependable, faster.  Test the blue Place Bid button and make a bid on something.  You’d like the item but you’re really testing your Place Bid update speed on eBay for that day.
  7. Find a camera you want to snipe.  For me, this happens when I find a camera that has 3 minutes or less of time until the end of the auction.  If there are 2 or 3 bidders, you have a chance.  There’s always another sniper out there, just like you.
  8. Decide on your highest bid.  You only get one chance.  This takes all the panic and emotion out of your camera purchase.  You want the camera, but you have your own price limit.
  9. Click Place Bid button at 7 seconds or less.  Enter your bid number.  Since you have already pre-tested your Place Bid button (# 6) you know it’s working.
  10. Click the Confirm Bid button.  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.

    Yashica 5000 Bid on eBay

    Yashica 5000 Bid on eBay

Now you’re ready to get serious about camera sniping or as I call it, the 35MM Time Ending Soonest game.

The 35mm “Time Ending Soonest” Game on eBay

For me, it’s fun, educational, and I sometimes win something at auction.

It’s fun because I learn a lot about cameras when I play this game.  When I see that a camera is getting some heavy bidding action I research it for a while so I understand what kind of camera is valued at auction.  I may not buy the camera, but I’ve learned something.

It does teach you some basic film camera values.  When you’re new to film cameras you have the usual preoccupation with Canon AE-1’s, Yashica GSNs, and Olympus OM cameras.  Then you learn more and become a more knowledgeable camera collector.

Auction Sniping Teaches you Auction Behaviors

Here’s a camera I found in the closing minutes that was expensive and getting some bidding action.

A Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000 just 3 minutes from auction close.

Three minutes from the end of the auction, the Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000 was at $600.

A Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000 at the end of an eBay auction.

Three minutes later, the Rollei’s price had increased $249.  I knew I wouldn’t buy this camera but it was fun watching it.

Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000

Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000

The Rollei at the end of auction.

 

Auction Sniping Software

Yes, there’s sniping software.  I do it manually, set my own limits, and hope for the best.  When you own over 70 cameras you don’t worry much about winning a camera.  If you make your living buy low and selling high, then you take auction sniping and re-selling more seriously.  Very seriously.

 Thanks

Thanks for reading about eBay Auction Sniping and film cameras today.  I hope you learned some new techniques.  I hope you’ll return to visit What is a Film Camera.

Vivitar XC-4 Review, Bad Camera or Bad Film

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An old carpenter’s Vivitar camera is re-born, kind of…

Quick Vivitar XC-4 Review

It’s not a great camera, but it feels like a good camera.  If you need a camera for a high school photography class, it will work just fine.

The light metering is a little quirky (red lights are bad, green light is good).  The depth of field preview button still remains a mystery to me.  You’ll need to research it also.

But it feels good in your hands and has a silky smooth film advance.

Purchased the camera, 50mm lens, Vivitar flash, and a beautiful Marsand black case for 10 dollars (U.S.).

Vivitar XC-4 – One Nice Photo from my Vivitar XC-4

This is the the best photo out of an expired roll of film that gave me hope for this camera.  It’s just as I remember it.  The camera’s metering worked perfectly, the colors are true to my memory, and it worked.

Vivitar XC-4, Vapor Trails at Sunset, Mount Prospect, IL

Vivitar XC-4, Vapor Trails at Sunset

Vivitar XC-4 – Technical Details.

There seems to be little written on this camera on the Internet.  Mike Butkus has a Vivitar XC-4 manual at his website which is useful.  Consider making a donation to his website if you use his manual.  He’s the major provider of old camera manuals on the Internet.

My simple review.

  1. On/off shutter lock.  The camera has a dependable shutter lock on the top of the camera near the shutter speed dial.  Lock it for when you travel.  When you’re ready, unlock to take a photograph.  Practical.
  2. Light metering lights.  I’m not a big fan of the the red/green light method for light metering.  When you depress the shutter, if the viewfinder has red lights, there’s a problem.  Green light means take the photo.  But in its defense, the battery for the light meter doesn’t run itself down, unlike my Olympus OM-1N.
  3. Depth of field preview button.  I’ve read the manual for this button and still don’t understand it.

Provenance or History

It was a sunny day in the Summer of 2011 in Morton Grove, IL when I purchased this camera at a Saturday garage sale.  I purchased it from an old carpenter deep into his 70’s and his daughter who was my age.  It’s a nice memory.

I enjoy garage sales, I like meeting people, and this Saturday it was clear the old gentleman had been a tradesmen, perhaps a carpenter.  He had lots of wood working tools in his garage.  But I’m not a tradesmen or in the market for saws and hammers.  I asked the question I have learned to ask:

Do you have any old film cameras in the house?

The man said yes, and the daughter disappeared into the house.  She re-appeared a few minutes later with a beautiful black leather Marsand case that was ice cold from air conditioning in the home’s basement.  A good sign for me.  Cameras kept in hot attics don’t do well over time.

It was a Vivitar and I was a bit disappointed.  I had hoped for a Canon or a Nikon.  The SLR was in good condition with a 55mm lens and a flash.

I thanked them, wished them a nice day, started walking away for ten steps.  I didn’t need a Vivitar SLR, didn’t know much about them.  I stopped after 10 steps, paused, walked back to them.

I’ll make you an offer on the camera, all its stuff and the beautiful case.  I like the case.  I don’t mind if you say “no”.  I’ll offer you 10 dollars.

The daughter listened, paused only a moment, and said “yes”.

I wasn’t out to steal this camera.  I thought 10 dollars was a decent price.  I told the daughter I would take care of the camera and test it.  That’s what this blog post is all about.  I think the elderly carpenter and I would agree that a tool doesn’t lose its value just because its old.

My Repairs for the Vivitar XC-4, None

No repairs needed so far.  The shutter speeds seem accurate.  The light meter does react to light with a new battery.  I didn’t see any crumbling foam inside the camera that would allow light to sneak into the camera and affect the film.

Vivitar XC-4 Battery

Search the Internet for this battery and you will find the SMC357 Battery as the answer.

Although its cheaper purchasing batteries on the Internet that doesn’t help when you don’t even know if the camera will power up.  You can buy a cheap battery on the Internet and be stuck with that battery.  My solution has been to visit my local battery store and purchase batteries with this verbal agreement.

If the battery powers up the camera, I’ll buy the battery.  If not, I’ll give it back to you immediately.  Agreed?

My local battery store has agreed to this method.  I’d rather pay a few dollars more for a battery that powers up my camera rather than be stuck with an Internet battery for a camera that will not power up.  Makes sense to me.

How does the Vivitar XC-4 feel?

It feels like a decent 30 year old SLR:  medium to light in weight, solid, the film advance is very smooth.

Nice features of the Vivitar XC-4.

  1. Solid, light to medium weight.  I have read Vivitar had these cameras made by Cosina.  They seem well made.
  2. Silky film advance.  Yes, it feels good when you shoot it.  It also has a hand grip on the right side so you can hold it with one hand down at your side without fearing you will drop it.  But always have a strap around your hand.
  3. Shutter lock switch.  It’s simple yet essential.  There’s a switch on the top of the camera for locking the shutter against accidental shots.  Turn the switch “on” when you’re ready to take a photograph.

Problems?  Yes.

  1. Light metering system.  You sight through the viewfinder and depress the shutter button halfway.  The Vivitar makes a quiet “clunk” sound and you see its metering through the viewfinder.  There is no mid-range acceptable light metering view.  A left/right red arrow means the camera’s exposure is off.  A green light means the light meter thinks the exposure is OK.  This light metering system seems awkward to me but perhaps you’ll like it.
  2. Depth of Field Preview button.  This button still remains a mystery to me.  The explanations I have found on the Internet for this feature have been sub-par.  Feel free to leave a comment if you have a good answer to the purpose of the depth of field preview button.

Vivitar XC-4 Sample Photos, Bad Camera or Bad Film

Testing a film camera is inherently a dicey proposition.  You don’t know if the film camera works or how well it works.  For that reason, let me introduce you to Kraneis Photography Rule #2.

If you’re serious about testing an old film camera, use a fresh roll of film.

You guessed it, I broke my own rule, again.  Perhaps one day I will learn to obey my own rules.

But using undependable expired film to test a film camera is bad practice.  If lomography is your hobby, go ahead and use expired film (some people like that).  But if you want to see if an old film camera is worth keeping or selling, give it an honest test with good film.

But this old camera that feels has the quirky light metering (red light, green light) but is built so well took a few decent photos.  I won’t torture you with all my bad photos from this camera.  I attribute the problems not to the camera but to undependable, expired film and a photographer foolish enough to use bad film, me.

Just one bad photo.  I can’t even begin to describe what went wrong with this photo other than bad film.  But notice the clarity of the tree on the left.  Knowing me, I was trying to use depth of field to capture both the tree in the foreground and the scenic shore.

Vivitar XC-4, Pond with bad Exposure

Vivitar XC-4, Pond with bad Exposure

Vivitar XC-4 Review – Summary

I still like this camera.  Yes the red light, green light metering system is unpleasant.  But it does feel good in my hands and the film advances nicely.  You could do a lot worse for $10 at a Morton Grove, IL, garage sale in summertime.

Here’s hoping the old carpenter who owned this camera had a nice day.  His old camera is safe in its beautiful black Marsand leather case in my Chicago bungalow.

I like this photo below for its faint glimmer of green in the upper left and the partly cloudy sky reflected in the creek.

Vivitar XC-4, The Creek in the Ravine, Exposure Adjusted

Vivitar XC-4, The Creek in the Ravine, Exposure Adjusted

Thanks for reading my Vivitar XC-4 review today.  If you find a Vivitar XC-4 with a 50mm lens and a beautiful Marsand black leather case at summer garage sale, buy it.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

Best 35mm Film Photos of 2011

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These are my best 35mm film photos of 2011.  I hope that you enjoy them.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s

Although I developed this roll of film in February, 2011, I think some of these photos were taken deep in 2010.

I enjoy this photo for its dazzling clarity.  A great lens from a 5 dollar camera purchased at a garage sale somewhere.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s, Beautiful Ravine

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s, Beautiful Ravine

 

 

 

 

 

 

This next photo is taken at my sister-in-law’s farm in central Illinois.  As I recall, I turned off the flash, steadied myself against the front porch, and took the photo hand held.  It’s a bit quirky but I like it.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s, Farm Christmas Lights

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s, Farm Christmas Lights

Agfa Optima 1a, January and February

In January 2011 I took walks with my like new Agfa Optima 1a.  The camera was sold approximately 1962 and features a built in selenium meter that still works.  The lens is capable of some very nice photos and the camera is inexpensive (mine was $10).

Here’s another nice photo of my Kilbourn Park in Chicago, IL.  I think the lens did a fine job.

Agfa Optima Ia , Kilbourne Park, Chicago, IL, Dazzling

Agfa Optima Ia , Kilbourne Park, Chicago, IL, Dazzling

On my wife’s birthday in February, the Chicago blizzard 2011 dropped 15 inches of snow overnight.  The newspapers were full of exciting snow pictures.  I didn’t look for adventure but rather photographed my Chicago alley before and after the snow.  Here’s a photo after I and my neighbors shoveled our own alley.

Agfa Optima Ia , Chicago Alley in Snow

Agfa Optima Ia , Chicago Alley in Snow

Canon A35F – Chicago Blizzard 2011

This is a wonderful 5 dollar camera.  Learn more about the Canon A35F if you’re looking for a wonderful, almost “point and shoot” Canon.  It’s heavy, feels good in your hands.  Just focus and your done.

I had already tested the Canon A35F long before the February 1, 2011 Chicago blizzard.  But since I like this camera, I popped in some ASA 200 speed color print film.  Then the snows came.

I and a dozen of my neighbors dug out our Chicago alley with shovels, snow blowers, and hot coffee from our wives.  This is a good photo of us working and smiling.

Canon A35F, Chicago Blizzard 2011, Cleaning our Alley

Canon A35F, Chicago Blizzard 2011, Cleaning our Alley

Here’s a photograph of a young father with his two young sons.  I later gave his wife this photograph.  I hope she framed it.  I remember admiring the solidity of the young father proudly standing with his two sons.

Canon A35F, Chicago Blizzard 2011, Father and 2 Sons in Snow

Canon A35F, Chicago Blizzard 2011, Father and 2 Sons in Snow

This last photo was taken in March, 2011 after the Chicago snows had melted.  North Park College has a soccer field near the Chicago River and I was taking photographs.  I wondered how well the Canon A35F would do if I took a “blind” shot from the running track.  I’m a bit too old to lie down and squint through a viewfinder.  I guessed the Canon A35F would take a nice photo and I was absolutely correct.

Canon A35F, Soccer in March, North Park College, Chicago, IL

Canon A35F, Soccer in March, North Park College, Chicago, IL

Ricoh KR-10, April 2011 in Chicago, IL

This camera was purchased in the fall of 2010 and used in April 2011.  Purchased for 10 dollars at an Oak Park, IL garage sale, I told the owner I wasn’t sure it worked.  I theorized the shutter would work with a fresh battery.  And, I was right.

In spring, this magnolia star tree blossoms in the back yard of our Chicago, IL bungalow.  I photographed it with an 80-200 zoom lens purposely including a neighbor’s chimney and power lines in the photo (urban bokeh).  I thought it came out nicely.

Ricoh KR-10, Close-up of Magnolia Star Tree, Chicago, IL

Ricoh KR-10, Close-up of Magnolia Star Tree, Chicago, IL

My wife is kind enough to let me photograph her.  This photograph was taken with The Villa neighborhood of Chicago, IL in the background.

Ricoh KR-10, Portrait in the Villa Neighborhood, Chicago, IL

Ricoh KR-10, Portrait in the Villa Neighborhood, Chicago, IL

I am pleased with this quintessential photograph of frame bungalows in Chicago, IL.  It’s a little overexposed (the light meter had trouble with the light) but I like the photo anyway.

Ricoh KR-10, Chicago frame bungalows

Ricoh KR-10, Chicago frame bungalows

Olympus Stylus Epic, April 2011 in Chicago, IL

I’m very fond of my black Olympus Stylus Epic cameras.  Inexpensively acquired, durable, put it in your pocket and go.  They are simple, functional with a wonderful lens in my opinion.  In researching the Olympus Stylus Epic I found Jim Tardio’s write-up and wonderful photographs on this little camera.  Even after perhaps 18 months of not seeing Jim Tardio’s photographs, I was again impressed with what he could do with an Olympus Stylus.

Again, here is my star magnolia tree from my Chicago backyard.  Just a pretty photo from a Chicago backyard.

Olympus Stylus - Chicago Backyard, Star Magnolia Tree

Olympus Stylus – Chicago Backyard, Star Magnolia Tree

This is one of my favorite photos for 2011.  It’s taken from my backyard deck of my Chicago, IL bungalow.  I purposely focused on the flower pot resting on my backyard deck.  This means pressing the shutter of the Olympus Epic half way down to pre-focus.  Then I composed the frame to hopefully see my neighbor’s backyards as bokeh.  I think it came out very nicely thanks to my Olympus Stylus Epic.

Olympus Stylus Epic - Chicago backyard bokeh

Olympus Stylus Epic – Chicago backyard bokeh

Have a moment?  Leave a comment.

2011 was a wonderful year for meeting more people with camera stories, purchasing old film cameras, and getting a little bit better with photography (street photography and perhaps compositional skills).

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

Where to get Film Developed

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This is a short post on what I’ve learned about getting film developed for my old camera photos.

First, take a look at this photo.  It was taken with a Nikon N6006 camera I purchased for 5 dollars on eBay (camera body only).  The ladies working behind the counter at a discount pharmacy told me there was something wrong with my Nikon N6006.  I didn’t believe them.  My second roll of film produced this nice photo from my home’s front steps.

Nikon N6006 - Golden Leaves Looking North

Cost vs Quality vs Dependability in Film Development

Measure cost vs. quality vs. dependability whenever you have your film developed.

35mm Film Development Costs in Chicago, IL USA

In my big city, here are the current costs of developing a roll of film and burning the images to a CD.  Costs as of November 28, 2011:

  1. Walgreen’s.  $9.50 plus tax.
  2. CVS Pharmacy.  $7.00 plus tax.
  3. Costco.  $5.00 plus tax.

You might think it obvious:  take your film to Costco.  But the film developer machines in Mount Prospect, IL died so now I must go to a Costco in Niles, IL or the northside of Chicago, IL for film development.  I can’t drop off my film during the lunch hour, I need to plan some Saturday chores around dropping my film off at a Costco.  Inconvenient.

Quality Film Development in Chicago, IL USA

For now, I am a hobbyist photographer.  I don’t plan on photographing weddings.  Seriously, those photographers use digital.

From a hobbyist’s perspective, the film development done by Walgreen’s and Costco are always good.  My local CVS Pharmacy was horrible.  They can’t be trusted.

Dependable Film Development in Chicago, IL USA

Yes, there is a difference between quality and dependability.  Quality to me means a spectrum of work that ranges from good to excellent.  Dependability means that I am confident that if I give my film to someone, they’ll do a good job.

  • Walgreens.  Dependable.
  • Costco.  Dependable.
  • CVS Pharmacy.  Horrible (more on that later).

My Choice for Film Development in Chicago, IL USA

 

Price

Quality

Dependable
Walgreen’s

$9.50

 Acceptable Acceptable
CVS Pharmacy

$7.00

 Horrible Horrible
Costco

$5.00

 Acceptable Acceptable

My film development choice is Costco.  Even though I need to work my schedule around dropping my film off at a Costco 3-5 miles from my home, it’s worth it in the long run. 

Choose your Film Developer Wisely

Your results may vary.  Perhaps in your small town, Walgreen’s is your best choice.  Or perhaps you’ll need to mail your film to a developer.

But for me, Costco was my best Chicago option.

Now my Discount Pharmacy Horror Story

I had developed on roll of film and had it burned to a CD at a CVS Pharmacy in my neighborhood and the price was great, under 5 dollars (November 2011).  Even though they had little piles of dirt on the floor in the film area that they never managed to put into a garbage can, I went there because it was cheap and convenient.

I brought two rolls of film:

  • Nikon N6006 – Film shots of my homeless friend Oly.
  • Vivitar XC-4 – Photos unknown.  I shot them but didn’t record their location.

So here’s what happened.

  1. I was told to come back a 2nd day because the regular film developer was off work and unavailable.
  2. I came back the 2nd day and was told to come back a 3rd day.
  3. On the 3rd day the lady behind the counter said there was a problem with both rolls.  It must have been something wrong with the film she said.  I was polite while the 2nd lady behind the counter said the 1st lady was “really very good with film developing”.
  4. Out of 48 photos only 3 looked OK, not even acceptable for this website.

I started wondering.  I shot two rolls of film from two different cameras and the film was of two different types.  Were both cameras bad?  Were both rolls of film bad?

The only things the two rolls of film had in common were that they were developed at the same discount film department by the same lady.  I didn’t trust her.

So I took an old Fuji roll of expired color film and put it into my Nikon N6006.  I shot the roll and took it to Costco for developing.  The photos came out great.  If I had believed the part-time film developers at the drugstore, I would never have seen the wonderful photos made by my 1990 Nikon N6006 camera.

Choose your film developer wisely by weighing the factors of cost, quality, and dependability.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

 

 

Homeless but not Helpless, Thanksgiving Day 2011, Chicago, IL

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Today is Thanksgiving Day 2011 in the United States.  I visited my homeless friend Oly to invite him to breakfast.  Here’s a photo of Oly on a warmer day in August.

Yashica Lynx 1000, Oly the Homeless Man, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL

Yashica Lynx 1000, Oly the Homeless Man, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL

Oly’s OK this Thanksgiving Day, how are you doing?

I had hoped to take Oly to breakfast but someone had already taken care of that for me.

He said earlier today a young man visited and gave him a warm jacket, a very warm sleeping bag, and a 20 dollar bill.  He walked 3 blocks to the McDonald’s at Addison and Cicero for a few donuts and coffee (Oly was grateful the McDonald’s is open today with its bathroom and food.)

We chatted about many things, his nifty shelter by the Addison bus stop, and reasons why he was grateful for life today.

Rich, I’m blessed.  There’s something special about this place.  People come by every day and are nice to me.

So here’s a homeless guy, it’s a chilly November day in Chicago, and he feels blessed.  How are you doing today?

So what does a Homeless Guy have to do with Film Cameras and Photography?

Good question, a fair question.  Here’s how I met Oly.

  1. Florida canoe trip.  In spring 2010 on a trip to Florida, my digital camera “drowned” in a small pool of water in the bottom of my canoe.  I needed a new one.
  2. Camera store.  Spring of 2010 I walked into a camera store to buy an inexpensive digital camera.  I found a wall of used film cameras re-igniting my love of cameras.
  3. What is a film camera.  I started a WordPress blog because I wanted to write about the old cameras I was collecting and my photos.
  4. Yashica Lynx 1000.  I purchased many cameras and one of them was a Yashica Lynx 1000.  On a Sunday morning in August 2011 I took a walk to Kilbourn Park in Chicago,IL to take some test photos with my camera.
  5. Meeting Oly.  On a Sunday I meet, introduce myself, and take photos of a homeless man named Oly.

So life is full of chained events.  A Florida canoe trip ultimately introduced me to Oly, the homeless man.

Let’s be serious.  I’m not a professional photographer nor a photojournalist.  I’m a 60 year old guy that enjoys old cameras, taking photos, meeting people, and telling their stories (camera stories and people stories).

Oly Gave me a Photo Assignment

Today, November 24, 2011, Oly was surprised I didn’t have a camera with me.

But Oly gave me a photo assignment for the next time I visit him.  I’ll do Oly’s photo project and write about it on this blog in the near future.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, 2011

I wished Oly a Happy Thanksgiving Day and I wished him better times in better days.  “God bless,” I said.

Happy Thanksgiving Rich.  Don’t worry about me.  I’m blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving Day from Chicago, IL USA.

Addendum:  February, 2012, Where’s Oly?

I lost track of my homeless friend:  Oleg Pichowkin

In late January (2012) I passed by Kilbourn Park and found Oly walking back and forth warming himself.  I invited him to lunch and we went to a McDonald’s.  He had been in the hospital for a week (lung problems) and had been released.  But he was still cheerful.  Although I remember him saying, “I wonder what God has planned for me.”

In early February his little tent at the Addison Street bus shelter at the north end of Kilbourn Park disappeared.  No tent, none of his belongings, no Oly.  I left word with someone who worked across the street to keep an eye out for Oly for me.  No luck.

I wondered if Oly in his weakened condition had passed away with the end of winter.

Addendum:  Memorial Day, 2012, Oly’s Alive

Walking in Kilbourn Park a few days after Memorial Day I saw a familiar white haired man in the distance.  It was Oly.  We smiled, laughed, shook hands.

Oly seemed healthier then ever.  He’s living in a homeless shelter in Uptown and I caught him on a supposedly momentous day.  He believes his paperwork battle with Social Security is over and he’s about to receive his first Social Security payment.

After a lifetime of work paying social security payments, Oly is about to get something in return:  a social security check.

After 30 minutes I said good-bye, Oly told me how to contact him, and yes he still has my cell phone number.  Seeing Oly was the best part of my day, May 30, 2012.

Canon SD880, May 2012, Oleg Pichowkin at Kilbourn Park

Canon SD880, May 2012, Oleg Pichowkin at Kilbourn Park

Why a Fisherman Chose Photography

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I think the local fishing stores miss me.  Where is that guy that used to come in here and spend all that money?

Dad the Fisherman

I have caught my share of fish.  But sometime during 2010 I realized I was driving a whole lot to catch just a few fish.  Yes, I do catch fish, but not as many as I would like.

I’ve been fishing all my life, but film cameras were never far from my mind.  (Yes, the nice largemouth bass was released immediately.)

Canon SD880, Dad's Big Fish

ROI (Return on Investment) of Fishing or Photography

An average fishing trip on a Saturday would cost me $60.  It may not sound like much but I had little to show for it.  A photo or two of a largemouth bass I had caught and a few panfish that I would release alive back into the lake.  I was spending money but had little to show for it.

Then during 2010 I started collecting film cameras.  I used less gas, met interesting people, had the thrill of hunting and negotiating prices on cameras, and it took less time.  And at the end of the day I might find an Olympus XA, Pentax Spotmatic, or a Vivitar V3800N for my troubles.

The Thrill of Collecting Film Cameras

When a fish bites, you don’t know what you have until you reel it into your boat.  It’s like Christmas.  Every fish is a surprise.  Garage sale hunting is similar.  You never know what you’ve got until you actually hold an old film camera in your hands.  It’s a thrill when someone stops you at the garage sale and says:

I have some old film cameras at my house.  Can you wait 5 minutes so I can bring them to you?

You bet I’ll wait.

The Enjoyment of Great Photos with Old Cameras

Admittedly, not all of my older cameras have taken good photos.  But as a computer guy its fun taking an old technology with a quirky interface (all old cameras work a bit differently) and creating nice photos with them.

Kodak Motormatic 35

Add 35mm film to this old camera, wind it up like a toy, and it advanced film based on a mechanical inner spring.  I purchased it on eBay for 5 dollars and it takes nice photos.  It’s about 50 years old and still works.

Kodak Motormatic 35, Blue Pond

Agfa Optima II

A German camera from around 1960.  It’s automatic light metering still works well.  A 5 dollar purchase from eBay.

Agfa Optima II, Tricky Exposure

Old Cameras and Their Stories

And if you’ve spent some time on this website you know I like a story or two.  I enjoy my cameras even more when there’s a story behind the camera.  Perhaps its a Mamiya/Sekor 1000 that photographed Mohammad Ali.  Or maybe its the Yashica T4 worth $250 that I purchased for $30.  Or maybe it’s the Canon AE-1 that traveled to Borneo and Morocco.

Don’t throw away your old camera, of any type.  Yes, it might be worth something and you can sell it.  Better still, give it to your son or granddaughter and ask them to keep it for you.  It won’t be a cheap camera to them, it will be the old SLR their grandmother gave them.

Fishing and Photography

One day I’ll return to fishing when there’s a better chance of catching a fish or two.  In the meantime, I’ll keep “catching” some old film cameras, taking nice photos, and telling camera “fish tales” on this website.

Unknown Camera, Rich Fishing at 15

 

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

Nikon N6006 Review

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This may be the best 5 dollars I ever spent on eBay for a camera body.  My test roll of film on this Nikon N6006 seemed horrible.  But the film developers at the discount pharmacy assured me there was something wrong with the film.  I didn’t believe them.  They lied.  This is what the Nikon N6006 can do.

Nikon N6006 - Golden Leaves Looking North

Nikon N6006 – Golden Leaves Looking North

Do I really like a 1990 camera with nearly auto everything?  It’s like a point and shoot SLR.  Perhaps I need to get to know it better, read a manual, and learn how to use it manually.

Purchased Oct 30, 2011 for $5.50 and $5.55 shipping it was an impulse buy.  Surfing eBay I saw the auction was ending, I had wanted a Nikon N6006 for a year, so I snapped it up around 8 PM.

Nikon N6006 Err Problem?

You need to know one very important feature/problem regarding this camera from Matt Denton, N6006 rescue:

BIGGEST TIP: the lens *must* be set to the smallest aperture for the camera to shoot at all in auto mode. This gives the camera the lens’ capability. You will get a somewhat inexplicable flashing E error if the aperture ring is not set to the smallest aperture, and this is the first place you should look if the camera doesn’t fire. Other than that, the N6006 (and N8008) has more features than you can shake a stick at, best bet is to keep in PM mode and fire away

Provenance or History

No fancy provenance on this camera.

Purchased Oct 30, 2011 for $5.50 and $5.55 shipping it was an impulse buy.  Surfing eBay I saw the auction was ending, I had wanted a Nikon N6006 for a year, so I snapped it up around 8 PM.  It came from Kentucky, I have no idea on the history of the camera.

My Repairs for the Nikon N6006, None

No repairs needed.  Frankly, I’m not terribly good at repairs.  What I am good at is persistence and the ability to keep learning how to use old cameras.

Nikon N6006 Battery

Most battery powered cameras purchased on eBay or Craigslist long distance are a risk.  You don’t know what you have in the camera until you power it up.  It’s not fun purchasing a battery and then it fails on you.

Although its cheaper purchasing batteries on the Internet that doesn’t help when you don’t even know if the camera will power up.  You can buy a cheap battery on the Internet and be stuck with that battery.  My solution has been to visit my local battery store and purchase batteries with this verbal agreement.

If the battery powers up the camera, I’ll buy the battery.  If not, I’ll give it back to you immediately.  Agreed?

My local battery store has agreed to this method.  I’d rather pay a few dollars more for a battery that powers up my camera rather than be stuck with an Internet battery for a camera that will not power up.  Makes sense to me.

The Nikon N6006 takes either a 6V lithium CR-P2 or 223A for a battery.  As I recall, the battery cost me $14 a few weeks ago in October, 2011.

How does the Nikon N6006 feel?

It feels like a professional SLR:  heavy, solid, it even makes a nice sound when it advanced the film automatically..

But after one botched roll of film, my confidence was shaken in the camera.  But in every regard, the Nikon N6006 felt good in my hands and seemed to work properly.

Nice features of the Nikon N6006.

  1. Solid, but not horribly heavy.  Yes, that sounds like a disadvantage.  But as long as I’m not hiking on some long walk, carrying the solid weight of the Nikon N6006 wasn’t a problem.
  2. Loud but comforting.  Again, I am using a strange description.  Don’t expect to take family photos of children unnoticed with this camera.  But the sound of the shutter and the automatic film advance seems re-assuring.
  3. Feels good.  Yes, it feels good when you shoot it.  It also has a hand grip on the right side so you can hold it with one hand down at your side without fearing you will drop it.  But always have a strap around your hand.
  4. Point and shoot mode.  The Nikon N6006 does have a point and shoot mode.  It makes decisions for you, and those decisions are good generally.

Problems?  Yes.

  1. Nikon N6006 Err Problem.  In program mode, the camera with its AF lenses doesn’t work unless the lens is set to the smallest aperture possible.  Understanding the Err problem is the first thing you need to learn about a Nikon N6006..
  2. Battery cover.  This wasn’t a problem for me but I have read others have lost or broken the battery cover on the camera.
  3. On/Off switch.  You need to turn the camera on and then off with a switch on top of the camera.  Why these devices do not have an automatic timed turn off feature I don’t know.  Leaving the camera on for hours will cost you another battery.

Digital cameras give us disposable photos and consequently, we think we are better photographers.  I do own and shoot with digital.

I write this blog post wondering what teenagers and adults of the digital era would say if they took photos with a Nikon N6006.  It sure feels like a real camera.  It even sounds like a real camera.

Nikon N6006 Sample Photos

Testing a film camera is inherently a dicey proposition.  You don’t know if the film camera works or how well it works.  For that reason, let me introduce you to Kraneis Photography Rule #1.

Take a dependable camera with you.  Wherever you go, whether you’re testing a camera or not, take a camera that will work dependably.  You never know when you’ll come across the Pulitzer photograph of a lifetime.

My first roll of film through the Nikon N6006 had some photos of my homeless friend Oly at Kilbourn Park that I will never see.  I’ll never see those photos because a film developer department at a discount pharmacy botched my first roll.  Those photos are gone forever.  It’s not a nice feeling.

The discount pharmacy on Milwaukee and Pulaski in Chicago said the film had a problem.  I didn’t believe them.  My second roll of film through the Nikon N6006 proved me correct.

My Second Roll of Film

This was fun.

I took a roll of ASA 400 expired film from the summer (purchased twenty rolls for about twenty cents a roll at a garage sale) and inserted it into the Nikon N6006.  I used programmed mode on the Nikon N6006 for everything.  All I did was focus my zoom lense as needed.  Basically, I used a Nikon N6006 as a glorified point and shoot camera.

Nikon N6006 - IPUMC Church

Nikon N6006 – IPUMC Church

My duck photo on a downed tree at the pond is a bit overexposed.  The best of cameras seem to have trouble with light metering reflections on a pond.

Nikon N6006 - Ducks by the Pond, Overexposed

Nikon N6006 – Ducks by the Pond, Overexposed

If a camera comes with flash, I try it.  The Nikon N6006 has an onboard flash that worked fine in my four test photos.  Here my smiling wife.  I think its a nice photo of her.

Nikon N6006 - Smiling Wife, Indoor Flash

Nikon N6006 – Smiling Wife, Indoor Flash

Nikon N6006 Review – Summary

This is a very nice camera.  I look forward to learning how to use its different functions.  I shot the first good roll in programmed mode.  Just imagine what I can do when I actually learn this camera.

As for the photos,  I am delighted.  Below is a photo I took at 5:30 PM on a weekday this November.  A night photo, bracing the camera on the top of my car, just pressing the shutter until it did something.  Wow.  This Nikon N6006 can even do night photography.

Nikon N6006 - Amazing Photo at Night

Nikon N6006 – Amazing Photo at Night

 

Sometimes a camera returns a lot of joy for what little money you put into it.

  1. Cost of Camera – $5.00
  2. Shipping – $5.50.
  3. One ruined roll of film – $2.00
  4. Fresh battery – $14
  5. Expired film – 20 cents
  6. Costco developing – $5.00

A total of $31.70 to test a Nikon N6006 camera.  Is that expensive?  I could probably sell the camera right now on eBay and recoup my costs.  If I keep the camera I have a wonderful image maker ready at my disposal.

Thanks for reading my Nikon N6006 review today.  If you find one with a lens, I hope it turns out as well as my Nikon N6006 from Kentucky.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.

Testing film camera light meters

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Do you buy old film cameras with questionable light metering systems?  This is my solution to testing my old cameras and their exposures.

This is my solution to the old camera light metering problem.

Saturday, November 11, 2011 I went to Costco to shop and have film developed.  While they developed the film I went to a Cook County Forest Preserve on Lehigh in Edgebrook, IL and learned a huge amount about testing cameras.  It happend all of a sudden.

I had recently purchased a used Gossen Digisix light meter but I had unresolved problems.

  1. Testing an old camera with two rolls of film is too expensive.  One roll for the camera’s light meter and one roll for the Gossen Digisix test costs too much money.  And I’ll waste a lot of shots that I’ll never get back.
  2. If I test the light meter of a camera vs the Gossen Digisix on the same film roll, how will I know what technique I used for each test?
  3. Even testing an old film camera I hope to get some useable photos in the process.  I’m not just testing a camera, I’m hoping to take a few good photos.
  4. I also want to use the “Sunny 16” rule to test my cameras.

I had tried a previous method for testing a light meter outdoors but was disappointed with my logic.  But this Saturday it came to me.

Take two photos of every scene when testing a camera.  Landscape and then portrait.

  1. Find a scene to test your camera’s light meter.
  2. Landscape – Use landscape format to test the camera’s light meter.
  3. Portrait – Use portrait format to test a Gossen Digisix light metered exposure.

What could be simpler?  On your roll of film, whenever you see two photos of the same thing, you’ll know its an exposure test.  All my photos are normally at F16 aperture.  More on that later.

Sunny 16 Testing

If you’re feeling adventurous and just want to test the camera with the Sunny 16 rule, just take one photo of something on a bright sunny day.  Here’s my plain English description of the Sunny 16 rule.

On a sunny day outside you can test a camera without a light meter.  This is best done with ASA 100 film or perhaps ASA 400 film.

  1. This only works shooting outdoors on a sunny day.
  2. Set your aperture to F16.
  3. Set your shutter speed to “match” your film speed.  If you are shooting with ASA 100 film, set your shutter speed to 1/100.  If you are shooting with ASA 400 film, set your shutter speed to 1/500 (it’s the best you can do).

I only take single photos on a test roll when using the “Sunny 16” rule.

Two photos of the same scene in landscape and portrait tells me its a camera light meter vs. Gossen Digisix test.  A single photo of a scene tells me it was a Sunny 16 test.

Single shots for sunny 16, two shot tests for every angle (lateral is for camera’s light meter, vertical is for Gossen Digisix), shoot F16 and then mix the rest, always using the same aperture.

Photos of a Lifetime

If you find some photos of a lifetime and you’re testing a camera, you should pull out your backup camera that’s dependable and tested.  Don’t be rigid on this.  Take a digital camera with you if you can depend on it always or toss your most dependable film camera into a bag (my five dollar Canon 130u with its zoom lens might be my choice, with a fresh battery).

In 1953, driving to a fishing trip with her husband, Virginia Schau became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her photo.  She was using an inexpensive Kodak camera.  She photographed a truck hanging off an expressway bridge with a man hanging on to the truck for dear life. Selkirk

 Virginia Schau, amateur
Rescue on Pit River Bridge – 1954 winner.

Other Light Meter Testing Methods

Read About.com’s Gray Card method for testing a light meter.

Ollinger has a wonderful website on old light meters.  He also has a fine article by Peter Moore that’s rather scientific on testing film camera light meters.

My First Test Results with my Olympus OM-1n

Two poorly exposed rolls of film (my Zenit-E and my Olympus OM-1n) compelled me to purchase a Gossen Digisix like a real photographer.

I’ll show my results for testing film camera light meters here and at my Olympus OM-1n page when the testing is done.

My second roll of film through my Olympus OM-1n was my first camera meter vs. Gossen Digisix test.  Remember the method:

  • Landscape for camera meter.
  • Portrait for Gossen Digisix.

Most of the photos were taken on a partly cloudy day at F16 aperture.  I’d have to say the test was inconclusive.  A 50/50 horse race as to which technique was better.

In the two photos below, the photo below looks closer to the scene as I remember it.  Better exposure with the Gossen Digisix on the right.

Olympus OM-1n, ASA 400, River, Camera MeterOlympus OM-1n, ASA 400, River, Gossen Digisix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But this photo of ducks under a bridge came out totally opposite of what I expected.  The photo on the left using the Olympus OM-1n camera meter looks better exposed than the Gossen Digisix metering on the right.  Quite frankly, both look a bit washed out.

Olympus OM-1n, ASA 400, River Bridge, Camera MeterOlympus OM-1n, ASA 400, River Bridge, Gossen Digisix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m still glad I purchased the Gossen Digisix.  But in my initial testing of the Olympus OM-1n, there was no clear winner between the camera’s light meter (with a non-Mercury battery) and using a Gossen Digisix light meter.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.