What is a Film Camera?

Zenit-E, My Communist SLR

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I don’t know much about my new Zenit-E but I do have an idea of where it’s been.

The journey of a camera made approximately in 1975. It was manufactured in Krasnogorsk just outside Moscow, Russia (A). I purchased it from an eBay vendor very near to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (B). And the nice eBay vendor shipped my Russian camera to me in Chicago, IL USA (C). I can only dare to imagine where else the Zenit-E traveled.

First, my best sample photo with the Zenit-E

This is my gangway to my bungalow in Chicago, IL USA. I often shoot my wife’s flowers with hopes of getting some good bokeh in the background. You can see our sidewalk and our red Weber grill.

Zenit-E, Flowers with Bokeh

How does the Zenit-E feel?

Perhaps the best time to describe how a camera “feels” is before you process its first roll of film. You’re not focusing on the results of the camera but the operation of the camera.

First, allow me to thank the eBay vendor from Canada who advertised a tested camera and delivered a camera that worked properly. No lens, just a body, packed wonderfully in a nice box protected against harm.

The Zenit-E is a Tank

Honest to goodness, this camera is built like a tank. Heavy as heck, rock solid, I like it.

Zenit-E Impressions

Feels good. It’s made of steel and in my opinion, decently assembled.
Selenium meter. No batteries on this SLR. The selenium meter does adjust to light. Whether it’s accurate, I have no idea.
Little camera shake. Since I am fond of tiny apertures and longer shutter times, I end up taking lots of photos at 1/30 of a second or less. I like cameras that don’t shake. This Russian Zenit-E doesn’t shake much at any speed.
Sounds good. Strangely enough, I like the sound it makes when it takes a photo. Not too loud, just right.

Problems? Not many.

X and M. My first two photos were wasted in the daytime. I had the camera set to X/M, pressed the shutter, and the exposure was in B mode. My mistake.
Initial film transport. It took perhaps 10 minutes to figure out how to insert the film, slip the tail end of the film into the take up roll slot, and start the film properly. Film transport is something I am still learning even after shooting over 30 film cameras in the past year.
Film rewind. A little quirky. At the end of the roll press the film transport release button located near the shutter button. Normally these buttons are on the bottom of the camera, on the Zenit-E, it’s on the top of the camera by the shutter release. Next, the film rewind is on top of the camera on the opposite side of the shutter. Pull out the little knob and rewind in the direction of the arrow. Keep winding until you no longer feel any film tension. That means you’re finished rewinding.

Selenium light meter

After reviewing my first roll I believe the selenium light meter isn’t working quite right. And then I used an untested light meter I had sitting around. So I rolled the dice twice and lost on too many overexposures.

We always hope that our film photographs come out well, nicely exposed, and well focused. But as you can see from this overexposed pond, trusting the light meters of untested old cameras and old light meters results in questionable exposures.

Zenit-E, Overexposed Pond

A Little Worried about Stopping Down the Diaphragm

I found this quote from Camerapedia after shooting my first roll.

The Zenit E requires the user to manually stop down the diaphragm before exposure; the lens has an extra ring for this purpose. The Zenit EM was an upgraded version, with an automatic diaphragm.

Here’s hoping I didn’t waste an entire roll because I certainly did not “stop down” the diaphragm.

As it turns out, some Russian lenses have a diaphragm “dial” for stopping down prior to a shot. But other M42 screw mount lenses do not have that feature. Basically, for most M42 lenses without a diaphragm dial, you set aperture, shutter speed, focus and shoot.

Zenit E – Technical Details

I don’t mind if you read Matt Denton’s description of this camera at Matt’s website. It’s for a Zenit EM, not the Zenit E. But it’s close enough to give you an idea of what you might be purchasing.

My summary.

No lens. My Zenit-E came without a lens, just a body. I used a Carl Zeiss Jena 55m 2.8 aperture lens. It seemed appropriate. An East German communist lens for a Soviet camera (just having a little fun here, cameras don’t care where they’re manufactured).
Shutter speed. 30, 60, 125, 250, and 500th of a second. B also.

I know it’s a little thin as descriptions go. Visit Matt Denton’s website for more info.

Provenance or History

No fancy provenance on this camera, just a short history.

Made in Krasnogork near Moscow, Russia.
Somehow travelled to near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Shipped from Vancouver, Canada to Chicago, IL USA.

Ironically, I visited Moscow during the summer of 1975. Quite possibly I even passed through Krasnogorsk at that time. I was with 50 American students from Wisconsin travelling in a German VW van with Belgium license plates throughout all of Russia and soviet bloc countries.

I’ve also been to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Beautiful town, great time.

So I’ve made a similar journey as did my Zenit-E camera. Both of us are still in good shape (thank you).

My Repairs for the Zenit E

No repairs needed. Everything seemed to work courtesy of a diligent and good seller on eBay.

Sample Photos with the Zenit-E

Half of my exposures on the first roll were overexposed. But their were some decent photos. Here’s a basketball player shooting a shot. As I recall, this photo was taken while using the camera’s selenium meter. Also, the player is a little blurry at 1/30th of a second. But perhaps you can learn from my imperfect photos.

Zenit-E, Hoops at Lunch

This is a Chicago gangway. That means it’s the space between two buildings. Our neighbor’s brick two flat is on the left and my wooden bungalow is on the right. You can see the locked gate at the back of the photo. Although it’s a good taste of what Chicago is like, you can still tell that the photos is overexposed. One day, I’ll use a genuine accurate light meter.

Zenit-E, Chicago Gangway

Zenit-E Final Review

I won’t sell this camera, for now.

Once I purchase an accurate light meter I’ll shoot another roll and see how it performs.

I have many happy memories of visiting Russia in 1975. It’s quite possible that my Zenit-E was manufactured that very summer as we drove into Moscow on a blistering summer day of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As we drove into Moscow on the outskirts, we passed a team of large Russian women in red bikinis working with picks and shovels moving dirt for a new road. If only I had a Zenit-E to photograph that amazing sight in 1975.

Thanks for reading my Zenit-E review today. And finally, thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera .

Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 – Review

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I own three Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 cameras, and I still don’t know if I’m going to sell any of them on eBay or keep them. You should think twice about buying one.

My Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 was produced about 1999. Apparently, a lot can happen in 12 years to break these cameras. Only one of my 3 Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 cameras works, I had to cannibalize 3 cameras to get one camera functional.

Here’s one of my best photos in 2 rolls of film with ASA 200 speed film for this camera. A very nice shot that people have liked on my Flickr account.

Canon Sure Shot 120, Corn with Bokeh

Canon Sure Shot Classic – Technical Details

I don’t mind if you read Matt Denton’s description of this camera at Matt’s website. After all, his wonderful website description convinced me to find a “classic” of my own.

My summary.

Zoom lens. 38mm to 120mm. If this was my only camera that would be a nice zoom range from 38mm for landscapes to 120mm for portraits.
Shutter speed. 4 seconds to 1/770 of a second. After reading this I would imagine the Classic 120 has some low light capability. Time to get out the tripod and take photos at night.
7 shooting modes: auto, spot, action, night-scene, closeup, portrait and personal. I think I’ll set the personal to a no flash, timed exposure setting for my night photography.

Sadly, the personal setting doesn’t allow me to set a time exposure. Every time I take a photo at night, I’ll need to set the time delay on the camera. There’s a little “door” on the back of the camera. Swing it open to see controls for date settings, timed exposures, and also different flash settings. Don’t forget to learn the little door.

Provenance or History

No fancy provenance on this camera, just a short history.

One camera from Craigslist on the east coast.
Two cameras from local Village Discount resale shops or a GoodWill store.

Unless you purchase cameras at garage sales, most of your cameras will have no provenance or history.

I recently purchased a camera that was used by an amateur photographer to photograph Muhammad Ali (you of course know this legendary boxer) at a civil rights rally in Kansas City during the 1970’s. That’s provenance to me.

But these Canon Sure Shot Classics have no history. Perhaps that’s why I’m not quite attached to them.

My Repairs for the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120

Well, I didn’t repair any of them. But I sure wasted enough time testing them to see if they worked.

My first roll went just fine. Then I acquired two more “classics” and my testing problems doubled or tripled..

My point and shoot camera tests are simple enough. Insert some expired film, insert a fresh battery, take some photos. Then hope the camera rewinds when the last exposure has been taken. Sadly, these Canon Classics had trouble with their testing.

Auto rewind. One or two cameras would awaken with a fresh battery but wouldn’t rewind when the last exposure was taken or photographed. No automatic rewind. That’s a problem.
Horrible battery covers. One camera came without a battery cover. I actually think that’s the camera that works once I replaced its battery cover. Even if you have the battery cover they’re very difficult to “screw” back into place. Do not use a coin, you’ll ruin the slot. Hopefully the camera strap came with a plastic tool attached that’s used like a thick slotted screwdriver. Worst battery covers ever.

How does the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 feel?

I take photographs on morning strolls in my Chicago neighborhood. You might want to read my article, am I a good photographer where I write in great detail about a stroll with my Yashica Lynx 1000.

Nice features of the Canon Classic 120.

Feels good. It’s made of aluminum that feels solid and is yet “cool to the touch”. Kind of neat.
Viewfinder diopter. Fancy phrase, hard to explain. Auto focus point and shoot cameras focus themselves. But the photographer may not be seeing things clearly in the viewfinder. If you wear glasses you can relate to this problem. The Canon Classic has a viewfinder diopter than you bring into focus using a dial around the viewfinder. It helps you see what you’re photographing. That’s a good thing.
Very good lens. This is subjective. But to me, the photos are nicely done. The photos seem very accurate to me. That’s my polite way of saying a camera produces very nice photos that don’t quite have a warmth to them. But the lens is good.

Problems? Yes.

Flash problem. When you power up the camera, the flash protrudes from one side of the camera. If you’re not careful, this odd flash location might surprise you and you could drop the camera.
Noisy. Matt Denton noted on his website , the camera does make a bit of noise when you take a photograph. It could easily startle children if you’re a parent photographer.
Shutter button. I find that as I shoot my second roll of film, I need to depress the shutter button a little harder than I think should be necessary. This throws off your photographic timing.
Batteries are costly. Well, they didn’t break the bank. But when you’re testing a $10 camera, you don’t want to purchase $10 of batteries (or more).

The Canon Classic 120 does have about half a dozen settings. Settings like automatic, macro, sports, and a few others.

But it does have a personal setting where you can set the camera to remember a favorite technique. For me, that means I’m going to set it to no flash, timer photos so I can use it for night photography. I haven’t tried that yet but I’m doing so tonite.

Sample Photos with the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120

I’m not a great photographer, just slightly above average I would say. So even though my photos aren’t necessarily great, I show them anyway on this blog.

This is a photo of a young corn cob taken on a central Illinois farm in 2010. It was taken during daylight hours and yet the flash kicked on when the photo was taken. In retrospect, I could have photographed this differently. But most people just leave the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 on the “auto” switch and take shots.

Canon Sureshot 120, Baby Corn

This photo of balloons at the Lincoln, IL Balloon Festival in 2010 came out nicely. Nothing great, just your basic home photography. 30 cars, vans, and trucks lined along a country road, waiting for balloons to pass overhead at a balloon festival.

My Second Roll of Film

I tried to take some representative shots with the Classic 120. Most of it was unimpressive.

My best photo came early in the morning before 6 AM at Kilbourn Park in Chicago. One time the grounds crew pulled up in a truck 25 yards away to find out what I was doing. Obviously, they didn’t care about some older guy taking photos with a tripod.

This shot came out well taken about 5:30 AM in Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL. I’m showing it full size because it was the best of the 2nd roll.

Canon Sure Shot Classic 120, Kilbourn Park, early AM

Perhaps this next early AM photo is noteworthy. Using a tripod, I turned off the flash and the shutter on delay. In the middle of the photo you’ll see white layered on green layered on a bit of orange. It was a CTA bus driving left to right. I was wondering if the bus would be captured in my photo. Remember, this photo was in the very early AM.

Canon Sure Shot Classic 120, Blurry CTA Bus

Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 Review

After shooting this 2nd roll of film, I’ll probably not shoot with the Canon Classic 120 again. I have this lingering worry that my remaining Sure Shot 120 camera will fail me when I need it (2 others have already failed me).

I push my cameras a bit for an amateur. For example, I knew the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 had 4 second shutter speed at the low end. Naturally, I pushed it to try some low light photography. You’ve seen the results in the previous photos.

If all I photographed were outdoor photos that weren’t totally sunny, the Classic 120 would be fine. But after shooting two rolls of film with it, in my mind, I can’t tell you one thing it does incredibly well. And whenever I shoot with this camera, I have a lingering fear that nothing will come out terribly well.

If I need a point and shoot camera I think I have more faith in a few other cameras. Given a choice, I think I’ll take the Canon Sure Shot 120’s little brother along, the Canon Sure Shot 130u.

Thanks for reading my Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 review and visiting What is a Film Camera today.

Wilmette, Illinois – Garage Sale Cameras

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I like Wilmette, Illinois, for cameras at garage sales.

I don’t always find a camera for sale, sometimes a camera was sold before I showed up at a sale. Sometimes people tell me they sold a camera the day before. But I know the cameras are there, literally stuffed in a box in someone’s garage. Let me explain.

Saturday August 27, 2011 was a nice day for garage sales. Beautiful blue skies in Chicagoland. A perfect day not to go fishing (my other pastime). But I’ve learned that “blue sky” fishing is hard for me, but garage sales are much easier. Let me explain my garage sale adventures today, backwards in time.

Skokie Illinois on Crawford Avenue

I finished my Saturday as I often do, driving southbound on Crawford Avenue looking for garage sale signs. This was my 2nd to the last stop, although I didn’t know it at the time.

A yard sale where the conversation went down a familiar path after I saw they only had two cheap point and shoot Chinese cameras.

Rich – Do you have any other cameras.

Jody – Well, actually I do. They belonged to my grandmother. I wouldn’t want to sell them.

Rich – That’s OK, I’d just like to see them. I love looking at old cameras. (It’s actually the truth on my part. It’s good practice seeing old cameras and telling people about their cameras. Sometimes, they decide they like me and sell the camera anyway. But that’s optional.)

Jody – If you wait 5 minutes I’ll get them.

I said thank you and Jody returned in 5 minutes with a box of cheap cameras from perhaps the 50’s and 60’s. But one Polaroid might have been worth something and I told her so. There also was a Chicago made camera from perhaps the 60’s (plastic). I told her the Kodak Signet might still work and that the Kodak Duaflex was fun to look into (great viewfinder) I thanked Jody, chatted with the other ladies for a while and went home. It was very nice of Jody to show me her grandmother’s cameras.

Bent Park (Evanston or Wilmette) and a Petri Camera

Going backwards in time, 15 minutes before seeing Jody’s grandmother, I was going southbound on Crawford just after it begins near Evanston/Wilmette. I saw a garage sale sign and turned left quickly. I found two yard sales in a row, then realized Bent Park had yard sales scattered around the park.

I needed the walk so I strolled around the park, purchased lemonade from a kid’s stand (I always do that) and came to someone’s little yard sale. A bunch of old jewelry and a few books. You know how the conversation goes…

Rich – Do you have any old film cameras. (It always takes a moment for people to realize I mean film, not digital.)

Lady – I think I have one inside. It was my father’s. I wouldn’t want to sell it.

Rich – Will you show it to me? I love old cameras.

Lady – OK. I’ll be back in a minute.

Rich – I’ll watch the store for you. (It amazes me that people trust me with your stuff and walk away. I’ve always had a trustworthy face and demeanor. I guess it’s because I really am trustworthy.)

I stand in the shade waiting for her. This isn’t a bad way to spend a free Saturday. I’d rather look at old cameras than sit in a boat and not catch fish.

She brings out a camera in a small leather fitting cover marked Petri. Before even opening the bag I tell her it’s a Petri Color 35 camera. She’s surprised/impressed when I open the bag and display a Petri Color 35 camera.

I tell her I knew it because I own a Petri Color 35, only its in better shape. Her Petri is missing some of its vinyl covering and has possible fungus on the lens. I discuss the camera with her and tell her many people valued the Petri Color 35 for its neat design.

Rich – Thanks for showing me your Petri camera.

Lady – Thanks for explaining the camera to me.

Rich – My pleasure. Good luck with your sale.

Wilmette, Illinois – Olympus XA and a Mamiya Sekor 1000

Again, going back in time for this Saturday, this was my 2nd garage sale stop. I actually saw the sign once and couldn’t find the sale. I saw the sign again and found the house.

A beautiful large house with something for sale in every room and backyard.

I’ve stopped trying to be coy about cameras. Last year I would have talked about Lincoln books and then mentioned cameras. But I’ve given up that subterfuge. I’m direct, pleasant but direct.

I walked to the enclosed porch and asked the ladies at the table if they had any film cameras for sale. A man was next to them and took over. A very nice guy as it turned out.

Rich – Do you have any film cameras?

Owner – Yes, I think I do. They might be in the garage?

Literally, he walks me to the garage, goes to a corner and looks in a few boxes, and then pulls a box out. He walks the box into the sunshine and places it on a table. Now it’s my turn to look into it.

The box contains a Nikon point and shoot, a black plastic case with an Olympus XA and 2 flashes, and a Mamiya/Sekor 1000 camera in its old battered, leather case. I put the Olympus XA away because I don’t want to seem too excited about it. I knew the Nikon point and shoot was generic, the Olympus XA could be in very good shape because the lens was clean but the batteries were dead (can’t test the light meter). The Mamiky/Sekor was missing a small part on the rewind level. I did tell the owner I had been looking for an old Mamiya/Sekor SLR.

Rich – How much do you want for them (all 3 cameras).

Owner – How much are they worth?

Rich – I’ll do my best to tell you what the cameras are worth. But I want you to know I bargain hard on cameras.

That question always puts me at a disadvantage. A seller wants me to tell him how much his cameras are worth. I’m not one to lie so I just tell people what I know.

Rich – The Nikon isn’t worth much if anything. It’s generic. The Olympus XA looks to be in good shape but we don’t know if its light meter works because we don’t have batteries. The Olympus XA, tested with a roll of film and fresh batteries, probably will sell on eBay for a solid $50 with a good write-up. The Mamiya/Sekor might sell for $20 on eBay. Again, you need to do your eBay write ups.

Gregg showed me how to use the Mamiya/Sekor (spot metering ?) and showed me a missing part from the camera and how to deal with it. Nice conversation. Gregg didn’t offer to sell it so I made the first move.

A Brief Negotiation

I’m at a slight advantage in my camera negotiations lately. I really don’t need any more cameras. I can bargain hard and politely because its fun. If you really don’t need the next camera, then you own that camera negotiation.

Rich – I’ll give you $20 for the Olympus XA and the Mamiya Sekor.

Owner – Make it $25 and I’ll toss in the Nikon camera (the inexpensive point and shoot).

Rich – Deal.

Gregg’s Mamiya/Sekor 1000

The owner’s name was Gregg. Nice man.

Inside we introduced each other, he offered me a soft drink (thank you), and I purchased a tripod from him for $10. I didn’t care to bargain on that one. I need a working tripod.

But then Gregg told me something about his Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL.

Forty years earlier, as a young man, Gregg had used the Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL to photograph a young Muhammad Ali at a political rally in Kansas City (early 70’s). Using a 50mm lens, Gregg photographed Muhammad Ali from less than 10 feet away. Amazing.

Even more amazing, the owner showed me his 4 photos of Muhammad Ali in his photo collection.

Here’s hoping Gregg emails me his 4 Muhammad Ali photos taken with the Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL forty years ago. If the fish are biting and nearby, I’d rather be fishing. But on a blue sky summer day in Wilmette, Illinois, garage sales sound like fun to me.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today. I hope this post wasn’t too long. Sometimes the stories just tell themselves.

Josef Sudek – Prague’s Best Photographer

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I have become an admirer of Josef Sudek, perhaps Prague’s best photographer. I’m hoping this post will generate some opinions about Josef Sudek’s greatness and also debate on who really is Prague’s best photographer. The photo below is taken from this wonderful article, “From My Window”: The Late Work of André Kertész and Josef Sudek.

Josef Sudek with Camera

From my readings, he was a very humble man, not one for greatness or acclaim.

But how many one armed photographer’s can you name from the 20th century? I know of only one: Josef Sudek, The Poet of Prague (his nickname).

After reading the wonderful article at “From My Window”: The Late Work of André Kertész and Josef Sudek, I have learned that Josef Sudek lost his right arm and that Andre Kertesz also suffered a horrible arm injury during World War I.

I can only guess at the courage of this WWI amputee who chose photography after his injury and persisted with his artistic vision into a post WWII communist society. Jose Sudek must have been a very special man. (I need to learn more about Andre Kertesz also.)

I grew up in a Photographic Vacuum

Just as a point of interest, I grew up as a child in the 1950’s near Chicago, IL. Singing at our Lutheran church introduced me to the fact I was German-American and that many great composers were German.

But my artistic leanings stopped there. I knew little of great artists and still less of great photographers.

So now, at the age of 60, I find myself studying great photographers and commenting on their work. So I know my artistic limitations, but I also know what I like. And I like Josef Sudek’s photographic work in the context of his life.

The Source of Josef Sudek’s Creativity

At one point in his life, Josef Sudek went to the country farmhouse where he was first taken with his mangled right arm during World War I. A decade or two had passed since his amputation, and he couldn’t find his amputated right arm. He never went out much again in public.

Some of Sudek’s earliest photos were in the hospitals where he recuperated from his amputation.

Perhaps the loss of Josef Sudek’s arm to amputation catalyzed the career of this master photographer: the poet of Prague.

Josef Sudek Photographs on the Internet

As you may come to learn, I am very sensitive to the issues of copyright law. I am torn by my interest in showing you Josef Sudek photographs and the possibility those photographs are copyrighted.

So if you want to see a collection of Josef Sudek photographs, just go to Google Images and do a search for Josef Sudek. You’ll find many photos of the man and his work.

Josef Sudek’s many Photographic Styles

Who am I to judge the style of a photographic master? We all do, whether we are knowledgeable or not.

Initial Style

Some of Sudek’s early photographs were in the hospital wards where he recuperated from his amputation. I’ve also seen some of his early photos of a cathedral under renovation.

I can’t show those photos since I can’t find any that are copyright free.

Simple Closeups of Everyday Utensils

I don’t know what they call this style, but Josef Sudek became very well known for his photos of everyday objects around his house. Here’s an example of a Josef Sudek emulation. It’s a photo on Flickr that was an attempt at a Josef Sudek photograph. It gives you a 2nd hand “taste” of Sudek’s style.

photo credit: jasonr611

Prague Panoramas

Josef Sudek documented his Prague around 1960 with panoramic photos. Here’s one of those photos from a collection of photos at the Servatius blog. You need to click on the photo below to expand it on your display screen and to enjoy it better. Go ahead, click on the Charles Bridge photo.

Josef Sudek – Charles Bridge – 1960

I visited Prague in 1975

In 1975 I traveled most of eastern Europe and did visit Prague in the summer, ever so briefly.

There was a beach resort on the river Vltava, hundreds of people. Apparently, the people don’t like swimming much, but I do.

I spent an hour swimming happily in the Vltava, a few of my American friends joined me.

Later I learned the signs at the river had a word I didn’t understand: Polluted.

So I smile a bit, thinking Josef Sudek might have seen a crazy college student swimming in the polluted Vltava River near the end of his life. That’s as close as I came to ever meeting Josef Sudek, not very close.

Josef Sudek’s Influence on my Photography

His courage…

As amateur photographer’s our courage may be in short supply. Perhaps that’s why so many amateurs photograph landscapes and are satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I photograph landscapes also. But photographing a cricket next to a pond with a telefoto digital lens isn’t the same thing as dragging your mangled body, tripods, and cameras to a panoramic shot in your home town and taking photographs in public in a Commmunist controlled city and country.

Like all amateur photographers, I need to demonstrate more courage in my photography. Whether it’s walking up to a stranger asking to take a photograph or doing portraits of church members. Whatever it is, stretch your courage as a photographer.

I see some of the styles of Josef Sudek. His early photos that seem to be dripping with atmosphere in hospital wards or his street scenes. I don’t think I can photograph everyday objects with anything like his skill.

But I think I can do panoramas. Although I don’t own a wide angle panoramic camera as did Josef Sudek, I do own a flimsy alternative in the form of my Rollei Prego 90 point and shoot camera with a panoramic switch. It’s a nice point and shoot, it’s just not a genuine wide angle panoramic camera. But it will have to do.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today and reading about one of my favorite photographers: Josef Sudek, perhaps Prague’s best photographer.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN – Sample Photos and Problems

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

Before I go into a lengthy description, let me say I’m beginning to like my Yashico Electro 35 GSN more and more. It’s taken a while. In my opinion, the Electro camera normally needs a repair or two and a bit of understanding to take good photos. But I think it can be worth it.

This is a photo of friends on my back porch lit only by candlelight. Handheld, ASA 400 print film, wide open aperture (3 seconds approximately).

Yashica Electro 35 GSN, Friends by Candlelight

If you’re interested in night photography as I am, you might also want to read my Yashica Electro Night Photography blog post.

Before I go much further let me relate a brief story. Last week I took a walk in Chicago around 10 PM taking photos with my Yashica Electro 35 GSN. I developed the photos and liked them a lot. Yesterday evening I wanted to take another evening walk with another camera. And then I realized something.

The only 35mm film camera I had capable of night photography was the Yashica Electro. I could have taken some 90’s point and shoot cameras that can do night work. But the Yashica Electro from 1970 is just a much better night camera in my opinion.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN Prices

That’s what you really want to know, correct?

Today is August 18, 2011 and I just checked eBay for completed listings for the Yashica Electro 35 GSN. This is what I learned.

$9.00 was the lowest for a beat up camera, quality unknown.
$270 was the highest sold price for a pristine complete camera set. As good as the day it was purchased 35-40 years ago.
$40’s. I’d say the bulk of cameras were in the forties (U.S. dollars).

So how did I get one camera for less than $10 and another camera for $30 plus shipping on Craigslist. Actually both cameras came from Craigslist. The $10 camera was in a bundle of 4 cameras from Denver Craigslist. The seller tossed it in with the rest. The $30 Electro came from near Baltimore, the seller said he had re-done the foam seals (well he did, but not terribly well).

If you purchase on eBay, check the seller’s ratings and his/her description. If the camera has been tested (why don’t eBay vendors sell “tested cameras” more) from a reputable seller, it’s worth more money. Ordering an Electro GSN from Craigslist in a distant city seems like a poor idea.

My next Yashica Electro 35 purchase? If I purchase another, it will be a camera I can check out first in my own hands. There’s a lot of things to check out on a Yashica Electro before purchase.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN Technical Details

You can find Yashica Electro 35 GSN write-ups all over the Internet. I first saw a description at Photoethnography, and certainly value what Ken Rockwell and Yashica Guy have to say about the camera. Their explanations are more thorough, my technical details are more for a novice. Here’s my novice analysis.

Summary: The Yashica Electro 35 GSN is a Japanese rangefinder from the early 1970’s. Heavy, inexpensive to purchase, some people believe it has excellent “glass”. It is aperture preferred when automatic. Set the aperture, it determines the shutter speed. What is so remarkable about the Electro is that it can take photos in very low light with up to a 30 second shutter exposure.

Quirky Technical Details: The shutter has a very long “throw”. You keep pushing the shutter button until it actually takes a photo. Very different than other shutter buttons I have used. The battery is quirky, more on that later. Seals will probably need to be replaced.

Provenance or History

Again, no histories on my two Electros.

I have the Denver and Baltimore cameras. The Denver Yashica Electro GSN was a “throw in” on 3-4 cameras. Perhaps the fall of 2010. The light meter works a bit erratically and I think it needs new foam seals. So I haven’t shot a photo with it yet.

The Baltimore Electro also came from a long distance Craigslist purchase. Most likely fall of 2010. The seller said he had replaced the crumbling seals. He did but it was an amateurish job. The light meter does seem to work.

I think one advantage of garage sales is that you can talk to someone about who owned a camera. Knowing the history of the camera makes it more enjoyable for me.

My Repairs for the Yashica Electro 35 GSN

Let’s talk about the Yashica Electro from Baltimore’s Craigslist.

I received this camera early in my collecting phase. I barely knew what I was doing initially. Now I check out cameras much better than I did initially.

Over time I learned what this camera needed.

Camera seals. As many of you know, the foam inside a camera used to prevent light leakage degrades and crumbles over time. In this Craigslist Yashica Electro, the seller did replace the seals. I did notice that it didn’t close easily and in some cases the plastic foam used for sealing wasn’t cut well to fit certain locations. It wasn’t a great repair job. I wondered, will it hold?
Batteries. The original battery for the Yashica Electro was a mercury battery. They don’t make them anymore. If you want your Electro’s light meter to work, then you need to make your own or visit Yashica Guy for his Yashica Guy Pro Adapter for your camera. I purchased my adapter from Yashica Guy and it works just fine.

After purchasing batteries for this camera I was able to check out its shutter speeds. Remember, it’s aperture priority: set the aperture, the camera sets the shutter speed. And this only works with the correct batteries and/or adapter. The shutter speeds were fine.

So the seller did the light seals and I purchased the Yashica Guy Pro Adapter for the light meter.

My first 24 exposures with the Yashica Electro 35 GSN

My first 24 exposures with the Baltimore Electro 35 weren’t very good. I think many of the photos were taken when it was bright and it overexposed the photos. If I had to guess, I’d say that it was photographer error or a 40 year old light meter.

I suspect many of the photos were taken at wide apertures, which was an old habit of mine. Now I thoughtfully decide on the aperture of each photograph before I take it.

Here’s an overexposed photo from my first roll. A kitchen in daylight caused this overexposure.

Yashica Electro GSN, Overexosure in a Kitchen by daylight

This second photo hints at the capability of the Yashica Electro. It’s not exciting as photos go but it’s taken at dusk on a Chicago street. Seems like the Yashica Electro likes taking photographs in low light.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN, Northwest Highway in Chicago, IL, at Dusk

An Evening Stroll with my Yashica Electro 35 GSN

A few weeks ago, I was at home after sunset thinking about taking a summer evening walk near Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL. Naturally, I thought about taking along a 35mm film camera.

Then I remembered I had never given my Yashica Electro 35 GSN a chance to do what it does well: night photography.

So you can read another blog post about Yashica Electro night photography and learn from my mistakes and successes. The basketball courts were empty at 10 PM this summer night. By the way, it was pretty dark when I took this picture, much darker than it appears.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL – Empty Basketball Courts

Do I like the Yashica Electro 35 GSN?

Some friends you don’t like immediately. You need to get to know them, their strengths and weaknesses. For me, the Yashica Electro has been like that.

But we’re becoming better and better friends.

If taking photos in low light, I think I’ll be reaching for my Yashica Electro 35 GSN more often.

Yashica Electro Night Photography

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

The Yashica Electro is meant for night photography. I think it’s better than even my digital cameras. Here’s volleyball at night in Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL. I know there’s flare in the photo (too wide an aperture?). But my gosh, you can see the cloud in the upper right. Photo taken with ASA 200 color print film at 10 PM.

Yashica Electro GSN, Flare, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL Volleyball Game

I’m excited again about film photography, thanks to my Yashica Electro camera and a discussion on Flickr titled Show off your Yashi night shots. Years ago when I was near penniless in Seattle about 1980 I sat in my taxi cab in downtown Seattle at night with 400 ASA speed film and my Nikon EM camera, hoping that something exciting would happen. I’ve always been fascinated with night photography.

One of the reasons I enjoy film photography more than digital photography are the elements of craft, serendipity, and surprise. Let me explain.

Craft, Serendipity, and Surprise in Film Photography

Digital photography has 2 of these elements: craft and serendipity. But only film photography owns the element of surprise.

Craft in Film Photography

Both film and digital photography have craft as an element. You learn how to use the camera, you read your instruction manuals, you experiment with test rolls in preparation for important shots at a future time.

On my 45 year old Yashica Electro I had to send away for a battery contraption to make the light meter work. I’ve had to do the same thing with my 3 digital cameras (nothing worse than losing battery power) that are a half century newer than my Yashica Electro.

If you’re interested in night photography (somewhere Brassai and Weegee are smiling) you learn more craft in preparation for a night time stroll in Chicago, IL around Kilbourn Park. (Not to disrespect Kilbourn Park, but it hardly occurred to me that some young gangbangers might harm a bald 60 year old guy that looks like a retired cop.)

Craft means carrying your Yashica Electro already screwed to a height adjusted tripod as you walk to, through, and around Kilbourn Park in Chicago, IL. Hand held night photography with a Yashica Electro might be possible braced against a building or pole, but carrying a tripod with the Yashica Electro set at infinity for distance, 1.8 for maximum aperture, and automatic exposure setting is my craft for August 11, 2011 and my nightly stroll.

Serendipity in Film Photography

Again, both film and digital photographers are blessed with or without the element of serendipity.

I had just finished photographing a sidewalk path in Kilbourn Park lit by one park light. I hear the rumble of the Metra trains carrying people to and from downtown Chicago and the northwest suburbs.

I pivot with the tripod, point literally into the darkest part of the park looking eastward to the train tracks, verify shutter and infinity focus are set, and I set the time delay switch.

Then I press the shutter, hoping the train will still be rolling past when the 8 second time delay finishes and the shutter itself goes click.

Then I see it, serendipity. There isn’t one train, but actually two trains going both north and south. And I believe, just as the northbound train was slowly passing, all of its interior lights were on in a greenish glow that I can see even now in my mind, rolling slowly right to left, and northward.

That my friends is photographic serendipity.

Surprise in Film Photography

Film photography owns the element of surprise compared to digital photography. I’m not being a film snob, it’s just what I believe (yes, I do shoot with digital).

But here I am on Thursday morning writing about film serendipity and trains when I have no clue if my northbound train photo of last night will ever come out.

With digital, there are fewer surprises. WYSIWYGK. What you shoot is what you get, kindof. The feedback on your craft and serendipity comes much quicker with digital, a second or less.

With film, every undeveloped cannister of film may yield a surprise.

To paraphrase Forest Gump: “Undeveloped film is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

But the joy in film photography is your ability to envision a photograph before it’s developed. Your craft and your serendipity reduces your element of surprise in your film photography. The better you become at envisioning photos from snap to development is an affirmation of your craft and serendipity.

The only light in this photo came from the train whizzing by with its green interior lights. Although not perfect, this is why I shoot film with old cameras. Here is my Metra Night Train photo from Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL. Preparation met serendipity, and the surprise is this photo.

Chicago Metra at Night

My Love/Hate Affair with my Yashica Electro

The Yashica Electro was one of the first cameras I read about and acquired. Both of my Electros came from Craigslist: one from Denver and one from Baltimore.

I’ve shot two rolls with my Yashica Electro. Neither roll was impressive. But there was something about the overexposed photos and the warmth of the lens that kept calling to me: Try me again, try me again.

I know what I don’t like about the Yashica Electro (at least the one I own).

The light meter is a little flighty, you do need to have it working before you go shooting.
Focusing isn’t fun. Somehow I can’t quite get it to focus. I’d rather set it to infinity for distance and fire away.
And the photos seems overexposed. Was this the battery or an old light meter?

But I know I’m supposed to like a Yashica Electro. Isn’t that what Karen Nakamura said when I first started reading about the Yashica Electro?

So I theoretically loved the Yashica Electro and then disliked it (hate is too strong a word). But then one day I decided it was perhaps the photographer who was at fault, not the Yashica Electro.

These cameras are made for low light photography. Let’s see if the Yashica Electro can actually take a photo in the near darkness of Chicago’s northwest side Kilbourn Park in summertime. It’s a perfect environment for low light photography.

Not too many people but just enough for shots at a distance.
High intensity lights for night baseball games and solitary lights that illuminate sidewalks.
I’ll probably find baseball games, soccer games, basketball games going on long after sundown.

Yashica Electro GSN, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL – Baseball at Night

Yashica Electro GSN, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL - Volleyball at Night

Yashica Electro GSN, Kilbourn Park, Chicago, IL – Soccer at Night

Excited and Disappointed about Night Photography and the Yashica Electro 35 GSN

I began this blog post being excited about the prospects of using a Yashica Electro GSN for what it was designed for: low light photography.

My photos were imperfect, with a few keepers. I’m a little disappointed but undaunted. Obviously some of my night photos have flare (how can I have flare at 10 PM?). What is a Film Camera is about a journey into film photography, with all its successes and problems.

I hope you enjoyed both my successes and mistakes in Yashica Electro 35 GSN night photography.

Uncle Ernie and German Film Cameras

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

This is a short post, nothing fancy.

Only recently did I realize that my earliest memory of a good film camera comes from Uncle Ernie.

Uncle Ernie’s Prize Belongings

When I was younger than 10 years old, perhaps five or seven, we would visit Uncle Ernie and Aunt Claudine somewhere on West Devon in Chicago’s northwest side. This would be the late 1950’s.

I remember a big clock, perhaps a grandfather clock in his house.

And I remember a heavy metal camera.

Uncle Ernie’s Camera

But Ernst allowed me hold the shiny chrome film camera. This was over 50 years ago, what was it?

I seem to be fond of rangefinders. I don’t think Uncle Ernie’s camera was an SLR. He allowed me to hold the camera but I don’t remember it having the shape of an SLR. I remember the camera being very rectangular. The camera I remember was more “shiny metal” than black.

It might have been the Leica. Could Ernst, a young husband and new immigrant from Germany have afforded a Leica? I can only imagine whatever camera he owned was German.

Thanks Uncle Ernie

So one of my earliest memories is holding a beautiful rangefinder camera in the late 1950’s. My parents were into Brownie cameras, not 35mm rangefinders.

As you can tell, my website What is a Film Camera is about many things, camera memories included.

Did Uncle Ernie own a German rangefinder camera, a Leica? Only Aunt Claudine might know. It doesn’t quite matter if they really did own a fine German rangefinder camera. As a young child I remember a shiny chrome/black camera in their house.

Uncle Ernie passed away a few years ago, so all I can do is say thank you to Aunt Claudine for my deeply rooted love of film cameras, especially German cameras: Herzlichen Dank.

Andy Warhol’s Olympus AF-1 Camera

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

There is evidence on the Internet that Andy Warhol used an Olympus AF-1 camera. Although I can find pictures of Andy Warhol using an Olympus AF-1 camera on the Internet, I don’t know who owns those photos so I won’t show them here. But The Shutter Goes Click has a nice article on Andy Warhol and his cameras.

photo credit: Sonietta46
Since I visited an Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, PA with my family, since I do shoot film cameras, because I had read on the Internet that the lens for this camera was very good, I purchased two of them on eBay. $12 plus shipping in the fall of 2010.

For now, I would call purchasing the Olympus AF-1 a minor mistake.

Perhaps Andy Warhol and I would agree: the Olympus AF-1 camera is an average film camera from a great manufacturer, Olympus. I can’t speak for Warhol, I can only speak for myself.

Decent Photo with the Olympus AF-1

Here’s a taste of what an Olympus AF-1 camera can do with ASA 200 speed film. This photo was taken near dusk as shadows covered the alley behind my Chicago, IL bungalow. It may not be exciting, but it’s Chicago.

Olympus AF-1, Alley at Dusk, Chicago, IL

Olympus AF-1 Technical Details

Thinking of purchasing an Olympus AF-1? They also were sold in Europe under the name Infinity.

Clamshell design not made by Mr. Maitaini (Olympus’ greatest designer).
Lens. 35mm, f/2.8. Some people think its a fine lens.
Autofocus. It has a button for this. I’m still not convinced that it worked.
Autoflash. OK, it has autoflash. But my indoor flash pictures looked primitive with this camera. Also, there are no controls for the flash as in later point and shoot Olympus cameras.
Autoexposure. I think the camera did well in this regard. No complaints.
Battery. Purchasing a new battery may cost more than the cost of your camera.

OK, I’ve been a bit negative about this camera. But if you’re photographing landscapes that aren’t too bright, I think the Infinity can do well. The photograph below was taken from inside my Toyota Camry in rush hour traffic on North Milwaukee Ave in Chicago. I think it’s a pretty good demonstration of the accuracy and clarity of this camera on a good day.

Olympus AF-1, Chicago Traffic, N. Milwaukee Avenue

Provenance or History

Sorry, I don’t know where it’s been. As I said before, purchased two of these cameras on eBay for $12 plus shipping.

As I purchased them I was thinking:

Andy Warhol used this camera.
The lens might be great.
It’s cheap.

Sometimes the reasons for my film camera purchases is a little quirky.

Repairs – Olympus AF-1 (Infinity)

No repairs needed.

Luckily I had a spare battery hanging around the house so I didn’t need to buy one.

I think the autofocus on the camera isn’t working but I’m not investing any money to find out why. Just not worth it.

Working in the Garden with my Olympus AF-1 Camera

My test roll was shot driving around, on my lunch hour walk in Mount Prospect, IL, and working in our Chicago bungalow’s backyard. ASA 200 speed color print film from Walgreens.

Olympus AF-1, Rich in the Garden, Chicago IL

Nice features of the Olympus AF-1 camera.

The lens shows promise. There were a few photos on my ASA 200 color film roll that looked quite good. A good lens.
It’s an early Olympus clamshell design. It’s not waterproof, but I could easily take it out during a rainstorm and not worry about it.

Will I use the Olympus AF-1 (Infinity) again?

I don’t think so. I have 20-30 other cameras waiting downstairs for some future testing.

Perhaps what I disliked the most about the Olympus AF-1 is that it was absolutely a point and shoot for me. Even my newer point and shoot cameras (Yashica T4 for example) allow me to adjust my photos in some way and be thoughtful in the act of taking photographs. This camera just doesn’t encourage thoughtful photography, for me.

I wonder what Andy Warhol would say about his Olympus AF-1 camera from decades ago.

Nikkormat FT2, The Africa Camera

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I own two cameras that I will never sell. One camera is a Canon AE-1 and the other camera is a Nikkormat FT2. Paul’s Nikkormat FT2 is shown below. It has a small dent on its 50mm lens, perhaps dropped on safari in Africa.

Nikkormat FT2

Paul’s Africa Nikkormat

The Nikkormat FT2 traveled to Africa in 1975 in the hands of a recent college graduate named Paul. I met him 3 years later, he was the best man at my wedding, and I named my son after him. He died at the age of 50.

Paul’s Nikkormat FT2 went to Africa, was with him when he dined with cannibals one evening over 35 years ago, and was with him when he photographed lions with its telephoto lens. So as you can understand, some film cameras just aren’t meant to be sold.

When Paul passed away I inherited his two cameras and his Africa slides. Cameras and slides sat in the basement for 8 or 9 years in a box. I haven’t found the slides yet. But 9 years after his death, in a digital camera age, I started looking at Paul’s old cameras. That’s how I began collecting, testing, recording camera stories, and yes, also shooting 35mm film.

Nikon FT2, Flowers and Bokeh, Chicago backyard

Nikkormat FT2 – How does it feel?

It’s heavy, darn heavy. And cool to the touch. Perhaps its because it’s part aluminum.

My FT2 has a Nikkor 50mm 1.2 lens on it. Also, I own an 80-200 mm zoom. Together, the camera and lenses weight 3.4 pounds. It has a great solidity to it. Even at slower shutter speeds I don’t feel any camera shake.

Would you carry 3.4 pounds through an African summer just to take photographs?

Nikkormat FT2 Technical Details

As is my custom, I don’t rip quotes from photographer’s blogs. But since Wikipedia has a few nice words about the Nikkormat FT2, I encourage you to visit Wikipedia .

I’m hoping Camerapedia is in the public domain because I’m going to quote an important section from their website regarding how you attach lenses to the FT2 so the light meter works properly. Read this carefully if you own an FT2.

Manual indexing on the FT-2 When attaching a lens it must be set at F/5.6 so the camera’s meter coupling pin will be aligned with the lens’s meter coupling fork(rabbit ears) above F/5.6 then you must rack the aperture ring all the way back and forth so the camera will know the maximum aperture of the lens.

In time as this blog develops, as my skills grow, I hope to become better at explaining technical details for my cameras.

Provenance or History

As described, my friend Paul carried this camera to Africa during the summer of 1975.

Nikkormat FT2 and Zoom Lens

The camera knows where it’s been, I can only tell you a few stories.

The camera photographed a lion on the African plains.
The camera accompanied Paul to visit a local tribe for an evening dinner. After dinner he was given a tour of the village, most likely with his camera on his shoulder. He turned a corner and found some bones on the ground. “What are these bones?”, Paul asked. “Don’t worry, they’re from a local tribe we don’t like.” Cannibals.
There’s a photo of my friend drinking Coca-Cola from a local Coca-Cola stand. (I’m going to find those slides.)

I can’t find the original price for the Nikkormat FT2. But the minimum wage was $2.10 in U.S. dollars. I wonder how long it took a minimum wage college graduate to pay for the camera plus 2 lenses. Long time.

My Repairs for the Nikkormat FT2

I’m happy to report that Paul’s Africa camera needed no repairs at all. I guess that made up for his Canon AE-1 that cost me $200 in repairs for a camera I could probably purchase used for $40.

But as I said, the Nikkormat FT2 required no repairs after waiting over 3 decades for someone to take it out for a stroll. I put a new battery in it and the light meter worked just fine.

Nikkormat FT2 Test Roll

Do inanimate objects have a memory? Perhaps yes, perhaps no.

I found myself walking around Mount Prospect where I work and my Chicago backyard taking photos, wondering if the camera realized it was no longer in Africa. Sure, go ahead and laugh. But perhaps my FT2 was missing a more adventurous stroll.

When taking the photograph below with a zoom lens, I imagined someone photographing a lioness over 35 years ago. This is my lioness.

Nikon FT2, Chicago Lioness on Backporch

Will I use the Nikkormat FT2 Again?

I think so. The camera feels good in my hands and the photos are better than average.

I do know I’ll never sell this camera. Walking with Paul’s Africa camera put me at final peace with his passing 10 years ago at the age of 50.

A Final Note on Paul the Photographer

His last name is his own. Privacy is a good thing.

After Paul finished his Africa trip he raised 250,000 dollars in the late 1970’s in Chicago to start a non-profit taking care of Illinois orphans. His little agency grew and today its one of the biggest in Chicagoland. Last time I checked, his agency had over 25 staff members and an operating budget in the millions.

I met him when I worked as a volunteer for his non-profit.

He became a therapist and later became a psychologist. He preferred the most difficult cases imaginable. He was a tough as nails advocate for the rights and welfare of abused children and teenagers in Chicago, IL USA. He was my best friend.

As I said, I’ll never sell his Nikkormat FT2 camera.

Film cameras under ten dollars

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Richard Kraneis

I own a bunch of film cameras purchased for ten dollars or less. Some that I have tested with film, some that remain untested.

Some people boast on their photography websites about their best camera purchases or “steals”. The cameras listed below aren’t steals. I think you can find these cameras for under ten bucks. I did.

One day I’ll have large write-ups and photos on these cameras. For today, just write-ups.

Nikon FE and Nikon F

Okay, I guess you would call purchasing these two cameras a “steal”, I would not. I told the owner what her Nikon F was worth and that she could sell all her cameras on eBay for much more than I offered. She liked me, trusted me, and wanted a cash offer. I obliged.

Honestly, if I do the math, I purchased each camera for under $10 at a Chicago area garage sale in 2013. It was the best camera sale ever.

I love my silky smooth Nikon FE but haven’t tried my Nikon F yet.

On a Chicago basketball court in mid-summer, the Nikon FE made me feel like a professional photographer, with professional results.

GAF L-ES Aperture Preferred Screw Mount

This camera was a throw-in on an eBay sale. I paid 5 dollars for it.

Here’s my GAF L-ES review.

It’s lovely camera that both feels good and takes good photos. It’s electronic metering goes way beyond the one second advertised and seems to go as long as 10 seconds. I love taking photos at night with long exposures.

Olympus Stylus Epic

You can find articles about this little fixed lens film camera all over the Internet. The camera was designed by a Mr. Yoshihisa Maitani of the Olympus Corporation. The man was a genius.

One website said this camera takes “pin sharp” photos. I’d say it’s true. Although not waterproof, you can toss it into your jacket, go out into a snowstorm, and take a good picture. I especially like it for up close portraits.

In the photo below, I focused on the plant in the foreground hoping to get some great bokeh. I like the bokeh, do you?

I own two of these black beauties. One was a “throw into the box” gift from a Craigslist seller in Arvada, Colorado. The other I purchased at a garage sale or re-sale shop. One was free, the other was 5 dollars.

Agfa Optima II

Superman “finger” required (more on that later).

This camera came to me in a “for repair” bundle from eBay. I purchased 4 cameras for $12. Three of the cameras worked, the 4th did not. So this camera cost me 3 dollars plus shipping (under ten dollars).

Guess the focus zone (am I 3 feet away, 10 feet away, or more). Press the shutter half way down. If you see a green light in the viewfinder, the photo will be properly exposed.

Only one problem, pressing that shutter half way down requires the strength of Superman. And beware of camera shake. This photo was one of my best in 2010. I purposely blocked the sun with a branch, took the shot, and hoped for the best.

Agfa Optima II, Tricky Exposure

But the photos are worth the effort on this 3 dollar special.

Kodak Motormatic 35F

A delightful wind-up camera that takes nice photos. Seriously, you insert the film, and wind up the camera. Shoot, shoot, shoot up to 5 times and the film advances from the wound up spring.

Sounds cheesy and poorly built but its not. Its fun. And the photos have a nice warmth to them. This beautiful photo was taken with a $5 Kodak Motormatic that people thought didn’t work. The odd part is that it was taken in a shopping center, the clouds appearing above a Kinko store.

Kodak Motormatic 35, Clouds at Sunset

This camera came in my 4 cameras for 12 dollar bundle with the Agfa Optima II. I could have purchased a 2nd one of these cameras for $10 in Delevan, WI and passed it by. Wish I had purchased it and its beautiful case.

Canon A35F

Read my article on my wonderful Canon A35F.

I’ve photographed this pond with cameras worth 50 times more than what I paid for my $5 Canon A35F. But none of those cameras took a better photo of this pond I see every day on my lunch hour walk.

Canon A35F, Beautiful Pond

Purchased for 5 dollars at a Chicago garage sale. I call it the Son of Canonet. But you’ll need to read my article for the Canon A35F.

Canon 130u

Purchased from a retired couple in Lindenhurst, IL at their garage sale. Whenever I fish at Jack and Lydia’s Resort in Lake County at Deep Lake, I swing into the suburbs looking at a few cameras.

My mother loved purple flowers. This one’s for you Mom.

: Canon 130u, Purple Flowers

I sometimes think that if I had to carry just one film camera to take a good photograph up close or at a distance, this might be the camera. The sellers of this camera said it took great photos of their trip to Ireland. I shot one test roll of film and loved the results.

Nikon L35AF, Pikaichi (“top notch” in Japanese)

During the summer and fall of 2011 I believe these cameras were looking for me. I ended up purchasing 3 of them. One too many. But when some unsuspecting photography student asks for a nice film camera, I think I’ll give one to him/her.

The photos with this came out very nicely. And, the camera requires manual rewind, which to me is a good thing.

If you want to read a great write-up on the Nikon L35AF, visit Ken Rockwell’s photograhy website. His website is a great photography resource: http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm .

Another great website to visit is Matt Denton’s website. You can visit his write-up on the the Nikon L35AF or Pikaichi (“top notch” in Japanese).

Olympus Infinity Zoom 200

A black chunky film camera that takes nice photos.

Purchased for 2 dollars as I recall at a garage sale in a fancy neighborhood in Chicago, IL called The Villa. Nice people in that neighborhood, nice houses, and nice cameras.

This photo may look ugly to you, but it was taken at night, timed delay, no flash, in my Chicago alley. I think the exposure is great. This is the real Chicago friends.

Black Chunky Olympus, Good, Night Alley Shot

The camera is almost as heavy as a brick, ugly as heck, but takes nice photos. Is ROI a good phrase for a camera? My return on Investment for a $2 camera has been quite good on the Olympus Infinity Zoom 200.

Can you find a good $10 film camera?

Yes you can. Mine have come primarily from garage sales and bundled eBay sales. What’s your favorite film camera for under ten bucks? Leave a comment on this blog so I can write about your camera on what is a film camera.