I love photography. Maybe it’s because I’ve dated a photographer for nearly a decade. But I’d like to think that I have my own photography skills, however minimal they might be!
As much as the digital camera world has it’s benefits, something has always drawn me to film photography. The first camera I can remember having was an old Kodak with 110 film. They looked something like a smaller VHS tape, if we can even remember what those look like. Then I spent a lot of time with different film and digital point and shoots, until I took a black and white film class in high school. I was hooked.
Maybe even more than photography, I love being in a darkroom. I seriously doubt there is anything more magical than slipping a piece of paper into the developer tray, rocking it back and forth until an image appears. Or more frustrating than when the paper immediately turns jet black, a sure sign of a mistake.
Anyway, I’ve toyed with different cameras ever since. Ever since a college course I took, I’ve dreamed of owning a large format model. For those who don’t know cameras, think the great big cameras in movies where the photographer has to put a cloth over their head. I quickly gave up on these as they are atrociously expensive.
For some reason, medium format had never really dawned on me as an option. Until New York, that is. One of B’s rules was that we had to visit B&H Photo Video, one of the world’s largest camera retailers. And there on a shelf, I saw my first Rolleiflex in person. It was beautiful.
Of course, it was also several thousand dollars. Massively slightly defeated, I turned to that ever- ready reasouce of amazing deals: eBay. And after weeks of watching for the perfect one, I finally won the bid on this:
Ok, well it doens’t look so awesome in its case, although you do have to admire the quality of the beautiful leather! Let’s try this:
I don’t care if you have no interest in cameras- the beauty of this thing must be admitted. Exclaimed. Shouted from the rooftops. Ok, maybe I’m going a bit far…
Not only did I get the camera for a steal, but the seller included the leather case, four filters, a lens hood, and a few other gizmos. A complete steal for a camera in this good of condition.
Looking through the viewfinder- a view of the herbs growing on my balcony!
Now, I meant to do this post a long time ago, but since time got away from me, you all get an extra bonus! I picked up my first ever roll of film shot on my Rollei this afternoon, and here are some results:
Baby ducks with mom at the pond. The Rollei shoots 120 film, so the photos actually come out square.
Chicago. I took this one out the window of an apartment I’m doing some side work at. Not the best Chicago view, but I was having fun playing around.
And finally, B. He was all dressed up to go shoot a wedding. As the professional photographer in our relationship, he gets to spend a lot more time with cameras than I do!
So that’s my new TIL! Be warned, there will be many more pics to come. I’m trying to work out some sort of regular post with how the my world is seen through the Rollei, but I haven’t quite got it down yet.
Do any of you collect and or use vintage cameras?
I'm not a camera person, as in I know nothing about them. But I have always been interested in photography, though I know nothing about that either. I have been wanting to take a class, but it's rather expensive, so that stops me, at least for now. I love looking at great photos. I often check out "coffee table" books from my library and just stare at the photos. I love nature/landscape scenes. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things you photograph!
That's really cool! I've been digital for so long, I'd almost forgotten about the Yashica-D I have in my closet. It was such a fun camera to use. I might have to source out some 120 film and get it back into circulation.
OMG IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! "I will love him and hug him and pet him" and…take pictures!!!! Your pics are stunning, PLEASE post more!!
That thing is just absolutely freaking incredible, I'm so happy you finally got it and started using it 😀
@terriknits *GASP* FORGET about the Yashica???? does. not. compute.
@Kanalt- totally take a class! Even if you don't have any idea what you're doing, it's so much fun.
@terriknits- Get it out!!! Not sure where you are located, but I've found 120 at quite a few non-Walgreens type camera shops. Quite affordable too.
@Rori- Haha! Don't worry, there will be plenty more photos! I just got three more rolls of 120 🙂
I had a Kodak 110! And a Polaroid, assorted 35MM point and shoots, and one of those crazy Disc cameras (what a mess that was!. Lovely camera and even more beautiful pictures. Yay!
I took a photography AS level last year and that was the first time I had ever used a film camera aside from the disposable ones (I'm 17). From then on I have been hooked! I love photography, my DSLR is a Canon EOS 550D, but I also NEEDED to buy myself a film camera (or 2)… I have a Canon EOS 650 (the first EVER EOS camera) and a Minolta X300, both 35mm film cameras which are lovely to use.
I printed all my own photos whilst I had access to the school with a darkroom, but since I finished there I haven't been able to do any developing/printing myself 🙁 I miss the magic of the darkroom! I just hope that in 10-15 years' time (when I have a house of my own) it is still possible to buy darkroom equipment! Long live B+W photography! 😀
@Adamski- I'm glad you are loving film! I too miss the darkroom; I haven't been able to use one since college. I do have a full set up in storage, but I've been moving too much to set it up. I'm hoping to convince the bf to let me put it in the spare bathroom of our apartment!
I'd love to see some of your work- do you have a blog or flickr?
Thanks for your kind words on my blog :] I do have a flickr, but it's a real mess at the minute and doesn't have much on there; feel free to check it out though! http://www.flickr.com/photos/44327639@N02/sets/72157627230604014/with/4074601527/
…and I'm sure your boyfriend won't need much convincing if he is a photographer himself! 😀
Oh, I'm sure I'd be able to convince him, we just haven't had the time! I'll definitely check out your flickr when I have a second though 🙂