Apols for the lack of posts, but it's all for a good cause, I've been out taking pics for the Nat Parks project, rearranging the camera cupboard, and doing some research. New cam post up soon :)
https://filmphotographystore.com/products/copy-of-35mm-bw-film-eastman-kodak-5302-fine-grain
Posted: 23/09/2023 - Updated: 23/09/2023
Summary
My second camera, which I used a lot for quite a few years….and still works :)
Year of release
1981 – the year Ronald Reagan and the Pope were shot (not at the same time), NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia, IBM launched the first microcomputer, Prince (now King) Charles married Lady Diana Spencer … and I was happily coding on my VIC-20, snapping pictures with the Kodak Instamatic 155X – until the Cylon appeared!
The picture doesn’t do it justice!
Specs:
|
Film or Pixels |
35mm – which was for me a step up from 126 |
|
Auto or Manual |
Auto – pretty much everything |
|
Lens / Aperture |
A lovely Olympus D Zuiko 38mm f/2.8 |
|
Shutter Speed |
Auto – no manual control (apart from messing with ISO speeds – more ISO equals under exposure, less ISO equals more exposure +/- I’ll do a post on it) |
|
Self Timer |
Nope |
|
Viewfinder |
Quite small, but does the job – viewfinders are overrated anyway – no diopter |
|
Film Advance |
Manual with a lovely film winding lever, single throw |
|
Film Retract |
Manual rewinding with a top windy-spinny thing (you can see in the picture) |
|
ISO / ASA |
25 to 400 – manually set |
|
Flash |
Yes, with a switch at the front – which I used to be able to hear charge the capacitor but either it doesn’t (but the flash still works, even though the indicator light doesn’t light up – and I can’t hear the capacitor charging, but that could be me and my failing hearing - or the constant tinnitus just masks it) |
|
Power / Battery |
AA x 2 |
|
Weatherproof |
no |
|
Dimensions |
127 x 90 x 65mm |
|
Weight |
382 g - 438g with batteries |
Lens
It’s a lovely lens, but the knobbly bit around the front is just for show, it doesn’t do anything apart from something to hold – but with a lens that small, why would you?
Viewfinder
No diopter adjust. Square in the middle to indicate the focal point, frame marks around the edges, big bright red LED for underexposure warning – but you can still take a shot – it doesn’t shot-block you.
Pros
It’s a lovely camera to just point and shoot, and I used for many many years
Cons
lack of controls, and is quite large for a P&S, otherwise awesome
Rating
It’s good, and I still love using it – Pixels and Megapixels date, film never does – it’s always 35mm
Film or Pixels / Storage
35mm film – which you can still get
Ergonomics
it’s big and chunky
Buttons and Controls:
|
Top |
Film advance lever, shutter release with a remote screw fitting (no self timer) and the film rewind windy-spinny thing – and a big bright light for the flash when charged |
|
Bottom |
Film release to rewind, battery cover/slot – which is really
hard to open, |
|
Front |
Switch to summon the flash – I waited but The Flash didn’t
appear :( |
|
Sides |
Camera strap lugs |
|
Back |
Lever to open the back |
Ease of use
Really easy – point and click (notwithstanding the blinding red light!)
Image Quality
Quite good – I got some nice pics over the years with this
Image Samples
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Final thoughts
I really like this camera, used it a lot
Video
it doesn’t do video, unless you consider 36 frames of click-wind to be video
Shutter Sound
Really nice – but you need batteries – no manual override – I’ll make a recording.
Perhaps on a quest one need to know what the purpose is, the constraints, the terms, the goal.
So, What is the perfect camera?
My answer to that is what I commonly answer when asked to provide a specific response to a general question (or a general response to a specific question)...
it depends ;)
The perfect camera...it depends.
the perfect ... landscape camera. sports camera. social camera. travel camera. etc. etc. etc.
it all depends on the purpose.
But, in general;
there's probably more, so I'll come back to this and add to it as I think of it
last updated: 21/9/2023
I'll start with my first camera, the venerable 1971 Kodak Instamatic 155X.
It uses 126 film cartridges (Thankfully I have a few left, which I will use and post).
It has a 43mm f/11 lens, either 1/40sec or 1/80sec.
It's small and chunky, but oh so much fun to use.
It's not weatherproof, and uses Magicube Flash Bulbs in the slot on the top.
I used to womble around the neighbourhood when I was a kid, taking pictures.
I also took it on our annual holidays.
The first post ... is usually the worst?
When starting out on anything, just taking that first step can cause most people to pause. Sometimes the first pause can be neverending.
Sometimes you never start.
Sometimes you do start, but don't continue.
We will see where this one goes :)
Anyway, this is (hopefully) the start of me documenting my journey, quest, to find the perfect camera, and then take the perfect photo ... not that there is going to ever be the perfect camera, or the perfect photo. Hence, the quest.
For now, I'll put up one which (whilst not a winning entry) was shortlisted for Photographer of the Year 2022 by Australian Photography, and received a commendation :)
 |
Sony A6000 with Sigma 16mm f/1.4, 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 160. |
The following images are from the Quest for the Perfect Photo Book - these are the colour versions (the book had to be monochrome to keep t...
