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I bought a couple of old Zeiss Ikon folding cameras from ebay, a 6x6 and a 6x9. They are from the 1950s and so have coated lenses, but are otherwise quite simil
by fallinditch 2y ago
I bought a couple of old Zeiss Ikon folding cameras from ebay, a 6x6 and a 6x9. They are from the 1950s and so have coated lenses, but are otherwise quite similar to the 1930s models. Both cameras are still in perfect working condition, accurate shutter speeds.
It's such a pleasure to use them: compact form factor, requires deliberation, they smell good too :)
The aesthetic quality of the images they produce is well worth the effort - pretty sharp when you need it but soft around the edges when aperture is wide open which can look lovely, nice color rendition, amazing bokeh.
I take a lot of digital photos but for me using vintage cameras is so much more rewarding.
- fallinditch 2y agoAnd I love the happy accidents that happen when you process your own films. I recently processed a box of old films I had been storing at room temperature for >15 years. Got some beautiful effects from the expired emulsions. Best (wackiest) results came from cross processing the old Velvia 50 medium format films.
- etrautmann 2y agoCan you elaborate on cross processing and what effect it has?
- quercusa 2y agoIt's usually processing in something other than the native chemistry (e.g., E6 in C41) https://thedarkroom.com/cross-processing-film/ https://thedarkroom.com/cross-processing-film/
- fallinditch 2y agoYes. I used the Cinestill CS41 color developing kit, which is for color negative films. The Velvia films are (positive) slide. You get somewhat unpredictable color shifts, generally increased contrast. The age of the films added to the unpredictability because the emulsions change over time and there may have been some light leaking too. Velvia is known for its strong colors and I was very impressed with how colorful the films were after all that time. Their longevity is probably why they still cost about $90-100 for a 5 pack of expired 120s. Here's an example image https://imgur.com/a/nQ0ltav https://imgur.com/a/nQ0ltav
- quercusa 2y agoVery cool. I loved Velvia...