Tag Archives: camera

An Old Camera Gets a New Life

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Tom (Admin)

Admittedly, I own too many cameras. So when it was time to leave Madagascar, I invited a couple of friends – who happen to be the only other film photographers in Madagascar, as far as I know – to see … Continue reading →

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Vintage Camera Test: the No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

The No. 1A Autographic Junior was made in various versions between 1914 and 1927.  it’s got a beautifully detailed brass and enamel faceplate, a fold-out foot with the Kodak logo, and its name engraved on a brass plate below the … Continue reading →

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Results, #ShittyCameraChallenge, October Edition

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

Back in June, I was excited to post my results in the first Shitty Camera Challenge.  At the time, the results were completely appropriate for the camera I used at the time, and I still lie awake at night wondering … Continue reading →

Posted in Photo Contest | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Camera Review: Ansco B-2 Cadet

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

For reasons known only to them, camera manufacturers have, over the years, felt that “cadet” was a good name for a camera.  There are at least 20 or so cameras (plus an exposure meter and an enlarger) called Cadets, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Found Film, Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Testing the 1937/8 Falcon Model F

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

yes, it came to me with a roll of film inside!  Sadly, I was unable to rescue any images from it. I have no idea why, but I really wanted this old Falcon camera to work well.  Sadly, I would … Continue reading →

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Reviewing my Newest Addition: A Rolleiflex 2.8c

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

One of the most attractive and most iconic vintage cameras ever made, in my opinion, is the Rolleiflex Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) camera. Manufactured from 1929 until (in some form) 2015, the Rolleiflex was one of the longest-running camera models … Continue reading →

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Shooting with the (1949-1959) Kodak Pony 828

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

I finally got around to shooting with a camera I’ve had for quite some time, the Kodak Pony 828, a bakelite camera produced from 1949 to 1959, as a transition between rollfilm and 35mm film. I have actually owned two … Continue reading →

Posted in Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Entries in the #ShittyCameraChallenge

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Tom (Admin)

I laughed when I saw the announcement on Twitter: As I am known to use shitty cameras to make shitty pictures, this seemed perfect for me.  I decided this would be a great opportunity to try out this camera I … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Other, Madagascar, Photo Contest, Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

DJI Mavic Pro: First Flight! (Antananarivo, Madagascar)

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Tom (Admin)

Finally, it has arrived! Back in mid-October, I heard that DJI, the company that manufactured the first drone I owned, was releasing a small, foldable drone with an integrated camera.  In other words, one that would allow me to carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerial photography/videography, Gear, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Testing the Aires 35 V

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Tom (Admin)

I found this rangefinder at an estate sale in Virginia.  It’s a heavy, solid camera and it came with a second lens, and despite never having heard of its manufacturer, I decided to add it to my collection.  Being from … Continue reading →

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Testing the Mansfield Skylark

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Tom (Admin)

Funny story about how I ended up with this one. When you bid on high-priced items on eBay, it can be useful to decide the most you intend to pay, and then submit that bid just before bidding closes.  There … Continue reading →

Posted in Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Found Film: Kodak Hawkeye Instamatic II

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Tom (Admin)

I ordered one of these for a few bucks on eBay because it combined two things I like:  old cameras and found film – i.e. an undeveloped 126 cartridge was  still inside the camera, according to the seller. The Hawkeye … Continue reading →

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Camera Test: No. 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, R.R. Lens Type

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Tom (Admin)

Remember the No. 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, R.R. Lens Type?  With such a distinctive name, who could forget it? Not like the cameras nowadays – all DSC-something-cybersomething-shot-pix – they all blur together.  Naming conventions were different in the early 1900s. … Continue reading →

Posted in Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Vintage Camera Test: Franka Werke Bonafix

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Tom (Admin)

A few months ago I picked up this Franka Werke camera for “next to nothing” (20 bucks or so) that appeared from the photos to be in near-mint condition.  When it arrived, it looked like it had been stored in … Continue reading →

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Testing the Agfa Silette Rapid F

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Tom (Admin)

When I’m considering vintage cameras for purchase, I specifically look for cameras that still appear to work, and for which film can still be acquired somehow.  Then, periodically, I grab a couple and test them out.  This week, it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in India, Tips and Tricks, Vintage cameras | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Two Towers, Two Cameras, Two Views on Photography

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Tom (Admin)

Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers make interesting photographic subjects – not because they are the tallest twin buildings in the world, but because of their shape and the textures and patterns on the outside of the building.  At night, they are lit … Continue reading →

Posted in Malaysia, Photography, general, Random Thoughts, Observations and Weird Stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Six-16 Brownie Special with Found Film?

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Tom (Admin)

I’ve mentioned it before, and I still can’t tell you why:  I like taking old rolls of film I come across, and getting them developed to see what secrets they hold.  It costs much more than modern film, and probably … Continue reading →

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Vintage Cameras: Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 35

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Tom (Admin)

I was reminded today that I have a long way to go in building my vintage camera collection – the world record holder, who lives nearby in Mumbai, has a collection of 4,425.  At least, he did when this article … Continue reading →

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Underwater Videography

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Tom (Admin)

Last Christmas, I ordered my daughter a last-minute Christmas gift, paying for “guaranteed” delivery by Christmas.  It was a waterproof cover for her Flip HD camera – and the timing was important because we were headed to Hurghada, Egypt, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Random Thoughts, Observations and Weird Stuff, Video Editing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Easy Flip Camera Lens Repair

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Tom (Admin)

In case anyone other than me has cracked the lens of their Flip camera (or one of its close cousins – it would probably work for them as well) here’s how I fixed mine after it had an unfortunate encounter … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments