KIEV 60 SLR Images

I was going through some old scans recently and came across these images I took with a Kiev 60 medium format SLR. Produced by the Arsenal factory in the Ukraine Republic since the early eighties its basic design was based on the classic Pentagon Six and shares several of the same features and can utilize the same lenses and accessories.  The lens is an 80mm Volna-3.  I have no idea what settings I used at the time, although by the look of the depth of focus it was probably around 2.8.  If I remember correctly I was using a single B800 AlienBee studio light at camera right.  The 6x6cm negative was scanned and toned in Photoshop Lightroom.  If you want a boat anchor that provides pretty good results on 120 roll film, the Kiev 60 (with all of its quirks) is perfect.

Kiev 60 SLR

Camera: A History of Photography, Coffee Table Book A Must Have

I’ve always been a fan of big coffee table books, but I can’t recall ever reading one from cover to cover…until now.  “Camera” from Todd Gustavson made the effort easy to accomplish.  Gustavson is the Curator of Technology at the Eastman House in Rochester, N.T., and he has put together a history of machines that have captured moments in time.  With over 350 color images and illustrations the book starts with a camera obscura from 1820 and completes with the digital Leica M8. 

I knew I was in for a treat when the first full page photo was of a Kodak No. 1 Brownie box camera owned by Ansel Adams.  The camera collector in me was thrilled.   I’ve got a No. 2 Brownie that still works.  It blows my mind that I can still take decent shots on 120 roll film with this little box camera that is over 100 years old.  Amazing.  While I love my Canon EOS 7D, I doubt it will be capturing 18MP images after a century. 

Some of the first images in the book are from Niepce, Daguerre and Talbot; names synonymous with the birth of modern photography.  The quality and clarity of the Daguerreotype images displayed in the book are a testament to this capture process.   Some of the most interesting sections cover the oddities in camera development such as the Photo-Revolver de Poche.  In 1882 the interesting idea was conceived to create a camera that looked like a handgun.  It operated like a pistol too with ten 20x20mm dry plates loaded into the cartridge and a 70mm f10 lens in the nickel-plated brass barrel.  There was no viewfinder, but as expected it did have a front sight on top of the barrel to assist with drawing a bead on your target.

This book is a must have for any camera collector or enthusiast with hundreds of cameras spanning almost two hundred years, plus historic photos, drawings, ads and plenty of informative captions and text.  Best of all it won’t damage the wallet.  

Camera: A History of Photography from Daguerreotype to Digital

Nature Says Cheese - Photography Event, August 21, 2010 - Phoenix, AZ

Upcoming Photography Event in Phoenix, Arizona

NATURE SAYS CHEESE-BE A WILDLIFE PAPARAZZI

Date: Sat August 21, 2010

Time: 1:00 PM

Venue: Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, Phoenix, AZ

Photographer Joel Pearson will tell you a story ........with his camera. As he hikes through the Phoenix Mountain Preserves, he is able to find and capture the small wonders of the animal world. From the Hummingbird pestering the Great Horned Owl, to the camera shy Gila Monster, you will hear about Joel's adventures as he takes you on a virtual hike using his amazing photographs. Learn basic photography techniques as he "lens" you a hand in finding, framing, and setting up the perfect picture. The first step to achieving great photos is figuring out what all of those extra buttons and settings do on your camera. Bring your digital, SLR, or point and shoot camera so the experts from Foto Forum can "focus" your attention to your camera to help you achieve the best photo possible. This class will take place at South Mountain Environmental Education Center, 10409 S. Central Ave

Venue:
Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
Address: 3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85040
Website: http://az.audubon.org/Center_RioSalado.html
Phone: (602) 468-6470

Sultans of Sand Photography Event September 1, 2010 - Scottsdale, AZ

Upcoming Photography Event in Scottsdale, Arizona

THE SULTANS OF SAND

Date: Wed September 01, 2010 • Other dates

Time: 11:00 AM

Venue: Method Art Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

Website: http://www.methodart.com/

Los Angeles-based photographer Jonathan Brandstein brings The Sultans of Sand to the Method Art Gallery from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, with an artists reception Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. During the reception 10% of the proceeds from sales will go to the nonprofit Arizona Consortium of the Arts. These series of photos are the result of those trips to Africa. They chronicle the Tuareg musical group Tinawaren as well as the nomadic life of Tuaregs in the Saharan desert.

Venue:

Method Art Gallery

Address: 4142 N Marshall way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251

Website: http://www.methodart.com/

Phone: (480) 423-0888

PX100 and PX600 Instant Films For Classic Polaroid Cameras

Have a classic Polaroid SX-70 or 600 instant camera?  The Impossible Project is now providing an update to an old friend.  Their PX100 and PX600 instant monochrome film allows those of us who own these cameras to blow the dust off and take ‘em for a spin again.   Below are links to the official Impossible Project website and samples of the new film on Flickr.

The Impossible Project

PX100 / PX600 Flickr Pages

DYI 120 Roll Film Camera

DIY camera builder Steve Monteau shares his new La Guillotine Camera build guide.  It captures sequential snapshots on 120 roll film.  Below is the link to the Lifehacker.com article.

Build a DYI Camera

Kodak To Release New Large-Format EKTAR Film

Kodak Press Release:

Large-format photographers will now be able to shoot with the world’s finest grain color negative film, as Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced the upcoming availability of its KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 Film in 4x5 and 8x10 sheet formats. EKTAR 100 Film, also available in 35mm and 120 formats, is the ideal choice for commercial photographers and advanced amateurs for applications such as nature, travel, fashion and product photography, where the emphasis is often on color and detail.

Since its introduction in September 2008, the EKTAR 100 family of films has won numerous industry awards, including the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award (2009), Professional Photographers’ Hot One Award (2009, 2010) and American Photo Editor's Choice Award (2009).

“Large-format photographers, such as landscape and fine-art photographers, will love the impact and flexibility that EKTAR 100 brings.  It's the ideal choice for creating high magnification enlargements for commercial display, while preserving even the finest detail,” said Steven Decker, general manager of Film Capture and Paper and Output Systems in Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group.  “Introducing EKTAR 100 Film in 4x5 and 8x10 further continues our commitment to providing photographers with high quality, relevant films that support a broad segment of the market.”

EKTAR 100 Film features high saturation and ultra-vivid color, incorporating KODAK VISION Motion Picture Film technology to achieve its unparalleled fine grain.  It is ideal for photographers who want the superior resolution of large-format film and look for extraordinary enlargement capability when scanning and printing.  Also, EKTAR 100 illustrates Kodak’s ability to continually innovate by leveraging assets, technologies and expertise across the company to bring the best products to market.

The new KODAK EKTAR Film in 4x5 and 8x10 sheets formats will be available worldwide beginning in April 2010.

FujiFilm To Announce New Instax Cameras

Polaroid isn’t the only company trying to keep instant film alive.  Below is a recent press release from FujiFilm.

FUJIFILM North America Corporation has announced it will showcase its most recent instant camera models during PMA 2010 – the commercial grade Instax 210, and two consumer models – the newest addition to the Instax family, the Instax Mini 25 and the Instax Mini 7S which was introduced last fall. Fujifilm has been producing instant films in Japan since the late 1980’s and by 2003 was introducing branded peel-apart type instant films to the United States. In November 2008, the company introduced its first instant camera, the Instax 200 to the U.S. market.

“The response to Fujifilm’s instant cameras and films in the United States has been excellent because they not only fill a need but also produce the exceptional quality photographers have come to expect of Fujifilm products”, said Kayce Baker, director of trade marketing, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Consumer interest in the Instax Mini 7S was very strong during the holidays. As a result of its popularity we are now able to offer U.S. consumers our newest model, the Instax Mini 25. There is still a need for instant film in professional and commercial markets. For consumers, the Instax Mini provides a nostalgic experience for some, and a whole new photo experience to those who grew up on digital.”

Instax 210 Instant Film Camera 
Successor of the Instax 200, Fujifilm’s newest commercial grade instant camera, the Instax 210 uses Fujifilm’s Instax Wide Instant Color Film to produce vivid images in a wide picture format. The Instax 210 also offers an automatic adjusting flash, high-resolution retracting lens, a new close-up lens adapter and a big clear viewfinder. With a high precision Fujinon lens, the Instax 210 has a programmed electronic shutter, two range selectable shooting options, and an LCD control panel displaying focal distance and film count. The Instax 210 instant camera is sleek black and sports a rounded shape, easy-to-hold side grip, and finger controllable composite control panel. The Instax 210 camera and film provide a high quality instant film solution for a variety of commercial applications including: law enforcement, health care, fashion, and event marketing.

Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera 
Fujifilm’s newest consumer model, the stylish Instax Mini 25 produces vivid credit-card sized instant prints using Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film. In addition, this instant camera boasts added features such as an LCD film count and shooting mode display as well as a camera mounted shooting mirror for taking self portraits. The Instax Mini 25 also includes a built-in automatic electronic flash for low-light shooting, a detachable close-up shooting lens and three exposure modes – auto mode for dark settings, fill in flash mode for auto flash on bright or dark areas, and landscape mode. The programmed electronic shutter has two release buttons for vertical and horizontal shooting. Available in white.

Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Camera 
Also for consumers, the Instax Mini 7S is an instant film solution equipped with high end Fujinon optics and four selectable shooting modes. With its silken white finish and cute design the Instax Mini is a sleek looking camera that produces high-quality, credit-card sized instant prints using Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film.

Instax Instant Color Films are ISO 800 films that produce sharp clear reproduction for vivid color, natural skin tones and super fine grain instant prints. Instax Wide Format Film has an image size of 3.90” x 2.44”. Instax Mini Film is 2”x3” while the image area is 1.8” x 2.4”.

Fujifilm’s line-up of Instax instant cameras and instant films have been enjoying success in Asia and Europe for years, which has helped generate a loyal following in the United States, particularly over the last year. The continued introduction of instant film products in to the U.S. market is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the culture of photography.

Availability:
  Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera will be available in Q2 2010. The Instax 210 and Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Cameras are now available.

New Polaroid One-Step On The Way?

The next generation of Polaroid cameras was apparently displayed at the 2010 CES back in January.  The available photos of the new, instant-film camera, called PIC-1000 show off its retro style including a metallic plastic finish and woodgrain.  The new model has a self-timer, flash and even red-eye reduction.  It will be interesting to see just how serious they are considering pricing and a release date have yet to be announced.

FujiFilm Announces New GF670 Film Camera

In the category of “Didn’t See That Coming” the FujiFilm announced the GF670 Professional medium format folding camera. The foldable camera resembles the classic shooters of old and features 6×6 and 6×7 dual-format shooting for use with120 and 220 roll film. It features a Fujinon EBC 80 mm lens, coupled rangefinder, exposure compensator, and aperture-priority automatic and manual exposure modes.

But why this camera, now? "There is a segment of studio, portrait, and landscape photographers who find that medium-format film is the perfect solution for their businesses because of the unique look that film offers as well as the ability to produce high-resolution photos in very large sizes" said a Fujifilm spokesperson. "Many photographers still have a passion for the art of traditional film photography."

The GF670 Professional includes exposure counter display, an ISO setting dial, manual film advancement and offers -2/+2 exposure compensation. There is a a hot shoe flash mount and a PC sync socket. The camera is expected to be available in Q2 2010 at a cost of $2199. At that price you better still love film.