I took some cyanotype coated paper to the beach and made photograms using found objects. The images were developed in the lake water and dried hanging in the trees.
Cyanotypes on the Beach
Back to the Start
The Asahi Pentax SP1000 was my first camera. I bought it in England in 1975 and used it extensively for a number of years. Later when I upgraded to an Olympus OM1, I foolishly lent the Pentax to a friend and never got it back.
I recently found one in good condition online and couldn’t resist it. It is just as I remembered it – built like a tank and with a very satisfying thunk when the shutter is pressed. Although it doesn’t require a battery to operate, I was pleasantly surprised that the meter works with a new battery.
Shot a couple of rolls of Rollei RPX 100 and was very happy this the results. Not bad for a 46 year old camera.
Winter Walk
Afghan Box Camera Update
Worked this week on the film holder and focus mechanism. I found this surprisingly hard to build and tested multiple designs before settling on this one.
The biggest challenge was getting the focus/film holder to slide smoothly and evenly on the rails. Next up – the rear door, arm hole and lid.
Kamra-E-Faoree (Afghan Box Camera)
As a project this year, I am attempting to make a Kamra-E-Faoree, also known as the Afghan box camera. There is a lot of information and great example of images taken with this type of camera in Lukas Birk’s book “Box Camera Now“
Here is what I have constructed so far:
I have constructed the body, the focusing screen/film holder and the internal supports for film holder and focus rod. I will use a 135mm f4.7 Graphlex Optar lens on the camera. I mounted the lens and it projects a nice image on the ground glass that I made out of an acrylic sheet. I have made it so the film holder can be rotated so both horizontal and vertical pictures can be taken.
Next I will be making the rear door, the arm hole and the lid.
Here are some videos that show the camera in operation and the construction steps
Winter Pinhole
Yashica Mat
I had been thinking about starting to take more lens based photographs and came across a Yashica Mat TLR. Based on the serial number it was made in the early part of 1969. It is in good condition for it’s age and everything works as it should. I have always found the square format appealing and look forward to using the camera. Here are some images from the first roll.
Tri Colour Gum Bichromate
I have been making tri colour gum prints lately. These are from a series titled “Small Stories” and are digital pinhole photographs.
Arista Litho Film
I have been shooting Arista Ortho Litho Film 3.0 in my Zero Image 45 pinhole camera. I had been developing in Dektol 1:30 but found the contrast to be a little high. This time I exposed at an ISO of 3 and developed for 3 minutes in Dektol 1:10 with added Potassium Bromide as a restrainer. The images could have used more exposure but overall I am pleased with the results.
Thingyfy Pinhole Pro S
I purchased the Thingyfy pinhole lens for my Micro 4/3 camera. Nice all metal build quality. With a focal length of 11mm and an aperture of f74 it has a very wide angle of view.
