Cameras & Coffee

Some random thoughts today…

BATTERIES—I have been using film cameras on and off since around 1974. My first camera was a Kodak Retina IIc which was a mechanical rangefinder with no on-board light meter. It did not need batteries. My second camera was a 1971 vintage Canon FTb which used a 1.35 volt 625-type mercury cell. Almost every camera I have owned since used some sort of battery. I mention this today because I am amused when I read social media posts from people who recommend fully mechanical cameras over ones with batteries because “you don’t need to worry if you are out in the field about your camera’s batteries dying.” In nearly 50 years of film photography, I have never had a battery die while out shooting. Now, I am not a professional photographer whose livelihood depends on my camera working nor do I shoot pictures when it is below zero out. But I have shot a lot of film in a lot of different cameras with batteries and have never had an issue. Watch, this weekend I’ll have one.

EBAY—I have been buying and selling on eBay since 2004. Lately, there seems to be a rash of people who bid on an item, win it and then don’t pay. I understand if every once in a while someone bids on an item and then changes their mind about the purchase. But this is happening more and more and bidders never even respond to messages asking why. What’s up?

KENTMERE 100—Film prices keep going up. And my favorite emulsions always seem to be out-of-stock when I go to buy them. A few of my photographer friends have had good success with Kentmere PAN 100 film from Ilford, so I bought a few rolls. Price was $6.41/roll from B&H Photo. That’s not bad. Will be sharing results soon. It would be nice to have a go-to 100 speed black and white film that is reasonably priced.

Image courtesy of The Leica Store San Francisco

LEICA M6—Leica just released a new film camera, the M6. Well, actually, it is a re-release of an iconic camera from 1984. I owned the previous version of this camera, the M6 TTL for about a year. I bought mine from the Leica Store in San Francisco. I sold it to try a digital Leica M8. I deeply regret selling my M6. I made some of my best images with that Leica. Price for the new M6, less lens, is over $5,000. Needless to say, I will not be buying one anytime soon. Here are some shots I took with my M6 and a 35mm Summicron lens.

This was my M6. Yes, deep regret.

DOWN THE ROAD—I’ve made some really good virtual photography friends since I got back into film photography in 2010. One of the first film photography blogs I discovered was Jim Grey’s Down The Road. Jim writes about old cameras, forgotten stretches of highway and the life lessons he’s learned while exploring his passions. Jim’s blog, which he started 16 years ago, inspired me to start this one. If you haven’t already, you should go check it out.