It all started with a digital camera, and a will to learn photo shop. I started with the photo editing software due to a course or two I took in college. And later after all of that, was gifted a 5.1 mega pixel fujifilm camera. Not bad to start out with.
I took random pictures of me and friends for social networking sites. And pictures from parties and what not. After deciding what to upgrade to I had an epiphany. I told myself, "Do I really want to spend hundreds on a new digital camera? Like an SLR?" And after a literal 10 minute silent debate, I decided against that route.
Really, all I wanted was to roll backwards. I didn't need, nor wanted a new $500 + dollar camera. Not practical to learn on. I scoured the net for my choice.
Ebay allowed me to find a camera for cheap and with what I needed. I found a 1967 Vintage Russian Zenit E camera with a Helios lens. And I got it for the right price. But for a price. It was cool looking, weighed about 2.5 pounds, and was all manual. Negative part about this new piece of equipment was finding a manual in English and did it even work?
It worked. But the manual shutter setting didn't. I was hoping to learn about the basics of photography with it. Blurry images and all. But with the manual setting not working I got turned off. I makes me mad now this camera is sitting here collecting dust when its still operational. I shot a handful of 35mm rolls in it. With mixed results. Some settings worked some did not. To say the least its for sale now. Parts or working as is.
Back to the interwebs. I found some cameras actually on accident. I did not remember the name, but I eventually found them again after many days of searching. Essentially. What I was looking for was a cheap, 35mm camera with little or no bullshit involved. And I found it.
These cheap cameras were from a company from China called Holga. They are completely plastic and labeled as Toy Cameras by the manufacture. Funny thing is, I was interested without ever seeing a single photograph. As the features were simple and to the point. And I wouldn't be afraid to carry it with me wherever I went.
I ordered a Holga 135PC pinhole. And at first I was not surprised. Until I learned how the thing worked and how it took to the film it was a disaster. With no experience what so ever, It felt like I dove into the deep end with water wing's on. Eventually, and after a cable release and a tripod were added to the collection, the camera paid off itself with the first roll that came out.
Blurry and dreamy. Ghostly and scary at times too. It is the true basic basic basic in photography. Relying on nothing but LITERALLY a pinhole and a spring, it takes everything as it sees it.
Come to find out after some research this company has quite a following. Most real "photographers" look at these toys as exactly that. Toys. Random firing cannons of the camera world. You just cant control them. Although. You can try to. They do as they wish. Against everything you were taught in your classes you took. You have to let loose and let the camera do what it does. Its translating what you see, and interprets it with a surreal dream state look and feel.
I still even as I post this ruin rolls of film on a regular basis. I did this week as a matter of fact. I am still learning. And I wont claim I know everything about cameras or even the ones I have. But I will tell you what I know, and how they treat me and what I see in this world.
Current cameras I own:
- Zenit E
- Holga 135PC
- Holga 135BC
- Holga 120N
- Fujifilm finepix 5.1 MP
- Canon EOS Rebel G
- Kinetic (No name or number, plastic)
I obtained the Kinetic last night from my dad. Got it at a rummage sale for $3.00. Tomorrow I plan on getting some things for a mod. Ill post pictures after I get them processed. This is the closest thing I could get to what it resembles.
It is not the time edition though. Same exact camera. Same "auto focus" lens. Looks and feels even more cheap than the Holga's, and that turns me off. But, on the upside, I wont mind screwing with it experimenting. All that is starting tomorrow.
After I had the pinhole camera for a bit, and successfully managed to shoot a few rolls through it black and white & color. I obtained more and more from Holga as you can see with my list so far. The Rebel was a gift from my mother, who is ashamed I haven't even used it yet.
When the truth is I just feel like I want to work slow from the less expensive and less complicated up. Its a beast compared to my other cameras. And a ton more expensive. Lately the Holga 135BC has been my work horse camera. I take it with me everywhere all the time. And I have been taping up the back to try and dampen the light leak problem I seem to have with my plastic door.
I will elaborate on that at another time. When I come back Ill post more about the mods Im thinking about. Hint: It involves rubber washers. And the picture I took at the top of this entry is taken with 200 ISO Kodak film that was expired in 2005 with my Holga 135BC. Can you say imperfections?
-E
PS I found out the Holga has a cult following. Should I feel sad? Or happy more people are into photography? Because they sound like hipster douche bags.
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