Black and White OR Color ???

 

Back on the Street and that Polaroid blue...

 So.... for the 1st time in years - and I do mean years, I ventured off today to "The City" with the sole intention of taking photos.

The dilemma of which camera to take was a struggle.  The decision today was to shoot the Mint SLR670 (SX70) and the Polaroid i2.

The use of the SX70 is far superior to the i2.  With the SX70, unfolding the camera, the way you need to hold the camera and the focus that makes what you see come to sharpness was totally fun.  That plus the classic..... click, click, ka-thump, whirl whirl and snap sounds.

Just using the camera had bystanders smiling. So super cool factor goes to the SX70

The i2 just looks so much like the One Step's and just looking through the viewfinder just doesn't have the same thrill.

However, behold the photo above - taken with the i2 with that deep Polaroid blues.  The scan doesn't do justice to the actual print.... but it is wonderful and fun.

Now if only Polaroid (keep in mind Impossible and not the Polaroid of yesterday) can get the film to develop without having to shield it from light right away.

I found having to quickly get the film and place it somewhere while not bending or smushing the chemical pods was something of a pain that I don't have with Fujifilm.

Walking around, looking everywhere, I remember how much fun this actually is.

More to come...

And now a public service announcement...

 Perhaps the film did me a favor with this selfie.  But on a more serious note, if you are shooting Fujifilm Instax (especially the Square variety) and it has long past it's expiration date, you may encounter this black streak of black chemical yuck.

What is happening here is that the pods on the back of the film (where all the chemical stuff resides) have started to dry out and the plastic pod themselves are no longer sealed well enough to keep the yuck stuff contained.... thus the black streak.

Nothing to panic about, a new pack of film and you will be good to go - sort of.

You see, the way instant film works is that the brown pinkish layer you see here is the un-exposed film.

You take the photo and the light hits this unexposed area.

The rollers then are smushed and the pods are squeezed and the yuck is spread across the layers of film.

Thus the black back

Now what about the sort of....

The rollers will be coated with the yuck.

You can expect the next few shots to have some yuck down the center.

You can clean the rollers and also trick the camera to activate the rollers.

DANGER DANGER WILL ROBINSON.... those rollers look small but the motor attached to it has a lot of torque.

If you try to run a q-tip with alcohol against it, IT WILL rip the cotton off and jam up the camera.

If you want to clean it yourself, reach out to me and I'll tell you what I do to clean them.

LESSON HERE - DON'T USE OVER EXPIRED FILM (this pack was about 6 years past it's prime)

Back to the Streets...

 For a long while, my heart in photography was mainly with street photography.  

The ability to capture a moment in time of everyday stuff.

Nothing staged.  Nothing planned.

Forced to think on your feet

For a few years, this was lost and painful (my friends know why).

Slowly the spark is coming alive.

The RE of fun...

RE-learning...  RE-discovery... RE-doing

Learning and figuring out what the medium will allow me to capture.
This has been a challenge working with Instant Film

Working on the art...

 Slow process and still trying to nail this

The Journey... an update...

 Slow, Satisfying and Expensive.

Slowly I am getting a handle on the camera(s) and the film stock(s).

I am finding my vibe with the Polaroid film combined with the Mint SLR670 iType Ming Edition (aka SX70).

Really hard to love the Polaroid i2 but trying to get it to give me something of consistency is becoming IMPOSSIBLE (pun intended).

Thinking how to use the Polaroids for street photography is going to be a challenge.  Instead of being discreate, the sounds from the cameras will blow it.  The Mint TL and RF cameras have an advantage where the film does not eject until you are ready.  That's going to be a big plus since I can take a shot and not be noticed with the sounds of the camera.

The image above was scanned with the Polaroid app which does an ok job but doesn't do the photo justice.  This shot of the cat house in the backyard is far better than what you see here.

The journey continues...

Instant costs....

 Someone asked me recently about my re-discovered interest in photography and why Instant Photography this time around.  "Steven, you use to shoot Leica and stuff, you now shoot Polaroid stuff???"  "Polaroid is expensive and the results are.... meh."

Instant film is a challenge.  Without going into great detail, dynamic range (the ability of the film to distinguish light and shadow) is really limited.  You need to think if you want some work to come out the way you want.  Details and colors are also a challenge.  Plus the camera I am using to do the serious instant stuff costs between $500-$1200 each (and there's 4 of them).

You want beautiful, technically perfect stuff, shoot something with a sensor or your cellphone.  But enough of this for now, we are talking costs here.

Sticker shock - a pack of Polaroid film with 8 shots runs about $18 or about $2.25 a shot.  So each time you press the shutter button, you just spent $2.25.

Fujifilm is cheaper with the Mini film running about $0.75 a shot, Square film about $1 and Wide film about $1.15 a shot.

The normal reaction - "Damn... that's expensive"

So I broke the costs down for a roll of 36 Color Print film.
Consumer grade stuff like Kodak Gold.

1 Roll of film = $10 (costs have gone way up) = $0.28
1 - Process the negative = $12 = $0.33
1 - 4x6 Print = $0.21

For a 4x6 print = $ 0.82 per photo.

Now we need to tack on going to the photolab and back
Runzheimer estimate about $0.45 per mile (we will assume a lab within 10 miles) = $4.50 = $0.13

So the cost of 1 - 4x6 print = $0.95 a shot.

So 35mm film is cheaper = YES but.... and it's a BIG BUT.....

You have to wait for your results.
The look on a person's face with an instant print is priceless
and the big thing.... it's a 1:1 original.

Factor all that in and it's really not that expensive.

"Cheaper than Crack" a photo buddy once told me.

A World of it's own...

While waiting for the bewitching hour (aka... time to go home), I decided to fire off a couple of quick shots with the Mint SLR670 (aka... Polaroid SX70) versus the hybrid Fujifilm Mini Evo

Let me know which one you prefer - Mint/Polaroid OR Fuji?

 

Polaroid on Polaroid / Fuji

 i2 shot - f/8 - 1/15s - Flash

Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO - 1 stop

Beyond the very limited dynamic range of the films, I am starting to agree that the Polaroid formula at present does seem to have a bit more range in terms of detail and has a bit of that Kodacolor feel.... although their Black and White formula is close to $2 a shot, it might be worth a try.

The big downer with Polaroid is having to shield the film from light so you miss out on the magic of it appear before your eyes and that it takes a long time for the image to appear and will take at least a day before you get something of a finished work.

-----------------------

The Fuji formula is vibrant, contrasty, bright and clear.  The big plus for Fuji is the fact that the integral film magic is there.  Take the shot, sit the print down and watch it develop.  You have a good enough image within a few short minutes.  The finished product also takes hours but you have an image to view and enjoy a lot faster than the Polaroid.

Hybrid world and Contrast...

 

Paper and Fountain Pen and Instant Film VERSUS Digital Image and Smartphone

Baby Polaroid...

 The Extreme -Polaroid  i2 and the GO-2

SX70 Soul...

 The image above doesn't do justice to the final result.  The Polaroid app doesn't have the ability to remove reflected light - oh well.

There is just something about using this 50 year old design of a camera that still turn heads and no one has been able to replicate.

The opening of the camera and even the look of the camera is something of a wonder even today.  The ability to focus to 7" and with the Mint Time Machine - help tell the camera what you want.

Loving it.

Finding treasure???

 Expired in 1984.  I doubt the 41 year old packs of Type 107 Polaroid film is any good.  I may open one to give it a try.  Sadly it now has to go into the display cabinet for history sake.

To Hybrid or Not to Hybrid...

Here's my thoughts....
                                                    

So there's a debate among Instant Photography folks about the hybrid cameras from Fujifilm.

Some feel that it's not genuine because the image is captured digitally and then printed onto instant film just like the Instax Link printers.

Because the image isn't captured onto film straight from the lens, it's no longer an instant shot.

The advantage of the hybrid is that you can apply effects and do things that our loved analog instant cameras either have a really hard time or can't do.  The hybrid (EVO's) can get really close.  About 4" away.  The i2 can get only 27" close to a subject and you have to fight the parallax issue with the viewfinder to compose the shot.

The SX70 natively can get about 7" away and with the close up filter about 4" - damn.

With my TLR - Mint TL70+ with close up filter - about 7"

The Rangefinder - Mint RF70 - only 3'

Advantage EVO.

THE INSTANT THANG...

Among photographers these phrases, "the best camera is the one on you", "get close", "f8 and be there" and what Dr. Edwin Land said decades ago.... "it will be become part of the human being, press the button and have the picture"

At present, I work with a bunch of great people from all walks of life.  So while I was in our breakroom, one of my peers loves unique bags.  So she had this one on the table...

I thought.... so cool and took the EVO out and snaped the photo.

Several "tick boxes" have been checked...

1.  The EVO is light and small so I had it on me.

2.  It is a point and shoot so there was nothing to set up

3.  I was able to take the picture and print it and gave it to her.

The Magic of Polaroid has been several things.

1.  You get a 1:1 copy (which the EVO falls short being a digital image, so it can be edited)

2.  You have a physical copy to share or keep.  It is this physical copy that makes it special - it reminds you each time to touch the print of the time you took the shot.  The print what there when the image was taken.  (EVO falls short because you can print it later - but that too is an advantage since instant film hates extreme temperatures - thus, print it later)

3.  Seeing it appear - still super cool.

4.  The smiles and instant gift - can't be beat.

So yes, if I am being 100% analog, this EVO is not it.  However, if I am being an instant shooter and need something that an analog instant camera can't do OR this EVO is on me.... it wins.

The big win is this..... it's FUN!

 

I Have a Hybrid and Support your real mom & pop store...

 

Ordered the new Instax Evo Wide today from the gang at FIRESIDE CAMERA in San Francisco. 
The camera above is not that one - but more on this camera in a minute.

Anyone looking for gear and want to support a REAL local small business (not another chain store with multiple locations) - pay them a visit.  Fireside is in the Marina District so there's tons of things to photograph and a lot of food and bars and stores to visit AND.... sad to say.... You sorta feel safe in the area unlike most parts of the city.

The camera above is the junior version of the new Instax Evo Wide.  The Mini Evo.  

Both Evo cameras are out of stock everywhere.... so I did the old "camera quest" and believe it or not, WalMart had two in stock.

Granted this is a pure point and shoot.  A hybrid because it is a digital camera with an Instax printer built in.  The plus.... see before you print, apply electronic do dads and effects.

It's sorta analog in that the image is on Instant Film.  One thing, I am having a blast just snapping away!

Learning the gear and finding the one...

 So far this quest has been slow thanks to the flu bug that really has hit hard this time around.

Here's where I am at on the quest.

The Mint designed and manufactured cameras have been great.
However, because the wide is a rangefinder style, my minimum focal distance is about 3'.  Ok for some stuff but the power of the image sometimes requires you to get close.  This reminds me of all the Leica rangefinders I use to shoot.  Love a majority of it but not being able to get close is a pain.

The TLR gives me that style of photography which is in itself a lot of fun.  I can get really close but only after clipping on a macro lens.  Almost like the Rangefinder, the parallax issue is there.

The original Polaroid SLR690 (which will need some repair thanks to me dropping it and knocking the mirrors out of adjustments) still works and that sonar autofocus is still unbelievable and so damn accurate.  But not being able to focus does have it's drawbacks.

The i2.  I really want to love this camera but it's a viewfinder/rangefinder sort of affair and mastering the parallax is difficult.  Also this camera needs a lot of light in order to produce a good image.  Even with the flash on, it's been a challenge.

The winner is Dr.Land's SX70.  This one is the modified Mint version called the SLR670.  The time machine attachment adds to the fun of using it, however with a flash (like the image above), I have to allow the SX70 to do it's thing.

Being an SLR, I can accurately see what I am going to get in terms of framing and depth of field.  It comes down to the "using of the camera", the SX70 can get within 7" without any attachments and super close with the close up lens (which I bought years ago when an SX70 accessories kit in mint condition became available).

So the 50 year old design that is still super cool and still in some ways ahead of it's time is still the best tool so far.

and the quest continues....

Comparison - Mint RF vs Fuji X100V w/ Instax Wide printer

 

The journey continues.  Since I am homebound due to not being able to talk (damn cold), I decided to venture to my backyard again and do some of that photo learning stuff.

The images on the left were taken with the Mint RF70 and using the built in meter to tell me what settings to select.

The images on the right were taken with the Fujifilm X100V transferred to Lightroom and then exported to Gmail and then printed on the Fujifilm Instax Wide printer.  This is to keep to the theme of using Instant Film

Keep in mind these photos are only minutes old and will improve over the next few hours.

I expected the X100V images to be overall far better since it's a digital camera.

What I didn't expect were the clarity of the Mint images.  Granted exposure and time the photos were taken varied widely but I was impressed with what the Mint was able to produce.

And so the learning curve continues on....

Light Meter time...

 Photography is Photo (light) + Graphy (writing) = Light writing or Writing with Light.

So for those new to this.... proper exposure requires knowing, film speed (ISO) & lens opening (aperture or f stop) & shutter time (seconds). 

A light meter will let you know typically a missing variable such as what shutter speed or lens aperture.

All the instant cameras that I have has some sort of built in light meter.  However light meters are not perfect in Instant Cameras.  They don't have a sensor (unlike a digital camera) and thus metering happens with some sort of reflective meter attached somewhere on the exterior.

Learning this photography thing again reminded me that this is FILM and not DIGITAL and you expose for the shadows and not the highlights unlike digital (or slide film) where it's the opposite.

I went back to old school and the king of metering is still the spot meter (item on the right).  It's cool because I had to use the old zone system of metering (for another day).  Fun because I had to think about the results I got and apply it towards getting the exposure I wanted.  IT WORKED!!!

However walking around with a spot meter sometimes will make you look like a director or pro photographer wanna be and I wanted something small.

The item on the left is a digital mini meter made by Keks.  It's ok but because of it's design, it's easily fooled in terms of what to expose for.  Bright day with a subject in the shadows - the shadow item will be too dark.

The old school meter by Sekonic has a bit of the same flaw as Keks.  I stopped using it because it was metering about 2-3 stops TOO bright.  Thanks to the power of YouTube, I found someone who had a home DIY calibration of this meter.  Without a lot of detail here, it worked.  Verified with 3 digital cameras (Leica, Fuji and Nikon), I took it out and it works well.

This journey is still full of fun and adventure once again.  There is just more enjoyment and joy with analog.

Fujiroid Mint adventure - film and gear - update

 

If only Fuji and Polaroid (Impossible) could play nice with each other.  

It is obvious that Fuji still knows the "secret sauce" and have continued to get their version INSTAX to work well.

So far the results between Fuji and Polaroid.

The Polaroid film has come a long long way and the reasons why I am shooting it once again.

The best way to describe Polaroid images is this... artsy, dreamy, muted, soft, etc...

It's great when I am after that look.

The Fujifilm Instax (all sizes) is the closest or even at where the original Polaroid (before Impossible) film was at.

Crisp, vibrant, bright, snapshots, etc...

Gear wise

Love the SX70.

It's being an SLR, close focus and just so cool to use.

The Mint RF and TL+

Outstanding

The Instant Family...

 and this is just the Instant cameras!

My former (and I do say former) Leica collection of M, Q and SL models were even more massive at one time.

The TOP 5
of the Instant Collection

The favorite is....

The Polaroid Alpha 1 Mint SLR670-X Ming Edition iType 

(That's one hell of a name)

The runner up...
Mint TL70+
(Twin Lens, Instax Square, Fully Manual)

Followed by...
The Polaroid SLR 690
(Considered by some as the holy grail of SX-70's) 

Mint RF70
(The best Instax Wide Camera, Fully Manual)
It has the limitations of a Rangefinder Camera of a close focus of 2.5-3.5 ft

Polaroid i2
(Modern Version of the OneStep with full manual or automatic controls)
Capable, modern, new but something about it missing a "soul" that the SX-70 has.

and for the one left behind....

The Kodak EK6

The camera that caused the monumental lawsuit that took years and essentially damaged both companies.

This was Kodak's middle finger response to Polaroid saying they could care less about those patents.

The one thing about the Kodak is that they did develop the wide format film and with a satin finish versus the glossy finish of Polaroid.

Too bad they couldn't have co-existed.

The outcome would have been so different.

Film and Amazon...

 One thing about Analog Film is that it's about chemistry and not 1's and 0's.

That said, film has an expiration date.  Typically, you can get by if it's not too expired.

Instant film - especially Polaroid is really expensive.  The great deal on Amazon generally means the film has already passed its expiration date.  

So, a word to the wise, unless duly noted on the expiration date, buyer beware.

I think I'm good with the film expiring only a few months ago.  The old rule is that a year is perhaps still ok depending on how you store it.

Learning Curve, duh....

For my photo peeps, what happened here?

Hit the exposure comp by error.

Rookie mistake (cost about $2).

Now I know why they designed the lens cap the way they did.  I used the old pinch style cap... big mistake!

The 1st Shot...

 Being an SLR and engineered to be able to shoot close is something SX-70 shooters love.

The 1st shot of the SLR 670-X-iType (from now on I'm just calling it SX-70i) got me hooked on the format.

The RF70 is great for being totally manual and shooting Instax Wide but it has the restriction of a rangefinder (2.5' is as close as I can go)

The i2 - going to be the autofocus with manual override carry camera for Polaroid film

The TL70 - for the times I want to have manual control Instax Square and have that TLR feeling.

I'm back but it's going to be Instant Photography this time around.

The Classic Standard...

Decided to go all in and got the current Grand Daddy of the Polaroid SX-70

Mint SLR670-X Ming iType

Getting fully restored and updated Alpha 1 was not inexpensive but the results are worth it if you are a photo person.

Also the SX-70 Land Camera Accessory Kit was something I found years ago in mint unused condition is now being put to use after 40 years.

Loving it

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

 A Happy New Year to everyone....

This journey back to instant is rewarding and frustrating as well.  

Found out that the black smears on some of my shots is due to the Instax Square film being well past it's shelf life and the pods are unable to spread it's goo and leaks.

Sadly I have a large inventory of expired Instax that I will need to throw out or risk having cameras damaged.

It's all part of the learning curve - still lovin' it.

Can't wait for my next camera - Polaroid SX-70 Mint SLR670-X i Type.

Hopefully will arrive next week