Thursday, June 28, 2012

Kodak Elite-Chrome–Cross Processed

I want to try to post more film reviews and information about what I’m shooting and loving.

I recently ran across an expired roll of Kodak Elite-Chrome 100 Slide Film.  I cross-processed it and shot a roll at the local Nursery (Native Grounds in Mt Shasta, CA – beautiful).  I really love the way the color of the sky came out.  This was the perfect film for May flowers!

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Happy Shooting

-Kelly

Thursday, June 21, 2012

How to Use Your Obsolete 620 Film Cameras

I have managed to collect a couple vintage film cameras that take 620 film.  620 film is similarly sized to 120 film, but the reels for it are slightly smaller.  While you can modify 120 film to fit in these cameras, the easiest way to use them is with a 35mm film mod (similar to the mod that allows you to shoot 35mm in a Holga).
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I used this mod to make my Kodak Browning Hawkeye and my Ansco Flex II usable again.  Here’s a full tutorial of 35mm in my Ansco Flex II.
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1. Tape over the hole used to view which frame you are on (this is for 620 film with paper backing).
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Use packing peanuts to center the roll of 35mm film and tape it into place.
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Tape the other end of your film to the take-up spool.  If your camera doesn’t have a 620 take-up spool, you can obtain one on eBay.
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Shoot film.  Each camera is different, so you will have to experiment with the number of turns between each frame.
When the film is done, you’ll need a darkroom or light tight changing bag to unload the film in total darkness.  Wind the film back into the canister and develop.
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Just like shooting film in a Holga, the image will bleed onto the sprocket holes of the film.
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Because of the orientation of my Ansco Flex II and Brownie Hawkeye, the shots will be vertical on the film.
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Enjoy!
-Kelly

Thursday, June 14, 2012

DIY Red Scale Film

Not too long ago, I wrote an article about Rollei Redbird film.

Today, I offer 2 options for getting your own Redscale film cheap.  Option 1 - Follow the DIY instructions below or Option 2 - I'm going to list and sell my handmade RedHeaded 35mm film on Etsy for $6 a roll.  To reserve your film, post a comment below.

Special reserved film sale - Post your comment below and I will give you a 10% off code for when the film is listed on Etsy.

Fun Fact: You can control how red or gold the photos come out by changing the ISO setting on your camera.  Overexposing (setting to ISO 50) makes the photos come out more golden than red.
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ISO 400
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ISO 100
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ISO 50
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ISO 12 (Note, this film shoots photos backwards.  You have to flip them when you scan your film or print it)
I love red scale film.  However, there is nothing I love more than cheap expired film.  How to blend my two loves?  Use cheap expired film to make my own red scale film!
How To:
Materials
- Roll of color film
- Empty film roll with some of the film still left at the end
- Scotch tape
- Darkroom or light changing bag
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Cut the end of your film so you have a straight edge.  Flip it upside down so the films are being taped together upside down.  Attach the ends with scotch tape.
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Put the whole setup in your darkroom of light changing bag and use the spool to roll all the film into the other film canister.  When you’ve rolled it all the way, remove from bag and cut the film leaving a little of the end left.
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Cut a new notched end into your film so you can load it.  Now’s the time to check your work.  When you load the film, it should be backwards like so:
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Set your ISO and shoot!
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When you unload the film, you can either give the lab instructions or use the same method to return it to it’s original film canister before dropping it off at the lab.
Here are some more photos from my first roll of film.
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- Kelly

Thursday, June 7, 2012

April Photo a Day–On Film!

I was on Twitter/Instagram and noticed the Photo A Day challenges, which pick a theme for each day of a month to photograph.  Sounds really fun, but it sounded even more fun on film.  I loaded a 36 exp roll and went for it.

There were too many photos to post in this blog, so please browse through the album.  The title of each photo tells the day/theme.

Lesson of the Week – if it sounds fun on digital – it’ll be twice as fun on film.

-Kelly