Classic Camera Revival

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 159 - The Little F’s Pt. 1

The world of SLRs changed with the release of the OM-System from Olympus. It proved you could have a professional, high-end SLR in a small package. Nikon, at the time, was producing high-end but large cameras. While the F and F2 were solid performers in the professional market, their Nikkormat line of cameras proved popular. It would make the perfect camera to scale down to produce the next generation of advanced consumer SLRs. It also helped the Nikon recently did their first update on the iconic F-Mount, introducing Automatic Indexing or AI. This mount was first introduced in the final two models of the Nikkormat line, the FT3 and EL2. Nikon released the Nikon FM in 1977, an all-mechanical, metered manual camera, and the FE, a semi-automatic aperture priority camera 1978. These were followed up by improved models, the FM2 in 1982 that upped the shutter speed to 1/4000s but retained full mechanical metered-manual operation. It was superseded in mid-1983 by the FM2n that made some minor adjustments, notably changing the sync speed from 1/200s to 1/250s. The FE2 in 1983 carried over similar specs to the FM2n but maintained the aperture-priority metering. While the FE2 ceased production in 1987, it remained on sale until 2001. The FM2n, however, did change to an aluminium shutter in the early 1990s and remained in production until 2001.

Cameras In Today's Show

• Nikon FM (1977-1982)
• Nikon FE (1978-1983)
• Nikon FM2 (1982-1983)
• Nikon FM2n (1983-2001)
• Nikon FE2 (1983-1987)

 

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 158 - Any Given Situation

The whole team is on board for this one! Together we have enough kit to open up a small camera shop or a museum at least, but one of the hardest things many photographers face is when faced with all that gear; what do you bring along? Well, it does all depend on the situation at hand. So in today's episode, join Bill, James, Jess, Chris, and Alex as they hash out what they would bring into some familiar, strange and downright weird photographic situations. The team discusses their choices for the following conditions: cameras to lenses and film to developers.

 

<ul>

<li>Photo Walks</li>

<li>Landscape</li>

<li>Camping</li>

<li>Portraits</li>

<li>Music Festivals</li>

<li>Urban Exploration/Trespassing</li>

<li>Combat</li>

</ul>

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 157 - The Last of the F’s

While we have given cameras like the F, F2, and F3 their own separate episodes, the final three "Big F's" in Nikon's lineup were more evolutions of each other and were a radical departure from the previous manual cameras of the group. So on today's episode, we dig into the F4, F5, and the F6 to wrap this series up (finally). Like the original F, the F4 did not come out of a vacuum but rather from a combination of other cameras that acted as proof of concepts. The first is the Nikon FG which gave Nikon their first complete AE SLR, then the Nikon FA, which offered Matrix metering, and finally, the F-501, which introduced the original form of autofocus. These all culminated in 1988's Nikon F4. Again turning to the design first of Giroetto Giugiaro, the new design was big, bulky, and retained much of the manual control surfaces that many photographers were used to during this period. The camera won a design award that year, and despite being polarising, it proved that professional cameras could have full AE, integrated motor drives and, more importantly, autofocus. The F4 also has matrix metering; you could add a 250-shot magazine, use pre-AI lenses, and swap out the battery grips to add specific features and increase the frame rate in burst mode. The main weak point in the camera is the autofocus; it's far from perfect and often described as slow in a modern context. But already looking forward, in the early 1990s, Nikon was again improving their cameras. Using things like the F90(x) to move to more buttons, menus and dial-style interface and building a single unibody camera, the F5 arrived in 1998. The F5 proved to be the ultimate culmination of all the previous cameras. An improved 3D Colour Matrix Metering, limited support for manual focus lenses, but full autofocus support even for the new G-Type lenses. Plus, support for AF-S and VR-equipped lenses. The unibody design housed the 8 AA batteries. But unlike previous cameras, there were limited abilities to modify the camera. You could swap out the prism heads and add a databack (the MF-28 is the one you want), but that was about it. But the F5 left a lasting impression as the unibody design was carried over to the first pro digital SLR, the D1 and continued well into the last pro-SLR, the D5. But most pros had gone digital when the F5 ended production in 2004. But there was still a market segment that wanted to shoot 35mm. Meet the F6, a film camera born out of the digital age. With a look and feel similar to the digital SLRs of the era, the D2x and D200, this camera is chock-full of the best metering, autofocus, and other features. Plus, you could add or remove the battery grip to ensure the best use of space. And you had far better support for manual focus lenses (just not pre-AI), with full 3D Colour Matrix Metering. These days all three cameras are excellent performers; it's a matter of figuring out what you want.

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 156 - Live from the TFS

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup. Our co-founder Alex started the initiative and noticed a post on the old APUG Toronto subforum wanting more film photography-centred meetups in the GTA. Having <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/albums/72157626501869889" rel="noopener" target="_blank">co-hosted an APUG/FPP meetup</a> in May 2011, attended <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/albums/72157626747162333" rel="noopener" target="_blank">another APUG event later in the month</a>. And also having attended <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/albums/72157630286361848" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Photostock in 2012</a> along with a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/albums/72157633984917196" rel="noopener" target="_blank">2013 APUG events in North-East Ohio</a>. He felt ready to start organizing a large-scale regional event four times a year. So in <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/sets/72157647846763420/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">July 2013, the very first TFS event</a> took place at Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works. And while the group has grown and changed and even survived a global pandemic, it is still a driving force within the film photography community through the GTA and beyond! You can check out <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/sets/72177720309727854/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Alex's photos from the event on Flickr</a>. Looking to join a future walk, or just like the idea of the TFS, you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1111824998862507" rel="noopener" target="_blank">join our group on Facebook</a>! Or make sure to check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/torontoanalogfriends/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Toronto Analog Friends over on Instagram</a> and join <a href="https://discord.com/invite/q7Xxf74c2T" rel="noopener" target="_blank">their Discord</a> for meetup details.

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 155 - In the Loupe: Kelsey Smith

In today's episode, we are happy to welcome Kelsey Smith to the podcast. If you haven't been paying attention to Social Media, Kelsey is a relative newcomer to the Internet and is busy outputting a tonne of online and physical content. Kelsey's work is beautiful, bordering on nostalgia, and he even recently released a new book on his hometown. So please tune in and hear about Kelsey's journey and his application of Psychology & Sociology in their photography. You can pick up a copy <a href="https://kelseysmithphotography.net/photo-books/p/please-dont-leave-me-book" rel="noopener" target="_blank">their book through the website</a>!

Web: <a href="https://kelseysmithphotography.net/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">kelseysmithphotography.net</a>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelseysmithphotography/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">instagram.com/kelseysmithphotography</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KelseySmithPhotos/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/KelseySmithPhotos</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChw7eVEUtSgLaL0VpXR_niA" rel="noopener" target="_blank">youtube.com/channel/UChw7eVEUtSgLaL0VpXR_niA</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/NotKelseySmith" rel="noopener" target="_blank">twitter.com/NotKelseySmith</a>

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 154 - In the Loupe: I Dream of Cameras

Joining Bill, James, and Alex is the dynamic duo, Jeff and Gabe, the folks behind the I Dream of Cameras podcast. Together they talk about all things gear, from the X-Pan to the rare Ilford Witness. Other head-turning cameras, even the simple Canon EF-Mount, and Nikon F-Mount. And a rant against electronic cameras. Life in Northern Ontario from Muskoka to the far north.

You can follow along IDC at the following spots.
Web: idreamofcameras.com
Instagram: instagram.com/idreamofcameras
YouTube: youtube.com/@IDreamofCameras
Twitter: twitter.com/idreamofcameras

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 153 - Don’t Drink the Rodinal - Part 4

It has been a while since we last visited the topic of film developers. So in today's episode Alex sits down to talk about some of the more exoctic developers that have poured their way through his chemistry kit recently. These include a lovely elevated general purpose developer in Fotospeed FD10, a couple of high-contrast developers with Kodak D-19 and Fomadon LQR. Then Rodinal's cousin, R09 Spezial, and even a colour developing kit, the FPP Super Colour Negative ECN-2 kit. Alex also digs into how he tests and reviews film developers, and it isn't that scientific, and you know that's okay!

FPP Super Color Negative ECN-2 Kit
Compard R09 Spezial

Purchase R09 Spezial or Hydrofen
Purchase FPP Super Color Negative ECN-2
Purchase Formulary D-19
Purchase Fomadon LQR

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 152 - Accessorise This!

When it comes to photography, there's always something extra you can get, and often these accessories are also the key to getting you things from here to there, getting the shot how you visualise it, nailing that exposure, keeping camera shake down, and all that other jazz. So the whole gang is here today to discuss everything from filters to camera bags, backpacks, straps, light meters and cable releases. Today's show discusses Think Tank, Peak Design, Domke, Lowepro, MEC, Sekonic, Tiffen, Reveni Labs, Lasolite, and many more.

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 151 - In the Loupe: Sarah Stellino

Today Jess and Chris sit down with renowned mid-west large format photographer Sarah Stellino. Topics include portraiture, farm work, parenthood, and being queer within the wider photography community. And, of course, a deep dive into working with large format cameras and portrait work. And a special thanks to Taylor (IG: instagram.com/taylarlar) for taking the stunning portrait of Sarah used in the banner image for the episode.

Find Sarah's work at:
Instagram: instagram.com/sarahstellinophoto
Website: sarahstellinophoto.com

 

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 150 - In the Loupe: Molly Kate

Bill and Alex sit down with Molly Kate, better known online as Eclectachrome! We discuss science fiction, accounting, professional photography, film, and cameras. Also, discussing travel, pizza, the Frugal Film Project, and more. It was a lot of fun to sit down with Molly (finally) and talk about so many different things!

Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091648621268
Instagram: instagram.com/eclectachrome
YouTube: youtube.com/@Eclectachrome
Website: eclectachrome.com
Twitter: twitter.com/eclectachrome
Substack: eclectachrome.substack.com