Article: Subminiature Film Cameras

The Film Photography Project has an article on subminiature film cameras.  Subminiature is generally any format smaller than miniature, or 35mm format.  This includes 110 format, Minox film, 16mm film and others.  These cameras are small, pocketable and fun to use.  The 16mm and 110 formats are the easiest to use, since 16mm film is still available and 110 format film is still sold today, notably by Lomography.com.

The article mentions SubClub.org, which is a great resource for everything subminiature.  The message board, called a Round Table by the site, is run by Yahoo, but shows little activity of late.  However, some members have started a new mailing list on groups.io.

Sign up and check out the new mailing list, Subminiature-Cameras, if you have one of these interesting cameras or an interest in acquiring one.

Explore the list of cameras, film resources, darkroom tools for these cameras and more, at SubClub.org.

Kickstarters: Diana Square and, you know

Lomography.com has kicked off yet another crowdfunding campaign.  They must have heard MiNT mention that the RF70 was the only manual control square format instant film camera.  Because the Diana Square is just such a beast, with a lo-fi Lomo take.  The camera is based on the Diana toy camera and is said to offer the same look.  Kickstarter here.

Also making the rounds everywhere, by Hamish Gill of 35mmc fame, is the pixl-latr.  An easy to use device to scan film using a digital camera.  Simply a plate of frosted acrylic with specially positioned pegs and a snug fitting cover plate, the device can hold any single piece of 35mm, 120 format or 4x5 format film perfectly flat for ease of copying.  Gets the job done and needs no software to run.  Kickstarter here.

Both projects have exploded past their original fund-raising goals.

Silberra: Next Batch: PAN100 and Ultima 160

Silberra has announced on Instagram that they will soon be shipping the next batch of crowdfunded film, Silberra PAN100 and Ultima 160.  Those who backed these films should receive their rewards in a few weeks.

As reported earlier, the PAN100 and Ultima 160 are already available from the Silberra Shop at $6 a roll.

Disclaimer:  This blogger backed the Silberra Indiegogo campaign.

EMULSIVE: All of May 2018

The EMULSIVE.org blog has graciously put all of its May postings on one page.  There is a huge quantity of material to ponder, read and learn from.  Highlights include the segments that review every film stock available today, camera reviews, photographer interviews and more.

Well worth a visit.

News Around the Web: Ektachrome, Silberra, Leica M7, MiNT RF70, ISO 3200

First up, Kodak demos some test shots on the revived Ektachrome film.  While not as impressive as the Ektachrome of old - one instagrammer slammed the test shots - it is good to see progress.  One could even see that if it is difficult for Kodak to resurrect a colour slide film, perhaps it will be difficult for, say Film Ferrania.  Sadly, no updates from the latter since April and still sold out of P30.

Silberra released an update last week, see updates here, of some length.  Though they have missed all their deadlines after the ISO 200 films were mailed out (your blogger was lucky enough to get two rolls of ISO 200 film from Silberra, but camera and development issues squashed those efforts), they are working hard on getting rewards out.  The Silberra online shop lists Ultima 100 and Ultima 160 as available, so perhaps those rewards will be mailed out soon.

PetaPixel reports that the Leica M7 camera has been discontinued, citing an article from the Red Dot Forum.  The M7 was introduced in 2002, leaving the Leica MP and Leica M-A as the remaining film bodies available today from Leica.

PetaPixel also reported on the  MiNT Instantkon RF70, an Instax Wide compatible instant camera with manual controls.  A folded bellows keeps this camera compact when not in use, an upgrade from the bag bellows used by some other folding instant cameras. Capped with glass optics and an f/5.6 lens with several apertures and shutter speeds available.  See here for more details and pre-order details.

Note that MiNT has a program that offers free instant film.  Simply register, then post qualifying images using MiNT products to Instagram.  A good deal, if you can get it.

In the high speed film department, ThePhoblographer reviews two high speed films, Ilford Delta 3200 and Kodak TMax P3200. 

PolaroidOriginals: One Step 2 Update

PolaroidOriginals has updated their new OneStep 2 instant camera.  The camera takes 3.1 inch square photos on either I-type or 600 type instant film.  The camera now has an external viewfinder barrel and comes with a tripod mount, a built-in 1100mAh battery that can be recharged by USB and a lens that has a fixed focus of 60cm to infinity for ease of use. 

Retailing at $119.99 at the PolaroidOriginals site.  I-type film retails for $15.99 with 8 exposures per pack.

"Just pick it up, aim and create Originals." -- from PolaroidOriginals