127 Color Slides from the '60s

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

This weekend my gf and I went to visit my parents, and we had brought with us a stack of slides from our recent trip. I haven't revelled in the pleasure (displeasure, for some!) of a slide show, and I was amazed to see my own picture blown up on the wall in such colors.

But what took my breath away was those old 127 color slides my mom took with a box camera of her quarters during her nursing studies. The sheer size of the image was overwhelming, and the colors were in very good condition (I do not know what was the film stock, though). My parents also had some old 135 Kodachromes and they haven't aged a ding. The Ektas from the same eras are already washed out. I was shocked to see how much primary colors were prevalent in the aesthetics of the early 60s, even in a place as drab as a hospital.

Now I want to go and shoot some big slides; I've shot some 6x6 MF slides, but have no idea what kind of projector I could use on a budget (I can't afford a Rollei...). I'd be tempted to use 127 instead just because I can still buy film for it and I can use a normal 135 projector; I'm just not sure which camera I could use.

So what about you modern 127 color slide shooter, what cameras do you use? Have you had to tape some red windows, or do some models have frame counters? Are there still some reasonable 6x6 slides projector available?

 

[roteague]

Send a PM to 127, he is a member of this forum and shoots that format. If anyone knows, he does.

 

[BradS]

Ian's 127 web site contains a virtual treasure trove of information about the various 127 cameras. It can be found at: http://www.onetwoseven.org.uk/.

The frugal photographer and I think, J&C still carry 127 film.

Have fun and don't forget to post some results.

 

[unohuu]

the yashica 44 or 44LM (light meter) are reasonable, have good lenses and use the J&C 127.

 

[gnashings]

There is an outfit from Buffalo that sells a fairly wide range of 127 and other "rare" formats - I think they have slide film too... but I forget what they're called. I'm afriad I am no help on the projector issue - sorry.

 

[John Koehrer]

mhv,
If you have a Hasselblad you could pick up a 16 exposure magazine.
That would give you the super slide you're looking for.
I suspect they're not a real hot item on the auction market right now.

 

[stark raving]

127 film sources on the web:

B&H lists Kodak E100G slide film in stock now.

Film for Classics shows Efke 100 B&W film, and Kodak Portra NC for color print, and E100S for slides in stock.

Frugal Photographer lists Macophot 100 B&@ film, Macocolor print film, and Macochrome UCR slide film. I think this outfit also stocks the "superslide" mounts needed for projecting 127 slides in a normal 2x2 projector.

J and C lists Efke 100 B&W film and Macocolor print film, but notes that production of Macochrome has stopped and only limited existing stocks are available.

Jonathan

 

[127]

Thanks for the plug's for the site!

The current (fairly confirmed) bad news/rumour concerning superslides is that they may be about to become a thing of the past. Maco who distribbute Macochrome are no longer able to source the E6 stock, and are discontinuing it!!!!

Reading between the lines this may have been on the cards for a year or so, as they recently INTRODUCED their C41 MacoColor, which I guess is intended to replace the E6 stock. It certainly is nice to have the C41, but E6 will be missed. The switch to C41 sugguests they're still full fource behind the format, but just can't get the E6 to make superslide rolls.


However E6 is still in stock at most good places (dozens of links on the site), and a couple of places have superslide mounts - 4x4 slide mouts that fit in a regular projector.

Camera wise the star is probably the Baby Rollei. It does everything a big Rollei does, just a bit smaller. The most common model, the baby grey has fully automatic film feed - there's no window, and you don't even need to line up the film start when you load it. Prices are pretty good - less than a simlarly features Big Rollei.

However the bargain has to be the Yashica range. They're dirt cheap, and great performers. The 44a is the entry level, and actually the cutest. It uses a red window for winding, and lacks some of the shutter speeds, but otherwise is a great choice - you'll probably not miss the extras. The 44 and 44LM add semi-auto winding, and a light meter - nice but not essential. I've payed as little as $15 for a beat up but perfectly working 44, which has taken some great shots, so these are a great way to try out the format.

Other options are the Primo Jr/Sawyser MkIV (same camera rebadged) which turns up more oftern in the US (pretty rare over here in the UK).

All of theses are TLR's. If you want an SLR then you can pick up a Komaflex - again a nice camera, at a decent price (compared to 120 equivalents). The other SLR option is an Exacta, but they're old, collectable, expensive and not very reliable - not an ideal user camera, and they shoot 6x4, so not what you want for slides.

The red window isn't too much of a problem. The Rollei has no window and is fully automatic. All of the others have a window with a shutter on it, so you close it when it's not in use. For all except the 44a that's only the first frame which you need to line up on "1'. The 44a is fully manual, but if you close the window, I've never had a problem (though I almost exclusivly shoot b&w).

The baby TLR's are great fun. The format gives you the feel of MF (and a decent size neg), but you can tote it around like 35mm.

stop by the 127 site and say hi! or just shoot some 127

Ian