Adventures in Lo-Fi (photo-centric)

[runswithsizzers]

This thread is to document some low tech cameras I am exploring -- something new for me. I am looking for images with "character" -- but not too much character. ;-)
I am interested in exploring the boundary between low tech and more modern lens designs, so expect some photos made with better cameras than Holga & company. For that reason, I am not sure my thread should be in the "Lo-Fi" forum -- maybe "Medium Format" would be more appropriate?

First up is an all-plastic "Debonair" which I got, brand new, from Film Photography Project. The camera is made in Hong Kong and may or may not share some DNA with Holga??




The Debonair shoots 6x4.5cm negatives on 120 roll film. As you can see, lots of vignetting. What you can't see are the scratches made by the camera, the worst ones which I cloned out. This is Ilford SFX 200 develped in Kodak D-76.



The lens is plastic, 60mm focal length with a fixed f8 aperture and primative zone focusing. The camera does offer two shutter speeds -- 1/60 and 1/100 -- which is a big deal! Many of the older cameras I have been looking at are limited to something like 1/30-1/40th sec, which is definitely tripod territory for me. I also appreciated getting 15 shots on a 120 roll. What I did not like: cheesy plastic construction that feels like it wants to break, closest focusing distance is not that close (about 5 feet?), imprecise viewfinder.

 

[runswithsizzers]

These were shot with an Agfa Clack, also on Ilford SFX 200.


The Agfa Clack was made in Germany from 1954–65. It takes 8 photos per roll of 120 film (6x9 cm). The single-element meniscus lens has a focal length of 95mm. Some variations offered two apertures, but this one has only f11. In sunny conditions a small yellow filter can be rotated into the light path of this camera; on other versions, the lever rotates in a smaller aperture.

Rather than the usual flat pressure plate, the Agfa Clack supports the film in a curved path which compliments the curved field of focus produced by the simple meniscus lens. This reduces vignetting and distortion in the corners. I think the negatives from the Agafa Clack are almost too good to be called lo-fi.

The Clack is part metal, part plastic. It feels much more substantial than the Debonar. The Clack's shutter speed is said to be around 1/35th sec. so I used a tripod. With one shutter speed and one aperture (two if you count the internal yellow filter), it would be probably best to choose ISO 100 film or slower for sunny days, and faster film for overcast days. I have some push-on filters ordered so I can load faster ISO film, and then use the filter factors for more exposure control under sunny conditions.

 

[xkaes]

A modern day Diana with a film-saving 6x45 format. I bet the Debonair has fewer light leaks!

 

[Don_ih]

Agfa Clack

Low tech but high quality. There's not much fault with the lens. Is the film plane curved on that one like a similar-looking Ansco camera (can't recall what they called it)? (oops - missed the answer somehow) -- I think it's the same camera.

 

[runswithsizzers]

A modern day Diana with a film-saving 6x45 format. I bet the Debonair has fewer light leaks!

I was surprised (and relieved) to not notice any light leaks from the Debonair.

I do like some of the "lo-fi look" -- but not light leaks, and not scratched film. Also, I feel like some part of the frame should be not totally blurred.

 

[loccdor]

Great pictures from the Clack. I love them.

 

[Dali]

By default, the FPP Debonair film path is not smooth enough and scratches films. You can feel rough edges with your finger and get rid of them by gently filing the plastic. Even if it is 90% plastic, I find it pretty study compared to a Diana (and some Diana clones are even worse in this matter that the original Diana).

 

[runswithsizzers]

These two are from the Rolleicord V, Cinestill XX, under overcast sky. I have stretched a veil of sheer nylon mesh (aka pantyhose) over the front of the lens. If not stretched pretty thin, I think the effect is too strong, and these are a bit too much. If any direct sunlight falls on the nylon, the image gets totally blown out. Because it is difficult hold the stretched fabric in position while operating the camera, I need to modify a UV filter to hold the fabric tight and which also allows the use of a lens shade.

I have some cheap filters ordered so I can play with gluing / smearing stuff on them (don't want to mess with the precious Rollei brand filters).

 

[MARTIE]

I tried lo-fi photography, but everything I tried just turned out to be too good, for example Lubitels.
I've got pinhole to work on occasion but it kind of goes too far the other way.
So, I've settled on classic and historic lenses for large format photography.

 

[Arthurwg]

Wow! Love the Clack pictures.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Great pictures from the Clack. I love them.

Wow! Love the Clack pictures.

Thanks. I'm pretty excited about those, too, so wanting to try another roll in the Clack ASAP.

If interested, you can see the other 4 shots from that roll on my SmugMug site, here:
https://garywright.smugmug.com/Photography/Ilford-SFX-200-6x9-Feb-2026
... I skipped one frame by accident, so only 7 shots from this first roll in the Clack.

I am still trying to work out how close I can get before focus becomes a problem.

 

[4season]

Seriously, Clack has a meniscus lens? That looks really good. Have been wanting to sample one of the glass-lensed Holga variants, but they're kind of pricey right now. My plastic-lensed Holga and Iford 35 Sprite II are lower-fi than I'd like. Reto Wide and Slim is pretty good, but that's a doublet.

 

[xkaes]

I recently bought a couple of "these" cameras at prices too good to pass up. I was NOT looking for either of them.

One is a Mini Diana that's isn't a "Mini Diana", but rather a "Petite Noire". The difference is it's all black -- and got it for about $20 with a Mini Diana manual, the Diana F+ flash and TWO flash adapters -- one to put the Diana F+ flash on a regular flash shoe camera, and the other to put a regular flash on the Mini Diana. It has a focusing (you read it right) 24mm lens with two Waterhouse-stop settings (you read that right), and the camera can be set for half-frame or 24x24mm -- no kidding. On top of that, you can take unlimited multiple exposures. There are two "speed" settings "B" -- with a cable release connection (you read that right), and 1/100.

Shortly after that, I discovered that the FFP was -- in my opinion -- giving away Diana Baby 110 kits, with a 24mm and 12mm lens (non-focusing. Yup, this 110 camera has two lenses that are interchangeable. The 12mm is like a 24mm in 35mm full-frame -- just what I like -- and the viewfinder works with both lenses! It allows for multiple exposures, but three is just one aperture and shutter speed. To top it off, the Diana Baby 110 has a PC connection. My plan is to glue a flash shoe on the top -- there's just enough room -- and use a small auto exposure flash.

I haven't finished any rolls yet, but I can't wait.

 

[loccdor]

Seriously, Clack has a meniscus lens? That looks really good.

Seems the curved film path of the Clack helps a lot.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Seems the curved film path of the Clack helps a lot.

I agree. Maybe not that helpful for 6x6, but a curved film plane seems like a brilliant solution for simple lenses and 6x9 negatives, or wider.

BTW, I notice some pinhole cameras offer a curved film plane for 6x12 format and wider.

 

[Dali]

Curved film plane works also for 135 film cameras. How do you think the RETO UWS 22mm lens gives acceptable results?

 

[Arthurwg]

I agree. Maybe not that helpful for 6x6, but a curved film plane seems like a brilliant solution for simple lenses and 6x9 negatives, or wider.

BTW, I notice some pinhole cameras offer a curved film plane for 6x12 format and wider.

The Reality So Subtle yes, but loading film in the 6x12 camera w/ the curved film plane is a challenging task. The 6x9 camera has a flat film plane.

 

[Adam W]

These are very nice. I used a Clack to make a pinhole camera. I chose it because it was very easy to disassemble and replace the lens with a pinhole, and because I really wanted a pinhole camera with a viewfinder. It works great.

These were shot with an Agfa Clack, also on Ilford SFX 200.


The Agfa Clack was made in Germany from 1954–65. It takes 8 photos per roll of 120 film (6x9 cm). The single-element meniscus lens has a focal length of 95mm. Some variations offered two apertures, but this one has only f11. In sunny conditions a small yellow filter can be rotated into the light path of this camera; on other versions, the lever rotates in a smaller aperture.

Rather than the usual flat pressure plate, the Agfa Clack supports the film in a curved path which compliments the curved field of focus produced by the simple meniscus lens. This reduces vignetting and distortion in the corners. I think the negatives from the Agafa Clack are almost too good to be called lo-fi.

The Clack is part metal, part plastic. It feels much more substantial than the Debonar. The Clack's shutter speed is said to be around 1/35th sec. so I used a tripod. With one shutter speed and one aperture (two if you count the internal yellow filter), it would be probably best to choose ISO 100 film or slower for sunny days, and faster film for overcast days. I have some push-on filters ordered so I can load faster ISO film, and then use the filter factors for more exposure control under sunny conditions.

 

[runswithsizzers]

These are very nice. I used a Clack to make a pinhole camera. I chose it because it was very easy to disassemble and replace the lens with a pinhole, and because I really wanted a pinhole camera with a viewfinder. It works great.

Thank you. I have a second Clack which I intend to convert to a pinhole if I can ever get the shutter to work reliably.

Did you make your own pinhole aperture, or did you buy one? Do you have any photos from you pinhole posted where I can see them?

 

[Adam W]

Look in this gallery. All the non-square format photos were made with the Clack:

Film - Pinhole

Explore this photo album by Adam Weiss on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Here's three of my favorites:

 

[loccdor]

@runswithsizzers You convinced me to buy an Agfa Clack. First impressions are that it's incredibly light for a 6x9, and it also fits sideways into my winter jacket pocket! Quite amazing for non-folding 6x9.

 

[runswithsizzers]

@Adam W - some of your photos from the pinhole Clack are sharper than average. Can you please tell me more about about the pinhole aperture you used?

@loccdor - were you able to find one in the US? I wouldn't say they are rare in the USA, but definitely fewer buying opportunities on our side of the Atlantic. Apparently, the Clack was imported into the US and sold under the name of Agfa Weekender, but I've never seen a used one for sale under that name. When you move the lever on yours to the "sunny" position do you get a yellow filter or a smaller aperture?

BTW, a 30mm push on flter fits the front of the Clack. I got an adapter from 30mm push on to Series V so I can use colored filters for b&w. If I am using a medium speed film and my meter suggests there is too much light for f11 at 1/30th sec, then I can put in a flter and knock the exposure down another stop or two.

Finally, if anyone has a method for actually measuing the shutter speed of their Clack, I'd be curious to know the result. The various websites usually say something like 1/35th sec (oddly precise), but I have not seen an official specification from Agfa's literature (what little there is of it).

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Is an Ilford Sporti on your list of potentials? (The Super Sporti has a bulb shutter setting):

Ilford Sporti - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

 

[runswithsizzers]

Is an Ilford Sporti on your list of potentials?

It is now. That last model, the Sporti 6 has a solid set of specs: "...two-speed shutter (1/50 & 1/100) and a choice of three apertures, f8, f11 and f16. The shutter would not fire until the film was wound, thus preventing double-exposures."

 

[Adam W]

@Adam W - some of your photos from the pinhole Clack are sharper than average. Can you please tell me more about about the pinhole aperture you used?

I use a 0.3mm pinhole I got on eBay, a tripod, Acros 100 film, and a pinhole exposure iPhone app ("Pinhole Assistant") to determine exposure time.