The fantastic camera eleventy

[locutus]

Hi all!

From the Camera round 10 thread there was an idea to start a new round, TheToadMan proposed to rummage his cupboard for a new camera.

I would propose to keep it to a 35mm camera to keep it simple and easier to share results, unless the group partaking proposes otherwise!

Interest, ideas? lets us know

 

[TheToadMen]

I have several candidates, like point&shoot (cheaper postage) or a simple SLR (more creative control).
Or even a pinhole camera, anyone interested?
I'll check my closet the next few days for candidates with live batteries (if needed).

With 135 film we can have 34 participants (to be safe) with one shot each or 17 with two shots each.
I prefer the latter for it would take about 43 years and 12 minutes to travel along 34 participants all over the world.

Bert from Holland

 

[locutus]

Okay, first thing first as i think i might have misunderstood this

is the idea to shoot 1 roll through the camera across all participants or that each participant shoots their own roll and then passes the camera on?

 

[NedL]

The way it's been done up to now is that everyone shoots one frame ( or maybe two ) and then when the camera returns home the film is developed and we get to see what everyone did. I'd be happy to participate in another round, but I'd sure like to see Rick's camera get home too!

I was thinking during the last round that maybe we could contact Alex G ( he works on ships that travel to antarctica ) and try to get photos from every continent... but given how round 10 is going, I'm not so sure.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Whatever we decide, I'm in!

 

[toro_mike]

I'd be game too, if you all would have me. I am still dreaming of a round 10 show and tell though!!!

I'd still advocate for a cheapo camera that nobody would want to keep!!! So a 35mm point and shoot would be best I reckon...

 

[MattKing]

I'm keen to participate again. Does anyone have an extra Trip 35, or a camera that uses AA batteries? I ask, because there seems to be more restrictions now on shipping cameras with batteries installed.

 

[macfred]

I would like to participate !

 

[antmar]

I'd love to participate.

 

[TheToadMen]

The participants for round 11 so far:

* locutus
* NedL
* mooseontheloose
* toro_mike
* MattKing
* macfred
* antmar
*TheToadMen

Maybe I can find a trustworthy mechanical camera without batteries? I'll wait to choose a camera for now to get more input/wishes from participants, but shipping requirements are important indeed.

Just let us know for now if you want to participate and what ideas you have for this round.
Before we actually start the next round we'll agree on themes, rules, shipping order, etc.
That will also be the moment we'll ask total commitment to this endeavor.

 

[antmar]

I also think that a mechanical (no battery) camera would be the best choice. I wouldn't suggest a theme as I would like to try whatever other participants propose, this will change my routine. I could also offer a simple mechanical SLR or rangefinder loaded with film if you can't find anything better.

 

[Síle]

I know we're all crazy... but I'm in.

From past experience.. less is more when it comes to participants. 43 years 12 minutes is a conservative estimate Mr Toad.. I reckon double that and add a few years for good measure if we go over 15/17!

 

[locutus]

To chip in.

For the camera something as simple and cheap as possible as long as it can be depended upon to survive being shipped around a zillion times, and for film something with a lot of development and exposure tolerance... Tri-X?

 

[TheToadMen]

Does anyone know the exact rules/problems with shipping batteries (inside a camera)??
Are small batteries like LR44 type allowed?

For example: I have a simple Nikon FM10 with an old Nikon 35-70 zoom lens we could use. It only needs batteries for the light meter and uses 2 batteries of type LR44.

BTW: I'll also check if I have an old Olympus half frame camera (like a Pen EE-S) that still is reliable: this will give us 72 frames. But then I don't really trust these all automatic cameras with old selenium light meters.
The same goes for the Olympus Trip 35. I have one but is the metering reliable? The "low-light lock" still works though.

BTW2: I still haven't reached the bottom of my closet so there may be more beauties to be found ...

 

[mooseontheloose]

If you really want something without batteries, then I'd go with a pinhole or a Holga (or something similar). That would limit the number of participants though, unless we did something different concerning the film. It would be different though, than what we've done before.

I don't want to be the source of any difficulties, but no matter what, even though I can receive a camera with batteries, I cannot send one, even with LR44 type. I don't know how, but Japan Post has a way of figuring out if there is ANY type of battery in a package - I've had more than one sent back to me (including for these exchanges). So, whoever comes after me has to be willing to get a new battery, unless I'm last.

Happy New Year everyone! I'm debating whether or not to brave the outdoors and go to a shrine for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the new year), but I think I'll finish off my umeshu (plum liqueur) and call it a night. Oh, and I could be wrong, but it seems to me I had the camera around this time last year.

 

[locutus]

I took a quick peek at UPS's summary of the regulations and it makes it clear that if you are under 20Wh and the batteries are inside of equipment there is no need to worry and you can ship it.

Now if your post office still refuses it that still stops the whole affair because what are you going to do, argue with them? Good luck....

Just to skip any of these potential problems can we go for a mechanical camera? I would be fine with unmetered.

 

[mooseontheloose]

@locutus: JP Post has a similar regulation on paper, but in practice they don't ship any batteries of any sort, at least in my experience. Fortunately I think I am the only person who has this problem in the exchange, so I don't think it's necessary to go all mechanical unless it makes sense for the whole group.

 

[TheToadMen]

The battery vs. mechanical issues are noted. any other deliberations for the next round?

I was thinking of using Ilford FP4+ or Fomapan 100 and develop it in Caffenol-C-M.
Or Kodak Tri-X in Rodinal in a halfframe camera for good use of grain - like the "are-bure-bokeh" style from the 70's so to say?
How about that? Other suggestions?
I have a fridge full of films of all kinds

 

[Dali]

Looks like a great idea! Count me in please!

 

[TheToadMen]

The participants for round 11 so far:

1 locutus
2 NedL
3 mooseontheloose
4 toro_mike
5 MattKing
6 macfred
7 antmar
8 Síle
9 Dali
10 TheToadMen

 

[locutus]

I would definitely prefer Tri-X or HP5 over Fomapan, far more versatile.

As for Are-bure-bokeh Tri-X+Rodinal that sounds like a great fun idea. I recently did that in 1+25 and was highly amused by the grittyness!

Would be a great 'screw snobbishness' approach

 

[Raphael]

Well, feel a little fatalist about camera 10 now, but if ever we are enough motivated people all around the world, whatever, I'm crazy enough, please count me in !

 

[locutus]

Toadmen, did you come up with a camera idea?

At the moment we have 11 Participants (your list ~ Raphael).

I would also be fine with doing this with just 11 or 12 participants so we can get this going a bit sooner it would be fun to revive this tradition instead of having a old thread 10 haunting around.

 

[locutus]

If we do only do 12 participants max a 6x6 camera might be an idea, i would have a Lubitel for that (superlight, small, low shipping fees) but i need to clean it first.

 

[Julie McLeod]

I would love to participate. I was included in a traveling lens project at another forum a couple years ago and it was really fun. You can count on me to be super reliable and trustworthy with whatever camera is sent my way.