Usage of 110 cameras.

So, a few weeks ago, I found four 110 cameras, a concord 110 TEF, a Kodak Ektralite 10, a Kodak Trimlite Instamatic 18 [in box as well], and a non functioning Minolta Pocket Autopak 460 Tx [also in box]. I was also told these cameras would be great for street photography due to their size- but my concern would be that these cameras have no settings. What do you guys think? Since I can still get film (though black and white and e-6 develops are out of the question unless I mail them to a lab), should I actually try using these cameras?

I occasionally use my 110 cameras. Generally, for a small, non-obtrusive camera, I carry a Minox. The 110's are fun, and the better ones do a good job for street photography, or other shots that won't require a large print. My Minolta 110 Zoom is excellent - 8 X 10's are fine and 11 X 14's look good.
I have a big stash of various color negative films that I can use for color. I've been using Lomography B&W which is not a bad film. I do my own processing and printing, so I can get what I want.
I'd say give it a try. Photography should be fun too, you know. Don't be too serious with everything. Oh, and show us your results.

I don't know how sensitive the metering is on those models, but my assumption is "now very", since they're all rather basic models (I'd suggest the Canon 110ED instead). I would also assume they don't have exposure compensation. My inclination would be to buy ISO 400 film and modify the cartridge or camera to force it to read as 100 speed film. Much of the time your subjects are going to be backlit, so I would assume the meter will be fooled by the lighting situation and expose for the light part of the scene and greatly underexpose the subjects of your photo. It's better to err on the side of overexposure rather than under, so telling the camera the film is two stops slower is the easiest way to do this.

Not sure where you can get 110 film outside of lomography but their products are 100 iso and 200 iso. My pentax auto 110 only assumes two iso's- 80 and 400 so everything is only slightly overexposed.

TheGreatGasMaskMan said:

my concern would be that these cameras have no settings.

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There are a few that got different crude apertures, but also autoexposure ones that have focusing, even into the macro range.

And there also are the 3 SLRs.

TheGreatGasMaskMan said:

So, a few weeks ago, I found four 110 cameras, a concord 110 TEF, a Kodak Ektralite 10, a Kodak Trimlite Instamatic 18 [in box as well], and a non functioning Minolta Pocket Autopak 460 Tx [also in box]. I was also told these cameras would be great for street photography due to their size- but my concern would be that these cameras have no settings. What do you guys think? Since I can still get film (though black and white and e-6 develops are out of the question unless I mail them to a lab), should I actually try using these cameras?

Click to expand...

hi
i have a pentax with a handful of lenses ( 4+ tele )
they are fun for any kind of photography !
if you get tired of your kodak marvel, feel free to drop me a line
my pentax "kit" is for sale in the classifieds .. ( and i might still have some fuji 110 film left )
you might look into buying or making a "flim slitter" and cutting down 120 or 35mm film and
reloading 110 cassettes, that way you will always have a supply of film to shoot

have fun !
john

Looking at the sub-forum this is posted in, I'm just trying to figure out whether this is an ethics question or a philosophy question .
I'm assuming philosophy.
Lots of fun and really decent photos have been taken with those cameras. If you use them in good light, and take some care with their use, you can fill albums with lots of good photos.
The more advanced models give more and better control, so if you like what you have, consider an upgrade.
But maybe not.

I have the Pentax 110 with three lenses; it's fun to use because the entire system can fit in a small pouch.



I use the Lomography film. My belief is that the film is sitting too far back, because objects closer to my focus point are in better focus. I may do as one person did and insert a shim between the film and the inner back of the cartridge to force the film about 0.2 mm closer to the lens.

I shoot my Pentax 110 about once a year. I have 5 of the 6 lenses plus the teleconverter.

I've just picked up a Pentax Auto 110 at a car boot sale on the weekend. Ordered some film for it and looking forward to trying it out, looks like a fun camera to use. I have the 18mm 28mm and 50mm lenses.

There was a problem with the winding mechanism (seemed jammed) I took off the bottom plate and one of the cogs had come loose, I set it right and all working now