Flutter Focus Photography

Fujica GER

Fuji DL-250 Tele

As much as I love digital, and use it for 95% of my photography, I still have a passion for film. So much so that I decided to start collecting old film cameras. I started looking for anything, parts, pieces, bodies, lenses, working, not working. Eventually my plan is to have them on display in my future studio, finding cameras that work is just an added bonus! I started my collection with my late Grandfather's Fujica. My Grandmother brought it to the states with her from England on her visit last summer 2011. (Rumor has it another camera will be taking flight with her, this year's visit in June.)

From Camerapedia: "The Fujica GER was a typical 1970s rangefinder camera. It had a 38mm/f2.8 lens and a CdS-controlled electromagnetical shutter with a good range of speeds from 2 sec. to 1/800 sec.. Flash photography was simplified by means of the guide number selector of the camera." I was so pleased when I developed the film to find it still worked. See my previous blog: http://flutterfocus.blogspot.com/2011/07/success.html

My next find was given to me by my Mum, my parents' old camera they bought when i was a baby. Another Fuji, it is a Fuji DL-250 Tele point & shoot auto-focus camera, with built in tele & wide lenses (34mm & 53mm). It's film door hinge has broken off and won't stay closed, but nothing a little duct tape won't fix. I have not had a chance to see if its still working.


Yashica-D

The next acquired camera I received from a fellow classmate. I took a Photography class Fall 2011 to fulfill my art elective for my nursing degree. I became very close with an older gentleman whose camera was several models before mine (He had the Canon Rebel and I have the Rebel Xsi) and we bonded throughout the semester. He had trouble with computers so I would help him and he would offer to me good 'ol photography advice. As the semester ended he asked if I would be interested in his old film camera. I was delighted and told him about my collection, and he was pleased and honored to add to it. We still keep in touch through e-mail. From Camerapedia: "Yashica-D is a medium format film TLR camera made by Yashica and produced between 1958-74" He seems to think that it still will work, I have to had a chance to order film and try it out.

Zeiss Ikon Contina

The final three additions to my collection I have to thank my father for. An avid yard-sale er, I asked him to keep an eye out for any old cameras. He was so pleased when he found these and paid less than $5 for all of them. The first of the bargains is a Zeiss Ikon Contina, 35mm film viewfinder camera made by Zeiss Ikon and produced between 1962-65.
Next is a Minolta Maxxum 4, a SLR with specifications courtesy of Media College:

Film type:	35mm
Focus:	Automatic and Manual Focus Modes
Exposure:	Automatic and Manual Exposure Modes
Max shutter speed:	1/2000th of a second
Min shutter speed:	30 Seconds
Standard Lens:	28mm to 80mm Zoom
Lens mount:	Minolta mount
External Flash:	Optional Auto Flash is available
Built-in electronic-flash:	Yes
Dimensions (WxHxD):	5 x 3.4 x 2.4 Inches

Minolta Maxxum 4

Argus C3

Last but not least, an Argus C3. From camerapedia: "a 35mm film rangefinder camera manufactured by Argus and produced between 1939-1957.
The Argus C series had been called "the brick". C3 is similar to the C2, but with flash sync attachment holes on left end." I have not tried any of the last three to see if they are still in working condition. Regardless of the outcomes, all 6 cameras contribute to a great start to a film collection and at the least beautiful studio decorations. I will blog an update on whether or not I am able to develop any successful photos.

First off I would like to apologize for the long overdue update. Nursing school has kicked my butt this semester and I blame that for my lack of blogging and updates. I'm hoping to make up for it this summer, and put photography higher up on my priority list. Next I would like to welcome my Mum to world of DSLRs! My Dad and I bought her, her first SLR this March to celebrate her 2nd 25th Birthday ;) I'm slowly teaching her all the basics, and switching her from a point-and-shoot mind frame, to more complex SLR thinking. So far she is doing wonderfully, and is far more advanced than expected. I'm slowly introducing her to the idea of becoming my photo assistant, and to later become a business partner and join the Flutter Focus Photography adventure. Granddad would be so proud of his two photo gals, and now he's got another lens to be behind in spirit.