Author Topic: one month, one camera (Read 6071 times)

astrobeck · « **on:** October 27, 2013, 08:12:38 PM »

For whatever reason, I've decided to only use one camera for the month of November.
The camera I picked for the month is a Shakey's. It's a very simple Diana clone without a focus setting or bulb like a lot of Dianas have.
Bare bones!

Mainly I want to see if I can do this, and also it's time to simplify my work style.

Yesterday I made a little cradle thing to set it in so I can use it with a tripod, because I figure I can layer the exposure with more clicks to make some low light exposures if needed. None of the Diana family of cameras have tripod sockets either!
I put a peep hole in the cradle thing so I can see the red window.

I also made a fabric strap for it because I've never liked the flimsy plastic straps that come with the cameras.

Here's what the setup looks like....I'm ready for November and hope I can complete the month using just one camera.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2013, 08:32:22 PM »

cool!

Francois · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2013, 09:17:11 PM »

Quite ingenious too.
Is that strap made from an old tie?

astrobeck · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2013, 09:46:25 PM »

Quote from: Francois on October 27, 2013, 09:17:11 PM

Quite ingenious too.
Is that strap made from an old tie?

Francois, funny you should ask that....but no, it's some old Route 66 fabric I had in the sewing box....but after I made the strap I did "tie" it on like a necktie. Funny!

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2013, 11:21:28 PM »

Good luck, Becky. Great cradle!

MitzyG · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2013, 08:01:16 PM »

I am joining Beck in this. I am shooting only my new-to-me Olympus OM 4 all of November. I will also be only shooting black and white and doing all my own developing for that month. I think that will be a good way for me to really learn this camera (which I love and plan on making my main 35 mm camera). The film stuff is because I am taking a developing/printing class that ends the middle of November and I have the use of the college darkrooms through the first of the year with this class.

Francois · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2013, 08:13:47 PM »

Quote from: MitzyG on October 28, 2013, 08:01:16 PM

I am joining Beck in this.

Astrobeck's is affectionally known as Becky.

Beck is a different member of the forum that's a bit like Beetlejuice: call her name three times and she'll pop into your life

astrobeck · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2013, 09:23:11 PM »

no harm done...but it can be confusing since there are 2 Becky's here.

It's one of the reasons I just keep astrobeck as a moniker where ever I go...

Anyway, I'm happy to have MitzyG as company for the month.

The OM4 will do you well! It's a nice camera to carry everywhere and back before the digi world took over the astro-photography world, it was a very nice astro camera!!!

Here's a sample shot from my Shakey's camera I made over the weekend....I'm looking forward to November !
Whee!

original_ann · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2013, 12:54:28 AM »

I love the strap, I think the cradle is so clever and the idea of your 30 day exercise liberating!!

astrobeck · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2013, 01:55:41 AM »

Thanks Ann!
It really means a lot to have this encouragement!

Just a few more days!!!!

imagesfrugales · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2013, 02:59:20 AM »

Hey gals, after dealing with a lot of bs today I enjoyed this thread very much. Now I can go to sleep with a smile :-)

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2013, 07:31:57 AM »

Good luck Becky! Maybe I should join you. I have this 127 camera that I converted to a pinhole camera and I still haven't finished the first roll. Maybe I should give that a go. Another 4 rolls of 127 should be enough for November at my shooting speed

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2013, 02:59:42 PM »

Think I will tag along with a Diana pinhole I just loaded..will make a great thread if a couple more "wasters" join in!

jojonas~ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2013, 11:22:11 PM »

great idea! I think I'll join you and try to get to know my olympus om2

astrobeck · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2013, 11:28:35 PM »

woo-hoo! The more the merrier I say.
Another Olympus! I pine away for Ollies at times...
This is going to be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jojonas~ · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2013, 06:30:20 AM »

did someone say ollie??

Autumn skate by chichoch, on Flickr
this was also shot with an ollie

AJShepherd · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2013, 10:37:29 PM »

I should have a go at this. Now i just need to pick a camera.

irv_b · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2013, 05:31:22 PM »

I have a Pen EE half frame that I yet to use - may I hop on board?

astrobeck · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2013, 06:17:19 PM »

Quote from: irv_b on October 31, 2013, 05:31:22 PM

I have a Pen EE half frame that I yet to use - may I hop on board?

Hi Irv!
By all means please join.

There's room for all and it would be an honor to have you with us.
It will be fun to see the month progress and see what the general thoughts are as it unfolds.
My biggest worry is that my flimsy camera will not hold up to a full month of use, but I have loads of tape on hand, so hope that it works out!

Here's a snap of my bag of tricks.

chricela · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2013, 10:32:49 PM »

I'm very tempted to join in, but have such a commitment issue!

SLVR · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2013, 11:06:39 PM »

I've been rocking my M2 for the last 3 or 4 months.

I would love to go a whole month though shooting MF with my bronica... Might be something worth doing. Last roll I put through my Leicas and I'll switch to MF. Im game for november!

AJShepherd · « **Reply #21 on:** November 02, 2013, 12:10:38 PM »

I decided to give this a go using my OM-1.
I've got a nice selection of lenses for it, and I've always liked using it so need to use it more often!

astrobeck · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2013, 03:03:10 PM »

Cool!
We've got a pretty good party going on now!

And another Olympus in the group too. Olympus must be the new black!

Have fun everyone.

Ezzie · « **Reply #23 on:** November 03, 2013, 04:20:18 PM »

Just finish of a roll in the Exa, and I'll use my M4-2 for the month of November. I have a 28/35/50/90 set for it. So is more or less a do-it all system, unless of course you do action and macro, for which it is not suited regardless.

FiatluX · « **Reply #24 on:** November 05, 2013, 12:41:14 AM »

Quote from: Chricel on November 01, 2013, 10:32:49 PM

I'm very tempted to join in, but have such a commitment issue!

Gesundheit.. Me too!

jojonas~ · « **Reply #25 on:** November 05, 2013, 10:17:49 PM »

this has proven to be quite a challange already with me being close to firing a shot with lc-a, wanting to load up my bronica with some new film I just got and I'm itching to do an exposure test with my sprocket rocket aaaargh! What day is it??

:p

the oly IS getting some good exercise though! Gonna try and push polypan to 400 with it and xtol. Thoughts?

irv_b · « **Reply #26 on:** November 05, 2013, 10:31:28 PM »

Just a thought - are we going to display our effort collectively on the site somewhere?

astrobeck · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2013, 02:43:35 AM »

Quote from: irv_b on November 05, 2013, 10:31:28 PM

Just a thought - are we going to display our effort collectively on the site somewhere?

I think it's fine to post photos along the way if you like too...

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #28 on:** November 06, 2013, 07:57:11 AM »

I somehow missed this. Too many new cameras and lenses to try this month. Maybe December will be better. Anyway, once the month is over and all rolls are developed a short report on how it worked for you (did this help you with your photography? etc.) would be nice. Who knows some of them might end up in the magazine

jojonas~ · « **Reply #29 on:** November 07, 2013, 05:27:53 AM »

confession time! cleaning up in the closet led to me bringing out the konica auto s3. realised that I had left the battery in and fired a shot -the last of the roll

now I wonder when I shot this roll?? last time I used the camera was during the summer but I thought I developed that roll! haha

on another note, the OM2 is chugging along nicely. gonna be interesting to see how the film behaves though

Ezzie · « **Reply #30 on:** November 07, 2013, 02:17:22 PM »

As for results. Tintin has started a thread for it here: http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=6645.0

SLVR · « **Reply #31 on:** November 07, 2013, 03:31:14 PM »

Aye, I have! sorry should have linked it here!