Initially, I’ll be using two cameras :
- Balda Baldix
- Voightlander Bessa 1
If you want further information on them you can find it at this excellent site – http://mattsclassiccameras.com.
I’ll add any pertinent information regarding the cameras if and when it arises.
The Baldix gives a 6×6 sized negative, which means I get 12 shots per film – while the Bessa is a 6×9 sized negative, which means I only get 8 shots a film. Serious stuff!
The source of both cameras was a local club auction. I think I paid over the odds but it was for a good cause.
Baldix (6×6)
I’m not really sure what the quality of the photos out of the Baldix will be like because the coating is badly rubbed. I’m hoping that I can keep any stray light off the lens in most cases so the damage will have minimal effect on the negatives – but of course I’m going to have to try a few shots where the coating damage is tested.
Voightlander Bessa 1 (6×9)
The Bessa 1 will shoot 6×6 providing a special mask is in place, but my camera has lost it.
——Stephen——
Folding Up 
I am just getting into film photography but going the rangefinder route. I wish you success in this. It takes real skill to use film with an older camera.
Thank you.
Rangefinders next! 😉
One of my drivers is medium format – I’m not the most able 35mm film worker – and they take soo long to get through a film (I know I can get gizzmos and bulk film).
cheers
In you success in the new project. I plan to make a pinhole camera in 2013. Already have the chemicals and paper.
Maybe next will step will be 35mm.
Cheers.
I did some pinhole stuff before I started with the folders – there’s a couple of posts on my main blog you may be interested in.
http://stephenhip.wordpress.com/ – the dropdown search selecting ‘pinhole’ will get you to them.
Good luck with your pinhole work – there some good info on the web, especially for calculating exposures.
Hi stephen,
you should also check out the Agfa Isolette 3 with either of the 3 variant lenses. (they’re all sharp) I have some pics somewhere from mine which has the cheapest lens and it’s excellent. All the best.
Paul
Thanks for that advice – I’ll check that one out and see if the moths have left anything in my wallet! 😉
BTW the bessa is a classic camera and you’re a lucky man to own/use one. I’d love one some day to add to my collection. All the best Stephen.
Great blog, I’m thoroughly enjoying my two folders as well as my Bronica, biggest problem is deciding which one to take out!
Hope you continue to enjoy the experience.
🙂 Thank you. I have a Rollei SL66 which is a bit of a beast, so the folders come in handy (I’d love one of the ‘new’ folding Voightlanders but budget is tight and I want a new dslr.)
Stephen, I thought you had another site where you were working with film and perhaps medium format. These are all very good.
My main blog is now digital, though early stuff is a mix.
I’ve another blog which I set up as part of a project I did with film folding cameras, but I’ve expanded it to include all my film work – this blog may contain some MF as well as 35mm – though any film work tends to be pretty sporadic.
I’ve a third blog, though a blog might not be the right format, through which I show the photographs I take associated with my visits to local parish churches.
(I’ve a sheaf of pages to put together on my church blog, but they take a fair time to do – not like the ‘couple of minutes’ for a simple photo post.)
Stephen! Good to see that you are still at it!
If it was good enough for them…….