Retro photography is on the rise and is showing up everywhere. Lots of photographers are taking it back to the oldies and picking up old 120 film cameras, pinhole cameras, and cameras that need retro fitting to use film that is still made in the present. Yesterday I picked up the latest addition to my fleet of film cameras with the intention of getting back to using film. The Argus Super Seventy-Five twin lens camera. This one in particular belonged to my great grandfather.
The Super Seventy-five uses 620 film which was discontinued in 1995 after it had been made by Kodak since 1932. It is basically the same film as 120 though and may only require re-spooling the film on to a 620 spool or a 120 spool that has been retro fitted. The Super Seventy-Five was made from 1954-1958 and was highly sought after for its very dynamic view finder that allowed for a brilliant look at the subject.
Many people have picked up the Super Seventy-Five just for the view finder by itself. Photographers have found that since it has such a large view finder one must only take a photo through the viewfinder with another camera(
TtV) giving it the same retro feel without the hassles of film.
Very soon I hope to have my other film cameras up and running again so that I can start using film once more. Digital is great, I love being able manipulate my photos in CS2 or at school on CS5 but I'm bringing it back. Old 80's fixed lens Pentax, original Polaroids, and now the Super Seventy-Five. I am beside myself with excitement to start working with this camera and have no doubt in how amazed I will be with the photos taken from it.
2 comments:
I completely agree with the idea that retro film photography is coming back. I've noticed I respond more to photos done with film rather than digitally; film feels more real than digital somehow, I can't explain it. Maybe the photographers going retro have noticed or feel the same way. I know how it feels to be able to physically develop art-- it's SO much more satisfactory. I hope you're able to reach your goal of taking back retro film!
P.S... I'd follow your blog, but this technical stuff stumps me so bad.
Nice, I'm glad to hear your side of it. I feel the same about it and I think that there are different emotional values that you can get from older cameras that have light leaks and vignettes.
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