It's hip to be square.

Ahh...Huey Lewis and the News had it right.....squares are cool.

So, for this weeks blog entry instead of giving you a bit of information on camera functions, or how to make sure your image is in focus, we're going to look at some fun pictures. I am going to show you some images I shot last week using my trusty TLR Yashica Mat 124 G camera.

For those who aren't hip to the jive of the vintage camera world...TLR stands for "Twin Lens Reflex" that means it has two lenses, one you see through, the other one actually takes the picture. These cameras generally require you to look down through a viewfinder located at the top of the camera to help you compose your image.

The particular camera I used takes photos on 120 film, that gives negatives that are 2 1/4 inches wide and
2 1/4 inches tall...well...officially they are 6 cm by 6 cm. The 120 format is generally referred to as Medium Format since it is larger than 35mm (small format) but smaller than 4x5 and larger field cameras (large format) The Medium format is a great way for film shooters to get more detail in their images in the form of larger negatives.

Really the only downside of the format is that you only get 12 images on a roll of film (or 18 if your camera shoots in a 6 cm x 4.5 cm format) instead of the 24-36 many are used to with their 35mm cameras. But y'know...having fewer shots makes us slow down, which if you've been reading my blog lately you know is a good thing.

So, without further ado, here are some of the highlights from my photo expedition through Portland last week.

Geek Hardware: The Antique Store Brownie Hawkeye

What is it about an old, rusted, ugly camera that I just adore? Is it the history? Is it the $20.00 price tag? Is it the fact that it uses film instead of a sensor? Is it the fact that I can tear that sucker apart and do just about anything to it and I won't feel bad if I break it?....well...it's a little of all of those things. :)

Over the course of the past couple of years I have found myself buying up every cool old camera I can lay my little hands on. I have amassed quite the collection. The cool thing is...all of these old cameras work! In my collection I have Kodak Box Brownies that are nearly 100 years old. I have a great old 8x10 view camera that I saved from extinction (and have lovingly named Ruby) and a few Polaroids that will probably never see use again! But y'never know!

Using my blog as a platform, I would like to introduce you to some of these vintage light catchers and show you how cool old technology can be!

First, let's talk Brownies.

This guy is a Brownie Hawkeye. They were made between 1949 and 1961. There are TONS of these little guys all over the place. They make 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" negatives (GET OUT OF YOUR RECTANGLES! Squares are where it's at!!!) on 620 film....wait...620?!?! Do they even make that anymore? Nope, not so much. BUT, fear not my friends, all it takes to magically transform a roll of 120 film into 620 is a nail file and a little bit of time. Just file down the edges of the spools on your roll of 120 until you are left with just a little bit of plastic above the top of the rolled film...and that's really all it takes. You can also procure old 620 spools and re-roll your film...but that's for the super involoved. Plus, my way saves you TONS of time and aggrevation.

Another great thing about this particular brand of Brownie is that the lens can be flipped around to create a very ethereal look for your photos. As soon as I get my hands on another one of these babies, I will mod it with the flipped lens so I can have one of each!

Many times you will find this camera with a flash..the kind we saw in movies from the 50's and 60's. Big bulb, loud pop, tons of fun, your friends will love it.

So, my friends, next time you find yourself in an antique store, or at a yard sale and see a hawkeye, just know that it's an awesome camera that could use a good home! You CAN get film for it and use it! So get out there, and get shooting!