One Hundred and Ten

I have been messing with my film cameras again. A week ago, I went on a "photowalk" with Little P. and we ended up finishing 1 roll on the Nickelodeon Photoblaster. Aside from the NP, we also had with us my beloved Vivitar UWS and the Vivitar IC100. We did not have a 110 camera with us as the films I ordered did not arrive on time. But, they are here now, and the Matapora is sure to join the next 'walk.

Looks like 110 is alive again. A couple of weeks after I ordered an Ikimono camera Fukkatsu suddenly popped out on Flickr. Just check the load from Four Corner Store, all fresh.

My lowfi beauties are finally getting fed!!

Swat This Bug.

Here is a another menacing LEGO MOC made by Peer Kreuger (the same guy who made that really cool Metal Grudge). Looking like a mean robotic insect, it is actually an all-terrain camera quadpod with adjustable limbs. It also has a facility for having the camera face upwards or downwards.

Not made of basic bricks but I would take it.

Bricks and Films

Cary Norton combined two things that I like, LEGO and photography, into one. Amazing stuff.

Though, I still would take this beauty over that giant.

Lomokev Misses A Shot

Kevin Meredith's new book, "Toy Cameras: Creative Photos", came in the mail a few days ago. I also have his first one, a personal favorite, "Hot Shots". The second, "Photo Op", the only one that was locally available I did check out but did not pick up. And unlike the previous ones, this new book features a lot more contributors' shots rather than just Kevin's. 40 "toy" cameras are featured, their quirks and "effects" discussed quite briefly and sample images shown. While I am quite satisfied with the coverage, I feel the best digital toy cameras had been left out. The VQ and the FD did not make the cut.

The Vistaquest Keychain Camera variants VQ1005 and VQ1015 Entry are tagged as the digial LC-A, producing images with almost the same feel as those produced by that not so "toy priced" Lomography camera, vignetted and with saturated colors.

The Fun Digital Camera FDC01, also known as SQ28m in Japan, is another little keychain camera that has a big following among artistic photographers. It captures square images and can produce b/w, vivid, and cross-procossed shots.

The LEGO Digital Camera made it into the book. Which is a surprise because it is not really that popular among toy camera enthusiasts and it is quite new compared to the VQ. Little P thinks it is a blast having her camera in there, I am okay with it too.

A side note, ndroo aka Fuzzyeyeballs, a Singaporean who loves toy camera photography and whose blog I follow has a couple of pictures in the book.

When Your Steps Get Numbered

Finding it quite hard to finish rolls inside the Photoblaster and the Vivitar UWS. Somehow the spontaneity of shooting goes out of the window when I am using film cameras. I keep on weighing whether it is okay to "waste" shots on garbage cans and street signs or just take photos of Little P. while she turns the house into a "pretty" mess. I did manage to finish a roll of Sensia 100 with the Viv last December. That one remains unprocessed though, waiting for the other two before being sent to the lab.

I am afraid that I will not find an analog groove any time soon. It is no fun when you are over-thinking before firing. My love for my VQs (1015 Entry and 1005) remains unmatched.

The Stuff That Makes Up The World

Getting the LEGO digital camera somehow rekindled my love for LEGO bricks and building. Little P. and I plan to amass tons of basic bricks for gazillions of constructing fun. Never mind the themed sets. I think having a brick stock and just grabbing some images off the net would be more fun. Plus, we love multicolor builds, "real" colors are just plain dull.

X-Rated

Got a new toy.

Just like its predecessor the FDC01, aka SQ28M, this baby has a horrible shutter lag. (I was hoping they already worked on that.) Hence, it is not suited for drive-by snapping which is only what my time allows right now. A proper "photowalk" awaits.

I have not paid for this yet. My dear wifey would be glad to know that I did not have to break into our bank account. Yet. Think of it as a credit card purchase without the interest. (Right, 'tol? Hehe.)

Here is a sample capture using the yellow mode:

Who Needs An LC-A?

I got my second film camera today, a Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim. My first one I got as a gift when I was in high school more than two decades ago. Somewhere among all the junk we have in the province that camera is waiting.

The UWS is known as the "poor man's LC-A" (that really expensive plastic camera from Lomography). Like the LC-A the UWS can also produce fantastic color saturation and vignetting. I love those effects on my photos. My VQs can do the same. Sometimes though I wish for a viewfinder, hence, the UWS.

What concerns me now is the "total" cost of owning a film camera. I have checked the net, and the good films go for around 5-7 US dollars. Then we have the cost of film processing and film-to-cd service.

So the UWS remains untouched, waiting for her turn.

I Stand Alone

Film cameras have crossed my mind a few times since I picked up "snapping pictures" as a hobby. There are a couple of models that I think would suit me. I tried acquiring one but it went beyond my hobby fund. Also holding me back is the cost of films and film processing. Plus, I honestly think my "toidejikames" are better than any toy film cameras out there. A free camera would go a long way in making me think otherwise. Just in time, Ms. Jennifer Young of i art u is giving away a Holga TLR and some other yummy goodies from Fourcornersdark.

Hop on over to i art u. Read the archives as well. Very good read. If you end up winning the Holga, send it over to me. You will be a better person for it. Trust me.

We Love Staring At Blank Walls

I am staying away from the term lomography and lomo when I talk about my photographs. There are elitists out there who think lomo is about the camera and not about the approach and the photograph (haha) and I do not want to deal with these people. So, when it comes to my pictures, I am using the terms lowres (low resolution) and lofi (low fidelity). Funny though, now that I am in Flickr, lomography groups from all over keep on inviting me to join their pools. Weird. Hilarious.

Our Eyes

Like always, this blog has been put on the side for quite some time. Various things occupying my time and my mind. I have had tossed around some blog entries but I ended up not wanting to share them. I am quite selfish that way.

Still into digital lofi photography. I got my third model late March, the FDC01 (SQ28M in Japan). Even Little Popot is getting in on it.

I am finding it harder and harder to be into things that Popot likes. I no longer can sway her taste towards things that "we" like. While we still have Pikachu and Mickey, Barbie and Ariel has taken up most of her time (and our time). So, it is a wonderful occassion when she gets interested in the things that I am into.

We went out for this afternoon, only the VQ and the FD with us.

Little P's shots:

A New Love

Words have not been arriving. This barren blog shows it. Images, on the other hand, are flowing. Saturated, vivid, whimsy. The VQ1015 Entry brings them like Sandman brings dreams.