Chris Meredith - Film Rules: The Modern Film Photography Companion

FILM RULES

The Modern Film Photography Companion

Chris Meredith

Gleaming Press

413-340-1969

gleamingpress.com

Film Rules The Modern Film Photography Companion by Chris Meredith

2019 by Chris Meredith. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying form without written permission of the author, Chris Meredith, or the publisher, Gleaming Press.

Books may be purchased in quantity and/or special sales by contacting the publisher, Gleaming Press by phone at 413-340-1969 or by email at info@gleamingpress.com

All photographs are the copyright of the author, except where noted. All logos are the copyright of their respective owners.

Meredith, Chris, 1969

Film Rules The Modern Film Photography Companion

ISBN-13: 978-0692721131

1. Film Photography 2. Photographic Film 3. Film Cameras

In memory of my father

Carl Dickinson Meredith Jr.

CONTENTS

Introduction

F ilm photography is making a comeback, brought on by continued demand from older film photographers and a new generation of photographers raised on digital that are now discovering the beauty of film, all served by traditional film companies (Kodak, Ilford, Fuji) and newer film companies (Lomography, Polaroid Originals) that are inventing new films as well as resurrecting old ones. Now may be the best time in history to get into film photography!

Dive! Dive!

Rule #1: There Are No Rules

Thats Rather Convenient

Part I - Film Photography Today

Film Camera Companies

Photographic Film Manufacturers

T he reports of film photographys demise at the hands of the digital era were premature, as a small group of manufacturers have continued to produce film photography supplies, including cameras, film and equipment, as well as creating new innovations in film photography that are allowing film photographers to extend their reach and capabilities.

This section highlights many of the current manufacturers of film cameras, equipment, and photographic film. This is meant to be an up-to-date, though potentially not comprehensive, overview of companies, as film photography manufacturers are starting up or springing back to life on a frequent basis in these exciting days for film.

Film Camera Companies

Fujifilm has produced photographic equipment since the 1930s, and still manufactures Instax instant cameras and instant film, a line of high end professional medium format films and several 35mm point and shoot cameras. In a blow to instant film photographers everywhere, Fujifilm announced in early 2016 the discontinuation of their FP-100C instant peel-apart film, the last of its kind.

fujifilm.com

FUJIFILM INSTAX 90 MINI

Holga made a popular series of toy cameras beloved for their lomographic look such as vignetting, light leaks and bokeh (lens distortions). Holga stopped production of the toy camera line in 2015, however Holgas are still available from many camera stores, Ebay, etc.

HOLGA 135

Polaroid Originals (formerly The Impossible Project) was started in 2008 to revive production of discontinued Polaroid films such as 600 and SX-70, and they recently released the I-1, the first new camera system for traditional Polaroid films in 20 years. polaroidoriginals.com

POLAROID SPIRIT 600 CAMERA

Leica is famous for their rangefinder cameras, and they still make several 35mm models. Leicas offer some of the finest optics available. leica-camera.com

LEICA IIIA

Lensbaby makes innovative and experimental lenses for SLR & mirrorless cameras and mobile phones, including the Composer Pro with Sweet 50 Optic lens that lets you spotlight the specifics in portraits with a particular point-of-view. lensbaby.com

LENSBABY SPARK LENS

Lomography was started in the 1990s to create reproductions of classic toy cameras like the original Russian Lomo camera. Lomography now sells a variety of their own and other makers toy cameras, as well as a line of traditional and experimental films, and experimental camera lenses. They also have an active online community. lomography.com

LOMOGRAPHY PETZVAL LENS