Six By Nine
There's something that has always appealed to me about old medium format folding cameras. Despite their age, relative simplicity, small form factor (when folded) they can yield remarkably good image quality from those BIG negatives. Being lightweight they're easy to carry around.
The images below are from my Adox Sport. Though originally dual format, 6x9cm or 6x4.5cm, the drop-in mask for the smaller format was missing when I acquired the camera. This model was produced around the time James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause was released. Maybe using these wonderful old cameras can make you a rebel with a cause? Maybe. Bucking the trend of ever-increasing automation and returning to the old ways of picture taking has it's rewards, not least of which is the satisfaction of creating something physical, rather than virtual, that comes with all film photography. The hands-on all manual approach also adds to the enjoyment.
One thing it did come with, however, was a fair amount of fungus, one of the risks of using vintage kit. Fortunately I've managed to remove the worst of it from the lens and film pressure plate and have given the old-timer a good general clean. The shutter blades, strangely enough, still carry some small but visible clumps of the dreaded stuff. Fingers crossed it stays relatively dormant..
A quirk I’ve noticed with this camera is the more-than-you-really-get view through it’s simple metal frame viewfinder, the actual recorded image slightly cropping the view. Just one of those little things to be borne in mind. Other than that, the camera is a pleasure to use. All good fun at the end of the day.
The roll of Kentmere 400 was developed in caffenol using the Delta recipe.
I usually advance the film just after each shot. Sometimes I forget…
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These are wonderful! I love the second photo in particular!