BBs ON FILM
BBs ON FILM
This is a site to document my adventures learning about film cameras by taking photos and video of friends, family and community. I love the more thoughtful pace of film photography, especially when using older mechanical cameras. Many of the cameras below were purchased very cheaply from auctions and estate sales, and i’ve had so much fun cleaning and testing those over the past few years. <3
JUMP TO CAMERA:Yashica A | Linhof Technika III | Canon Canonet Junior | Premier 100F | Canon Elph 370Z | Fujica STX-1 | Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame | Kodak Instamatic 155X | Bilora Bella 35 | Pentax PC35AF-M | Kodak Retinette 1b | Polaroid SX-70 | Polaroid Sun660 | Fuji Instax SQ10 | Fuji Instax Mini 70 | Fuji Instax Mini EVO | Fuji Instax Wide | Canon 510XL 8mmYashica A
A gift from my partner, Kat. This is the first medium format film camera i’ve owned and one of my favourite cameras to use. Released between 1956 and 1960, the process of using this camera is slow and thoughtful. The camera uses 120mm film and has a gorgeous waist level viewfinder. Dreamy!
Linhof Technika III 13 x 18
This large format camera was released in 1946. I bought mine from a German auction. I have a handy 4x5 converter back with film slides, as well as a 6x9 medium format back with both film slides and a roll film insert. Images below were shot on film or as direct positives on paper. Developed either at home or in local darkrooms.
Canon Canonet Junior
This 35mm camera was released in 1963. I picked up one of these from an auction in mint condition, complete with original box and instruction manual. The camera uses zone focusing and produces super crisp images. Since gifted to my dear friend, Laura.
When it was released in 1997, this was the smallest and fastest camera ever released. The camera uses speciality APS film, which is out of production, but can still be found online relatively cheaply. These cameras are super cheap to buy, and the images are really fun. They can be scanned with or without the film border. You can also shoot in different frame sizes and choose to date stamp the shots if that’s your jam. A great point and shoot.
Canon Elph 370Z
This 35mm SLR was released in 1979. I picked it up at an auction along with several other cameras. I love the focusing screen and full manual controls. The lens is waaaayyy sharper than I expected it to be and capable of beautiful bokeh. I also love the feel of the heavy aluminium body. I shot the below test roll for this camera in the backyard during lockdown. Camera since gifted to Sophie in France <3
Fujica STX-1 SLR
I bought this camera for $5 from an auction and gave it to my darling Kat as a pressie. Together, we’ve used it to snap some of the most fun times with our pals. The film format, 110mm, was out of production for a long time but lomography have started producing a range of film stocks again. Colour tiger stock is my favourite. We love the frames!
Premier 110F 110mm camera
I bought this fun little point and shoot before a family holiday. ‘Half frame’ means that each 35mm frame is divided into two images. This means that for every 36-shot roll of film, you get 72 images. HUGE! There are essentially no controls on this camera, but I found it best to use flash wherever possible. I like the way the images scan in side-by-side. They are also sometimes scanned as single images, which you can see in the gallery below.
Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame
Produced between 1971 and 1979, this plastic fantastic camera is super basic and super fun. The camera uses 126 film cartridges which went out of production in the 90s. I order expired film from a legend in Portugal. You never know what you’ll get with this film, which is part of the fun!
Kodak Instamatic 155X
The Bilora Bella 35 was released in 1958. It’s a full manual 35mm camera, which I picked up in a bulk lot from an auction house. Honestly, I could hardly find any information about this camera online and didn’t expect the test roll to work. While the sharpness isn’t perfect, there is a beautiful feeling to some of the test images below.
Bilora Bella 35
This 35mm camera was released in 1982. The design is so fun and the sliding lens protector is handy for avoiding scratches when it’s chucked in a bag for regular use. The pop-up flash is also great. Being an electronic camera, it’s prone to errors and break downs, but aside from a sticky shutter, the one I got from an auction is working correctly.
Pentax PC35AF-M
Released in 1959, this 35mm rangefinder camera is cute! Full manual control. I found it difficult to nail focus on this one, but was still super happy that the test roll below turned out okay. Like almost all of the cameras above, this was picked up in a mixed lot from an auction house.
Kodak Retinette 1b
This camera was manufactured in 1972. It’s an ISO 100 Polaroid land camera, perfect for outdoor use. It comes with a vintage polaroid camera's classic chrome body. Manual focus and adjustable lighten/ darken wheel.
Polaroid SX-70
Look at this chunky 1981 design! The Polaroid Sun 660 features Sonar autofocus technology for sharper photographs day or night. The Sun 660 is considered one of the best instant cameras ever made. I got this from an auction for $30, and the images have been my favourite from any instant camera I own.
Polaroid Sun 660
A hybrid digital instant camera released a few years ago. The benefit of this one is that it allows you to check photos before you print them, and also make copies to share with friends. The prints are square, but smaller in size than original polaroid prints.
Fuji Instax Square SQ10 Digital Hybrid
I’ve shot hundred of party pics on this little gem! The flash works really well for night time event shots and i’ve found the colour and autoexposure to be great. It’s also a tough little camera that’s survived being dropped and thrown around. It’s also the cheapest instant film stock, which makes if more affordable to use.
Fuji Instax Mini 70
This is the most recently released digital hybrid instax camera. Yet to use often.
Fuji Instax Mini EVO
This is the largest instant camera - think brick size. It produces a wider instant print which is good for group shots. Personally, I prefer the original square format.
Fuji Instax Wide 300
Super8 footage is so nostalgic and romantic! Kat and I bought this before a major event and have since used it to capture weddings, music festivals and other special moments. The film is expensive and difficult to get developed, but the results are worth it.
Canon 310XL Super 8 Camera
Nic and Ollie’s Wedding, 2022
Kat and I filmed the wedding of our beautiful friends. This was one of the first times shooting super8 and it was scary wondering whether the settings were right, or how different film stocks would work in the changing light. Ultimately, I’m so happy that it worked and we captured this fab day.
Summer Camp Festival Melbourne, 2022
Summer Camp Festival was so special! I loved shooting this super8 footage and will hopefully have time to edit it down for socials some time soon.