So, I’ve been eye-balling the 6×7 Mamiya models from some time now.  One reason is they have Polaroid backs.  Finally, I won (at a good price if my wife is reading) a Mamiya RB67 Pro S.  It came with a Polaroid back, a 120 back, a waist level finder, and metered prism finder.  It was every option I wanted.  I figured it would be slightly bigger than my 645, but I was wrong.  This thing is HUGE!!!

Now, I finally have a camera to shoot my peel apart film besides the Colorpack.  Plus, this will handle my roll film needs so the 645 is going on the “auction block”.  I’ll be posting a lot more about this “beast”, but here is a fun test shot.

This thing is SWEET!

Here was a photo taken from my office a couple weeks ago.  It looked really pretty and was melted the next day.

So, my plan is to grab a pack, or roll of film at a time and shoot something I want to shoot.  I told myself I can’t buy anymore film until I’ve used at least 75% of what I already have.  Notice I said film.    I’m considering a consolidation of gear again, and might replace my Mamiya 645 with a RZ67.  I have two reasons for this.  One, there are some broken parts inside.  The only way I can see fixing it is buying another body and swapping it out.  But, that will be about $100, or $50 for a “parts” version.  The beauty of the RZ67 is I would be able to shoot instant pack film.  I love the Fuji pack film, and would finally be able to use the black and white at it’s high ISO capabilities.

I also continue to use my Dial 35, and just shot about a third of a roll of Kodak Ektar 100.  I love that film.  Unfortunately, couldn’t finish it off, as San Francisco was too cloudy for the rest of the trip.  My goal is to display more of my photography this year.  I have a lot of great shots, and need to find creative ways to show it off.  Stay tuned for an analog film-a-palooza!

Here are a few shots in the mean time.  I love portraits with the Mamiya and Ilford Delta 3200 film.

So, I’ve recently purchased way too much film, flashcubes, and instant analog greatness.  Now, I have a stock pile of film, and it’s time to shoot.  I’ve been out of town a lot, and only have random things in my hotel room to shoot.  So, I took a few “Polaroids”, and then snapped some point and shoot photos of the result.  No scanner in my room, so bear with me.

The first is some still photography…the second is a shot of the overpriced movie I bought in my hotel room.  I can go on and on about the details of how I shot this, but it’s just a little thinking about light.  Everything else is boring.  Regardless, I hope you enjoy the simplicity of these photos, and the fact that everything doesn’t have to be “great” to be a photo you like.

I learned a big lesson this day.  If you have a couple who plans a wonderful day, is in love with each other, and has fantastic family and friends…then you have a recipie for a beautiful wedding.  In the end, I just needed to show up and do what I usually do.  Capture great photos of a couple in love with each other.  Thank you Mary and James for letting me be a part of your special day.

Now…on to the photos:

I tried one of these out today and I’m going to be keeping an eye on the Sony NEX models…

But, Polaroid film is really cool.  I remember my first camera.  It was a Kodak Champ.  Instant, integral, Polaroid-esque camera.  Flashbar and all.  Then, Polaroid sued Kodak.  The cameras were discontinued, and film was no longer available.  Fast forward to now, and there are a boat-load of Polaroid integral film cameras still out there.  Now, there is film.

So, what you see here, is I’m a Pioneer Member.

So, I know what you’re saying.  Cool…this guy has spent way too much money on the ability to take blurry photos.  Now, before all the Impossible Project fans send me hate mail, let me say this.  First, I’m a Pioneer Member.  So, lay off.  Second, I do like the “project”, and I plan to support it.  I’ve taken some cool photos, but I really want to see improvements.  Figure it out, and I’m there.

That said, I still love my $3 Colorpack III the best.  It’s zone (guess) focusing, plastic lens, and just simplicity and coolness all wrapped up in one.

You can probably seen in the photo an infamous flashcube.  I had a concern that I wouldn’t be able to get these anymore, and they’d be really expensive.  Well, I’ve been pleasantly surprised.  I’m finding a great number of these on eBay, and they’re cheap.  So…all your flashcubes belong to me!

These things seem to store well, and I have a serious stockpile of them.  :)

Something great I got from the Impossible Project was a big shipment of Polaroid Type 100 peel-apart film.  They were looking to generate some cash for their next Impossible film iteration, and I bought a bunch of packs at 50% off.  Today, if you want sepia, cross-processed, or other film effects, you just click the action.  Before PhotoShop, you actually needed to change your film.  Recently, I shot some really cool double-exposures using some Polaroid Blue, my Colorpack III, and working with flashcubes.

Thanks to Aleks for another great shoot.  These shots took a decent amount of time, and I supplemented light with a Menards shop light and a 150W bulb.  We also finished off a pack of Fuji FP-100C film.

For the rest of this month, I have a lot of travelling to do, and will try to blog more at night.  I’ve been playing around with so many cool things, I just need to sit down and write about them.  The above pictures (aside from scanned Polaroids) were taken with my Canon 50mm f/1.2L.  That lens is serious glass, and fits perfectly with my shooting style.

Also coming up, I should get back my wedding images from my second shooter gig with Peter Matthes Photography.

…more to come…

I was a second shooter again for Peter Matthes Photography.  Pete and I both shoot Canon, we have different styles which compliment each other’s shooting, and I know exactly how he wants lights setup when needed.  Have a look at a sample of some photos from the day.

More to come…