I recently got a bee in my bonnet about learning "through the viewfinder" (TTV) photography. It requires an old camera like a Kodak Duaflex, Argus, or Brownie + a digital camera with a decent macro lens, plus some homemade gadgetry made out of black presentation board. I put the Ebay King on it, and within 24 hours was the proud owner of a new (old) $11 Duaflex II. I could really get into collecting old cameras, though don't tell the Ebay King that. He might think that means he has a blank check to buy as many broken Russian watches to fix as he wants.
Anyway.
I've played with it a little though I haven't had a chance to build my
little panel to keep out the reflection yet. It's fun, and while I
certainly don't have time to pick up a new hobby, sometimes that's just
the kind of hobby you need—the one you don't have time for but want to
try anyway.
Yes, it's supposed to look like that. That's the point. : )
We were poking around in the camera this weekend, and found a roll of exposed 620 film inside, an obvious oversight by whoever it was that sold the camera on Ebay. There is a place in Colorado that specializes in old film—even older than this, which is probably from the 1950s or 1960s—so I promptly looked up their mailing address and bought a mailer to send it in. How could I not?? It will take about 8 weeks to get it returned to me, because they mix their chemistry for developing in very small batches. I love that this place still exists, and I love that they said on their website that post-Christmas is their busiest time of year because of all the people who are poking around in family attics over the holidays and find old cameras with old film. Then last night, the following conversation took place:
Matt: So you're really going to get that film developed?
Me: Of course!
Matt: What if it has pictures of dismembered bodies on it? Like a murder from the 1950s?
Me: WHAT??!? That is ridiculous.
Matt: And then they're going to realize the camera got sold and it won't take long before they figure out who has it. [looking around at the door and windows for effect.]
Me: NICE. STOP IT.
Matt: Don't worry, Nancy Drew is upstairs.
: )
I'll be sure to share what is on the roll of film in a few months.
