NASA 35mm Camera!!

An official NASA space camera is for sale on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230408091531

Here's what the advert says:

Perhaps the rarest of all Nikon Collectibles and most significant Nikon Camera ever produced. The camera was designed and used for NASA Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia Missions. The Camera has much improved and oversized buttons, levers and windows to accomidate the usage of gloves. This auction is for the Nikon F3HP Nasa Camera and The Rarest Nikkor 55mm F2 UV Nikkor for usage in space. This includes two battery packs. A protective cap for the spare battery pack. The Rare Focus Pins (Still in the Bag) With The Rare Tall Shutter release for Gloves as shown in this link. http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE3n.html Nothing is like this system. This auction is not for everyone. This is for the most passionate collector of Nikon Equipment looking to highlight the most rare center piece for their collection. There is little known about these as few are available. I purchased this personally from NASA. This camera Has a 72 Frame film counter on top large window and on the Back of the built in Motordrive. Nikon Comissioned Kodak to produce a thinner emultion film that could be used at longer roll lengths to eas film interchangability. The Camera is complete and in Proper operational condition. The battery packs use standard AA Batteries once open to install.

The 55mm UV Nikkor is amongst the rarest of lenses and was specifically designed to be used with this camera while photographing in space.This lens also designed to use gloves. Featured a large aperature ring with a f=Stop Range from F2-F16Has a coal black finish and Unique focus free operation with a very unique rear element as seen in photos. Has unique metal caps that are also unique only to this excessivly rare lens. Few in existance. This is Number 19 Many have been lost and this one has been stitting on a NASA Shelf a long long time. Few People have ever seen and very little is known about this lens, Perhaps the rarest Nikkor.

Very Rare Accessories and a very complete piece of History capturing some of the most memorable moments in space.....

This Very complete unique set includes:

Nikon F3HP NASA Camera Body;P/N SED33101585-303 S/N 1012

Nikon F3HP Finder P/N 33101585-007

Nikon F3 Screen P/N SED 33101572 S/N 1007

Nikon Back P/N SED33101585-002 S/N 1026

Nikon MD Battery Pack P/N SED33101573 - 301 S/N 1023

Nikon MD Battery Pack P/N SED33101573 - 301 S/N 1007

Ultra Rare Lens Focus Pins and Large Release Button 35MM EVA Kit P/N SED 33102478-301 S/N MU004

Nikon Nikkor 55mm UV F2 Lens Serial Number 1000019

Nikon Nikkor 55UV Front Metal Cap And Rear Cap P/N SED33101579-003 S/N M1021

Cable Release P/N SED33102473-301 S/N 1012

Discription of Sale from NASA

"Used on Shuttle Program

Sweet deal if you have $69,000.

Live on 35mm

I found this blog today. It shows "Contemporary live music photographed on glorious B&W film".

The pictures are beautiful - Here's an example:

The photographer is Valerio Berdini.

Flickr thread worth reading

I fear the Death of 35mm Photography

Digital or 35mm?

I found another article about the death of film. I have to add reasons to use film to Mr. Templeton's list:

1. The use of film is a combination of art and science. Because it isn't so cheap (and tawdry) as a digital camera, you have to think about the composition, filters, and processing before you take the picture.
2. Film cameras are simple! See this YouTube video about a 35mm pinhole camera:
   
3. People don't steal 35mm cameras now-a-days :-)
   

Mr. Templeton says,

"I recommend digital to all shooters today, with a very few exceptions. It's high quality, it's vastly more convenient and it's cheaper unless you only shoot a very small amount.

Those few exceptions are:

• Meteor showers and some other rare night/astrophotography where film's reciprocity failure is an asset
• Medium and large format work for superior resolution.
• Greater dynamic range (on negative film) for certain scenes.
• Cheaper for people who shoot very little.

A few others exist, but that's about it."

Old vs. "New" Z155

I finally got the replacement! Here are the mug shots!

Old Canon SureShot Z155 Caption

"New" Canon SureShot Z155

Make your own film

I found a great post on making your own film!

This is a great project, I am excited to try it. I'll post the resulting photos here.

Vintage 35mm film canisters

Do you remember vintage metal 35mm film canisters? I found this one a person sold for $1.50 on etsy.com!


There were also the plain metal canisters. There are some for sale on e-bay right now - a blue and white Kodak canister similar to the one above, and some made from aluminum.

I remember using these in my highs school photography class. Ahh, memories...

I love reusable items. Metal or plastic, these canisters are great for all sorts of projects and for sorting small items. They are sturdy and have a water tight seal.

What do the pros prefer? 75% say they prefer film!

It turns out that 75% of pro photographers still prefer to use film.

The article below indicates:

"The results of the U.S. survey, conducted by the Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK), mirror the results of a similar survey the company recently conducted in Europe, where more than two-thirds of professional photographers surveyed plan to continue using film.

According to the U.S. survey results, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of professional photographers prefer the results of film to those of digital for certain applications including:

• film’s superiority in capturing more information on medium and large format films (48 percent);
• creating a traditional photographic look (48 percent);
• capturing shadow and highlighting details (45 percent);
• the wide exposure latitude of film (42 percent); and
• archival storage (38 percent)."

For the full article, click here: 75% Pro Photographers Still Use Film

Eulogy for the Canon Z155 Caption Point and Shoot Camera

My point and shoot camera, a Canon Z155 Caption, has shot is last photo. You could say it's shot. It is blinking, "H". It died while on vacation. The only survivor is the Minolta XG7.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the camera!

After extensive battery terminal cleaning, battery replacement, and fiddling, life could not be brought back to it.

It has had a good life. Its lifetime included 7-10 day trips to Mt. Rainier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the Pisgah National Forest, the Nantahala National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park, several climbing trips in Arizona, California, Colorado, North Carolina, and Wyoming, a kayaking trip, several mountain biking trips, and innumerable day hikes and 1-3 day backpacking trips. So, it has had rough usage and a few scrapes.

Also, it has allowed me to capture loving photos of my puppies, friends, and family for the last 7 years.

It has worked unfailingly in these conditions, but the trip to Montana to ride horses spelled its ultimate demise. Here is the last photograph it ever took:


Here is a review of the camera from August 2002: Z155 Sure Shot Camera Review

P.S. I am searching for a replacement.

35mm Film Extinct at Costco!

I went on vacation and stopped in at Costco to pick up my usual bulk supply of 35mm film for the adventure.

Much to my surprise, Costco doesn't sell 35mm film anymore!?! When I asked I was told there isn't a demand for it.

Keep in mind Costco still processes 35mm film, so I am a little confused. Also, they sell other items that aren't in demand - VHS tape anyone? Cassette tapes?

I had to go to K-mart. Sigh.