PX70 FF

A mini review with some of the shots I've done with my first two packs of Impossible's new PX70 Color Shade First Flush edition. They did something different this time around when they announced the film. You could buy it in 3 packs, but at the price of two since its new and still some what of a beta flavor as far as color/exposure and all that goes. I think that was a really smart thing for them to do. Especially since its so new and unpredictable in some ways. Plus, its almost like a thank you to the customers for helping to test this out early on. The temp issue seems to be fine, light exposure is still an issue though. Had to accept that for the time being and make regular use of a light shield. I have to admit, I feel like I got a better handle on this film, much quicker, then I did with the PX100 FF. My first pack of PX70 was mostly about what to expect (and not a lot of great shots either), so by the time I got to the second pack I felt like I was finally getting shots that I really liked and was able to replicate somewhat. I found that with my SX-70 Sonar OneStep, I needed to either over or underexpose by half a wheel turn on the exposure dial. It seemed to be the only way to get more color to come thru or something with some darks to it. Like the PX100, it is on the lower contrast side and in general has a blue-green hue. You can coax it out though in other ways. Some are using warming filters on the camera to boost color and contrast. However, Impossible states that this film can take several days to finish developing. Most of mine I've waited 2-5 days before scanning. I do notice a gradual change in the overall color and density. It does tend to improve over time. Plus some of the darker areas take awhile and can look a little splotchy, some refer to it as lizard skin. Impossible has already announced the new version of PX70 at Photokina and should be on the market sometime in October. The samples looked nice, more color and contrast, but still with that nice old vintage quality to it. I'm looking forward to trying the new batch when its out. I do like the quality though of this edition. I think thats one of things I enjoy about the Impossible films in general is the variety of quality/experience with each edition.

Light shield flipped up, but I still like how it turned it out.

Check out the ever growing and complete set of my PX70 shots on Flickr.

Welcome Mio

Say hello to my little friend, Mio.

A couple of months ago my wife was visiting her family and they live in a small town up the coast. While there, she planned on checking out thrift stores and yard sales and asked her to keep an eye out for any old cameras or Polaroids. She found this Polaroid Mio for only two bucks! I've seen these going for anywhere from $50 to $100 brand new on ebay. Of course, I had no idea if it actually worked. You can still get film for these. Fuji makes it, Its contrasty and full of color. Its called Instax Mini. *More on that in at bottom of post. Got some batteries, takes two of the CR2 variety and finally got around to ordering some film via Amazon.com where its really affordable around $16 for a twin pack for 20 shots total. The camera works great and is very simple. Power button, distant landscape button, light or dark button, force flash on button (its always auto ready though, can't turn off) and the exposure button on the front. Once you pop the film in and close the door, you have to take a picture to eject the dark slide, after that, ready to go. It has a 60mm fixed length lens with minimum focus of 2 feet.

It really is a fun camera to use in that Polaroid ready kinda way. So long as you've got some decent light the flash won't fire so you can get some nice creative shots with it. For indoor/night time snaps, its a no brainer. It really is point and shoot. The design is a little on the odd side, switching between horizontal and vertical is slightly awkward. I do like the fact that I can get my instant fix, while not costing a lot to do it. The images are pretty darn sharp with exposures that are always great. If you find a Mio on the cheap, get it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

* According to hear say and rumors - 

Apparently Polaroid licensed Fuji to make/design the Mio and to manufacture the film as well. Fuji released their own branded camera years ago, but didn't sell it in the U.S., maybe not even outside the Asia markets. A few years ago they started selling their larger wide format camera and then added the mini models with Fuji branded film. Then sometime earlier this year, the once great former shell of a creative company Polaroid decided to get back into the game again (thanks to the success of the impossible project) and partnered with Fuji and released the re-re-branded Fuji to Polaroid 300 camera. Whew, that was a lot to summarize and setup. 

Attack of the Killer Crystals!

Just a quick post, I know its been awhile, more to come soon I promise.



Wanted to post a comparison and show the killer crystals at work that TIP talked about a few months back. Originally I thought this was a PX600 issue, but alas, PX100 as well. After just a few months, this is what has happened to this image. A lot of my other PX shots are doing the same, but no where nearly as severe as this one. On a side note, the detail with the crystals themselves is quite striking, to bad it has to destroy the image in the process. According to Impossible, its a matter of drying them out. I guess its a humidity thing. Here in southern California, the temps are usually pleasant, not to hot not to cool, perfect for not drying out the film. They recommend slicing a few small slits in the back upper white area and also storing your films with silica packs. Glad I didn't wait to scan, not sure how long it took to do this. I know I was pretty shocked. Such is life and adventures with new instant films. This only applies to the PX/PZ Silver Shade films though.

Polaroid SX-70 Sonar, PX100 FF film.

Palms

Palms, originally uploaded by LeandroF.

Just a quick post.

Something about this Polaroid just says summer to me.
Yep, that's all I got for right now.

Polaroid Spectra SE, expired Polaroid 990 film.

Love it when the imperfections line up perfectly.

Gonna Take You Down To Chinatown

Spent the afternoon with my friend Julia wandering around Chinatown here in Los Angeles. For one reason or another I'd never gotten around to really checking it out. I definitely found myself inspired. Obviously all that red had something to do with it, the architecture, street musicians, food and overall it was just pretty cool. Its not a huge area, but had a lot of activity going on with lots of people walking around, shops and musicians playing traditional Chinese guitar type instruments, made it feel a little less L.A. like. After we were done shooting, we had a great late lunch at Via Cafe. You can check out my food blog for that. Gave me a chance to test out some Polaroid ATZ edge cut film and another new film, Fuji RXF400 chrome which I cross processed and pushed and some expired Fuji NPS160 color neg film that was processed +1/2 and C-41. Its interesting with the cross processing of Fuji chrome films how they all seem to go to a different color dominant shift. Astia went green, RDPIII went more yellow, Sensia went yellow/green and the RXF had a blue/cyan shift. The older the film the greater the shift. 

 

 

Holga 120CFN. Fuji NPS160 color negative and Fuji RXF400 Chrome film 

cross processed C-41.

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I really like the quality of the ATZ edge cut film, instant vintage. Suddenly it felt like a different time. This film really performed well for something that used to get tossed out by Polaroid. Unfortunately there were very few packs made available for sale and its all gone. I still have 2 packs remaining.

Polaroid SX-70 Sonar, expired Artistic TZ edge cut film.

Not a Nude

Not a Nude, originally uploaded by LeandroF.

Polaroid SX-70 Sonar, PX100 FF film. Over exposed then developed mostly face down on warm stove top. Got some subtle, but interesting tone shifts. Seems like it may have solarized slightly.

Holga-Tele

All of these images were shot with the Holga 120CFN and Holga 2.5x tele snap on adapter using very expired Fuji RDP-III chrome film that I had cross processed (except for the b&w which was shot with a Holga 120S using Plus-X film). I had no idea that vignette would turn out so heavy, basically making a circle that is almost fish eye like, but obviously not. Its an interesting effect depending on how its used. I haven't done enough people shots with it quite yet to see if it will function a little more like a portrait lens or not. I was more interested in far away objects on these shots, mostly. Its definitely not something I would want to over use, but at least now I know what to expect. Its pretty straight forward and easy to use. It just slides on to the lens and pushes all the way on allowing you to still turn an focus. I got mine thru ebay which came via China, took a few weeks. There are a couple of places online that you can order from as well. Four Corner Store and Light Leaks both carry it. Comes with a cloth case bag and front and rear lens caps, the front one has the Holga stamped on it. Its also compatible with the Holga 135 camera. Its a nice option to have handy in the camera bag. Eventually I'll get the wide angle and fish eye adapters as well. I'll have some more shots to show with the tele adapter once I get a chance to drop film off at the lab, then pick it up, then scan it, then post it...

     

     

Holga 120CFN and 120S, expired Fuji RDP-III cross processed chrome film and expired Kodak Plus-X black and white film.