Everything Is Analog

2023-10-07: Can you shoot INSTAX in a Mamiya 7? Well, yes you can.  Here's how! Mamiya 7 and INSTAX Mini 90   There are a few obstacles to tackle: 1. Mamiya 7 won't release the shutter with the film door closed without 120/220 film present. And the frame counter must be wound to "1", which can't happen without film. So how do we get around this? I searched and found that the only option being used was to tape the undeveloped INSTAX photo in place over the frame opening, install a roll of film (or just the paper backing), close the back, and then wind to "1".  The tape was used because winding the 120 film would move the INSTAX photo out of alignment. I didn't really like this idea from a workflow perspective. After some thought, I remembered that the Mamiya 7 will release the shutter if the back cover is open.  But we can't sh...

 2023-09-24: Instant of the Day I have had very poor results with three packs of I-Type film shipped from Polaroid. I think Polaroid has a bad production lot of film. Polaroid I-2, SX-70 film, Auto, -1/3 EV I bought a pack of SX-70 film, and overall the results are better.  Production Date: 06/23 Code: 47120062375 75: Color film for SX-70

 2023-09-20 Instant of the Day Fujifilm INSTAX Wide 300 Fujifilm INSTAX Wide 300 Fujifilm INSTAX film just works. While the Wide 300 camera leaves little room for settings adjustments, it still produces a great image. Scanning is done with an Epson V850 Pro with all scanner enhancements like auto exposure, color correction disabled.  In post-editing, I add sharpening to account for the flatbed scanner's shortcomings, and ensure the photo dimensions are consistent with the INSTAX ratio. No color temperature corrections are done.  I will make a post about this process soon.

 2023-09-18: Polaroid I-2 with I-Type Film   I was excited to have a clear day with blue sky and white clouds.   But Polaroid film lived up to its motto of being chaotic (their words!). Polaroid I-2, I-Type ISO 640, Auto Exposure I don't know why the right edge of the film is darker.  Which side is "correct"? This is due to a chemical pod that didn't spread properly when the film was ejected. The colors here are typical of my Polaroid instant film experience: dingy yellow. Of course, you can color-correct the digital scan afterwards, but isn't that cheating? Polaroid I-2, I-Type ISO 640, Auto Exposure - Photostop Edit

 Fujifilm INSTAX Film How should a new weblog begin?  The title Everything is Analog   has a special meaning which I will delve into later, but the basic point to understand is, well, everything IS analog.  So I think it's not inappropriate to start with a post about a great instant film stock. INSTAX Square, NONS SL660, Nikkor 50mm I just recently started shooting Fujifilm INSTAX film on the INSTAX wide 300 camera; more about that one later. INSTAX has great color but poor dynamic range, like Polaroid. A scene that has a nice sky and landscape may end up as a compromise between washed out sky or a landscape that's too dark.     NONS SL660 Camera Light L16 Camera But when the scene doesn't have too much contrast, and you nail the exposure (or when the camera gets it right...