Obsolescence Is Just A Lack Of Imagination

Recently, a friend gave me some vintage cameras. As I was checking them out, I realized one still had a roll of film in it. Naturally, I want to have it developed. My go to place is Film for Classics, a website that's been around for quite a while. The guy not only processes vintage film formats such as 126, 127, 620 and 828, but also purchases new roll film from Kodak, then cuts and spools this film into these sizes. Alas, he no longer sells the film direct but through B&H and Central Camera. And he no longer processes either, but recommends Dwayne's Photo. Dwayne's processes 110, Disc, 126 and 127 film formats at a reasonable price of 9 bucks a roll. However, as I was about to seal up the film in an envelope and send it off, I realized that the film was Kodacolor-X and process C-22. Dwayne's expressly does not process C-22 film. A little Googling revealed Rocky Mountain Film Lab. It appears that RMFL can process just about any old film you send their way including movie film. The C-22 films are $42.50 per roll, and because they wait until they have a batch, the wait time is 6-12 months. But, hey, after sitting in a camera for 40 years or so, what's a few months. My hope is that I'll just forget about it until a surprise arrives at my door.

P Sharan Test

Some awesome friends (nuprinboy and ms marie) got me a P-Sharan SQ-35 pinhole camera. It shoots square format on 35mm film. You have to assemble it yourself which is half the fun. Shot a test roll – my guesses at exposures were pretty good, handholding bad.

Holy kugel! It's time once again for the Beth Israel Bazaar on March 11 from 10-6. If you're in the Jackson, Mississippi area, stop by for some good Jewish food. Unfortunately, as of posting time, their website is under construction. Hopefully, they'll have their menu up soon, or I'll see if I can get a hold of a hard copy and post it up here.

instant gratification

As photogs and artists continue to "mourn" the loss of polaroid film, I thought I'd share some places that are keeping the faith.
First, there is polanoid.net. A user generated site based in Europe that posts all kinds of polaroid albums and goodies. There are projects and open galleries to participate in; lots of fun. They also used to sell film, but that is now being handled by POLAPREMIUM.

Polapremium is a polaorid "affiliate." They scour the globe for all types of polaroid film and cameras. Each item is for sale (with no substantial markup) and there is a countdown of availability.

Save Polaroid is an online petition, tin cup soapbox site that has the latest and greatest news/rumors about the fate of polaroid film and patents. Go, sign up and maybe someone will pick up where polaroid left off.

Like Fujifilm, who is releasing the INSTAXsystem here in the USA finally. Buy 'em at ebay, lomo, or soon at B&H photo.

Last, but not least, POLAROID and their Zink licensed POGO camera. A digital instant printer that has wireless capabilities and will print a 2" x 3" image from computers, cell phones and digital cameras. No transfers or manipulations, but it beats the preview on the back of a digital camera anyway.