Brokenland

I was asked to take part in a photo challenge today using a 35mm camera. I thought easy enough so I registered to take part in the challenge. But reading the fine print one must use a kids 35mm film camera. This was challenge in itself as we drove to locate this camera at several stores, 5 out of 6 stores did not have this type of film camera through they did have a kids digital camera. The last store, was Walmart and within their camera department I found a kids 35mm waterproof camera. I've spent the day at a variety of locations taking pictures of everything. The problem, is that the small viewfinder was too small for me to use or even to look through. I was forced just to aim and shoot and hope for the best. I was able to locate several worthy locations with a few test subject willing to strike a pose. I used up 27 shots in a span of 10 hours. Now we're waiting to have the camera/film developed and placed on a CD or SD card. Along the way I made some new friends in that are models willing to work with me on other projects. it's been a very long time since I've used anything 35mm or even a camera that one can't look through to actually frame the image. I'm hope for the best and will report back here with a few shots once they have been developed. This is the camera I selected for my shoot. This is a kids waterproof disposable camera ISO-800 with a plastic lens. I've always wanted to test one of these camera and if successful I may resort to using this camera as a last resort or secondary camera while on our vacations.

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Good luck in the photo challenge. And I would love to see a couple of your favorite shots from you efforts and hear what challenges you encountered.

Brokenland

There's a couple of things I liked about this camera, the big knobs used to forward the film once and image has been exposed. but the shutter leaver was a bit clunky, I kept wanting to press in the leaver in instead of pressing down the leaver. I'm use to the press button style shutter release. I think the small view finder is a bit obsolete and useless. So I basically just pointed the camera in the general area and pressed the shutter leaver. I think this would make a great second or third camera to carry along on hikes. it will be interesting what the images will look like once developed. Sort of haphazard I suppose. Looks as if Walgreens has won the challenge of developing the film for use is with take 3-7 days to do so. other sites like CVS etc said it would take 3 weeks to develop. The challenge deadline is Aug 30th..

Brokenland

Something else I wanted to add to this topic. I wanted to make sure that the camera did not have a flash as I was going to rely on the natural light from the surroundings. If the camera had a flash, I would have used duct tape or electricians tape to cover the flash itself. In this instance, I was able to locate a model at the location who was willing to pose in a chair while sitting near one of the many windows in this mansion. I wanted to use the ambient glow or light coming from the large glass windows of the dinning area. I was able to get two shots in two separate locations. it was cloudy yesterday so the light though antique window panes was offering a soft glow while casting shadows on the subject and again I can't wait to see these results.

captivecookie Loc: Washington state

Darn... now we have to wait for the pictures? Shucks!

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

To those who are not accustomed to film photography in this day, be aware that the drugstore and department store processors no longer return negatives. They only return prints and low resolution scans on CD; you have to use one of the larger custom labs to get good scans and negatives back.

Brokenland

@captivecookie you're going to have to wait even longer. here's what Happen today. We took the disposable kids camera to walgreens, cvs, rite aid, walmart etc and all of these retailers said it's going to take 3 weeks to develop!! In other words, those retailers have to send the film out to be developed. What the hell, this challenge is turning into a "real' difficult challenge, first taking 6 attempts just to find the camera now none of the local retailers can get the film developed before the challenge ends. My last hope, locate a film developing severs online with a fast turn around.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Try thedarkroom.com in California. They are overkill for this camera but I suspect you’ll meet your deadline. Can’t guarantee though. It’s a tight window.

Brokenland

You're right, drmike99 there is a very tight window now.. I've already sent contacts to the darkroom and a few other places to find out the turn around. CA is going to be a long shot cause it's very far away. trying to locate something in PA,VA, MD etc.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Once thedarkroom.com finishes the processing they upload the digital file so you don’t have to wait for the return mail. Does this contest allow you to print from a digital file?

Brokenland

@drmike99 Correct with file size constrains and MP limits. I might have to consider building another darkroom in the basement. The last time I actually developed film myself was 1982 while teaching at the local community collage. I'm so out of the loop.. digital cameras have made me weak.

Brokenland

Crap.. Just heard from TheDarkroom:

Quote:

"Current turnaround for disposable cameras is 7-9 business days (excludes Sat & Sun) once received at the lab, We would not be able to guarantee they would be completed by next Friday."

End Quote

Well at least I can drop the film off local and have it developed.. just not in time for the challenge..

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Local processing PROBABLY means no negative return. Bizarre as this sounds it’s what the drugstores are doing these days— and lo res scans too.

Brokenland

I have one more shot at this, contacted NationalPhotolabs. As for the challenge/contest my wife furious this contest wasn't giving more time. it leaves creative on the fly people like me out of the loop while those who have the darkrooms etc can develop these analog image with ease. Top prize was 3K, 2nd was 2k and 3rd 1K along with a feature in their magazine. Oh well best I can hope for is waiting 2 weeks for the film to be developed, placed on a USb then sent to me.

Brokenland

Here's the latest. Just got an email from NationsPhotoLabs and they don't develop film, but referred me to scancafe.com I contacted scansafe and it will take 8-10 days again with no promise that it will be delivered before the deadline. But they do offer free digital downloads once the images have been developed. This is cutting it too close for comfort.