There are far too many cameras made by Zeiss from the last century, which is to be expected with a history that goes back over 110 years. While they have recently released their first digital camera, the ZX1, this a little story about why Zeiss stopped producing film cameras. First off, I myself, am not […]
Author Archives: Gavin Lyons
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1972, Gavin Lyons is an award-winning landscape and nature photographer who is self-taught. After living in Italy and France for a couple of years, it wasn't until settling in Austria that he became more serious about using a camera. Living in the Alps with a passion for hiking and mountain biking, photography has become a natural extension for seeing nature in more detail.
Posted inDarkroom Equipment
Meopta Magnifax 4 darkroom enlarger: All you need to know
The darkroom is, I believe, the ultimate escape — if you are a photographer, that is. Whether you call it a she-shed, a man cave, darkroom or by another name, once the door is firmly shut and sealed, it’s just you and your art. It gives you focus — pun intended. Just remember, no touchscreens […]
Posted inInterviews
An interview with Branco Ottico and their ROBA APPOSTA B&W reversal process
I first came across Branco Ottico while making Cyanotype prints. They had made the world’s largest contact print (about 24m2/258sq ft). I was interested in knowing more about them and I noticed they had chemicals for B&W development and the B&W reversal process, too. I thought it might be worth a go! We visited Branco […]
Posted inFilm stock reviews
Svema Foto 65 – Shooting Expired Film from 1989
I didn’t imagine that film which over 30 years expired would yield any result, decent or otherwise. Following the unwritten rule of adding a stop of exposure per decade expired, my film speed plummeted from 80 ISO all the way down to 12 ISO. Not ideal for anything that moves, such as children or sports! […]
Posted inArticles, CONTAX film camera reviews, Film camera reviews, Kodak Film Stock Reviews, Reviews
Expired Film from 1987! Kodacolor VR 400 and the Contaflex Super (New)
Discovered in the depths of the cellar this film from 1987. My oh my expired, brittle and a pain in the major to develop and scan. Nonetheless, its finally done! Video and Images of my adventure across an alpine pass and up to the Ramsau am Dachstein plateau from some images taken with the Contaflex […]
Posted inPhotosets and stories
Graz on lockdown with snapped film: Kodak ColorPlus 200 and Olympus OM-1 with Zuiko 55mm f/1.2
Have you ever broken photographic film? Broken as in snapped it in half and then opened the back of the camera to see what no photographer wants to see: naked undeveloped exposed film? Fret not you have not lost everything. In this post, I made the mistake of opening the camera thinking the film was […]
Posted inArticles
Olympus OM-1 and Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 – Mercedes van study
Well what can I say about the wee Zuiko lens, this little classic which I picked up for buttons. A mere 50 euros, a bargain second hand. If you can get your hands on this tiny beauty don’t hesitate on it. Olympus OM-1 and Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 I took the OM-1 and the Zuiko […]
Posted inReviews
Still life in lockdown: Yashica MAT-124 and Fomapan 200 Creative
Greetings and salutations from Quentin Quarantino at Club Lockdown! I’ve always appreciated still life but never really practised it at a photography level. If you need encouragement may I recommend having a look at the work of Josef Sudek. What this master can do with just an egg and a glass, is outstanding! Even though […]
Posted inGuides & How-Tos
How-to: Make a UV LED box for cyanotype prints
In this article, I’m going to show you how to make a Cyanotype print with UV LED box as the light source. Cyanotypes are traditionally developed in sunlight and the prints are often referred to as “sun prints”. But it is winter, it is cold and UV light isn’t so strong and readily available as […]
Posted inOlympus film Camera reviews
Pocket wonder: The Olympus XA with ILFORD PAN 100
My first of roll of film for the new year 2020: a fresh roll of ILFORD PAN 100 all used up in one day with a camera I’ve never used before. This was January’s commitment to the new year’s resolution I’ve signed up for. That resolution is to shoot one roll of film per month. […]
Posted inFilm stock reviews
B&W pinhole photography with the Vermeer 6×12 and 120 format Kosmo Foto Mono 100
It was time to have some fun with Kosmo Foto Mono 100 while tour skiing in the Alps. This time around the Frauenalpe in Austria. The Frauenalpe used to be a ski resort but they removed the equipment. Which makes it so much better to experience nature. Going ski touring or snowshoe walking is really […]
