I was a bit bored the other week so I decided to take out some cameras I hadn’t used in a while and head to a new-to-me localish village.
I have been going through my cameras recently, trying to decide what to keep and what to part with. There are only so many cameras I can use and maintain so every now and then I got through them and make a culling.
For this trip, I decided to use 2 square format cameras that I haven’t used in at least a year.
I cut some 120 Ilford FP4 to 127 and loaded my Purma Special, it creates 4×4 negatives, is manual and works by gravity. I haven’t used it much, but really liked it when I did. I also decided to try my Voigtlander brillant S as I have recently gained a couple of similar cameras, so do I really need to keep this one too? I loaded that with a roll of the new 120 Kentmere 400.
First off, I have to say Hooton Pagnell is gorgeous and one of the friendliest places I have ever visited. While walking around a couple of local people stopped for a chat, to look at my cameras, and to tell me where might be nice to take photos. I will definitely be back for a longer walk.
Here are most of the photos from the Purma.
It looks like I have used a red filter on the church photo, but I haven’t. I like the look of these images, the weird focusing around the edges.
And here are most of the shots from the Voigtlander.
Though I really like these too, I much prefer using my recently acquired Yashica A or Rolleiflex. This one might be sacrificed to the need-2-buy film fund…not just yet though.
And I highly recommend a walk around this little village if you get the chance.
The Purma is quite amazing- truly thinking way out of the box. Looks like it worked well for you. The Brillant’s size and handiness make it ‘special’ in comparison to the larger TLRs and the quality (from the higher end versions especially) put it way ahead of Lubitel, Holga etc. If you are going to ‘trim’ sell the Yashica- you have a Rollei!
Shock horror!! Sell the yashica?! Can’t do that, there is something about Yashicas for me.
I like Yashicas (in general) but I like Rolleis even more!
Me too 😀
Seconding Kurt’s comments about the Purma’s images. Remarkable … and name us one other camera that allows you to change shutter speeds simply by turning the camera sideways!
Envy from this citizen of your former colony – the stuff we call “old” and “historic” is adolescent compared to British country towns. A stone house (whose inhabitants may have hailed George II as their King) with a thatched roof that is putting out new growth … remarkable indeed.
Yes, I love these little villages. I just got a new book with details for more. Now the days are getting longer and warmer, I will be visiting a few more.