I’ve been an provisional participant in 2019; started in June. My Camera was a Goodwill purchased Canonet QL and the film was Kodak Color Plus 200. A fine film, but I found that I was tired of shooting color. Up to this point I’ve been primarily a B&W photographer. When I want color, I use my Portra 400. Also the camera has limitations (i.e. only one lens), so I felt constricted. Finally the light meter died and I needed to find a ‘new’ old camera.
By Project Definition I am supposed to use the cheapest camera and film. I did see that one of the 2019 participants was using Ilford HP5. It’s a film I have recently become ‘friends’ with. AND I can develop it myself, so that brings the price down considerably. And Currently it’s selling for $4.99 per roll. So we’ve solved the 2020 film problem: Ilford HP5.
A new change is that we can switch cameras on a quarterly basis. So of my options below the question is which do I start with? And am I going to change up cameras during the process?
Now, I have four inexpensive camera options. What could be cheaper than a camera (or in this case two) that were given to me by a neighbor. My freebie choices: the Fujica ST-705 with a normal and zoom lens; and the Yashica Electro 25 GSN, a rangefinder that has telephoto and wide angle lens add-ons (i.e. they screw on over the attached lens).
Both cameras work and are in good condition. Which would you choose? But hold on, another camera has entered the Mix. I was rearranging the storage of my 35mm cameras and found that my Minolta SRT-202 had a partially exposed roll. So I decided to finish that roll and add the SRT-202 into the Frugal Film Mix. Shown here with my Fisheye Lens. And that’s the factor weighing heavily in it’s favor. I would have the versatility of all my Minolta lens options. The actual value of the camera is borderline for the project. But we’ll see.
For October,and November I have posted examples from the Yashica and Minolta. I had decided to give the Fujica away, but my husband said that he would like to try it out. It’s a lovely camera camera, and seems like it’s going to stay in the Family. So it may make an appearance for one quarter of Frugal Film.
Now a forth option appeared when I made a film purchase from the Film Photography Project. There was a ‘new’ plastic camera, the Debonair, for $19.99. At that price I had to buy it:
I had thought to post a survey on Twitter in November for my followers to vote on which camera to use. But after signing on officially for 2020 and corresponding with the Frugal Film Founder Sherry, I learned that the rules will be changing slightly. So I would have more flexibility. I’ll post the new rules in January…….
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