Yashica 635 Twin Lens Reflex Camera

Neil owned a TLR camera in the past but I have not, though the idea of it has been dancing around in my mind for a few years (mostly because these cameras are GORGEOUS).
Thanks to a pair of well-timed eBay auctions — we sold something that covers the cost of this — we are now the proud parents of this remarkable camera. It came with the instruction manual, leather case, and the much-sought after 35mm from 120mm adaptor kit. Now it’s a matter of getting some film and having a play. I reckon that playtime will wait until after we move to the new house (an event now hurtling towards us at a new, alarming speed) but the tradeoff will be a marvellously photogenic region of the country in which to test the Yashica.

Also newly added to our arsenal of image capturing equipment: the rare, Vivitar 35mm Slim Camera (Ultra-Wide Lens).

Yes, it’s ugly and cheap and very plastic, all manual with no batteries or focus controls, but it takes dreamy photos (from what I’ve seen). They don’t make this toy-quality camera anymore, but Neil found one new on Amazon.co.uk and the price was right.

A year or two ago, I couldn’t justify the expense of film processing for the level of photography I was doing, but I feel I can now. I still love digital, but the challenge of getting the shot with film is one I had to grow in skill and confidence first before tackling.
This has taken years and thousands of photos.

I have played with my SQ-35 cardboard camera (and I have another vintage camera that seems fully functional though I’ve only used it for Through The Viewfinder shots, no film in it yet) but I had to come to a point of satisfaction with my digital photography, with its delightful ability to erase and reshoot, before really gambling with film. I’m ready now.

This is going to be fun!