Down the Road

Photographs and stories by Jim Grey

It’s 127 Day

Jim Grey
22 comments on It’s 127 Day
1 minute
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Verichrome Pan

Because it’s December 7th, 12/7, it’s 127 Day. That’s a day to get out our cameras for 127 film and use them! Today I’ve put that roll of film above (expired 12/1981) into the camera below. I’ll take a photo walk with it today and shoot the whole roll. It’s cold here, about freezing, and I can’t imagine this 60-year-old camera will enjoy that. I’ll keep it warm inside my coat, and work quickly when I make a photo.

Kodak Brownie Starmatic

There are two other 127 Days each year: January 27 (1/27) and July 12 (12/7 in European date notation). So if it’s too late for you this year, you can be ready for the next 127 Day!

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to see the photos from my walk today. It’s not just developing and scanning that causes the delay, but I also have all of December’s posts scheduled already. Maybe I’ll share these photos on 1/27!

Comments

22 responses to “It’s 127 Day”

  1. davisr66 Avatar
    davisr66

    When shooting outside in the cold after your camera has been warmed in your coat, check for condensation on the lens before you shoot. I had the opposite problem at Spring Mill State Park this summer. My camera was in the air conditioned car from Indianapolis to the park. When I pulled it out, I noticed it was foggy but didn’t realize it was the temperature difference.

    Reply
    1. Khürt Williams Avatar
      Khürt Williams

      My challenge with the cold is when the viewfinder fogs up from my breath coming through the top edge of my face mask.

      Reply
    2. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Good point. That can happen. I should probably keep it in my front pocket — warmer than outside, but not full body temp.

      Reply
  2. analogphotobug Avatar
    analogphotobug

    OK I’m out of town and without my 127 camera handy. But I will catch the 1/27 in January. 2021. I also have my December and January post up. But I did leave some space in my schedule…….

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I can always double-post I suppose.

      Reply
  3. Marc Beebe Avatar
    Marc Beebe

    Yes the Starmatic might not like the cold; the meter could be sluggish. A Starmite would eliminate that problem! *LOL*
    Yes I had both, and many, many other 127 cameras. I’ve shot an immense amount of that size film, starting with my very first camera: the Kodak Petite (which I still have).

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      My first camera was a Starmite II. https://blog.jimgrey.net/2016/09/07/my-first-roll-of-film-2/

      Reply
  4. Kurt Ingham Avatar
    Kurt Ingham

    Out and about with the VP Exakta for me- in spite of the brutal So.Cal December weather- 60 at present and unlikely to get better

    Reply
    1. Khürt Williams Avatar
      Khürt Williams

      60°F? Brutal? 🤣

      It’s 39°F in my area of New Jersey right now, dropping down to 30°F by tonight.

      Reply
    2. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I’m sure you will find the strength to carry on somehow!

      Reply
  5. J P Avatar
    J P

    What? You’re not shooting that film along the old State Highway 127 in Steuben County? Or rapid-firing the whole roll at 1:27 PM? :)

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Were it only not a workday I could do so much more!

      I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Steuben County.

      Reply
      1. Dan Cluley Avatar
        Dan Cluley

        I didn’t recognize the name, but it turns out I’ve even been to Steuben Co this year. It is where I-69 enters Indiana from Michigan, and is the county on the border where Indiana, Ohio & Michigan all meet.

        https://www.flickr.com/photos/11278665@N00/50317837418/in/photostream/

        Looks like Indiana 127 is a short piece of Old US-27 that was bypassed when I-69 went around Angola.

        Reply
        1. Jim Grey Avatar
          Jim Grey

          Now I know! Thanks for filling in the details.

          Reply
  6. Khürt Williams Avatar
    Khürt Williams

    Jim, have you ever exposed a roll of film and developed and scanned it and posted it all in the same day?

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      No. I suppose it’s not impossible to do it — shoot in the morning, develop at lunch, scan midafternoon, post by dinner.

      Reply
  7. Kodachromeguy Avatar
    Kodachromeguy

    I never used Verichrome Pan film. Everyone says it was excellent, so I wish I could get some in 120 size to try in my Rolleiflex. I look forward to seeing your results.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      If you’d like to try a roll, go to my About page and find my contact form, and give me your address. I have a couple rolls of VP in 120 in my freezer and I’ll send you one. I don’t know how this film was stored when I bought it, but I’ve had very good luck with VP over the years. This film has a reputation for near indestructability. I shoot it at box speed of 125 and develop it normally and it looks good:

      https://blog.jimgrey.net/2020/07/13/a-photowalk-through-whitestown-indiana-on-verichrome-pan/

      Reply
  8. Leon Schooler Avatar
    Leon Schooler

    I have a starmatic but unfortunately the light meter no longer works so i have not put film in it.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      That’s too bad. I’m not sure this camera works if the meter is dead.

      Reply
  9. Leon Schooler Avatar
    Leon Schooler

    it was disappointing but I a couple other 127 cameras. I’m not completely out of luck when it comes to 127 film. I’m thinking I may have to many old cameras but I seem to keep acquiring them some how.

    Reply
  10. Leon Schooler Avatar
    Leon Schooler

    it was disappointing but I have a couple other 127 cameras. I’m not completely out of luck when it comes to 127 film. I’m thinking I may have to many old cameras but I seem to keep acquiring them some how.

    Reply

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