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.
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!
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.
My challenge with the cold is when the viewfinder fogs up from my breath coming through the top edge of my face mask.
Good point. That can happen. I should probably keep it in my front pocket — warmer than outside, but not full body temp.
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…….
I can always double-post I suppose.
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).
My first camera was a Starmite II. https://blog.jimgrey.net/2016/09/07/my-first-roll-of-film-2/
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
60°F? Brutal? 🤣
It’s 39°F in my area of New Jersey right now, dropping down to 30°F by tonight.
I’m sure you will find the strength to carry on somehow!
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? :)
Were it only not a workday I could do so much more!
I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Steuben County.
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.
Now I know! Thanks for filling in the details.
Jim, have you ever exposed a roll of film and developed and scanned it and posted it all in the same day?
No. I suppose it’s not impossible to do it — shoot in the morning, develop at lunch, scan midafternoon, post by dinner.
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.
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/
I have a starmatic but unfortunately the light meter no longer works so i have not put film in it.
That’s too bad. I’m not sure this camera works if the meter is dead.
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.
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.