Time Traveling Through Photography: My Adventures with a 1962 Camera
Experimenting with a brand-new camera I just bought, a Pentax SV 1962 fully manual camera even without a light meter.
Time Traveling Through Photography: My Adventures with a 1962 Camera
By : Sandy Galabada
Street Photograapher | Designer
April 3, 2023
As someone who only recently began shooting film, I was eager to learn more about this fascinating industry. While I was satisfied with the photos from my initial experience using Kodak Gold 200 in a Pentax SF 7 camera, I knew I wanted to learn more about the colors of film by experimenting with various brands and varieties of color and black-and-white films. This inspired me to begin experimenting with a new camera I just bought, a Pentax SV 1962 fully manual camera even without a light meter.
Comparing the Pentax SF 7 automatic camera to the Pentax SV 1962 manual camera was like night and day. To produce the desired images with the SV 1962, I was forced to rely solely on my exposure expertise. Although it was initially difficult, I discovered that using a manual process gave me more creative control and allowed me to create truly one-of-a-kind and personal images.
I decided to use Kodak Ultra 400 film for my second film photography endeavor because it has a higher ISO rating than Kodak Gold 200. This translates into greater light sensitivity and reduced grain production in low-light conditions. I couldn’t wait to test it out in various lighting scenarios and see how it would impact the colors and tones in my photos.
The outcomes looked promising. Even though the colors weren’t perfect, they were unquestionably an improvement over what I had managed with Kodak Gold 200. Colors were vivid and lively on the Kodak Ultra 400 film, especially in well-lit settings. Deep blacks and brilliant whites made for an impressive contrast that gave my images more depth and dimension.
However, I did make a disappointing mistake with the shutter speed on one picture. Although I can’t get that picture back, I did learn how crucial it is to double-check my settings before snapping a picture.
Along with these experiences, I gained more insight into the significance of picking the appropriate movie for the occasion. The Kodak Ultra 400 was ideal for shooting in open spaces with plenty of light, but I would need to select a different film if I were shooting inside or in dimly lit areas.
Overall, using the Pentax SV 1962 and Kodak Ultra 400 film for my second film photography experience was rewarding. I’m eager to keep experimenting with various cameras and films to find the ideal set that best suits my aesthetic and creative goals. I advise beginning film photographers to experiment with various cameras and films to determine which ones suit them the best. Although it might require some practice, the outcomes are well worth it.
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