Single Use camera contest

[rolleistef]

Hello all,
since we're all awesome photographers using things no one knows of anymore (manual focusing and film), we could try something really challenging : leave our high-tech gears on the shelf and do a contest with only one limiting factor, namely shooting with a single-use camera?
I'm afraid I won't have time to participate but who'd be up?

[fgianni]

Why not?
I've got a Konica Wai Wai in the fridge.

[JayC]

I'll give it a "shot."

[sakebalboa]

holy crap this is a great idea, what are the rules?

[Al Patterson]

So, where can I get an Ilford XP2 single use camera?

[bmattock]

I'll just use a nice camera and lie about it.

[iamzip]

I'm game. And does Ilford still make those?

[rbiemer]

Why not?
I've got a Konica Wai Wai in the fridge.

I just got two of 'em in the mail, I'll play!
>What kind of time frame should we work with?
My preference would be something around three weeks or a month for shooting and submitting.
Rob

[Bob Michaels]

I've been in several of these and the one consistent rule is that you are only allowed to use only one camera. So you pick your best from the 24-27 shots. They were all on sites that allowed user ratings, so the highest rated photo was the winner.

Frequently the winners were those who used the crappy single element plastic lens and lack of exposure control to their creative advantage.

[rolleistef]

OK since I've started the idea, here're the rules. The only rule is that you need to use a single use camera. You may use a flash model ( f:8 is a bit slow for some situations). B&W is best of course (as you can process it) but most single use cameras are C41 so no matter about that. What I would need is a Jury, or do you think we can just have members posting their opinions?
We can use a blog such as bloxode (which I use for my personnal blog). Those who accept to participate send an email to me, and I send the instructions for posting. Those who want to vote let a comment on the photo with "+1" (no real name please!). In order to ensure that no one's cheating, you'll have to take a photo of your Leica M or Konica Hexar with the camera!
This is theorical for the moment. It's the first time I'm organising a contest, and I've got much uni work to do. It should be starting around May (when good weather's back and exams are finished) and there'll be one month to post. Size limit : 500ko, dimensions : 3000pixels.
I'll be posting on other forums so that we have a lot of people taking part in the adventure!
IMPORTANT : the Holga-ish fish-eye single use camera is not allowed due to over-spectacular effects and also to my opposition to the Lomographic Society.

[two40]

great idea. good luck all :) wish i could play but i have too much on right now.

[bmattock]

In order to ensure that no one's cheating, you'll have to take a photo of your Leica M or Konica Hexar with the camera!

I have no Leica nor any Konica, but I've so many garden-variety cameras that I'd be at it for quite some time photographing them all. But no matter, I fully intend to cheat.

[rolleistef]

attaboy! :D

[Avotius]

Hey hey, if this is going to be a serious thing count me very much in. I would love to do something like this. The problem here is that single use cameras are very rare (I think I have seen them only once or twice in the nearly 5 years ive been here). Most people opt for those re loadable type plastic fantastic kodak or fuji type ones you see with the plastic aspherical lenses in them although the usualy dont reload them, they just turn em in and the labs take out the film then toss the cameras. Could it be possible that I use something like that if I cant find a place that has or develops these single use cameras?

But if not I will try my best to find a place that I can do this with, film is a dying creature here, but im on board and im sure I can get a few people around me in on this too if things pan out!

[jamesj]

im in...

ill give this a go.....

-james

[rolleistef]

Avotius : let's say it's possible. It would be sad for you not to participate just because of un-availability... But you need to promise first you'll trash the camera afterwhile^^ By the way, what are those Fuji and Kodak cameras? I've never heard of it here in France...?

[sweathog]

I'm down with this.
In May I'll probably be halfway through my final major project, so it'll be something nice to break the stress and 'serious photogrraphy' factor I'll be under.
Definitely in. Just go to see if I can find me one of those Kodak BW400CN single use affairs. That seems an attractive prospect.

Oh, would there be a theme, or would it be open?
Tom

[lZr]

I think I have 2 cameras. One can of Coca Cola and one from Agfa looking....I forgot, but I promise I will find it

[Michiel]

I'll give it a try as well :)

[Avotius]

I think I have 2 cameras. One can of Coca Cola and one from Agfa looking....I forgot, but I promise I will find it

Hah...my photography teacher has a heineken one.


Anyway as for the camera that I proposed, I will try to find a picture. Its basically the same as a single use camera but you can reload it. I will try to find a picture.

[Avotius]

I am looking around, this is as close as I found to finding what I was talking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fuji-Endeavor-60AF-APS-Film-Camera-A_W0QQitemZ320230662150QQihZ011QQcategoryZ15231QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/433265-REG/Olympus_120576_Trip_600_Camera_Blister.html

But the one I was looking at doesnt have auto film advance or any of that other stuff I think. They sell them at Carefoure here for like 58 rmb with two rolls of film in a big plastic thing. I may go buy one of these things just for the hell of it so I can show you.


Edit:

I just found this http://www.adorama.com/UWSS03.html its about as close as I can find to what I am talking about only the ones here say fuji, some of them they kodak, and they are pretty bland silver plastic with a flash (I think) and I promiss to "customize" it to death :) :) :)

[Keith]

Has anyone had a look inside one of these single use cameras ... they are actually quite easy to reload with whatever 400 film takes your fancy. They come with the film completely out of the cassette and as you advance you wind it back in so with a bit of mucking about in a dark room you can fit a standard roll of 24 back into one!

I pulled a Fuji disposable apart the other day and developed the film myself and was thinking of reloading it with some decent black and white! :p

[Avotius]

Yay, I found it! This is exactly the same as the ones they sell here in the discount bins bundled with expired film:

http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db2-da1f40e72cb94f2282445334277f34b5.jhtml?pm=17

http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-7fb51e764f4f491543dceed714014f06.jhtml?pm=38

Why someone would try to sell these rather then toss them is beyond me. Surly the time to take the picture for the ad is not worth it?

Anyway, would this be ok? I could load it up with XP2 ;)



Also it would be cool if we could get some sponsors on the site or something to pitch in too. Maybe a soft release thing for the winner or the sort just to spice things up a bit!

[rolleistef]

ok Avotius, it's crappy enough ;) even though there's an AF and it's 1 stop faster than a standard one. But the APS factor is limitating enough!

[Avotius]

ok Avotius, it's crappy enough ;) even though there's an AF and it's 1 stop faster than a standard one. But the APS factor is limitating enough!



Today I went to the store and looked at one of these cameras. The lens was plastic and shoddy. The aperture was not even written on it but I would guess something like a f6.7 or such. It did however says ashperical lens on it, thats about it. Its a manual wind, single focus lens type. I will buy one next time I am in there, I had to get a bottle of tequila, didnt have enough left over ;)

[rxmd]

Good one! I'm in. In May/June I might be back in Central Asia. Judging from the XP2 I got the day before yesterday, here I can add the extra crappiness of a minilab with overused C-41 chemicals beyond their expiry date to the flavour :)

[sweathog]

Anything further on this?

[Avotius]

As far as I know things are on hold at the moment while finals and stuff at school blow over, which is greatly appreciated by me since I am writing a thesis right now about "emotion in photography" plus have to produce a work to go with it and plan it for exhibition in a month or so.

[sweathog]

Ok, I was just wondering as this went quiet suddenly.

[Bryce]

Finals? I don't get those until mid June, though things are plenty hectic.
Anyone know if Ilford is still making HP5 throwaways?

[rolleistef]

The Single use camera contest will open on May 15th.
To register, please PM so that I can send you the instructions for posting.
The site is :
http://concoursphoto.bloxode.com
If anyone sees a mistake in the English rules, please tell me!

[Avotius]

sounds great! is the 15th opening when we have to turn in images or what? I havnt taken anything yet :X

[rolleistef]

you have between may 15th and june 12th to post your pictures (Yes 12th cause I'm leaving to britain on 15th. got to change the dates on the website.). Do PM for questions/registration!

[rolleistef]

no one else? Already 4 or 5 contestants but that's not much...

[Avotius]

Howdy, I just got back from two surprise trips after the surprise earth quake here. I hope to get into this, need a little time to sort out the crap here though.

[jan normandale]

If I'd seen this I'd have joined in. I love shooting disposible and crappy cameras. PM me if you do this again and I don't respond.

[mh2000]

I reloaded a Kodak non-flash disposable once... it was far from easy.

[mh2000]

yes, maybe try again... I would try to submit something too.