2012 FSU Contest - Pre-discussion
 

I think it would be a good idea to make a start on establishing the format and rules for the 2012 FSU photography contest. Below is a proposal for consideration...

Purpose
The idea is to have some fun and friendly competition using old FSU photography equipment. If anyone wishes to offer something photo-related (preferably FSU) as a prize (or prizes), they are welcome to do so. Otherwise, the prize is the glory of winning and the fun of taking part.

Shooting period
All photos must be taken during the shooting period. No extensions to the shooting period. The shooting period includes uploading - no 'grace period' because you haven't developed or scanned your film yet (so plan ahead!). Shooting starts on the 1st of May. I think a period of 6 weeks should give people enough time to get some pictures taken and uploaded, so a closing date in mid-June. (I suggest a closing date after whichever weekend is closest to mid-June.)

Categories
Three categories for subject matter (but see below regarding equipment). Categories to be determined by voting via a poll here on the forum. Participants may enter no more than one photograph per category, making a maximum of three entries. (I think the three entries per category last year led to the votes being spread rather thinly. One entry per category should concentrate the voting better, and should also mean less images overall for voters to look through, which might encourage more people to vote.)

Equipment
There was some discussion last year about whether it is okay to use FSU lenses on non-FSU bodies. I'm in two minds about this. The spirit of the thing is to use FSU gear, which to me means shooting film and putting up with or working around things like dodgy shutters. On the other hand, it might be good for participation if entries taken with non-FSU bodies were also accepted. I suggest a special 'FSU Glass Only' category, probably with open subject matter, which only requires FSU glass - shoot on any body, film or digital. This would be a 'give it your best shot' thing - one entery per participant, as with the other categories. The main three categories would remain properly FSU.

Uploading
Separate galleries to be made for each category, under an overall 2012 FSU Contest heading. Uploading can commence as soon as the galleries are ready, but not before the start of the shooting period. No uploads after the end of the shooting period.

Voting
Any RFF member can vote - voting is not restricted to only those that have entered images. Voting on entries to be made active once the shooting period has ended. I suggest a voting period of one month, running mid-June to mid-July. (It's summer, and some may be on holiday if voting was only over two weeks.)


Comments?

Suggestions for categories that can be chosen by vote...

Street
Architecture
Landscape
Labour
Machinery
Portrait
Still Life
Anything Goes

Any more?

Love it. 100% agreement with above (just like Soviet times isn't it?).

I think the separate category for FSU lenses is a good idea. I missed last year's contest but the year before I think we would have had a good deal more entries that way.

I agree with this. I like the categories! They'll take me away from my comfort zone (I almost always shoot street...)

Nice! I hope I'll be able to make som images worthy of submission.

Maybe add a 'still life' category? Also, is it OK to use non-FSU glass on an FSU body?

I'll be able to participate this time with my Kiev.

Added still life to the categories.

I think the extra category would also be fine for non-FSU glass on FSU bodies - a sort of equipment hybrid, provided body or lens are FSU. According to google, Russian for "half and half" is "popolam", so we could call it that instead.

Version 2 below. Main revision is the inclusion of the 'Popolam' half-and-half category for partial-FSU equipment.


Purpose
The idea is to have some fun and friendly competition using old FSU photography equipment. If anyone wishes to offer something photo-related (preferably FSU) as a prize (or prizes), they are welcome to do so. Otherwise, the prize is the glory of winning and the fun of taking part.

Shooting period
All photos must be taken during the shooting period. No extensions to the shooting period. The shooting period includes uploading - no 'grace period' because you haven't developed or scanned your film yet (so plan ahead!). Shooting starts on the 1st of May. I think a period of 6 weeks should give people enough time to get some pictures taken and uploaded, so a closing date in mid-June. (I suggest a closing date after whichever weekend is closest to mid-June.)

Categories
A total of four categories for subject matter. Three for images shot on equipment comprising both an FSU body and an FSU lens, and a fourth (called 'Popolam' - Russian for 'half-and-half') for images shot with either an FSU body with any lens, or an FSU lens with any body. The subjects for the three fully FSU categories to be determined by voting via a poll here on the forum. Subject matter for the Popolam category is open. Participants may enter no more than one photograph per category, making a maximum of four possible entries (subject to equipment eligibility).

Equipment
The spirit of the thing is to use FSU gear, which to me means shooting film and putting up with or working around things like dodgy shutters. To encourage more participation, entries taken with mixed equipment will also be accepted, and have a special category for this purpose. To enter in the Popolam category, you must have used an FSU body, or an FSU lens. If using an FSU lens, you are free to use film or digital as the recording medium.

Uploading
Separate galleries to be made for each category, under an overall 2012 FSU Contest heading. Uploading can commence as soon as the galleries are ready, but not before the start of the shooting period. No uploads after the end of the shooting period.

Voting
Any RFF member can vote - voting is not restricted to only those that have entered images. Voting on entries to be made active once the shooting period has ended. I suggest a voting period of one month, running mid-June to mid-July. (It's summer, and some may be on holiday if voting was only over two weeks.)



Subjects for categories

Popolam - open subject matter (Reserved for partial FSU gear, and not subject to category selection vote.)

These categories will go into the category selection vote...

Street
Architecture
Landscape
Labour
Machinery
Portrait
Still Life
Anything Goes

Any more?

I am quite new around here, so I'm excited at the prospect of entering my first friendly competition for FSU gear. I agree with everything, but would like to make one suggestion. I would prefer to see a little longer shooting period. Now before I get accused of making a ridiculous suggestion, let me explain. There may be some people who, due to health issues, remote location, or any number of other unique circumstances, might not be able to take part, without a longer shooting period.

Case in point: I for one, due to suffering a bad fall years ago, (which has left me permanently disabled; bedridden 75% of the time) am not very mobile at the best of times, and there are periods where I am not even able to get out of the house for weeks at a time. Secondly, I live on a very remote island in the North Atlantic. (situated off the northeast coast of Newfoundland) And due to the fact that I am not set up to do my own film processing, (nor physically able at this time) I am forced to mail my film out for processing. I ship them to the USA, (as it is awfully slim pickings in Canada for pro film processing) meaning lengthy time delays due to distance, Customs inspection, etc, etc.

It would be just my luck, that after actually being able to drag my backside out of bed one day, get outside with my cameras in tow to capture some photos for said competition, and send the film off for developing, only to discover that by the time I ever got any negatives back to print out, the shooting period had expired, and I would have entirely missed the boat.

OK... I am probably the ONLY one on this forum who would think that a longer shooting period is necessary, so I am admittedly, shamelessly, thinking of myself! But I just wanted to explain that the time period mentioned above may be a little too short for some of us. (I mean moi, of course!)

But if there is a way, I am very excited to try my hand with this friendly little competition. You see, a few months ago I was very fortunate to acquire two absolutely pristine (as in practically brand-new!) FSU cameras; a stunningly beautiful FED 2(D6) and equally mint Zorki-4, neither of which I have actually shot yet. So, as you can imagine, I am chomping at the bit to try out these two beauties. It is indeed the incentive I need to get out of this bed and outside, to do what I truly love... capturing the beauty that surrounds me on this ruggedly scenic little island, out in the mighty North Atlantic, which I am so proud to call home.

To summarize, I would love to see the shooting period extended by two or three weeks.

Glen

Glen, I'm glad you spoke up, and humbled by your determination. I'm sure everybody would love to have your talent in the mix.

And hey, anybody up there willing to soup a roll or two of Glen's along with their own once in a while? Just an idea.

Glenn, developing your own B+W film is super easy.

I'll develop Glenn's B+W film for this competition.

Okay, any objections to making the shooting period two months? In other words, shooting/uploading during May and June, voting on entries during July.

Yay or nay?

Yay make the contest time suit the participants I say

I actually have film in my FED-2 this time and hopefully it will work when i push the button, better not say that out loud.

Start date is May 1st? Categories are fine ...

Da, tovarish!

Version 3. Shooting period extended to May and June, with voting during July.

Purpose
The idea is to have some fun and friendly competition using old FSU photography equipment. If anyone wishes to offer something photo-related (preferably FSU) as a prize (or prizes), they are welcome to do so. Otherwise, the prize is the glory of winning and the fun of taking part.

Shooting period
The shooting period starts on the 1st of May and ends on the 30th of June. All photos must be taken during the shooting period. No extensions to the shooting period. The shooting period includes uploading - no 'grace period' because you haven't developed or scanned your film yet (so plan ahead!).

Categories
A total of four categories for subject matter. Three for images shot on equipment comprising both an FSU body and an FSU lens, and a fourth (called 'Popolam' - Russian for 'half-and-half') for images shot with either an FSU body with any lens, or an FSU lens with any body. The subjects for the three fully FSU categories to be determined by voting via a poll here on the forum. Subject matter for the Popolam category is open. Participants may enter no more than one photograph per category, making a maximum of four possible entries (subject to equipment eligibility).

Equipment
The spirit of the thing is to use FSU gear, which to me means shooting film and putting up with or working around things like dodgy shutters. To encourage more participation, entries taken with mixed equipment will also be accepted, and have a special category for this purpose. To enter in the Popolam category, you must have used an FSU body, or an FSU lens. If using an FSU lens, you are free to use film or digital as the recording medium.

Uploading
Separate galleries to be made for each category, under an overall 2012 FSU Contest heading. Uploading can commence as soon as the galleries are ready, but not before the start of the shooting period. No uploads after the end of the shooting period.

Voting
Any RFF member can vote - voting is not restricted to only those that have entered images. Voting on entries to be made active once the shooting period has ended. Voting runs during the month of July. Period start/end to be adjusted if gallery closure and voting activation occurs later than the end of the shooting period (ie, voting lasts for 31 days, and hopefully starts on 1st of July).



Subjects for categories

Popolam - open subject matter (Reserved for partial FSU gear, and not subject to category selection vote.)

These categories will go into the category selection vote...

Street
Architecture
Landscape
Labour
Machinery
Portrait
Still Life
Anything Goes

Any more?

It might be a good idea for all intending contestants to test out their cameras now just incase it has developed some extra character since the last time it was used.
I haven't used mine for a while if it plays up i have the choice of getting it fixed or getting another.

My Mockva-5's are loaded,light leak proofed and on their way to Arizona
in another week.Should be fun and I'm good with whatever is chosen for
the time period.
Regards,Peter

Although relatively new here, I must say that I feel like I have found a new family. I am thankful for your concern regarding my situation, (health-wise) and am humbled that you are all so open to my request for a longer shooting period. I am doubly humbled by Frank's very gracious offer to develop my film if I am unable; I am almost at a loss for words by your generosity, especially to a newcomer such as myself. Thank-you sir.

I think I will order some darkroom supplies and give it a go again. Frank, if my health does not permit me to process my own film, I will graciously accept your kind offer to develop it for me. (and will happily pay you for your time) Thank-you for your kindness; I'll let you know how I am managing.

Although I have a fairly large collection of vintage cameras/gear, I have just recently gotten back into shooting film, and am thrilled to be in the saddle again. No, I don't plan to part with any of my dslr's any time soon, but with film I feel like I have returned to "real" photography, where I must stop and think before each capture; make every shot count.

I am really looking forward to getting out shooting with my FSU cameras.

Thanks again,
Glen

This sounds like fun.Since I just acquired a Zorki 6 and 50/2 from a fellow RFF'er as a post Christmas gift thread item count me in

Gonna pull my zorki out for this one!

Glad to see this competition will be run again this year. I look forward to giving the Kievs and Zorkis another spin.

John

Last year I used a Zorki 1 with fresh light leaks... :(

This year I think I'll try my Zorki-4K instead. ;)

That is cool.

Just sold off my last FSU camera, although I still own a Jupiter-9 85/2.0 for Leica so I could enter the popolam category.

More eligible to play is my 11-yr old son Jonah who shoots a FED-2 with Industar 52/2.8 and is a member here. I'll see if I can tickle him a bit to participate :)

I've a FrankenZorki you could give a spin, Johan :D

I'll be in! I've a couple of FSU camera's that need an outing - this is a perfect excuse. It's easy though as I usually have at least one FSU camera in my rotation. So here's to good light!

Derk

Nice set of rules, and it was a good idea to post them two months before the contest. I will certainly upload some photos !
Regards
Joao

This Contest is a great idea!

I would suggest "Transportation" as a additional category.

I recently found out how much I like to work with the classical "barnack style", so I will take one of my Zorki I, the one with the I-22 or the one with the J-12, which is now on the way to Oleg...