I finally got my first roll of film developed from my “new” Zeiss Ikon. I bought the thing completely ignorant of its condition, and even if the camera turned out to be in working order, I expected it would take me awhile to get used to the manual format. I do have manual controls on my 35mm, but on that camera there is a light meter that calculates the effect of different aperture/shutter speed combinations, and when you look through the viewfinder the picture looks all fuzzy if it’s not in focus, features not available on the Ikon.

Here’s the first picture I took, in a pub in Notting Hill where I loaded up the film. I was trying to figure out how to trip the shutter (you have to reset it every time you advance the film). I set the shutter, turned around in my seat, and snapped this picture. On the print, the light does a really nice halo effect, and the people’s faces are very clear. There’s also a nice interplay of light and shadow on the wood furniture. On the digitized version, much of that is lost, but I kind of like this photo anyway.

This picture of Westminster was my next effort. The composition isn’t perfect–there’s way too much going on–but the tree branches are nice and sharp.

Finally, here’s the rainbow picture I took with the new Holga. Holga color film often produces a ’70’s-like coloration that I was expecting, but didn’t get, here.

Verdict: The new cameras are great. The old photographer has to do some work.