Medium format camera

[timjeburton]

My dad recently gave me an ancient Kodak No.1 Autographic Jr camera, which used to belong to his father. Considering it's been stored in a garage for at least fifteen years it's in amazingly good nick! I'd like to try using it but I don't know much about medium format cameras - I can't work out where the memory card goes :lol:.

Has anyone got any idea what sort of speed film I should use? The shutter can do either 1/25s or 1/50s, and (I think!) I read somewhere that the maximum aperture is f/6.5. A plaque on the back says "use Autographic film A-120."

Any info/tips much appreciated :cool:

[Jon]

120 roll film comes in most of the common types. That means you should be able to get anything between ISO 100 and 800 if you look around (100-400 easily, 800 with more effort).

[DocFrankenstein]

shutter can do one shutter speed only?

If you're shooting outside, approximate with sunny 16 rule. Sunny day: f/16 and the shutter speed is your ISO.

Don't be afraid to use iso 800 and even 3200. MF is quite a smooth medium.

[timjeburton]

shutter can do one shutter speed only?
The shutter can do both, and it also has a 'B' setting (bulb), and 'T', which latches the shutter open and closed each time you press the trigger.

The aperture control just reads '1 2 3 4'.

[DocFrankenstein]

I can't help you with 1234 then :D

[Jon]

You're going to have to figure the apertures out yourself. IIRC, they're usually about 1 stop apart (although not necessarily standard stop values)

[PhotosGuy]

I think you'd get better pics with any digital as it's a consumer cam.
Look at my avatar - it's medium format, too! :D Just 'cause it's medium format, doesn't mean that it has a good lens & I suspect that they're relying on the bigger neg to make up the difference.

[timjeburton]

I think you'd get better pics with any digital as it's a consumer cam.

Hey, who needs sharpness, contrast and neutral colour anyway? I need a bit of purple fringing for a change!