5 Frames with Vivitar V3000s: A more-than-expected Result – By Ris Sukarma

I got a camera, Vivitar V3000s, from a friend who almost threw it to trash, and I picked it up. It had problem with film winder and I intended to have it repaired. I thought this camera deserves salvaging, it has 50 mm, f/2 lens from Pentax in very good condition.

I brought the camera to a repair shop. This shop is located in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, a street full with shops on both sides, and was known in the past (and still is today) as popular spot in Central Jakarta, where people come to buy anything, from shoes to hats, from clothes to watches, new and used cameras, and many others. This shopping heaven, built in 1820, was popular during colonial time for Dutch people to shop (and show-off).

After having been successfully repaired (it costs about 18 dollars), I took it around, strolled the street, and started taking pictures. The camera feels good at hand and is easy to operate, and the result is more than what I expected. I used Ilford Delta 100 film in black and white. The pictures shown here give at glance the situation of this place 199 years after it was first constructed. The entrance gate, that you see in one of the photos, was added later as reminder to the past.

I have been using many other analog cameras, including Leica M4, but the result here is beyond my expectation. What I learned here is, good picture is not merely due to fancy or expensive gear, but many other factors seem to play as well: camera setting, composition (with bit of luck), lighting, shooting experience, and more importantly: good mood during shooting, at least that’s what I’ve experienced. Any thought?

Thanks – rissukarma