Camera Modifications

Kodak Flash Bantam camera

That time I “half-framed” a cute Kodak Flash Bantam camera (Part 3 of 3)

When Part 2 of this three-part series went online, reader Stephen Meese made a  comment that said it all:

“Wait, you experimented with a different film format, AND shot without a meter, AND shot with expired film, AND you’re developing your film using an experimental method? That’s a bold move Cotton!”

He had an impressive series of “ANDs” there… and I added one more! The last time I developed my own film was in 1980, and 43 years on, I seriously needed to relearn the art of slipping 35mm film into Nikkor reels.

Kodak Flash Bantam camera

That time I “Half-Framed” a cute Kodak Flash Bantam camera (Part 1 of 3)

I’ve long wanted a half-frame 35mm camera. Doubling one’s images per roll is especially great now that film costs more. I’m an inveterate tinkerer, though, and preferred to convert an inexpensive (but decent) “full-frame” camera, rather than buy a “real” half-frame. But what camera should I tackle? Ideally, it would be:

Pocketable
Well-built
Fully mechanical
Blessed with a nice lens
Easily (and reversibly) converted and
Fun to shoot

Baby’s in Black – Swapping Body Plates on the Autoreflex T3 – By Bob Janes

The first camera I owned and used extensively was a Konica Autoreflex T3; a real brick of a camera. I was always a big advocate for the T3, and used it extensively for 20 years. In recent years the T3 has started to be recognised as a minor (heavyweight) classic.

About 15 years ago I was able to pick up a copy of the revised nT3 version, which featured split-image and microprism focus aids, a squared off pentaprism and a viewfinder blind. Both cameras featured in my 35mmc review of the Autoreflex T3.

Canon Sure Shot M Mini-Review & Auto-Flash Disable Modification

Just before Christmas I spotted a rather injured looking Canon Sure Shot M (otherwise known as the Canon Prima Mini) in a second hand shop in town. I’ve looked at these cameras a few times – mostly because they look quite nice and are quite small. This one didn’t look as nice, to be fair, but it was only £5, so I thought it worth a punt. As it turns out, it’s knackered nature would make it the perfect candidate for modifying/hacking it so it would never automatically flash.

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