With the end of first session leaving us with only three working cameras, the two day intersession proved a perfect time to get to grips with our three new Ebay purchased cameras ( a Minolta XGI, Minolta X300 and a Vivitar XV-3, adding to our Canon AE-1, Nikon FM10 and three Vivitar XV-3).
In Fernwood Cove we love a challenge and second hand cameras do love to provide one.
Just like any second hand camera purchase, bearing in mind that most of these cameras are twenty plus years old, a lot of them come with a nearly broken this and a faulty that, and two of the new additions were no exception. Unfortunately both Minolta's came with broken winds , the X300 a semi automatic and slightly newer Minolta came with a common fault in the form of a broken capacitor, where according to the big wide web the only cure is to replace the electronics- which i'm sure is a more costly process than buying the camera itself. The XG-1 also had a broken wind as well as acid leak from the batteries (perhaps hinting that it probably wasn't in the good working condition that was implied in the purchase details). Although teaching a class of seven mixed aged and ability campers with only four working cameras isn't ideal (as it means on average one person per class has to share a camera) four is better than three, and to be honest we don't have a choice about it so the show or rather focuses must go on.
The Department itself is working incredibly well perhaps even faultlessly , the weather is behaving, the cameras that still work (touch wood) are all fully understandable and teachable to all ages (even if the Canon AE-1 with its pendant based light meter and the Vivitar XV-3 with its sensitive shutter release work better in the hands of the older campers) The kids are producing well exposed and composed images, that are unique - remember Fernwood Cove believes in Eagles not Ducks- and so far the printing is working well. Its a great compliment when a Photographer or person who works in a very similar industry compliments their childs printing skills which you've set up and approved yourself. Processing the films has also come on a lot, film loading has become a painless and quick process - even in those annoying, sweaty and cramped bags- and the films are coming out both constantly and successfully and even with a shine, with thanks to the PhotoFlo wetting agent.
