The original plan for today was go down to The Memory Den, Oregon’s largest antique store, and try to find some items for developing film negatives at a booth run by a guy named Mark who also has a large stall in another store in Springfield, then afterwards head down to Blue Moon Camera and Machine to pick up the chemicals to start developing. The day ended up a lot longer than I’d expected. Found a few 120 and one 35mm film spool at The MD plus a small 172 film Agfa box camera, a Miranda 35mm (I’ve been wanting one of these forever), and two point and shoot Nikons (one keeping, one selling). Light meter doesn’t seem to work on the Miranda but that’s no big deal, especially at $25; Sunny Sixteen, y’all! In addition picked up a Hasselblad magazine with Cindy Crawford on the cover (she was my teenage crush) and an old Playboy with an interview with Arthur C. Clarke (I’m trying to collect ones from science fiction writer greats of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s). Next stop was Blue Moon where I immediately ran into Jake, one of the owners, who took me into a deep dive of the development chemicals they carry. I picked up the basics for black and white film development as well as a metal 35mm development tin (I already have 3 of the film spools) and got one of the bigger plastic ones, mainly so I can develop 127 as well (it’s a pretty expensive film to have someone else develop). Now I think the only thing I’m missing is a one gallon jug for exhausted fixer, something that can’t be thrown down the drain. Also dropped off a roll of b&W that needs C-41 (color processing–don’t ask me why Kodak made that stuff decades ago) and consigned another camera. Next stop was a short hop and skip down the road to Franklin Foto to see if Jason, the co-owner, was in. Wanted him to show me how to print digital negatives so I can blow them up in the dark room (and want his advice building a copy table). Sadly he wasn’t there so asked some questions of the on hand volunteer (who’s name I always forget!) and then it was back towards home to pick up cat litter then rearrange furniture and what not in order to make life easier once I have a couple rolls of 35mm T-Max to give my best shot at. Anyway, if I’m feeling up to it tomorrow I’m going to head back down and connect with Jason, want to get started on the next steps of my photographic journey.
How about you? What have you been up to?
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