coup de coeur
Please allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the Caron family. Little Miss Pentax here joins her brothers and sisters, the Canon Digital Rebel, the SX-70, the Polaroid Land Camera, the Holga, the Kodak Duaflex and the Yashica Electro 35 (also a new addition). If I keep this up, I’m going to have to check myself into the Betty Ford Center equivalent for camera addicts.
I’ve been coveting a Pentax K1000 ever since I started stalking reading The Blue Hour (what can I say, the man inspires me beyond words). So I finally took the plunge and bought one a few weeks ago and it is the best $50 investment I’ve ever made. Isn’t she just the pertiest thing you ever did see?
Since buying my DSLR a couple years ago, I have been trying to recreate that film look and I realize now, of course, that the only true way to get that grain, that feel from another time, that quality I used to see in my dad’s photos, that je ne sais quoi, is to actually shoot film. Duh!
The beauty of this camera is that it is fully automatic and seeing as I have yet to use the manual settings on my Canon, the Pentax is quickly becoming an amazing learning tool. And the sound! Have I told you about the sound? And how there is no better sound in the world than the shutter releasing on a Pentax K1000 and the clicking as you advance the film? Swoon. Not to mention the element of surprise. Not knowing what the photo looks like until days, if not weeks, after you press the shutter*. I’m really appreciating the anticipation.
And last but not least, all the following shots are SOOC (strait out of the camera), unprocessed, no salt or sugar added, pure natural goodness.
I have died and gone to heaven, people!
* Case in point… I was so focused on this stranger’s shirt that I didn’t notice his fantastic smile until the film was developed.
wonderingsandwanderings.com 
Oh these are really fabulous and I love your post. It warms my film loving heart.
Gorgeous!
beautiful!!!
I want to start shooting on film too and i am still hesitating: yashica, pentax, diana mini….
i just got a polaroid though: i am in love!!!!!! But my bank account might disagree with me if i keep on buying all these films ;(
I am swooning! Those tones are the exact ones that I love. I also love the Blue Hour, and have been so inspired to shoot with the K1000 but am just scared about film photography — where do I get the film? Where do I develop it? Okay, really, just those 2 questions, but they are doozies.
Speaking of, what film did you use here, and where did you develop it? 🙂
Take the plunge, Jacqueline. You won’t regret it. If you have a DSLR, do practice shots with that first (with a 50mm lens), check the settings and use the same settings on your Pentax. As for film, I used (and really like) Kodak Portra 400 NC film. I bought it at a camera shop in Montreal but I do believe you can check retail locations on the Kodak site here: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/resourceLocators/tradDealers/tradDealerSearch.jhtml?pq-path=13319/1230/3007&form=listbox&productFamilyCode=11
As for development, I was going to go to the same pro camera shop but their lab was closed for renos. So I ended up going to a Kodak retailer and had the photos put on disk. I think they did quite a good job.
Hope this helps. Have fun.
Well, you’ve just knocked down the last 2 barriers for me. I have decided that I will buy a K1000 as my graduation gift in June. That’s it! I’m in it! Thanks for your help! I cannot wait.
Your pictures are beautiful beyond what I can express with words right now !!! Such a velvety touch, such colors … I hope there will be more soon !
jeanine, these came out fantastically! i have to admit i also bought a pentax k100o b/c of brian’s work, and i am LOVING it. still have a ton to learn about what i am actually doing with the manual settings, but that lovely click and wind! swoooooooon. picking up my 1st developed roll on saturday and i’m so very excited.
Goooood article, I love that camera! I started to use just some weeks ago and I’m totally excited about that. The sound of the shutter is drammatically beautiful!
I wrote an article some days ago (sorry but it is in italian…) about that.
http://www.riccardocecchi.com/2010/04/07/analogiconostalgia/
Nice blog, good job!
So beautiful! I have a Canon AE-1 that I love, but it’s in for repair right now. 😦
I hope you enjoy many many rolls of film with your newest camera!
oh i am so totally going to have to borrow that wee pretty thing for a bit when i come visit!
can’t wait to see you!
these are so beautiful – you inspire me to go back and use that film that has been untouched for years now! xo
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh beautiful
Thanks for posting your always lovely photos. You spread joy!
My first real camera was a Pentax K1000, for my 16th birthday…. It still informs the way I approach every picture I take, despite whatever craziness is happening digitally. I haven’t used it in a very long time, but you’ve inspired me to dig it out of hiding. Thank you!
I have the same Pentax, my dad gave it to me when I decided to go to the academy to study photography. Up until this day, the best pictures I took were taken with this camera. Mine is a ‘he’ actually and his name is asahihi (because he makes me giggle). 🙂
Gorgeous! These are all so richly coloured I could eat them. I love the sound of a real shutter too. My dad was a camera geek in the 70s/80s… I wonder if he still has any of his old friends? The better question is would he actually part with any of them ; )
thanks for your nice comments..I really like your pictures too…just beautiful
I am sitting here staring at my Pentax ME Super – my first real crush (PLUS it never broke my heart – you’ve gotta love that). : ) I bought it from a friend years ago. After reading your post I think I need to plan a date with it. I haven’t used it in such a long time. I still have film for it, too. Might be expired but I can still play, no? Thanks for your response to Jacqueline. I never even thought about getting the film snaps put on a disk.
BTW, I popped over to The Blue Hour. Swoon, indeed. There’s a whole lotta swooning going on which is great because I LOVE to swoon.
Your shots are great!!! Merci!
Wow, beautiful shots! They make me want to start up with film again – the only problem is the huge expense! But it’s worth it for that special something film adds to a photo.
those begonias are especially beautiful in a wonderful set of photos. can’t wait to pick up some of my own soon. 🙂
xo Alison
Jeanine –
Delurking here to say that your photos transport me to another place and time. So beautiful. I love your descriptions and you make me want to (and I do) haul my neglected cameras out of their bags. Thanks for the continued inspiration.
xoxo
Meghan
Congratulations on the new addition! Can’t wait to see what comes out of her 🙂
Much love to you,
Jamie
Jeanine, you are really gifted as you find beauty in simplicity and are freely able to capture it. This is rare.
I hope you are surviving the volcano!
Come back to visit me and Vesuvio soon!
Lucky you! Great shot of the beer glasses.
Cameras make me so very happy. Lovely, lovely photos.
I’ve been buying black and white for my film camera (Olympus OM-1) but you’ve inspired me to buy some color…seeing that I’m on my way to NYC and B & H is virtually next door to the train station…seeing you very soon. xoxo
These are really beautiful photos. I love the colours and tones. I love shooting film and that anticipation of seeing how the photos have turned out.
Love your blog, will be back again.
Absolutely love the Pentax K1000!! It has revived my love for photography. There is such a joy I feel when being forced to slow down to adjust dials and wind film when taking a photograph. 🙂
I just moved and found my K1000 in a old box. I have been wanting to click through a few rolls. I am more inspired than ever now. Thanks for you post
holy crap i am DROOLING over here!!!! your shots are awesome. and i can see the blue hour influence. way to go girl!
I stumbled upon your photostream on Flickr via someone else’s favorites. That guy with the shirt caught my eye, and for a moment I actually thought it was Brian (of the blue hour). It was not, but your style, especially with the England shots, reminds me a lot of his style. I’m glad I found you!
Just stumbled on your blog via Astrid, and oh how I love your work! I love these images. I have recently fallen in love with film myself, and oh how I love my Pentax as well.