Beier Beirette Or, Seize Means of Photography

Seductive metallic curves attach seamlessly to a black leatherette-covered frame. A shutter button strategically resides on the side of the lens mount in a position where the index finger rests comfortably. Mounted to the front is a fixed 45mm f/2.9 prime lens bearing the name E. Ludwig Meritar, attributing it to the precision of mid…

Argus C3 Or, a Night at Hogwarts

I was standing in a dimly lit opulent feast hall surrounded by robed witches and wizards. Pumpkin pasties and cups of overpriced butter beer were served on a table nearby as my hands fumbled over the tightly wound gears of a half-century-old 35mm rangefinder camera, the Argus C3. 'Twas After Dark Potterfest throughout Pittsburgh’s Carnegie…

Samsung Digimax 350S Or, Patience is a Virtue

9 seconds. That is how long it takes for the Samsung Digimax 350S to stir itself from the digital dreamworld. 3 seconds to boot up, 3 seconds for its lens motor to twist out, and 3 seconds for the backscreen’s liveview to come online. I don't recommend this camera to enthusiasts who like to shoot…

Earthlink e-snap! Or, A Cautionary Tale of Incompatibility

In recent years, I’ve noticed an increased enthusiasm for vintage art forms and media products. New vinyl albums and record players are being sold at Barnes and Noble, major movie directors are shooting big budget blockbusters like The Hateful Eight and Star Wars: The Force Awakens on film stock, and teenagers/twenty-somethings are discovering the joys…

Kodak DC280 Zoom

For those who have forgotten, yes Kodak, the legendary film photography company, did indeed make digital cameras. In fact, they opened Pandora’s Box by creating the first one in the 1970s, then pioneered many now standardized features in the following two decades. So in the spirit of Kodak’s crowning achievement and subsequent doom, the first model…