Here is my only resolution, photography-wise, for 2025: Pick one film camera from my collection each month and use it as a daily shooter. That’s it. I know — I’m aiming high. I need a win here. As middle-managers are fond of saying, I’m going after some low-hanging fruit. Of course, this one resolution contains a lot of baggage.
First, I’ll need to take the camera with me when I go out. I have found that I can dream up a million excuses not to take a camera with me when I venture out, besides, of course, the one that’s built-in to my iPhone. I’m no fan of smartphone cameras. The wide-angle lenses distort faces and make people look fat. Mine makes me look 63 years old with grey hair. The geniuses at the Genius bar can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong with it.
Second, I will need to develop the film at the end of each month. I love to develop film. I love film, period, full stop. You can read about my love of film in this post. Sadly, I developed not one roll of film in 2024, or 2023, which I find incredible. Thanks to my Development Journal, I know exactly when I developed my last roll of film: 2 August 2022. I developed four rolls of color film that day. Here’s the page from my journal.
January Camera
For January 2025 I select the Nikon FM2n. I will focus, pun intended, on portraits. So, for a lens, I will choose the Nikon Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f1.2.
This is a classic lens on a rugged, mechanical camera. I have never used this lens before so I’m looking forward to giving it a good workout. I’ll pop a fresh battery in the camera for the light meter and use it along with the Sunny 16 Rule to estimate exposures. I will also carry my Gossen Digisix as a backup.
After a quick film inventory, I find I’m running low on Kodak Tri-X, so I just ordered ten rolls from B&H Photo.
The image below shows the January camera in it’s battle configuration, complete with Luigi Case, UV filter, and rubber lens hood. I’m using an old DOMKE strap. I have to say, DOMKE, owned by Tiffen, makes some great camera bags and accessories. I only plug products I actually like and use.
Happy New Year!
Rick Miller
Falls Church, VA
3 January 2025