Classic Camera Revival

While everyone always associates the term "normal lens" with the 50mm focal length, here at CCR, we're going with more of a range between 28mm and 60mm. In reality, normal human vision ranges from 31mm to 43mm, which can be difficult to replicate with readily available lenses. So on today's episode, we're featuring the Pentax-M 40mm, AF Nikkor 35mm, Leica Summicron 50mm, AI-S Nikkor 28mm, Zuiko 35mm, Biotar 58mm, Yashinon 50mm, Takumar 55mm, Pentax-FA 31mm, Pentax-FA 43mm, and Voigtländer 58mm.

It's been a while since we've done one of these shows. It was back with the Nikon FA, and in that case, we just passed the camera around the table. But today we have something special, the Pentax MZ-S, the last professional camera from Pentax/Asahi with a rich history. The camera was provided by John Roberts (who is back on the show today). It was used by Alex, James, and Bill, along with the three limited-edition lenses that were released with the camera.

Our co-host Chrissie did something to push themselves out of their comfort zone and decided to take a solo trip to Iceland. Armed with a Samsung phone, Sony A7 and a Polaroid I-2 in an effort to rekindle a passion for photography. Join Chrissie and Alex as they discuss the trip, including the reasons, gear, and of course, the photos.

Officially, fall has arrived here in Southern Ontario. Although with the warm weather we've been having recently, it's hard to tell other than the fact that the days are getting shorter. And with the change of season, the team sits down to talk about everything related to fall photography, from capturing the bright colourful leaves on your favourite film stocks to showing off the late fall gloom in stark black and white.

Photography is a journey, and sometimes that journey intersects with another, and that's what today's episode is all about. For those who don't know, the Camino de Santiago or Way of St. James is a network of pilgrim ways all leading to the Shrine of the Apostle James at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. And a couple of months ago, it was completed by a friend of the podcast, James McFarlane. James and Alex sit down to talk about the journey, the photography, and how it changed him. It's something a little different for the podcast, but something that needed to be done. You can see more of James' work onlineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cigarandbar/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cigarandbarFlickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/theworldttl

This episode is another live show from the streets of Toronto during our 10th Anniversary Photo Walk & Brewery Tour. The tour took the gang from Sugar Beach and the Great Lake Brew Pub on Lower Jarvis, through Old Town Toronto and into the Distillery District for Old Flame Brewing Co., and then into Riverside for Eastbound Brewing. There were other breweries planned, but due to the weather, we stopped at Eastbound. Despite the weather (which was not pleasant), about twenty people attended the event, and everyone enjoyed the shorter but safer walk. Alex took the time to record short interviews with twelve attendees and asked them a series of questions. What Camera(s) do you have with you, what is your favourite subject matter, what is your favourite film stock and what in your mind makes for a good photo? You can view all of Alex's photos on Flickr.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Leitz Camera, or as we know it today, Leica. The Leitz Camera Co. is far older than the cameras they produce. In today's episode, Bill leads a panel of photographers, including Alex (Smith), John Roberts, and David, who all have one thing in common: their love of Leicas, from the Barnack rangefinders to the iconic M-Series of rangefinders and even the controversial SLR line of Leicaflexes! But no matter which side of the fence you land on, there is something special about Leica cameras and their lenses that makes them not only expensive but worth every penny. Also Alex (our Alex) comes in with a presentation on the Leica Freedom Train, an effort by Ernst Leitz II and Elsie Kuehn-Leitz, to move hundreds of Jewish employees and their families outside of Germany from 1935-1939 and the company's efforts to protect those enslaved under the Nazis and employed by Leitz during the war. You can read more in the Legion Magazine or the Accidental Talmudist. CCR is ten years old this year, and to celebrate, we're hosting a Photowalk & Brewery Tour on 12 July starting at 11 am from the Great Lakes Brewpub at 11 Lower Jarvis in Toronto, Ontario. You can find more details on the event signup page on Photowalk.me!