Got my last film out of Kiev 6C and about to give the camera back to its rightful owner.
Among all the things about the film photography I love the excitement of developing – once the film is full, you never remember what should be on it. So you’re waiting for it to be developed like a little kid waiting for a Christmas present. Fun!

Image: Local David Hasshelhoff on Hobulaiu 2009

Equipment: Kiev 6C, MIR-38b 65mm f3.5 / Fujicolor Reala 100

Full set @ http://www.tiblu.com/img/mediumformat_Kiev_6C_2009_6/

As everyone knows I’m a very fashion-aware person. I like to observe Fashion TV, get in touch with the latest trends and dress accordingly.

NOT! I think it is not about the looks, it’s about the practical aspect of the clothing. You have to have enough pockets to fit your living, they can’t restrict your movement in any way and if you catch fire, you have to be able to quickly remove all. Finally – they have to last forever. Right now I find my 1969 East Germany military pants are just the right choice, they really are, except for traveling. You get stripped in the airport for sure and when you visit Berlin you get a lot of stares from angry geezers (as happened on my trip to see Red Hot Chili Peppers live in Wuhlheide, Berlin 2006).

Anyway, all that does not stop me from stepping out of the box and seeing some fashion shows.  A friend studies in Euroülikool and they organize some shows to display the works of the students. I’ve been there about 3 times. I must say, I haven’t seen any practical things there, I would even say they sacrifice all to beauty. Some of the clothes stop your normal movement, why would you wear something like that? All and all, it’s nice to see how peoples mind fly totally different way on the same subject.

Now we come to the shot, my first “fashion shot” of a friends collection. She wanted some shots and I had 3 frames left in my Kiev 6C. We went outside and I was desperately looking for a great background for the shots – bang, there it is – an old Russian T40 tractor right there in the middle of the city. What are the odds for that? I took the shots but I think they look a bit lame. Firstly cause I’m not very good at telling people what to do. They did whatever they wanted on the shots. Secondly, the weather – boring gray sky, not enough light for smaller aperture etc. So, some middle-class shots.

Image: Piibe’s very patriotic collection for the summer of 2009

Equipment: Kiev 6C, MIR-38b 65mm f3.5 / Fujicolor Reala 100

Full set @ http://www.tiblu.com/img/mediumformat_Kiev_6C_2009_4/

Oh yeah, I discovered a defect on my Kiev, if you look at the full set, you can see white splashes on the pictures, it indicates that my mirror does not flip up correctly when taking a shot.

I’m really out of words. That does not happen often and it feels akward.
Here is the first set from Kiev 6C. I really love 2 shots – the one attached to the post and the other with the girl having the “eagle look” on surroundings, checking out the next victim to photograph.
That’s it and remember: “Actions speak louder than words..”

Image: Mister sleeping on a bench in Prague.

Equipment: Kiev 6C, Vega-12b 90mm f2.8 / Kodak Professional 120

Full set @ http://www.tiblu.com/img/mediumformat_Kiev_6C_2009_1/

That’s it, that’s it, that’s it, the new kit is Kiev 6C, Vega-12b 90mm f2.8, Mir-38b 65mm f3.5 provided by Sten. I must say it is one wicked camera – it looks just like a regular 35mm film camera but it is double in size. It does scare people.
In fact, the camera got me stripped in airport security check – I had to lay out all my stuff on the table, sneakers off, lenses off, caps off, bag empty. They checked each of the item individually. I do remember the face on the lady carrying out the check when she took a look at the Kiev 6C – she was speechless and searching for a viewfinder which I opened up (shaft, not prism) for her after noticing the confusion. After seeing the image from the finder, she was satisfied. As a last thing they searched for traces of explosive materials from my bag. I guess it wasn’t just the camera – I do wear 1960s Eastern-Germany military uniform pants and a jacket.

Got first shutter releases during my trip to Prague and London. Although there were a lot of tourists I loved Prague, it has some “mojo” for me that Rome and Paris don’t. London was obviously different experience – way bigger in size = more people, more rushing and it was my first time there. Lucky enough, I had an excellent companion for the trip – a co-worker from London office – Rita.
Prague: we had great fun navigating the city, eating huge amount of meat, some tasty potato cakes, some chillin’ in Hard Rock Cafe, out with her friends from Portugal in Lebanese restaurant and taking photos while at it. Basically I was there to confuse, she was there to fix it all up. Oh, tube (metro) always confuses me.
London: working from the office at the day time, evenings touring the city and stayed at co-workers for the night at co-workers. Staying in an apartment with a Portuguese, Creek and Estonian = great fun and well fed. Places that I liked the most – St James’s Park, Regeant’s Park (very cool view on the city at night), Victoria Embankment Gardens, Camden markets area, the Tube. I must say I wasn’t all excited about the Big Ben or Tower Bridge or Buckingham. What I did like a lot was the variety of people – very-very different cultures/personalities living together – quite inspiring environment though it does not show in the pictures. I think I took altogether ~20 pictures on the 9 day trip.

Yet again, failed to make long story short. Thanks again to Sten for the scans.

Image: Ladies hunting their ice-cream by the Thames.

Equipment: Kiev 6C, Vega-12b 90mm f2.8 / Fujicolor Reala 100

Full set @ http://www.tiblu.com/img/mediumformat_Kiev_6C_2009_2/
(some shots are in next post…)

NB! If the film packaging says: “Load in dimmed light” – do that or face the consequences.