In our second part of our isolation podcasts, Alex discusses the Nikon FM and Nikon FE, two cameras that came out in the aftermath of the Olympus OM-System. The history behind these cameras, how they compare and their use in the field. Also, we welcome long time member of the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup and member of the Mississauga Leatherworkers Guild Mr Mark Rossi to discuss his own leatherworking business and the creation of Due North Leather. Due North, as you may know, is producing fine leather camera straps for a reasonable cost!
If you are a regular of the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup you will know the guest on our show today, Mark Rossi. Mark has been working both on photography and leatherwork for a good 8 years and about three months ago decided to blend his two hobbies and started his own company, DueNorth Leather. Inspired by the cameras he uses, mostly the Nikon F3, the first camera to have the iconic red stripe to start up a line of leather camera straps. Like many of us and our photography, Mark is almost all self-taught when it comes to his leatherwork and he is an active member of the local leatherworking guilds. And while his initial offering is designed for smaller cameras, his recent release, the Baron line is more aimed at larger cameras. Plus they use the Peak Design anchors which makes them interchangeable. Plus there’s a line of straps designed for medium format cameras.
Website: duenorthleather.com
Instagram: @duenorth_leather
Facebook: DueNorth Leather
When it comes to Nikon cameras, Alex is a huge fan after switching allegiance many years back, and when it comes to compact Nikon cameras these days there are plenty of cameras that come with a high-price tag such as the FM2n and FE2. But you don’t need to go with these cameras to get a good machine, the original FM and FE are just as good. Both cameras operate using the legendary Copal Square shutter. If a meter doesn’t matter than the FM is for you, using the classic 60/40 centre-weighted meter and a three diode readout in the viewfinder and the gallium based photocells are accurate. But if some level of automation then the FE might be a little more up your alley. Pretty much the same camera, slightly different dimensions and instead of a gallium based cell it uses a far faster silicon blue cell and a different in viewfinder readout with a more traditional needle readout.
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Want a subscription to SilverGrain Classics and are a fan of Classic Camera Revival? Visit their shop online and buy a magazine or a subscription? Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix check out Burlington Camera (Burlington, ON), Downtown Camera (Toronto, ON), Film Plus (Toronto, ON), Belle Arte Camera (Hamilton, ON), Pond’s FotoSource (Guleph, ON), Foto Art Camera (Owen Sound, ON). Out West there’s The Camera Store (Calgary, AB) and Beau Photo Supply (Vancouver, BC). Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), buyfilm.ca (Ontario), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic. Looking for development options, check out these labs that have our support, Boréalis Photo Lab, Old School Photo Lab, The Darkroom, and Film Rescue International.
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