My Top 4 Cameras of 2024

It's time for my review of the best cameras I have used over the last year and there's 4 that got way more time in my hands than any other in my collection. Yes, 4. I normally talk about my top 3, but there's a three way tie for second place. What do you mean a three way tie? Surely there's something that separated them? I hear you ask. There are 2 SLR's and two Folding cameras in my top 4 of 2024 and that pleases me greatly. One stands out above the others, but there's sod all to separate the rest of them as I have enjoyed using them all and I will start with my first folding camera.

Agfa Isolette I

When I had to retire my Agfa Isolette I in 2023 I was gutted as it was a great camera to use. Sadly the bellows died and it was cheaper to find another. I bought my second Agfa Isolette I from ebay for not a lot of cash. It needed some work as it had been unused for a few years, but it was in great condition cosmetically which gave me hope. The previous custodian had looked after it, but a lack of use over many years had hardened the lubricating grease in the focus ring.

 

I gave it some gentle heat cycles on a radiator, with gentle persuasion in between to loosen the focus ring, and soon the grease loosened enough where the camera began to come back to life. After a few more sessions of operating the focus ring and the shutter at all speeds it was time to test it out. My first roll through it was a success and it has been a regular in my rotation in 2024.

Frighteningly simple to use, the Agfa Isolette I is a great way into medium format film for anyone wanting to give it a try. For experienced photographers, a folding camera is a lot of fun and keeps your basic skills in good order. They are also very easy to bring back to life after years of just not being used. A CLA may be the best way to resurrect and old folder, but this camera certainly benefited froma little gentle heat and persuasion, then being used.

Minolta X-700
If you like 35mm film SLR cameras and want one that produces great photos time after time, a Minolta X-700 is one to consider. Minolta brought the X-700 to the market at a time when electronics were starting to make their way into more affordable cameras. Minolta took a big swing at it and in 1981 the X-700 with the lauded Minolta Program System was born.

 

 In "Program Mode", the electronics set the shutter speed and aperture from the built in light meter that reads from the whole frame. It also has superb Aperture Priority and Manual control using the same outstanding built in light meter powered by 2 LR/SR44 batteries. This was a big deal in 1981 and the X-700 soon became Minolta's biggest selling camera, staying in production for 18 years until it was finally discontinued in 1999.

If you fancy one, look for an early model as the later ones started to use cheaper materials to save costs and have been known to have issues. The MD 50mm f/1.7 lens gives you full access to the full Program Mode and will not let you down at events where the speed of a point and shoot combined with the quality of a Professional camera will give you consistent great results.

Olympus OM10
This gift from my dear friend Gren has been a constant in my rotation since I received it and produces superb quality photos. Olympus had already produced the OM-1 and OM-2 aimed at advanced and professional photographers and wanted to have a consumer product aimed at beginners and enthusiasts who wanted a quality camera at an affordable price. Features built into the OM10 were the excellent light meter and Aperture Priority from the OM-2 as standard.

Manual control was available via an adapter that was an optional extra. I have used the camera in manual, but I am very happy to just use it in Aperture Priority and I have not been disappointed with it. Complimented with my Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 and Zuiko 28mm f/3.5, the OM-10 has been giving me consistent great results. Olympus managed to fit the manual controls into the later OM20, but the OM10 is unique in the excellent OM range of cameras and well worth its place in my top four.

Balda Baldax
No surprise here with my top camera of 2024. Quite simply, my half frame medium format folding camera I lovingly christened "Baldy The Baldax" has me in its thrall and is my number one camera of 2024. I purchased Baldy as a substitute for the Frugal Film Project 2023 and decided to keep going with it. I must admit it has been touch and go at times as to wether it would have to be retired, but I persevered with it and I'm so glad I did.

When the Balda Camera Co. based in Dresden Germany, designed the Baldax, Germany was in turmoil. The kaiser abdicated after WW1 and a democratically elected government struggled as the Wall Street crash and war reparations hit the German people hard. Balda designed the 4.5x6 Baldax to take more photos per roll of film than the other medium format cameras of the time and for a much lower price. It was also a "Badge Engineered" camera that was sold under many brands including Porst and Rodenstock. It was also the basis of the very first Olympus camera.

My Baldax was made, as far as I can tell, in 1933. Whoever bought it new had good use of it and it must have passed through many hands over the years. It came to me in 2023 and has been an almost constant companion. Its size means I can keep it in my pocket, one press of a button pops the camera open and it's ready to go in a "New York" second. I have gently coaxed and tweaked Baldy to stop light leaks and "fat rolls" and when I get it right, magic happens. Baldy will be in my regular rotation for quite a few years to come.

Four cameras, four excellent performers and all worthy of being top of my list for 2024. I'm taking a break over the festive season and will be back in January 2025 with more photos to share with you. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I sincerely hope 2025 brings you health and happiness. Here's a few favourite photos taken with them over the course of 2024, I hope you enjoy them.

 

Mersey Meet Photo Walk - Liverpool - November 2024

A joyous thing happened on the last day of November 2024, I finally made it to a Mersey Meet photo walk in Liverpool. I have wanted to attend a photo walk for a couple of years, but after missing a few through crippling anxiety I feared it would never happen for me. However, with some effort and a sleepless night, I pulled up my big boys pants and travelled to the city of my birth to enjoy a day of photography with like minded friends.

The Mersey Meet Photo Walk happens twice a year and is organised by Steve Starr, a.k.a Stig. Steve plans a route and takes a small party of friends around the city centre to visit interesting places and photograph them. It's a simple idea that many of us have either seen online or attended in person and this was my first photo walk with a group.

In the past the thought of wandering around in a group filled me with angst. I signed up for a couple of them over the last couple of years and the anxiety I had led me to miss them. I was determined to attend at least one Mersey Meet and managed to fight off the angst and met up with everyone outside the Open Eye Gallery at Mann Island near the famous "Three Graces" on Liverpool waterfront.

Our fearless and intrepid leader Stig had planned a route that took us around some famous pubs and down the lesser trodden streets of Liverpool, and we didn't have any beer in all of them. Stig said the route would be around 4 miles and we would have a stop for lunch along the way. With our cameras at the ready we set off to see what Stig had found for us to gawp at.

Along the way I got talking to Gaynor who was also attending her first Mersey Meet, it was good for us both that we were not the only newbie on the walk and oddly enough we were both using an Olympus OM-1n. I was using my favourite Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 lens, the bargain bucket lens of the Zuiko OM range that punches way above it's class, and had loaded a roll of Double X shot at 250 iso.

Our first port of call was a memorial garden dedicated to mariners lost at sea including the crew of the MV Derbyshire, a bulk carrier lost in a storm in the south china sea, and the crew of the Atlantic Conveyor, lost during the Falklands War. Many of those lost on both ships were Liverpool folk, born and bred in the city who chose a life at sea. Liverpool's historic status as one of the major ports here in the UK has seen many a Scouser go to sea and inevitably some have never returned to the docks on Liverpool Waterfront.

One of the pubs on our route was said to have hosted a certain Adolf Hitler during a visit to relatives he had in the City between the wars, thus it is known as Adolf's. Many of the pubs on our route had connections with the sea or with various local celebrities. Mathew Street was also on our route and, as you can imagine, it was heaving with people wanting to visit the spiritual home of The Beatles. We still managed a few photos there and one or two of us even used our phone cameras to capture the colourful vibe that brightened up Mathew Street.

We made our way towards the main shopping streets to find somewhere that we could all sit down for a rest and some lunch and we chose the café at The Bluecoat arts centre. There was a fine selection of artisan food on offer and I had to have a cup of tea and some cake. Should you ever visit there I recommend the Bakewell Slice *chef's kiss!* I was glad of the chance to rest and we spent some time there before continuing on our walk.

Before the second leg, Andrew Bartram took a Tryptych of us all with his Pentax 17. We were all intrigued about that particular camera and it is rather compact and very well made. Pentax are the first of the big names in camera manufacturing to take advantage of the resurgence of film photography and 35mm Half Frame was definitely the right choice of format for their first all new film camera this century. Andrew is having a lot of fun with it.

On the second leg we made our way up to St Lukes, the bombed out church at the top of Renshaw St, between the twin cathedrals that Liverpool is known for. The various pubs we stopped at also gave us a chance to capture some of the architecture and street life at each location. I was sad to see the former home of Rapid Hardware, with half of it standing derelict and unloved. Rapid Hardware once took up a whole row on Renshaw St and sold everything you could need for your DIY and home improvements, from building materials to furnishings. It's demise in 2017 was a shock that is still felt in the city today.

From there we made our way along Hope street and eventually down to the entertainment hub of the city before finishing our day at another café for a well earned coffee. I needed one as I was really feeling my aching bones by that time and was glad to sit down for half an hour. Overall it was a grand day out, despite the clouds that blocked the sun, but nobody minded as the rain that threatened stayed away. It was with a smile and a genuine feeling of accomplishment that I said my goodbyes to everyone and made my way to Lime Street Station to catch my train back home to Wigan.

A few days later I got down to developing the film that I shot on the Mersey Meet Photo Walk. My roll of Kodak Double-X was developed in Kodak HC110 dilution B, for 6 minutes at 20 celcius and I soon had it hanging to dry. Once dry I digitised it with my Nikon D700, Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 macro lens, Valoi 35mm film holder, Pixl-Latr and A5 sized led light pad. I processed the RAW files with Affinity Photo 2.

Dearest Kodak Double-X, oh how I missed thee. It's been a while since my last roll and it never ceases to amaze me with its dynamic range. The day started sunny, but soon went dull as we made our way between the tall buildings in Liverpool city centre. Double-X handled it with aplomb and to make sure I checked the built in meter on my OM-1n with my trusted Gossen Trisix. I wondered on the day if I should have rated it a 400 iso, but you can see for yourself how Kodak Double-X shot at 250 iso turned out. There's lots of contrast, which I quite like to be honest.

I had a great time at the Mersey Meet photo walk, even though it wore me out. I haven't walked that far for many a year and was still feeling it days later, but it was worth it. Thanks to Steve for organising it and going at a pace where I could keep up with everyone. It was good to meet folks I have been following on social media and make a couple of new friends too. I can't wait for the next one in warmer weather in 2025. I will be keeping an eye on the photo walk website you can visit using the link below.

Here's a few favourites from the walk and, as always, I have placed them and more in an album on Flickr you can visit using the link below. I hope you enjoy them.

Photo Walk
Mersey Meet Photo Walk - Liverpool

Frugal Film Project 2024 - November - 120

With the success of my October film, I loaded my November roll of Ilford HP5 into Baldy the Baldax with a sense of excitement. My constant tweaking over the last couple of months is paying off and I haven't been doing huge tweaks, just gentle ones to help keep the light leaks and "fat rolls" at bay. I spoke of not feeling inspired with my Olympus OM101, but Baldy the Baldax has me in its thrall. This beautiful little camera is going to be in my regular rotation long after it has finished being my medium format camera for the Frugal Film Project 2024.

For November I took a walk around the local footpaths through the countryside and woodlands. As is now customary for me, I had no plan in mind, I just wanted to see what I could find and I tried to keep my mind open to the world around me. You never know what you might find on a sunny autumn day, sadly I found the best of the autumn colour had gone. Storm Bert had blown through over the preceding days and taken the majority of leaves from the trees and all that tone with them.

Undaunted by the lack of colour and tone, I hunted for contrast and found some plastic barriers being stored ready to use as the local pathways get some much needed maintenance. There's a lot of activity involved with the paths in my local countryside and it's most welcome. Drains across the paths from the wash have been dug up, repaired and replaced then gravel is being laid and levelled. Muddy paths are not my favourite experience and the improvements will make it a lot easier for everyone to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

I made my way to the cemetery nearby and paid a visit to friends resting places there. I also have some ideas concerning a new project and wanted to take some photos there whilst the sun was shining brightly. There are people who don't like the idea of taking photographs in a cemetery, but those that do, they do so with respect. It's all about taking care to honour the people laid to rest whilst trying to capture the peaceful nature of the cemetery. Mindful of my activity I took care to select my photos and soon finished my roll of film, then headed home.

I developed my film a couple of days later using Kodak HC110 1+31 dilution B for 5 minutes at 20 celcius and soon had it hanging to dry in my bathroom. Once dry I digitised it with my Nikon D700, Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 macro lens, Valoi 120 film holder, Pixl-Latr and A5 size LED light pad. I processed the RAW files with Affinity Photo 2.

HC110, despite being a Kodak product, really does bring out the full tonal range of Ilford HP5 shot at box speed. Light leaks were still present this month, but that was down to a harsh low sun on the two photos the leak appeared on. Overall I am pleased with how they turned out this month.

With just one more film to go before I finish the project, I am gad I persevered with my Balda Baldax 4.5x6 medium format folding camera. It really does remind me of a time when Photography was a lot simpler without all the bells and whistles that modern cameras have. I recommend to anyone wanting to try Medium Format Film Photography, find a frugally priced folding camera to learn with. They are very easy to use and, when you get it right, magic really does happen.

Here's a few of my favourite photos from my November roll of Ilford HP5 400 shot with Baldy the Baldax. 18 months of constant use and gentle persuasion has really paid off and, whilst I will return to the Frugal Film Project in 2025 with a vintage 35mm film camera, I will remember this year for my medium format film photography. As always I have placed them and more in my Frugal Film Project 2024 120 album on Flickr that you can visit using the link below. I hope you enjoy them.

Frugal Film Project 2024 - November - 120