When testing old film cameras, generally they aren't going to become your next 'favourite camera', but occasionally one comes along that gives you a shock. The photographs it takes are way better than you could ever have hoped for when looking at the state of the camera.

This was the case when I was testing my Kodak No1 Autographic Junior. I took the camera out around the streets of Fitzroy on a nice sunny day.

I made a slight mistake when developing the film, and moments after pouring in the developer realised that I hadn't mixed quite enough. I very quickly fixed the issue, however as evidenced by the waving slightly darker area around the tops of all of the images, I wasn't quick enough! Lesson learned, always double check everything before you pour any chemicals into the tank.

I wasn't expecting much from the photos this camera would take as my research had shown that the Kodak folding cameras without the lens on the outside often result in quite blurred images. This camera has proved that fact completely wrong.

About Madeline Bowser

I've been photographing with film for what seems like forever ... well since the late 90's. I shoot both film and digital, but film is where my heart is and I get the most ongoing enjoyment from and what I enjoy sharing and teaching to others. I also travel the world hunting down old cameras and unique locations to photograph in, and exhibit and sell my travel photographs.

When out shooting film, I often get asked the questions 'can you still buy film?', 'I thought film stopped being made 10 years ago' and 'why would you want to shoot film when you can shoot digital'.

My answers are, 'yes', 'no, it didn't', and 'I also shoot digital, both have their place in my mind'.

Visit haeliophoto.com or follow me on Instagram @haeliophoto to see more of my work.

Visit photo-tours.com.au to sign up to a film photography workshop in Melbourne.

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All images remain the property of Madeline Bowser and may not be used without permission.