What made you want to try half-frame, and what was your first half-frame camera?
I’m trigger-happy (click-aholic) when taking photographs and I like to experiment a lot. I’ve always wanted to maximize the things that I use, so from 35mm film, I researched about half-frame film cameras. I initially wanted an Olympus Pen D3 (small and silent, good for low-light) but I was also suggested to get a Canon Demi EE17 by the seller. I simultaneously tested both cameras to compare them both for ease-of-use and image quality on low-light. I prefer to use Canon Demi EE17 often because it fits my hand better and is auto-aperture/ shutter-priority.
What is it you like most about Half-frame?
Aside from doubling the shots on every roll, it is very versatile for experimentation with so many tricks like panning and also curating the shots for story-telling and documentation. It can also still go beyond the “half-frame” notion: continous shots turns it into a nice action camera already, a spliced panorama can be achieved with just panning shots, so is a 360°. Compile action shots together and you get also make a nice GIF or lenticular(3D image) if you want to go further.
Favourite subject and/or Half-frame photo?
I like outdoors: city and nature, day and night, in full color. My favorite thing to do right now is panning shots then double-expose another set of shots midframe so there are no skips (blacks in between frames) when you scan the strip. I am also into color-theory, filters and special effects but “make-it-analogue”.
Your top tip/s for shooting half frame photos?
1. Know your camera well. Train yourself to always do a quick check on all settings and adjust if needed. Read the manual or tutorials. Example: Canon Demi EE17 has a unique 2x and 4x filter adjuster that is explained on the manual. You can switch those quickly when using filters. Example 2: Olympus Pen EED is full-auto on aperture and shutter: so in low-light (no flash) when the red warning prohibits you from clicking and taking a shot, try adjusting to ISO 400 just to get a shot.
2. Try my personal preference: “Category: F1.7” or lower, if you are into night, low-light, no flash. So in this category I discovered: Canon Demi EE17, Olympus Pen D3 (D and D2 is F1.9), Olympus Pen EED, Ricoh Auto Half SL, and Olympus Pen F depending on the lens.
3. Know your purpose before choosing or buying a film camera: is it for daily or documentation (full-auto features including flash), is it for travel (semi to full-auto features), is it to learn manual photography and all the tricks (full manual possible). Do research on that purpose to narrow down what camera/s you need. For me, my purpose is to experiment and go beyond the tons of creative things that goes in my head. A half-frame film camera gives double the usual so more shots, more practice, more proficiency with a sprinkle of uncertainty, but excitement is on top.
