Perfectly imperfect film camera failures

I bought the 35mm film camera I owned in high school. My first roll of film was an interesting failure

A shot of yours truly holding the Canon AT-1, manufactured in the early 1980s. This is the camera of my youth.

I recently acquired a used 35mm Canon AT-1 from eBay. I bought this particular model of camera as a result of nostalgia because it’s the one my parents gave me for photography classes in high school. The Canon AT-1 is a lesser-known manual version of the super-popular Canon AE-1. Unfortunately, the one I owned in high school was stolen decades ago . . . and while the newly acquired one is in beautiful cosmetic condition, its mechanical performance is imperfect.

There seems to be a shutter malfunction, possibly combined with a light leak.

Nonetheless, the results were interesting in a perfectly imperfect way.

Embracing the flaws

I love this photograph of a palm tree captured along the Battery in Charleston. It's a complete failure of the camera, yet the image is interesting to me. — I love this photograph of a palm tree captured along the Battery in Charleston. It’s a complete failure of the camera, yet the image is interesting to me. Shot on Ilford HP5 with a 28mm Canon FD lens.

This photograph of oak trees in Charleston's Battery park was nearly good, but there's a variation in exposure across the center. Light leak? Something else? Shot on Ilford HP5 with a 28mm Canon lens. — This photograph of oak trees in Charleston’s Battery park was nearly good, but there’s a variation in exposure across the center. Light leak? Something else? Shot on Ilford HP5 with a 28mm Canon FD lens.

This photograph has a white glare through the center of the frame and along the right edge. Shot on Ilford HP5 with a Canon FD 28mm lens.

Palm trees photographed in Charleston. Canon AT-1 with Canon FD 28mm lens, on Ilford HP5 film.

Two successful images from the roll

The perplexing thing for me is that I had two successful images emerge from the roll of 24 frames.

The final shot on the roll, this old one-lane bridge appears to be free of flaws or artifacts. Shot with a Canon AT-1 with an early 80s model Canon FD 28mm lens, on Ilford HP5 film. **Fine black and white prints of this photograph are available here.**

Three palm trees in Charleston. I'll admit, it's a little dull compared to the dramatic failure at the top of this post. The final shot on the roll, this old one-lane bridge appears to be free of flaws or artifacts. Shot with a Canon AT-1 with an early 80s model Canon FD 28mm lens, on Ilford HP5 film. — Three palm trees in Charleston. I’ll admit, it’s a little dull compared to the dramatic failure at the top of this post. Shot with a Canon AT-1 with an early 80s model Canon FD 28mm lens, on Ilford HP5 film.

Ilford HP5 is grainy and contrasty

I enjoy the grainy and contrasty look of the HP5. Below are a few screen shots of the film grain with the Photoshop ruler increments included for your information.

Close-up look at the film grain and contrast in Ilford HP5. Look at the ruler along the top for reference.

The carton for Ilford HP5. It's a black and white film rated at ISO 400, hence the distinct grain structure. — The carton for Ilford HP5. It’s a black and white film rated at ISO 400, hence the distinct grain structure.

Buy Ilford HP5 film on Amazon

Pack of two rolls (36 exposures) or pack of pack of five rolls (36 exposures)

I’m not sure if I’ll have the Canon examined and repaired, or just keep it as a memento. Film photography is just a diversion for me — something I do just for fun. This camera is a lot of fun to use and makes good images when it’s functioning properly. And, it reminds me of my youth — so maybe I’ll get it fixed one of these days.

Thanks for reading.

Be sure to visit me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, or on my website at keithdotson.com.

~ Keith

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1 comment

Jeni says:

November 10, 2020 at 4:51 pm

Interesting fails, Keith. I wonder if the film was faulty? I’d try again with something else, see what happens.