FAQs.

I receive a lot of emails about my cameras and equipment. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions - and the appropriate answers. I hope you find these useful.

Cameras and gear

Q: What camera/s do you use?
A: The cameras I use most often are: Canon A-1 SLR, LC-A+, Polaroid SX-70, Polaroid SLR680, Diana F+ and Diana Mini.

Q: What lens/es do you use with your SLR?
A: My Canon A-1 came with a 50mm 1:1.8 lens. I replaced this with a secondhand 50mm 1:1.4 lens, which I find to be much better. I also have a 28mm wide angle lens that I use sometimes.

Q: What lenses and accessories do you use with your Diana F+?
A: I love the interchangeable lenses. As well as the 75mm lens that the camera comes with, I have the 38mm super wide lens, the 55mm wide & close up lens combo (very handy) and the 110mm soft telephoto lens (the dreamiest, softest Diana lens available). I also have the 35mm back (awesome). I did not have a great experience with the instant back (exposure is very tricky, I gave up).

Q: What film/s do you use?
A: Lots of different types. But my favourite is Kodak Portra.

Q: What scanner do you use for your negatives?
A: Right now I don't have one. I previously had a cheap flatbed scanner with a negative scanning attachment, but the quality was quite poor, and pretty quickly worsened, then broke altogether. So now I get my negatives scanned to disc when they're developed (I don't get prints).

Q: Should I get a Diana Mini or a Diana+/F+?
A: The Diana Mini offers the convenience of 35mm film. It's easier to find, has more frames per roll and is cheaper to develop. However, the Diana+ offers the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and accessories, but uses 120 medium format film. So it comes down to convenience vs. flexibility.

Q: What polaroid camera/film/gear should I use?
A: I've only just started getting back into instant photography, so don't feel I can make suggestions for anyone else yet. I've found a lot of helpful tutorials and info on the Impossible Project website. Susannah has a great guide on her blog (she's writing a book on the subject too).

Shops and labs

Q: Where do you get your films developed in London?
A: I've started a list on the blog of my favourite photography resources (mostly in London), including photo labs.

Q: Do you sell prints?
A: Not at the moment, but I may look at this in the future.

Repairs

Q: I have a camera like yours. It's broken. Can you tell me how to fix it?
A: I'm not very handy, unfortunately. If you bought it from a retail store, contact them first for advice. If it's under warranty still, you may be covered. Or they may be able to tell you how/where to get it fixed. If you're determined to DIY, there are lots of tutorials online. (But try these at your own risk, of course).

About the blog

Q: Where did the name of your blog come from?
A: I borrowed the name from a song by Emmy the Great.

Q: Did your blog address change?
A: Yup. I accidentally let the .com domain expire (rookie mistake!) and it was snapped up by someone else before I could renew it. The site still has the same name, just .org now instead of .dom. Links and subscriptions won't redirect, so you'll need to update these. Sorry.