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Second Hand Typewriters

downtechinglondon - second hand typewriters

Typewriters tend to fall into three main design types.

20s 30s

Mostly black bodies, sometimes with beautiful chrome rimed keys. Particularly appealing designs when the reels and keys are exposed.
These machines, whilst old can still function well if expertly cleaned and serviced. Ribbon replacement is surprisingly usually achievable, given that you will probably need to re-feed original metal spools rather than straight replacement.

Brand examples of this period;

  • Imperial (UK)
  • Underwood (USA)
  • Remington (USA)

50s 60s

Often curved bodies with solid coloured keys, these retro machines are favoured by many collectors, including Tom Hanks

Brand examples of this period;

  • Coronas (USA)
  • Hermes (Swiss)
  • Oliver (USA)

70s 80s

When Germany came into its own with Dieter Rams design styles. Check models such as the Olympia Traveller to see the direction. There is every chance that the appreciation for such design will continue to grow. The functionality is typically excellent.

Brand examples of this period;

  • Olympia (West Germany)
  • Adler (Germany)
  • Brother (Japan/UK)
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New Typewriters

News of the last mechanical Typewriter manufacturing is unclear!
Input and Feedback is welcomed!

In 2009 Godrej & Boyce, India ceased production and announced that they were the last typewriter manufacturer in the world.

However, in the UK, Brother continued until 2102, however a Brother plant in Asia was reported to be continuing mainly to supply legal firms.

Then there appears to be a company called Swintec who manufacture transparent typewriters appreciated by USA prison authorities, which experience inmates smuggling narcotics in IT equipment.

Finally for now, new Nakajima Electric machines appear for sale, however it is not clear if these are from a last production run or are still being made.

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About downtechinglondon and Typewriters

downtechinglondon - Why love Typewriters

Some reasons why you may wish to use a manual typewriter:

  • Using a typewriter can be a way of signalling your determination and soulfulness in a communication. It is a more engaging, tactile experience with the chance to use beautiful mechanical machines from the past;
  • You are “off-system”, emails or pop ups can’t harm your moment. Some writers create by typewriter, transferring later to file for draft editing. They appreciate being slowed down, obliged to spell and seeing a physical result unfold;
  • No two typewriters print exactly the same graphic art, equal to the uniqueness of your fingerprints!
  • A mechanically typed communication or creative piece has the potential to achieve more than others.

downtechinglondon promotes the use of beautiful typewriter machines; helping enthusiasts find and repair them, obtain ribbons and more.

The focus is on portable machines. The larger office typewriters can be collectable particularly for movie hire, but for personal use, portables provide more joy.

Note mechanical only, electronic “Golf Ball” machines not encouraged!

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Film groups

film groups - downtechinglondon

Like-minded film photography groups do exist!

Check out…

Analogue Group of the Royal Photographic Society

For RPS members – with membership qualification a worthy challenge for film photographerswebsite
London Film Photography

A web based group who informally meet up in London at defined locations/dates website
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Who is using Film

who uses film - downtechinglondon

downtechinglondon aims to feature photographers who are not only currently shooting film for their best work but also contributing to the creative development of the genre.

downtechinglondon seeks feedback on photographers who are in this field.

To kick off, please goggle photography by Victoria Will Photography. Using vintage cameras such as a Graflex 4×5 with photographic plates, her images of film celebs are remarkable.

This writer shoots film. For a selection of some images, please click here

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Darkroom

darkroom - downtechinglondon

If you are really keen, you may wish to process your own films. The AP Magazine had a great darkroom review in an 11 March 2017 film photography article. This included details on London darkrooms for hire

London Darkroom
website
Photofusion Photography Centre
website
Rapideyewebsite
Ilford

Ilford promote a community of darkrooms and teachers on their website		website
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Manuals and Advice

manuals and advice - downtechinglondon

If you need advice on a second hand film camera, the best place to start is the original manual. You may get lucky and be able to obtain it with the camera. If not you can often find a copy on websites such as www.camera.manualsonline.com. Manual copies are sometimes free or for a small fee. Either way, it is a great investment.

Searching on YouTube for your particular camera model is often likely to find great videos showing you how to use your camera including interesting tips.

Also, the store where you purchase your kit is likely to have knowledgeable staff who can help set you up with your camera.

For general film photography advice there is information on the web, for example, USA Andrew Ortwein – www.guidetofilmphotography.com

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Film Camera and Lens Repairs

camera and lens repairs - downtechinglondon

There remain some highly experienced film kit repairers in the UK. These are often ex technicians of camera brands who are working from their own small workshops using specialist tools and rare parts from their company past.

The Photographic Collectors Club of Great Britain – www.pccgb.net has many of these technicians as members.

downtechinglondon will seek user experiences and report in the future. Many of these repairers have limited capacity, but often they are the genuine experts and are worth contacting.

 

Film Camera and Lens repairers with stores in London:

Aperture

off Oxford Street East		website
Leica Store

Mayfair
(note Leica kit only)		website
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Light Meters

light meters - downtechinglondon

Many older 35mm film cameras and film medium format cameras do not have a light metering system. This should not put you off, as using a separate light meter can be very rewarding. It slows you down, inviting you to think harder about your creative choices. Accurate spot metering can in particular enable you to expose correctly one isolated element within your exposure even when the situation is very demanding and would confuse many modern camera exposure systems.

Modern new hand meters with spot metering can be pricey, however many second hand classic meters at modest prices are out there. For example, there is nice range to be found at Mr Cad, Pimlico – www.mrcad.co.uk

Mobile phone light metering apps are approving all the time, however these are not really in the downteching spirit!

But…..Don’t be afraid to also trust your own judgement without any metering. If you know a ISO/Shutter/Aperture reading of a pavement or back of your hand in mid day shade and bright sunlight, this can go a long way for you to estimate any daytime situation.

If shooting without flash at night time, with room or street lighting, try a 1/30 sec shutter speed at f2.8 using 400 ISO film and experiment around this.

For those wishing to master exposure in a most manual way, www.fredparker.com provides exposure value charts which then allow you to choose stutter speed and aperture combinations for any lighting situation.

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Processing Labs

processing labs - downtechinglondon

London labs offering on site processing

Aperture

off Oxford Street East		website
Metro Imaging

Great Sutton Street
website
Photofusion Photography Centre

Brixton
website

Several websites including the excellent Ilford service offer mail order processing. 

In recent years, film processing disappeared in high street stores. Commercial film processing equipment needs a certain volume of work to make it commercially viable. In particular, the set up of chemicals and relatively specialist operator knowledge makes film labs in high street branches unviable. Several high street stores continue to offer a film developing service where films are sent to their own or third party off-site labs. downtechinglondon will seek user experiences and report in the future.