Blackbird Fly TLR Camera

New reto 35mm camera from Japan, Blackbird Fly twin-lens reflex.

blackbird-fly-camera-1Using traditional film has become the ‘hip cool thing’ for photographers these days. The heck with the instant gratification and low cost of use that digital gives you, shoot with a medium that you have to wait for the results until after you get it back from the expensive lab. Don’t worry if you think the only place you can find a film camera is at a thrift store or a collectible camera store, you can still buy them new. I happened across this fine example of a modern 35mm camera the other day. I give you the Blackbird Fly TLR (wiki: Twin-Lens Reflex). The camera sports a waist level viewfinder, two shutter speeds (bulb and 1/125) and two apature sizes (f-7 and f-11), three format (normal 24mm x 36mm, square 24mm x 24mm, and a full frame with sprocket holes) masks, a hot shoe for a flash, and a manual variable focus (.8 m to infinity). These specs won’t hold up next to a Rollei or a Seagull but then you aren’t paying for that. You get a cool yet functional retro looking (in three colors no less) camera that lets you get all creative with your snapshots. Plus as it uses standard 35mm film you can grab film for is just about anywhere (a little tip: get the out of date stuff, it’s cheap and if the colors are a bit off you can credit that to your artistic abilities).

[via Trends in Japan]

Blackbird Fly

Support my blog and pick up a Blackbird Fly in blue, black, or orange from my Amazon store.

Tuk Tuk USA

Tuk Tuk in Bangkok Thailand

One of the things you do when you visit Southeast Asia is getting a rid on a Tuk-Tuk. It’s not some sort of amusement park ride because if park rides were this visceral the lines to ride them would be epic. Nope,the Tuk-Tuk is a three wheeled scooter taxi like car that gets you form one place to another in a busy crowded Asian metropolis quickly, sometimes by using sidewalks or by zipping between traffic that you could have sworn didn’t have enough space to fit a cat let alone a thing you are sitting in. Soon, local laws permitting, you may see them popping up on the streets in your area:

Get on board with the ONLY EPA and DOT approved Tuk Tuk in America! Tuk Tuk USA is excited to bring the internationally acclaimed Tuk Tuk motor vehicle to the United States after over 60 years of service abroad in over 20 countries! Dealership opportunities are coming soon with full service and and parts departments to be included on site! Tuk Tuk USA is proud to present over 14 models with choices in transmission and even alternative fuel source engines! There are both private and commercial vehicle configurations to choose from!

[via Red Ferret]

Tuk Tuk USA