When I went to London last month for a day of photography with my friend Benedict Campbell, one of the cameras I took with me was a Canon Sureshot Ace point and shoot compact which has a wasit level finder on the top. I had only just got it so I decided to take it with me to see how useful it might be for some candid street photography. It took a little getting used to because the finder window is so small but I began to enjoy the low viewpoint and the ability to get quite close to people. Here are some of the results during lunch time in the city.
[Tech info:] Canon Sureshot Ace, Fuji Reala 100 film (expired), processed in Rollei Digibase C41 kit, Pakon scans.
Nasir, I’ve just found your blog and enjoyed your photos and posts. I’m quite impressed at how sharp your Canon Sureshot Ace is, and the waist level viewfinder must be usefully discreet for street photography. I’ve been experimenting with inexpensive 35mm compacts for a while in the hope of finding a model with a nice sharp lens, and inevitably have had mixed results. But then they’re so cheap to buy on ebay and in charity shops, and it’s an enjoyable hobby. I don’t process myself but send off to Peak Imaging in Sheffield. So far my little Olympus XA2 has usually proved superior in IQ with it’s sharp lens and accurate metering, and it’s just so easy to carry around in your pocket. I moved to the Oxford area in February so my wife and I pop in on the train, and I’m always struck by what a marvellous city it is for photography. I recently tried out a Pentax Espio 928 loaded with Ilford Delta 3200 and shot some frames in the Ashmolean and elsewhere. The film is not as grainy as I expected it to be which was a pleasant surprise. Anyway, I shall continue to enjoy my photographic forays in Oxford and will continue to read your excellent blog. Cheers.
Thanks for your nice message, Charles. The Canon Sureshot Ace really delivers nice quality images but the shutter speed range is rather limited. I believe the top shutter speed is 1/125th. You’re absolutely right about Oxford, it really is a fantastic city.