I got a new camera. A 1946 Universal Mercury II. I got it only because it looked cool. A 35mm is relatively useless for cyanotype contact printing, as it is too small. Further, the Mercury II is a “half frame” camera meaning the resulting image is one half the size of a standard 35mm frame. Think “postage stamp.”
And yet, I got one. It required only minor restoration, a cleaning and gear service. What I’ve discovered however, is that the half frame nature of the camera turns a 36 frame roll of film into 64 frames. Given that my other, older cameras get 4 to 10 pictures, I am enamored with the ability to shoot with relative impunity. “Fun,” if you will.
These are pictures from a recent early morning sojourn around San Diego’s downtown and beaches.
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