Pentax auto 110 in Marrakech…
Having already selected my cameras and film for a recent trip to Morocco, I came across this gorgeous little Pentax Auto 110 at a local Car Boot sale and instantly decided it was small enough to take with me to test it out. It came with the 18mm, 24mm, 50mm and 70mm lenses, so I sold the 70mm on to recoup the full purchase price of the lot!
Pentax Auto 110
As I was solely shooting Kodak Gold for the trip, I opted for Lomography’s Orca 100 black & white for the Pentax hoping for some contrasty street images. I used the 18mm, 24mm and 50mm lenses, but didn’t note down which one was used for each shot. If you have ever been to Marrakech, you will appreciate how difficult it is just to walk down the street without being run over by motorbikes, cars, buses, donkeys and generally getting in the way of locals going about their business, let alone make notes!
Pentax Auto 110 - Lomography Orca 100
One thing I would like to have on this camera is an idea of what shutter speed it is using - I thought there was enough light for this shot, but the shutter speed is too slow. Also the Lomo Orca film has black specks all over it which is a bit annoying. I think this was the 24mm lens which seems to be the best focal length for what I was doing. This was taken from inside a small coffee shop around the corner from our Riad. He did make good coffee, and the little street was a busy through fare for all sorts of people so a great place to sit and observe. On this occasion the light was hitting the wall just right to create the light/dark divide on the corner. It took a bit of waiting to get just one person in the frame, and I wanted someone looking local.
Pentax Auto 110 - Lomography Orca 100
On the flip side to the last image - I had the warning light to say there was too much light, so had to tweak the composition in order to take the shot. I think this was taken with the 50mm crouched down behind some buckets piled high with some kind of produce to give depth. Again as in the first shot, trying to isolate a subject takes patience when the streets are so busy.
Pentax Auto 110 - Lomography Orca 100
I know the images aren’t particularly sharp, but the negative is tiny so can be forgiven. It is a rather fun camera to use and I’m glad I took it with me to test out. The worst part of it all is those bloody black specks! The film was in date, and bought from a proper supplier so shouldn’t be a storage issue. The trouble is there is not a great choice when it comes to fresh 110 film, so we have to just be thankful that Lomography is actually even producing the stuff.
Pentax Auto 110 - Lomography Orca 100
Now this is what I had in mind - high contrast, silhouetted figures with a hint of historic architecture. I had read you have to be careful where you point your camera in the Medina, so nobody gets offended. I only had one instance of a gentleman waving ‘No!’ at me - and I wasn’t even photographing him, but the narrow street behind him. But how was he to know. I politely acknowledged him and moved on.
Pentax Auto 110 - Lomography Orca 100
One for the 18mm here, and Wow what a view up in the High Atlas Mountains. I did shoot this scene on 35mm, 120, digital and 110 just to be sure!
So - my thoughts on the Pentax Auto 110 - What a marvel of minute engineering! How did Pentax manage to make something so small work like it does. I love it, and have a couple of old expired films in the fridge to further experience it’s quirky little charm.