Posts by Author: David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
This DIY point-and-shoot could cure your ‘waitin’ for the camera unicorns’ blues
Sep 17, 2024
David Prochnow
You’re about to save yourself, conservatively, $3,500 with the following bit of hackery. What? Why? How? Because we’re going camera unicorn hunting. Oh, you don’t…
What’s less is more; much, much more with the new Leica M11-D camera
Sep 13, 2024
David Prochnow
Finally, a manufacturer who is willing to upset the apple cart and explore inventive new interpretations in camera design. That company is Leica Camera and…
The Rollei 35 is Positioned to be the best 35mm film camera ever
Sep 10, 2024
David Prochnow
Who would believe it? In 2024, there are now three brand new 35mm film cameras! YAY! We already have the Alfie Cameras TYCH and Pentax…
Flawless fire and forget film photographs every time…guaranteed
Sep 9, 2024
David Prochnow
Stop by a cafe for brunch and, if you’re lucky enough, you might be able to sit within earshot of the local film photographer’s coffee…
Leica Camera zooms in on the action with “zoom-zoom” low light support
Sep 5, 2024
David Prochnow
OMG! Please pinch me (but not too hard); Leica Camera has released a mega zoom lens for the SL lineup with a ridiculously large aperture…
Canon lends a helping hand to hardware hackers
Sep 1, 2024
David Prochnow
A round of applause goes to Canon, Inc. for innocently providing hardware hackers with disassembly instructions, accompanied by step-by-step illustrations, for the Canon Zoom monocular…
Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their…well…tungsten eyes
Aug 28, 2024
David Prochnow
Sometimes, the camera’s built-in Picture Color Modes, AKA Creative Control Modes (e.g., standard, vivid, monochrome, etc.) just don’t adequately capture the mood of the moment….
Shoot both black & white AND color, at the same time, in the same camera…oh, and on the same film! [This works for digital, too!]
Aug 23, 2024
David Prochnow
OK, right up front…YES, you could just take a color photograph. But where’s the fun in that? This little trick is so gloriously magical that…
One lens that could rule the world
Aug 19, 2024
David Prochnow
So, you’ve been waiting since 1930 for the perfect lens to mount on your threaded flange Leica 1(C) camera. Variously named the Leica screw mount,…
This is how you make a D(isposable)SLR
Aug 12, 2024
David Prochnow
A “disposable” camera sounds so wasteful in today’s increasingly polluted world; doesn’t it? Even when known by its alternative name, “single-use,” these small 35mm film…