Film Photography Reviews

A day in Brighton with my new Yashica T3

What do you do when you’re promised a weekend of uninterrupted sunshine over the weekend and you have no other plans? Why, you take a trip to the seaside, of course!

brighton pier

brighton deckchairs

I wasn’t the only one who got this memo though, not by any means – however when you visit Brighton, being thrust among throngs of people is all part of the appeal – especially when everyone in Brighton looks so much more interesting – whatever their age.

brighton beauty

Are you wondering what she’s looking at? You can’t quite see it but she’s grinning broadly, a big orange-lipsticked smile and intently watching this…

brighton beach-volleyball

yashica t3 on flickrSo, on this little trip I took took the opportunity to test out a new (to me) film camera . It’s a Yashica T3-Super and it’s the second-ugliest camera I own.

It’s a point-and-shoot film camera and it has a Carl Zeiss 35mm, f/2.8 lens (i.e. a really high quality, fast lens). One of the reasons it’s been on my wishlist for ages is that it has a waist-level viewfinder on the top of the camera, making it an ideal choice for street photography and/or low-level shooting.

The other reason I wanted it (and why it has a bit of a cult following) is that it’s the camera Terry Richardson uses for his photography. They normally go for at least £100 but somehow I managed to get this one for £25!

I tried a few shots really low to the ground and was impressed at how effective the tiny viewfinder on top was at helping to compose the shot, meaning I didn’t have to lie down in the gutter – always a plus…

low down on brighton beach

brighton flag

And it’s good for being a little less obvious if you want to capture some of the local colour (although I think I was spotted in this first one)…

brighton ice cream

brighton boys

I gave it the best of chances by using my very favourite film – Kodak Ektar 100…

brighton queue

brighton 'hook-a-duck'

Overall I’m really pleased with this little camera – it’s definitely better than other similar film point and shoots I’ve tried; the images are nice and sharp, it seems to gauge the light perfectly and I’m loving the extra viewfinder a lot! It has it’s own character, too (if that makes sense), although I guess some of that is down to the great film I used.  This camera’s a keeper, for sure.

Here are a few more photos, if only to prove the sun does shine here sometimes…

brighton beach with mobile

more brighton deckchairs

brighton sun-worshippers

brighton fish 'n' chips

brighton - lots of people

All photos taken with a Yashica T3-super and Kodak Ektar 100 film

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Susannah Conway
    13 August 2012 at 22:41

    These have got a real Martin Parr vibe to them – LOVE!

    • Reply
      Angie
      13 August 2012 at 23:11

      Martin Parr is a total hero – so thank you! :)

  • Reply
    Rhianne
    14 August 2012 at 00:26

    I love yashica cameras and I’ve heard such good things about the t3 and t4, how are you always a step ahead of me :) I really love there results though, wow!! Gorgeous.

    p.s. please take part in my film swap, pretty please?

    • Reply
      Angie
      21 August 2012 at 22:09

      I’d been looking out for a T3/T4 for aaaaaaaaaages – can’t believe I managed to get this one for such a bargainous price. Score!
      D’oh! I missed the boat for you film-swap – can’t wait to see all the participants work though, something to look forward to for sure!

  • Reply
    Rhianne
    14 August 2012 at 00:28

    Ha I also just noticed the woman’s shorts in the ice cream shop… What is happening there?!

    • Reply
      Angie
      21 August 2012 at 22:10

      I know! I think this is my fave shot of the batch – there’s so much going on

  • Reply
    ajira
    14 August 2012 at 01:44

    These just made me miss England so much. Can’t wait to go back home. What a lovely day at the seaside this looks like. Reminds me of days on the pebble beaches in Devon. Sigh. Lovely colour and light in these. Will have to see if I can get my grubby little paws on one of my own! 😀

    • Reply
      Angie
      21 August 2012 at 21:39

      Keep your eyes peeled – I’d been after one for aaaaaaaaaaaaaages and managed to get it at a super-cheap price on ebay – it does sometimes happen!

  • Reply
    Michelle
    14 August 2012 at 17:44

    Haha, you’re right – it is a pretty ugly camera, but the photographs are wonderful!

    • Reply
      Angie
      21 August 2012 at 21:37

      It’s awful isn’t it! I think that’s why i got it cheap though so not complaining :)

  • Reply
    Cass
    20 August 2012 at 13:30

    I love love love the stripey deck-chair pictures! Gorgeous. Also, I love Brighton. It’s where I went to uni (Sussex Uni) and met the hubster. Yey! Lovely lovely Brighton beautifully captured by clever you. But now a serious question: I have been given a couple of old film cameras and there’s one thing that’s bothering me: how do I know what a correct exposure is going to be? On my 5D, it tells me. There’s a little display with a pointer to tell me how over- or under-exposed the image is going to be and I can then adjust shutter speed, aperture and iso accordingly to get the result I want. There are no digital displays on these old cameras, so how do you know? This is probably the dumbest question you have ever read. Please forgive me!

    • Reply
      Angie
      21 August 2012 at 21:30

      Brighton’s great – it must have been so much fun going to uni there!

      Your question isn’t silly at all – the simplest answer is this; does it take a battery? Sometimes you’ll think “oh no, it’s a really old camera” but if you look on the base-plate or somewhere hidden on the body you may well see a groove to a hidden compartment where a little watch-type battery will live.

      If it does take a battery then there’s a 99% chance there’s a light-meter, the trick now is to figure how it works. Small point-and-shoot type cameras will tend to be automated so you can… well, point and shoot! With an SLR you’ll probably need to look through the viewfinder – for example on my Pentax K1000 when I look through there’s a needle which you need to ensure is positioned horizontally – it will be pointing up or down if the aperture/shutter speed is set too high/low. Not really so different to a dSLR!

      If you’re still a bit stuck let me know the make of the camera etc and I’ll see what I can find out – it can all seem a bit daunting the very first time but it’s so much fun!

  • Reply
    Nik.C
    12 June 2013 at 22:03

    Hi,
    I’d have to agree with you, this camera is one ugly muddafudda! I’d seen it hanging around Ebay for sometime, but was always put off even considering it because it’s so damn ugly! but having just received a Olympus Trip 35 (original classic chrome) that had stuck aperture blades, I was missing out on some GAS therepy, and somehow managed to win one for £22.50, hopefully it’s all working fine as advertised, and I’m eager to run some Ektar 100 thru this myself now that summer is finally here? and maybe a roll of XP2.
    I like the 35mm lens format, all my rangefinders are 45mm or 42 for my Oly 35SP, and I use a Panny LX3 digital most days which is 24mm widest with an f2, and I wish someone made little waist level finders to attach to hotshoes for stealthy shooting! this is what finally persuaded me to adopt this runt of the P&S litter, I mean, compared to all the other quality P&S’s the Mju ii the Nikons, the XA’s, it really missed out, but that’s what’s probably making these so cheap!

  • Reply
    Terry
    13 July 2013 at 20:46

    Lovely set of photos with a really good camera especially with the waist level finder… that’s a real plus.Really enjoyed looking through the collection and you’ve captured the feel of the seaside beautifully…

  • Reply
    John
    4 May 2014 at 12:36

    Hi Angie, great site! I stumbled across this page as just researching the T3 Super. I picked up one at the car boot sale this morning for £1. It looks like it’s never been used and came with a case. I’ve ordered a battery off ebay so looking forward to giving it a go. The Brighton pictures are fantastic. I can see how the waste level VF really works for street photography. I may put a roll of tri-x in and see what happens!

  • Reply
    Nick Zetton
    7 May 2014 at 00:29

    Hi Angie — great shots. Let nobody kid you. This camera is THE tool for street. Zeiss T-coated glass, F2.8 aperture, water resistant, waist-level finder. Done. Perfect mix of features. I love its crazy-80’s aesthetics too. I’ll take it any day over those “bar of soap” looking cameras with no personality. Your pics are terrific, btw. Cheers.

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