Custom Cameras

Went over to Li Gang's studio the other day.  Li Gang is a Beijing based sculptor, photographer and so much more who is represented by the Red Gate Gallery.  I may be involved on a project he is dreaming up for the fall, but it's too soon to divulge details.  Though I don't know him well, he was eager to discuss cameras and show me some of the gear he has cobbled together himself.  Here's a few shots of his custom built cameras.

Medium format with binocular lens.  Wonder if he would loan it to me?

Another medium format custom job.

From what I saw, he had at least three other cameras he had built himself and without using camera glass.  I would have taken more photos, but we were in a meeting with other people, so I had to, uh, focus.

Then he introduced me to what may be my next camera.  Apparently the Russians made some good 120 film cameras that can be easily picked up used in Beijing for around 1,000RMB.  Though I do not have time to go shopping before leaving for the USA tomorrow (5 weeks in Oregon!), I'll definitely take him up on his offer to go find one together and get it restored.  Even the film sells for less than 10RMB a pack.  I'm looking forward to going back into film the old fashioned way - with a decidedly low tech piece of history.

Could this Russian made beauty be my next camera?  Stay tuned....

Right, bags are packed, blog written, pre-departure massage scheduled...now where did I leave those airline tickets?