Rediscovering Photography with the NONS SL-660

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Rediscovering the fundamentals of photography with the NONS SL-660, exploring manual focus, exposure, and the joys of analog film through hands-on experimentation.

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I recently embarked on a journey back to the fundamentals of photography with the NONS SL-660, a single reflex instant camera that uses Instax Square format film packs.

This camera, equipped with a Canon EF lens mount (also compatible with Nikon and M mount lenses through adapters), offers a completely manual experience.

The simplicity of this setup has provided a refreshing, back-to-basics approach to photography.

Using the SL-660 has made me slow down and truly consider every aspect of what it means to make a photograph.

Unlike the quick snaps we often take with our phones or digital cameras, this analog process forces you to think about composition, lighting, and the environment.

It's been a challenging yet enjoyable learning curve, bringing me back to fundamental photography concepts through the lens of this unique device.

I started with the 50mm NONS branded "Nifty Fifty" lens, which is perfect for getting accustomed to the camera.

It's simple and sharp, and serves as a great introduction. I've mainly been shooting in black and white, though I've experimented with color film as well.

The manual nature of the camera, film, and lenses has added interesting nuances and limitations, making the process even more rewarding.

To document my progress, I've been keeping a photography journal.

In a small notebook, I jot down quick notes and attach photos from each session. Initially, I taking a picture or two every day.

This journey has rekindled my love for photography, allowing me to appreciate the art in its purest form.

Rediscovering the Fundamentals

I started out with a plan to work through the fundamentals of photography. My initial ideas were centered around several key aspects:

Reintroducing myself to manual focus

Mastering metering, which became vitally important

Adjusting exposure, which I had heard was tricky and needed fine-tuning

Shooting both indoors and outdoors, as Instax is traditionally very good at indoor photography using a flash

Studying different subjects at various distances to achieve different depths of field

Using appropriate filters, mainly ND filters, to shoot in broad daylight

Experimenting with macro photography using inexpensive macro lens filters

Embracing double exposures and testing flash usage

Recreating panoramas using the Instax square format

Scanning prints and considering larger format printing

This became the basis for my experiments. In the first week, I filled a handmade field guide notebook, using up three packs of film: two black and white and one color.

I took a double spread for each image I created, capturing notes, feedback for myself, and any learnings, as well as recording settings.

This approach helped deepen my knowledge and understanding of how the camera, the lens, and the film worked.

It's important to note that while we have full manual control, all Fujifilm Instax film is limited to 800 ISO.

This constraint relies on tools like ND filters to control light in other ways. Everything else can be adjusted either on the camera using the exposure settings for the shutter.

The shutter speed can be set from bulb up to the fastest of 1/250th of a second, which is not that quick. Combined with the slow ISO of the film, this presents a challenge from the outset.

Navigating the First Pack of Film

Loading the first pack of film into the back of the NONS SL-660 was straightforward.

After inserting the film and ejecting the blank slide using the power button on the side, I familiarized myself with the camera's physical controls.

Apart from the shutter button, there is a slide release to open the viewfinder, a small dial on the top right to control the shutter speed, and a USB-C power supply that charges the device and powers a small LCD screen.

This screen provides light meter readings and film count, both of which proved accurate during my testing.

Using the viewfinder was a clear and crisp experience.

Adjusting the aperture on the lens darkens the view, roughly indicating the light entering the film.

With the lens open, the shutter speed set, and the focal distance adjusted, my early tests focused on short-range subjects.

The 50mm lens is rated to 45cm, roughly the length of my arm. I quickly adapted to this heuristic, ensuring the subject was in focus at arm's length, a skill I reacquired after years of using digital cameras with automatic focus.

While the camera has its limitations, such as the fixed film speed of ISO 800 and a maximum shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, these constraints helped me dial in my settings efficiently.

Indoors, I found the light meter to be perfectly accurate, and I trusted its readings unless the environment was too dark, in which case a flash was necessary.

Outdoors, in non-direct sunlight without heavy reflective surfaces, I also trusted the built-in light meter, often stopping down by half or a full stop to achieve a darker, more intense black in the final print.

Harsh daylight posed challenges, requiring drastic adjustments to the aperture, which could affect depth of field.

I took several shots to get the desired exposure, but eventually, I managed to achieve accurate exposure settings consistently.

During this phase, I also tested ND filters, which added complexity as the light meter does not account for these. Balancing the light meter readings with the ND filter strength became part of my ongoing learning process.

Results and Reflections

The results from my first pack of film were a mix of excitement, experimentation, and learning. Here are some key experiences and insights:

Studio Shot: My first photo was in my studio, using a desk lamp for constant light. The result was identifiable and artistically exposed, with strong vignetting.

Coffee Shot: The second image, a top-down shot of my morning coffee, taught me about overcompensation in exposure. The result was a bit dark, but it highlighted the rich blacks of the film.

Outdoor Depth of Field: The third image, taken outdoors in shade with strong morning light, showcased the creamy depth of field I was aiming for.

Driveway Scene: While I managed to expose for the sky, I lost detail in the shadows, resulting in a gloomy image. This was still a great learning experience.

Flora and Fauna: The sixth picture, taken in dappled shade, was my first where everything came together. It showcased depth of field and rich blacks, despite needing slight exposure adjustments.

Palm Tree Contrast: Aiming for high contrast, I captured a palm tree against an overexposed sky. This shot at f/5.6, focal distance of 6-7 meters, and 1/250th of a second, demonstrated the film's development process as blacks deepened over time.

Macro Flora: Late afternoon sun allowed for a well-exposed macro shot, achieving a pleasing depth of field.

Sunset Seascape: My final image was severely underexposed, but surprisingly captured details in the clouds and dark shoreline, highlighting the film's dynamic range.

Throughout this process, I learned to trust the light meter in shadier outdoor conditions, adapt to the viewfinder's cropping, and appreciate the unique characteristics of instant film photography.

Moving Forward

This experience with the NONS SL-660 has rekindled my love for photography in its purest form.

I've gained valuable insights into manual focusing, exposure compensation, and working within the constraints of instant film. Moving forward, I plan to:

Continue experimenting with ND filters in various lighting conditions

Focus more on subject and framing rather than just technical aspects

Explore landscape and street photography with the camera

Refine my skills in capturing portraits and still life subjects

Experiment more with double exposures and flash photography

The journey with the NONS SL-660 has been both challenging and rewarding, reminding me of the joy of analog photography and the importance of slowing down to truly capture a moment.

As I continue to explore and learn, I'm excited to see how this return to basics will influence and enhance my overall approach to photography.