It's been over 8 rolls of B&W film since I resumed my own film processing. It was easier than I remembered, and especially easy thanks to the Massive Film Database Timer application available for iPhone and Android. I use it on my iPhone 5. Time to try colour processing. Last weekend provided a few firsts…Read more Unicolor C-41 processing first crack
Month: February 2015
David’s Pacenti SL23/CK R45 wheelset
David, a repeat customer of ZED Wheels, picked up a used set of 28 hole Chris King R45 hubs and asked me to build them up with his favourite rim, the Pacenti SL23. David likes the look of silver stainless spokes and so, like his previous build, went with silver Sapim CX-Ray spokes laced with…Read more David’s Pacenti SL23/CK R45 wheelset
Nikon FA first impressions
It's funny how people respond when they find out you shoot film. My longtime neighbour Bob (real name) wandered over one day and I happened to be holding my F3 in my hand. He mentioned he had a couple film SLRs he'd like to show me sometime. That sometime came last Sunday. I dropped over…Read more Nikon FA first impressions
Tri-X ’round Chinatown
A week or so ago, I went downtown with my family. I brought my Mamiya loaded with HP5+ and Fujicolor 400, and my Nikon F3 with Tri-X 400. I've not yet developed the 120 rolls, but did develop the Tri-X the other night, and scanned them over the next couple of evenings on my Epson…Read more Tri-X ’round Chinatown
Nikon F3 once more
Ah, the Nikon F3. It is arguably the most successful camera from Nikon. When this camera was launched, I had just purchased my first SLR camera, the popular Pentax ME-Super, a high tech 35mm SLR, with touch controls to adjust shutter, and a very compact body. It was a great camera, and I was very…Read more Nikon F3 once more
My son’s intro to photography
My son, 12, has been learning some basic composition and other photography skills at his middle school. The instructors use iPads to remove the technical aspects of photography from the student to allow them to place their attention on composition. He's learned about the rule of thirds, and other composition tips. He asked me one…Read more My son’s intro to photography
Mamiya 645 Pro TL medium format film camera
Ever since I got into photography in the late 1970s I've wanted a medium format film camera. More specifically, I wanted a Hasselblad, the iconic studio camera of the era. I really knew little about medium format, but was intrigued. Well, over thirty years later, I now own a medium format camera. At first, inspired…Read more Mamiya 645 Pro TL medium format film camera
One Shoe
I sketched this one late evening in the fall of 1998. I was looking for a 'subject' to draw and tripped over my shoes at the front door. Problem solved.... subject in hand. A Johnny Fluevog shoe.
FED 2 tryout: b&w film
As I mentioned in a previous post, I was recently pulled into the draw of shooting a fully mechanical, meter-less vintage, and somewhat iconic rangefinder, made in the then USSR. Who wouldn't want a Leica M rangefinder. I just didn't want to invest all that much at this moment. It wouldn't have been a wise move…Read more FED 2 tryout: b&w film
FED 2 Rangefinder
This is my first rangefinder camera. At $29, it was hard to pass up. I like the story. In WW2, as you could imagine, getting your hands on german made camera equipment was next to impossible. At the time, Leica was the 'standard' for rangefinders. I guess it still is. To solve the shortage, FED…Read more FED 2 Rangefinder
Vancouver at Night. 1986
With my trusty Nikon F3 in hand I started at my apartment on Alma street to do some night shots. F3, a standard 50mm f1.4 lens, and a tripod, some Fuji colour film and off I went.
Powell River, 1984
In winter of 1984, I returned from my first summer hydrographic surveying in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. I'd welcomed the real seasonal weather back home in Powell River. A few days home over Christmas and the snow had fallen overnight. I grabbed my recently acquired Nikon F3 HP camera and went out around town.…Read more Powell River, 1984
