Two Rolls With: Holga 120

Holga 120 (plastic fantastic) + 2x Kodak T-Max 400 (expired 2003)

Ted Forbes’ Photo assignments are a set of challenges designed to improve creative thinking. Mostly by providing a theme or some sort of restrictions. This time it’s based on the Holga:

• no Autofocus and no Viewfinder
• f8 only
• fixed shutter speed (1/30 or 1/60)
• fixed ISO (100 or 400)

The Video:

 

Since I actually own a Holga and had not shot it in years, I finally used it again. There were also two rolls of 15+ year old expired b/w film, that I had no idea what to do with for years. And I also had a little bit of ID-11 developer left, that wasn’t enough for a 1+3 development ratio, so I had to guess times for a 1+4 mix.

Not worrying too much about anything felt really good. Am I framing the scene correctly? No idea! Is the exposure good? Probably not! Can I do anything about it? Nope! Are the leaves in focus? Who knows, I sure don’t.

Using the 6 x 4,5 mask gave me some more images per roll (16 instead of 12). I think it also reduced vignetting on the long sides of the photo. And I’m super in love with the format of 6 x 4,5.

All in all it was really a fun experience. I bet the Holga will return one day.

Leipzig, Germany – Oct / Nov 2018

 

 

Shop Talk

Holga 120 GCFM (cheap glas instead of cheap plastic lens)
2x Kodak T-Max 400 (expired 2003 / 120 Medium Format)
Developed in ID-11 (1+4 with guessed time, development table only had 1+3)
Scanned with Epson V550
Postprocessing in Lightroom

Roll #54 – Kodak Portra 160VC

Kodak Portra 160VC (Medium Format, expired 07/2000)

Somehow I started a small photo project on the topic “Blue”. The first images were taken with Leo (of Kupfer & Eisen) along a small canal near her apartment. I didn’t really have a plan, but Leo helped out immensely.

Some photos came out great, some very strange – guess that’s what you get for using film stock, that expired 17 years ago. I’ll probably use up what I have and focus on buying fresh film after that.

Leipzig–Plagwitz, Germany / May 2017

Shop Talk

Medium format (120), color negative, roll film, 12 exposures (6×6), ISO 160, expired 07/2000, shot at ISO 64.

Pentacon Six + Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 2,8/80 + Kodak Portra 160VC
Film bought for ~3,20 EUR via eBay.
Developed with Tetenal C-41 kit.
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

[Update] Kodak BW400CN

Kodak BW400CN (expired 02/2008)

After shooting so many different film stocks it’s difficult to fit shooting something new into the normal shooting process. After so much testing I start to gravitate towards certain films. But there’s still a huge pile of rolls I haven’t shot yet. Guess I’ll slowly go through them one by one.

I already shot Kodak BW400CN in medium format. This is an 35mm add-on. Following the “+1 stop for every decade of expiration”-rule I exposed the role as ISO 200 and developed normally. Not sure how it was stored, but the quality suffered quite a bit.

Leipzig, Germany – Oct 2016

Shop Talk

35mm, “color negativ” b/w film, ISO 400, 36 exposures, expired 02/2008

Nikon F80/N80 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8D + Kodak BW400CN @ ISO 200
Film sponsored by Kathleen’s Mom – thanks!
Developed with Rollei C-41 Kit by myself.
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

Roll #49 – Kodak ColorPlus 200

Kodak ColorPlus 200 (35mm format)

During my search for a cheap color film for everyday shooting (no special projects) I stumbled upon this film stock. The price is quite low (2,50 EUR per roll) and a quick look around on the internet showed okay-ish color rendering. I wanted to test it first, before ordering in bulk, so I added a roll to my last c-41 chemistry order.

The images were taken during the middle and end of January. I’m not quite sure about the sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker yellow tint. Guess that’s the drawback you have to accept when using cheaper material? Or its the lens? Questions… questions.

Leipzig-Reudnitz, Germany – Jan 2017

Shop Talk

35mm, color negativ film, ISO 200, 36 exposures.

Praktica LTL2 + Pentacon auto 1.8/50 + Kodak ColorPlus 200
Film bought for 2,50 EUR via Macodirect.
Developed with Rollei C-41 Kit by myself.
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

Happy little accidents

It’s not always going as planned, especially with film photography.

Pentacon Six TL + Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 2.8/80 MC
Kodak TMax 400 (expired 2003) @ EI 200

ORWO F43 Fine Grain Developer | 10min 32sec @ 21.3°C

Roll #40 – CFP Double-X B&W

CFP Double-X B&W

The film is Kodak Eastman Double-X – a motion picture film, usually only available in big cinema reels. It was used for films like Schindler’s List and Casino Royale and several stores/projects re-roll/package the them for use in 35mm film cameras.

Sounded interesting, I checked some stores and found out that these are quite expensive. After some looking around I settled on a 5-pack from CameraFilmPhoto. So far I only shot one roll, but the results are quite good-looking, I think. Will save the other 4 for special projects/occasions.

5-pack of film + JCH film case

The images were taken at Cospudener See (a lake), on my way home after the sun went down (I played a bit with long exposures) and then at home to finish the roll.

Leipzig, Germany – Aug 2016

Shop Talk

35mm, black and white, motion picture film, ISO 200, 36 exposures.

Praktica LTL 2 + Helios-44-2 f2/58mm  + CFP Double-X B&W
Film bought for ~9 EUR via CameraFilmPhoto.
Developed by myself @ Mühlstraße e.V. Community Darkroom.
(Developed: Ilford ID-11 / 1+2 / 10min 40sec @ 20.3°C)
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

[Update] Kodak Tri-X 400

Hello there, it’s been a while. Between work, volleyball, social obligations and bad autumn weather there wasn’t much opportunity for me to shoot a whole lot of images on the last weekends. Photographing during the week itself is no longer possible – when I’m done working it’s already dark outside. Guess sooner or later I have to grab my tripod and a pair of gloves to go out for some night shots.

So far I finished a roll of Lomography Color 400 (Medium Format) and in my 35mm camera is still a roll of Samsung Prime Color 200, of which I over-enthusiasticly bought a 10-pack via eBay. Until those two are developed and scanned, here’s something to fill the time.

//

Mittelsaida, Germany (July 2015)
The Ordinary 2 – Behind the Scenes (August 2015)

Week #32 – Kodak Portra 160

Kodak Portra 160 (Medium Format)

Somehow the “usual” Portra 160 photos you can find on the internet look a lot different than these here. Maybe it’s because it was overcast, maybe it was an especially funky batch, maybe the used digitization methodology has some issues. Well shooting film sometimes just has strange results.

Potsdam, Germany – June 2015

Shop-Talk:

Medium format (120), color negative, roll film, 12 exposures (6×6), ISO 160.

Yashica Mat 124G (Yashinon 80mm f3.5) + Kodak Portra 160
Film bought for ~5,80 EUR via Amazon.de
Developed @ FotoStudio 80 (Leipzig, Germany).
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

Week #18 – Kodak APS 200

Kodak APS 200 (expired 10? years ago)

When I started this project I asked around among my friends if someone had old film I could use. One of them handed me a roll of APS (Advanced Photo System) film and a cheap plastic point & shoot camera.

AGFA FUTURA fixfocus 2

There were already two exposed frames on the film, that were shot ~10 years ago, which helps to somewhat date the film. Developing the film was still doable, but the lab couldn’t scan it. So I had to fiddle the cartridge open with the help of a Youtube tutorial and a screwdriver.

scanning slightly curled APS negatives without holder

Scanning it was quite a challenge since I don’t have a APS negative holder. I basically used masking tape to keep it flat. I’m not sure yet if I want to shoot more APS film in the future.

If I do, I probably should research APS scanning some more – like building masks or such.

Shop Talk

APS Format, color negative film, 25 exposures, ISO 200.
Shot in APS-H Mode: 30.2 mm × 16.7 mm -> ca. 16:9

AGFA FUTURA fixfocus 2 (24mm f4.5 Agfa lens) + Kodak APS 200
Film kindly donated by Hauke von Grimm.
Developed by Foto Schröter (Riesa, Germany).
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

Week #17 – Kodak Hawkeye 400

Kodak Hawkeye Super Color 400 (in reused cartridge)

Kodak Hawkeye is an ISO 400 traffic surveillance color film. Some call it “Ektar 400“, but look for yourself.

Leipzig, Germany – March + April + May 2015

Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH

Shop-Talk:

35mm, color negative film, hand rolled, 24 exposures, ISO 400. No markings of any kind on film, no manufacturer, no numbers, nothing!

Nikon F80/N80 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G + Kodak Hawkeye Super Color 400 (shot at ISO 300 and 400).
Film bought for ~8 EUR via Film Photography Project Store.
Developed and scanned by Foto Schröter (Riesa, Germany).