While I was working on my first zine, I was also learning and expirementing a lot with film photography. After shooting a few rolls with my Canonet, I got my first dslr, a Canon AE-1, while also starting to create a workflow around black and white film. At the suggestion of my brother, I started to develop film at home using Rodinal, as it was both cost effective and long lasting. However, after only a few rolls, my Canon AE-1 completely froze up, the electronics had completely frozen up. After that experience, I really wanted to replace it with a fully mechanically operated camera, and would purchase a Pentax Spotmatic. I absolutely adore the Takumar lenses that I have the camera, of which I have a 55mm/1.8 and a 23/3.5.

All of these pictures where shot on Arista Edu film, with little bit of each of the 100, 200, and 400 speed film stocks. I really enjoy the punchy contrast that is exagerated by the Rodinal, and even though highlights blow out easily, they maintain a pleasing glow. Overall it’s a very flexible film stock, and it’s not too grainy for the price it’s at. I’ve seen speculation online that it’s re-packaged Fomapan, I’m getting a few rolls of that soon and I’m looking forward to comparing the two.

Besides the the Pentax, I also picked up a Yashica Samurai, a half frame camera with a built in lens. The operation is fully automatic, but I’ve really been enjoying the unique form factor. The half frame format is definitely limiting, but it allows for some interesting creative choices, fitting double the amount of exposures compared to full frame is a nice bonus.