I actually did write those exact words — in this thread by Chris @DL1CR on the reflector just about a year ago.
It’s incredible how someone can completely change their mind: early 2025 I suddenly fell deep into film photography. I bought a couple of film cameras, and I’ve just developed my 16th roll of black-and-white film at home.
I’ve always been fascinated by Rolleiflexes, and a couple of months ago I finally got one in great condition. I fell in love with it, and I’ve already taken it on a few activations.
Nice pics. Thanks. You are now operating on a very short wavelength.
Chemical photography reached its peak before semiconductor photography became even adequate. The importance of composition and patience in catching just the right lighting is the same. I still have the equipment, not in working order probably, from my B&W and Cibachrome days.
I’ve been in that lengthwave some years before being in radio, with a Zorki 4K (soviet Leica version) and Lomo camera (sovietic plastic one). The more noise, the better → QRP Photography
Here is a B&W of GM/SS-110 in April 2024 using Rollie 35s I am still trying to get to grips with the light meter, the mercury batteries are no longer available.
The Rollei 35 was one of the smallest ever 35mm cameras. ISTR the Rollei35s may be a reissue/re-manufacture.
There is something quite special about film cameras. I’ve got 4 35mm cameras but they all need cleaning and servicing to get the shutter speeds back up to snuff. (Pentax MX, MV, Spotmatic S2 and a Werra compact). The cost of servicing them greatly exceeds their worth so they sit in a camera bag with the various K mount and S42 lenses. I always hoped when digital cameras took off, older 35mm gear would become worthless so I could buy some old Nikon F gear cheaply. So did every other camera nerd and they’re silly prices now!
Still there’s something about B&W photography on film that just has something over even the best digital photos. When I see something, an image/view that looks good I do try and take some attempts at arty composure. I put the camera into B&W mode to get a rough idea then take the shots in colour for later post processing to B&W. It’s just a bit pricey now if you don’t process yourself which is where digital wins.
I have a Zorki as well! I must dig it out again soon. You can see some photos I have taken with a Holga, Yashica and also my Kodak Disc cameras. I have a nice Moscow 1980 Olympics branded Olympus camera too but not used it yet.
Here’s some of my snaps (click the photo to go to the portfolio):
And that’s a nice Rolleiflex Model T - if indeed you can find a good one, most models post 1945 are worth having.
I have another hobby of repairing old cameras, and have done several Rolleiflexes - currently I have an “X” model 3.5 from a few years earlier that’s ready to start restoration.
Hi Romain, it’s great that you’ve rediscovered analog photography. And you’ve taken some really beautiful pictures.
Right now, I’m back to using a digital camera with a full-frame sensor. But before that, I experimented with Adox HR-50 infrared-sensitive black and white film and an IF filter. Perhaps something for you to try, too.
It’s always interesting reading about people’s love of analogue photography. I went the other way entirely. As a working photojournalist, shooting film was more of a chore than a romance. Once the job was done, the real hurdle began: rushing the film back to the picture desk or, worse still, waiting for it to be developed and printed before you could even start transmitting anything.
Going digital was a complete game changer. You’d finish the job, grab a coffee in Starbucks, and wire the pictures straight out. Bliss.
Later, when I taught photography at a couple of universities, I watched the pendulum swing back. Over the last decade there’s been a real surge of interest in analogue skills. The darkrooms were always in high demand — a kind of creative refuge for students discovering the magic I’d been only too happy to escape.
It’s almost impossible to describe what it is like when you develop that first B&W print and you see the image appearing out of nowhere on the paper in the tray.
…you are not wrong there Andy; I had a box brownie 620 film that I was given as Xmas gift when I was 12yo from my parents. I used take the film out of the camera under the bed covers, wind into the developing container, then into the developing trays for fixing, then hang the developed film onto a string line with clothe pegs. The first time I did this and succeeded I was thrilled as you were too.
My son is doing Photography at the northern school of Art. He loves it. He’s loved making pinhole camera’s and taking pics with that the last few weeks.
Great snaps. Trying to figure out when this one was. Is it around the time of the Poll Tax introduction? Was that around 92, or is it earlier and something else as it looks more like 1986/87?
I’m guessing it’s not the queues outside Tandy at the launch of the Yaesu FT-290R?
→ QRP Photography
