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It’s hard to find a lens that balances cost, constant aperture, and quality. While OEM lenses with constant aperture are top-notch in terms of quality, they often (with the exception of some) come at a higher price point. Sure, you can get away with a lens with variable apertures depending on where you are on the zoom, but you may end up needing a faster aperture even when zoomed in. After the AF motor on my Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8D failed, I was still able to use the lens in manual focus, but after photographing a Christmas play with it, I was starting to get tiredRead More →

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All Fujifilm, All the Time! We’ve been talking about doing a show dedicated to Fujifilm for a while now, and the time has finally arrived! While Fuji often catches flak for the number of product line cancellations, especially in the film world, they have maintained a core set of worthwhile products. Today’s show, we’re talking cameras, lenses, film, and chemistry. From the Texas Leica to Acros 100 II and Microfine. Plus remembering some of the other products that we enjoyed that are no longer available. The whole team has something to add as we peek inside the massive secret freezer under Mount Fuji. Looking forRead More →

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Within the Canadian Mythos of our nation, there are several events, call them fixed points in the timeline, that have been arbitrarily assigned to build the Canada we live in today. These points are, of course, all post-contact with the Europeans, but that’s a discussion for another time. You can look at the arrival of the French and the founding of Quebec City and Montreal. The French and Indian War that established British rule, the American Revolution, the two attempted invasions, and the arrival of the Loyalists. The War of 1812, which saw the American invasions repeatedly tossed back. The Canadian Confederation in 1867. WouldRead More →

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After getting some excellent results from TMax 400, could lightning strike twice with TMax 100? Now I like TMax 100 far more than the 400 version mainly because TMax 400 despite being super sharp lacks a lot of character. But with TMax 100 I’ve always liked the results I’ve gotten out of it, but I’ve always under-exposed and pulled in development but I’ve never under-exposed and pushed. So will I get similar performance from TMax 100 as I got before? Well the answer is… Film Specs Manufacturer: Kodak Name: TMax 100 (100TMX) Type: Panchromatic B&W Film Base: Acetate Film Speed: ASA-100 Formats Available: 135, 120,Read More →

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There are small cameras, and then there are small cameras. When designing cameras, there are certain constraints that you must work within. In the realm of 35mm cameras, you do have to make sure there’s enough room to fit the cartridge, and there have been some small 35mm cameras that I have reviewed. The one I think of is the RETO Ultra-Wide & Slim, and in the 35mm world, the smallest I’ve worked with is the Pentax MX (smaller than even the Olympus OM-1 and Nikon FM). But once you start to scale down the size of the film, you can bring the size ofRead More →

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Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 is a film that has achieved cult status and is almost universally loved by film photographers. Personally, I see the value in Acros and appreciate what it can do, but it never became a staple in my photography. It offers fine-grain, incredible sharpness and tonality. It also has a long reciprocity making it perfect for long exposure. A capable portrait film that provides amazing skin tones, but is also versatile to use in other applications like landscape, astrophotography, and architecture. But then Acros 100 went away; Fuji discontinued Acros 100 in 2018, citing the inability to source the needed raw materials.Read More →

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When it comes to places I’ve photographed in my local area, the city of Brampton isn’t one I often visit for photography. Now, to be clear, I have made several trips to Brampton for photography, but mostly around Sheridan’s Davis Campus. But the historic downtown I’ve only visited twice, the first time was for a PYPS Winter Weekend and the second time to test out a new-to-me Olympus OM-1n. So when I was putting together a plan for this year’s 12 Months on Film, I wanted to include places I’d been only once or twice, and Brampton, though it didn’t make the initial cut, endedRead More →

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There’s something to be said about OEM lenses with full compatibility, native mount support, and a high level of quality control. That all comes with a cost attached. Then there are third-party manufacturers: companies that often offer the same level of compatibility, quality control, and multiple lens mount options, but many don’t carry a price tag as high as the original manufacturers’. So today, we have John and Bill, joined by Mario and Brian, to discuss all things third party, from classic Tokina, Tamron, and Sigma. Modern options from TTArtisans and 7Artisan lenses, and of course, Light Lens Labs, who are painstakingly creating modern, affordableRead More →

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In: Between Darkness & Light
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I had not been exploring in Buffalo proper since 2007, and honestly, if they had including some of these locations at that event I probably would have had a better time. So taking advantage of the invitation to join in a short Labour Day exploration in 2012 to check out a couple of locations on the other side of the border, I jumped on the chance. Both locations we checked out were right next to each other in a former industrial corridor on Northland Avenue. Of the two, the most interesting is this spot, the former Curtiss-Wright metal forming works, but its history is muchRead More →

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Do I really need to do another D-76 clone review? The answer is yes, yes I do. So during the end of production of Kodak chemicals by Sino Promise the fine folks at Adox Photo went out and purchased the rights to some of the names of Kodak chemicals, including D-76 (although you can still get Kodak D-76 now produced in the USA) as part of their efforts to ensure that the supply of these chemicals continue. And so in 2023 Adox D-76 hit the market, the one thing that sets Adox’s version apart is that it has a longer shelf life thanks to aRead More →