03-06-2023
It looked like the Arboretum had been getting a tidy up, branches trimmed and cuttings stacked.
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Nikon F80 – 28-80mm G, Kentmere 400 @ 800asa, Ilford DDX Developer.
Nikon F80 #2
2 Replies
Nikon F80 at the Arboretum
30-05-2023
I had always wanted a Nikon F80, but couldn’t afford one when they first came on to the market. Then I saw a Nikon 28-80mm G lens at a good price and couldn’t resist, this then gave me an excuse to look for an F80 camera ! The prices on that auction site were all over the place and so was the condition of the cameras offered. I waited patiently and eventually one came up complete with box and instructions, the seller said the back was sticky, a common fault with this series of cameras. I paid £38.99p (expensive for me) and ordered some alcohol wipes at the same time. 10 minutes with the alcohol wipes on the back of the camera and the stickiness was gone, and still is. The camera is in great condition, doesn’t look like it has had much use.
So on a bright February morning this year I loaded it up with some Kentmere 400 pushed to 800asa, stuck an Orange filter on the lens, and set off for the local arboretum.
I shot the entire roll of 24 exposures and developed the film in Ilford DDX the next day.
Aires #4 – Last few images
19-05-2023
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Really surprised how good the old Aires 35 performed, and the Fomapan 100. There’s another Aires in my camera collection but the film wind on is playing up, it also has a great lens, need to send it off for repair.
Need To get Snapping
16-05-2023
Found at the back of the refrigerator.
Completely forgot about this tub of expired film at the back of the fridge (there are more). Judging by the prices being asked on auction sites it’s probably worth more than the fridge freezer. Two of the rolls are Kodak High Speed Infrared, and a roll of Konica Ir 750, so there’s a good incentive to get out and about with a camera.
I don’t go into the city very much now, just once a week to meet up with some old friends. It seems to have changed a lot since lockdown, most of the interesting shops have gone being replaced by fried chicken outlets, and the centre seems to be a gathering place fast food delivery E-Bikers, they remind me of herds of wildebeest blasting down the pavements/sidewalks, pedestrians beware.
So now the weather is getting a bit warmer and drier I’m planning days out in the county and a few day trips to the coast.
My Garden This Morning.
14-05-2023
The sun decided to come out and shine mid morning, so after a bit of homeless cat herding and feeding I thought I’d give my Olympus macro lens another go on the Olympus E620. The lens is difficult to get to focus on exactly where I want it to, found it best to use manual focus and move the camera back and forth.
Next time I’ll up the asa and use a smaller aperture. So lovely to have a sunny morning and warmer temperatures.
Aires #3
11-05-2023
A few more images from the Aires 35 of some street art around my home town.
I didn’t know how well this would turn out in B&W, but it’s OK.
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By the sign of “0”, tricky lighting on this one, but guessed right.
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The whole building.
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From a distance.
All taken on Fomapan 100 at 200asa and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.
Since the lockdown the city has changed such a lot, I only go in once a week now to meet friends have a bite to eat and a couple of beers, fortunately there are 3 or 4 pubs that are still pubs. On this outing I met up with my photo buddies, we always have a good laugh, manage to take some images, and come away happier.
Aires 35 #2
07-05-23
This was one of the first images off the Aires 35 taken at Thornby Hall Northamptonshire in April 2022. I was still recovering after my first pillion passenger ride for a few years on the back of my buddies Triumph tiger motor bike, the bench looked really inviting. We had coffee and homemade cake at the café and then a walk around the lovely grounds.
On the original scan I can read the small brass plaque on the backrest of the bench.
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One of the last images on the roll of Clarendon Park Congregational Church taken in March 2023.
So amazed at the lens on this little camera and how well the Fomapan 100 performed even after nearly a year of sitting in the camera.
Aires 35
03-05-23
Taken on Nikon F80, Ilford HP5 @ 800asa
I bought this lovely Aires camera in early 2021 for £16.00p including postage, knowing it needed a bit of a service (focussing was stiff) eventually sent it away to PPP camera repairs. It came back working fine. This is Aires first 35mm camera, made for a short time around 1954 so it’s 69 years old, just a bit younger than me ! The large control to the left of the lens is the shutter release. I loaded a roll of Fomapan 100 rated at 200asa. My long time buddy turned up on his Triumph Tiger 1200 and said did I fancy going out to Thornby Hall (blog post) that was April 2022 took 2 or3 frames with the Aires then the rest of the year happened and my enthusiasm for most things waned. Fast forward to March 2023 and the Photo Buddies suggested a meet up in town for a photo walk and coffee, took the Aires with me, forgot my exposure meter so used the sunny 16 rule. Finished the roll and developed the film in Ilford Ilfosol 3, was really pleased/surprised with the results.
Some of the new rather sterile buildings that have gone up in the city.
I’ll post some more images from the Aires later this week.
Lets Try Again
29-04-23
It’s been such a long time since I posted on WP. Last year was really one to forget for me, I was so glad when it was over. I know I shouldn’t wish the time away but three friends passed and both my beautiful cats. My enthusiasm for photography ebbed, but I managed to stay positive even after reaching three score years and ten in October.
I bought a few cameras and lenses in 2022, including a Nikon F80, Cosina CSL, Holga 120, Praktica BMS, and a lovely 1954 Aires 35. Will post about them soon.
Here are a few digital images from late last year and spring this year.
Autumn 2022
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I was lucky that there had been a rain shower before I set out.
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Spring 2023
Took these on an old Sony S80 compact that a neighbour kindly gave to me.
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I really miss my two cats, the house felt so empty after they passed. They kept me company so well during the dreadful lockdown time. I now feed six homeless cats that have taken up residence in my garden, the last one appeared about three months ago, not sure if it’s a male or a female, so I’ve called it Cloe/Claude, it’s very affectionate and comical. I’ll write a blog post about the waifs and strays that have turned up.
Cloe/Claude
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It’s good to get back to WordPress and get some inspiration from the Blogs I follow.
Apologies for lack of blog posts
23-08-22
Apologies for the lack of blog posts and general interaction over the last few weeks. My lovely cat Mimi has been quite poorly, I had to rush her in to the emergency vets on Sunday morning, she is still there now. Hopefully I will be able to bring her back home later today. Consequently I’ve not been able to settle or get out and about to take many photographs, just the occasional visit to the music pub for a couple of hours on a Friday.
coronet66 