Bill Smith's Photography

Since I got my 3.5 F Planar Rolleiflex in a trade from fellow film photographerfrom the Niagara region Bryan Caporicci  my 3.5 C Planar Rollei hasn't been used as much. I've owned this particular camera for 10 years and has been on several adventures, at first I thought it was an E series but the serial number told a different story. The 3.5C was the first Rolleiflex with an on board meter which was selenium powered. the reality is, if they are working at all would need a lot of calibration. In the end I just pack a hand held meter or go with my iPhone if I'm really stuck.  The only thing I would like to change is replace the OEM focusing screen with an aftermarket Maxwell sceren which is done during an overhaul. Sadly here in Canada there aren't many options for people working on Rolleiflexes. Mine could use a tune up, it's on my agenda once the pandemic winds down.  In mean time the camera still works well, I just have to use it more often.  Camera: Rolleiflex 3.5...

I'm thankful that Ontario Provincial Parks are open for day hikers, my game plan is to do week day hikes through the Summer and get my dose of nature while I can.  This trip was with my friends Alex and James from the Classic Camera Revival, we all arrived in separate cars, and kept at least six feet/two metres apart as per public health guidelines. It was good to get out even though I wasn't entirely in control of the itinerary. The game plan is to come back and shoot with black and white film, most likely my new favourite for hiking Bergger Pancro 400, failing that maybe some Ilford HP5.  Mono Cliffs the hamlet was quiet, but it was early in the week and the Mono Cliffs Inn is still closed for renovations due to kitchen fire  pre pandemic. I hope they pull through because I love the Inn's menu and I've taken a lot of friends up there for lunch, and, you can work lunch off by hiking back to the car.  The other thing I plan to do this Summer is use up my Portra 400 s...

I did a beer run to Indie Ale House in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood a few weeks ago, I love their beer, especially the breakfast porter and Instigator IPA. Of course a packed a camera and some film because I've been in shooting around Southeast Oakville almost exclusively for the past few months and while it makes for an interesting exercise to find something interesting in what you see every day. I needed a change of scenery. Well,  pre March 15, 2020, I would not have given it any thought, now I was wearing a mask in the street becasue physical distancing, was, well, kinda hard to do on a busy sidewalk. This was my first and last beer run to Indie Ale House in person until a safe and viable vaccine comes out. I have some people in my orbit with delicate immune systems and I can't afford to 1) get sick myself or 2) even worse, become an asymptomatic carrier. Once half a roll of Portra 400 was killed, I got the beer and made my way over to Bloor West Village to fin...

I always wish I could stay longer than four days up at Billie Bear, there's always next year. Camera: Rolleiflex 3.5 F Planar Type 3 Twin Lens Reflex Camera. Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B. Kodak Portra 400