Bill Smith's Photography

  If you look an Instagram, Kodak Portra 400, particularly in 35mm has to be from my very unscientific research to be the most popular colour film. I know photographers both pro and amateur who shoot truckloads of the stuff, hence that classic pastelly "Portra 400" look that spawned who knows how many Lightroom plug ins so people can replicate the look for the 'Gram. I struggle with Portra 400 in 35mm, why? I have no idea, I never have issues with Ultramax 400 or Lomography 400 (pretty much the same stuff) and I get great results every time with Portra 160 and Ektar 100. I don't have these problems in 120, just 35mm. I should try Fujifilm Pro 400H in 35mm and see what I get out of that.  That said I find Portra 400 does ok with Zuiko lenses, especially the multi coated ones. I have to work on my scanning workflow which is a case of continual improvement.  Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko lenses.  Film: Kodak Portra 400  ...

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...

Considering how gloomy the day turned out on Friday, Kodak Portra 400 delivered. The one bonus is I didn't need to use a neutral density filter in the woods photographing the rapids. We were pretty close to the western edge of Algonquin Park, not the busy Highway 60 entrance but a back road access point. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko lenses. Film: Kodak Portra 400

I was on my way somewhere, up north. I always pass through Uxbridge. It feels like my real starting point in my journey, the mess that's the QEW/Gardiner Expressway/Don Valley Parkway is the temporary purgatory. Of course, when I roll through Uxbridge I love photographing the York Durham Heritage Railway and wander around downtown for a bit. Well just to warn you, there will be a bunch of image heavy post for the next few weeks. Sit back, pour a cup of coffee, your favourite beer, or glass of wine and enjoy the photographs. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko MC 50 f1.8 lens. Film: Kodak Portra 400.