Blad Bonding and Other Pandemic Notes

Random notes from deep inside the California SIP…

Over these past few weeks, I’ve found myself bonding with my Hasselblad 500cm . Flowers are blooming everywhere, including many different varieties of roses. I had some rolls of Ektar 100 in the fridge, which is a perfect match for the Hasselblad’s top shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, bright sunny days and lots of color. I’m sure the neighbors find me a curiosity, prowling the flower beds with the giant camera and hand held light meter. The more I use the Hasselblad, the more everything become intuitive. It wasn’t that way at first. I had to keep reminding myself to remove the dark slide before trying to take the next shot. And I am getting used to the flip flop image in the viewfinder.

I did have the older of my two A12 film backs fail on me. After loading a roll of film, you wind the film on to the first exposure. The wind crank on the magazine is supposed to stop automatically at the first frame. Mine didn’t and a little research indicated that it needs to visit the shop for repair. David Odess is the go to repair tech for Hasselblad, so I’ll be sending my film back off to him for service. Hassey film backs are expensive, so it is worth the cost of repair.

Since the 500cm does not have a built-in light meter, shooting it has given me the opportunity to get comfortable with my Sekonic L-398A. I bought this light meter a few years ago and really have not had the chance to play with it. The L-398A is a great, classic analog meter that is still available new from Sekonic!

The Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe—an amorphous photosensor provides the power—no batteries!

I shot a roll of 35mm Ektar 100 in my Leica R4s around my garden and up and down the streets close to home. I used my 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit…a lens I just love. Spring flowers are a natural for macro photography.

Leica R4s MOD-P and the delightful 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit

I also went looking for interesting subjects in and outside the house with my Nikon FM2n, 55mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor and some Ilford FP4. This is my first roll of Ilford’s 125 speed film and I am anxious to see the results. I bought this from B&H Photo.

Packaged up all my exposed film and sent it off to Boutique Film Lab this morning for processing and scanning. Will share all here soon.

I am really getting antsy to get out and do some photography in the world. In the meantime, I am putting the SIP to good use getting more familiar with my hardware and software.