As a follow-up to to my “5 frames with Canon 7 + 50/1.4 + Ilford HP5+” article published a few months ago on EMULSIVE, here is the my other Canon LTM lens: the 35mm F2. This is my only 35mm lens, and also one of my lightest. It’s a rather tiny lens, with a much more modern shape than my Canon LTM 50/1.4. From my mostly-DSLR-user period, I used to think that 28 or 35mm suited me better, but I’ve grown use to 50mm primes, and so this lens doesn’t get all the love it deserves.
On a sunny Spring afternoon, I met with a friend at the Grands Voisins, where together we had our first darkroom printing lesson at Tizozio Labo. I loaned him my Yashica-Mat 124G – he was still wondering which medium format camera to get, and wanted another go with a TLR. I first let him wander around alone while I was testing a 4×5 pinhole camera I had built out of foamcore. I then joined him with my Canon 7 which was loaded with a roll of Rollei RPX400, a film which may be my favourite B&W at 400iso.
The Grands Voisins is quite the popular place. Before it gets redeveloped, this former public hospital complex is being let for low rents to artists and small businesses, and also offers some temporary social housing. On weekends, there are several activities, bars, restaurants, concerts, and a lot of young-ish people and families come by for a walk or a drink. The mood is usually very festive, a bit like a village festival in the middle of a half (de-)constructed building complex where the workers have momentarily stowed their tools to get a beer and mingle with the visitors.
It’s been a few months since I took these pictures, and the pace of the demolition/rebuilding is accelerating. Every time I go there to wet print at Tizozio Labo, I notice another building torn down or a new wooden palisade. Another year, and it will be gone, but the Project will live on in another soon to be redeveloped place.
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Marcus didius falco (@falcos2012) on 5 frames with a Canon 7, 35/2 lens and Rollei RPX400 – by Anthony Chatain
Comment posted: 08/11/2018
Alas, my roll of Rollei rpx 400 is still languishing in my exposed film stack in my fridge:( But soon, it might reach the front:)
Ashley Carr on 5 frames with a Canon 7, 35/2 lens and Rollei RPX400 – by Anthony Chatain
Comment posted: 08/11/2018
Okay, my Zeiss ZM 35/2 is technically a better lens with regards distortion (I shoot the built environment a lot) but I have to say I prefer the ‘look’ the Canon lens imparts on the film stock/developer I use, HP5 rated at 250 in Ilford Perceptol 1 2.
I prefer the lower contrast of the Canon compared to the modern contrast of the Zeiss, ‘modern’ as in too contrasty for my tastes.
I might pick up a Canon 35/2 for everything other than shooting buildings.