The other camera I had with me was an older Hasselblad 500C/M, which I picked up in Bangkok a couple of years back. These were made between 1970 and 1992. When I bought it, I chose the prismatic viewfinder and a 80mm lens. Since then I have changed to the type of viewfinder that I can look down into the display and switched to an 50mm Distagon lens. My eyes work better with the simpler viewfinder and the lens produces better output, despite its fussy adjustments.

When first available, these lenses went for around $3000. Apparently, Ansell Adams used one. I bought mine locally for around $1,000. A wide-ranging review of this lens by Ken Rockwell suggests these may be available for less on e-Bay or other such sources.

I had been using ISO 400 film in the main: usually Ilford (monochrome), with the occasional look at color film (Kodak Portra). My initial attempts with color were hopeless, although I recently switched to AirLab in Sukhumvit 81 and they produce good results. My heart is still with Black & White. I have tried with Ilford 125 film, and I did try a batch of Lomo film, but the results were not so good, with one batch showing evidence of airport X-Ray machines.

Although the Kodak and Ilford films are readily available, I am not overly happy with the indifference in the shop I had been using and looked around for other sources. Earlier this year, I found an online supplier in Hong Kong, Camera Film Photo and in their lists were some Ilford 50 ISO films. I had never used film with such a low ISO, so bought a pack of 5 rolls.

I also bought a pack of Rollei Retro 400 ISO, but the plastic backing is a little thin and curves when trying to scan the negatives. There are alternatives at Camera Film Photo I would like to try too.

First outing with ISO 50 in Thaladphlu area of western Bangkok: April 2018

I had not expected a particularly good outcome the first time I tried with the 50 ISO film, but the results were pleasing. Having bright sunshine almost every day does make a difference. I still had some rolls in the fridge, but it was not for several weeks that I was able to go out with the express purpose of taking photographs. Although I concentrated on using the Nikon D850, I also took 2 rolls of ISO 50 and another Ilford ISO 400. I had the developed films back this week and set about scanning, then editing. A selection of the images from the 3 rolls is shown here.

On the move: interior and outside (ISO 50)

Mahachai Maintenance Yard (ISO 50)

Mahachai Arrival and Departure (ISO 50)

Mahachai Street Market (ISO 50)

Mahachai Street Market (ISO 50)

River Scenes - Egret Season (ISO 50)

Abandoned School (ISO 50) - Mending Fishing Nets (ISO 400)

Fishing Boats (ISO 400)

See also:

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)