Paid a visit to Cadre Cycle this morning. This is the Moto Guzzi dealership where I have purchased my Guzzis. There are a lot dealerships within big fancy buildings and lots of product bling. Cadre isn’t like that. Cadre is old school and where “everybody knows your name.” It’s my second family.
Enzo’s grey V7 Milano next to my grey V7 Sport.
Enzo Miller is the owner of Cadre. He is well versed in all things Guzzi and owns a few in addition to Cadre Cycle. One of the bikes he owns is a 2019 Moto Guzzi V7iii Milano. It’s a grey bike. When my V7 Sport was on order, we wondered if it was the same color as his Milano.
Today, I rolled my Sport next to his Milano to compare greys. They are very close, but just slightly off in color. We had a good chuckle about whose grey looked better.
Afterwards, I rolled on for a ride home … the long way home. Stopped at Kroger for a few things for tonight’s planned dinner, lasagna.
It seems I forgot how to operate a film camera. I don’t remember the last time I used my Canon FTb. And, operating it required moments of serious focus. Frankly, it has been sitting for a very long time. I hoped it would still work.
55-year-old Canon FTb with my favorite art film, Ilford Pan F.
I stopped using and developing my own Black & White film probably 16 or 17 years ago. Some time after that I sold all my film and digital SLR equipment, and embracing my Canon mirrorless camera, the M6 Mkii. Nifty little cameras. Full EOS operation and Canon no longer makes them. I did keep the one film camera pictured above. I bought that camera in Vietnam in 1971, just before I left for home.
Embracing the thought of returning to film photography, I bought a few rolls of film loaded the camera and commenced to trying to remember how this particular camera works! Oh, yeah. I have to focus it. I needed a new battery for the light meter, and that seems to work, but I need to remember not only how to use it, but setting the ISO, shutter and aperture in order to make a proper exposure.
Slowly, my memory returned to how to use the camera. Next was finding subjects that were worthy of this fine camera and film. Obviously, my motorcycles became subjects, and then I took a ride to find suitable locations.
I had to remember the film does not automatically advance. You have to push the film advance lever to get the film to the next frame. On just the one roll of film, I must have pressed the shutter button a dozen times to take another picture, forgetting to advance the film. I guess I have been using my auto-focus, automatic everything on the digital cameras, that I forgot how much work goes into film. But, it will be worth it.
I’ll let you know when the film gets back from the processor.
Are you shooting B&W film? Developing it yourself or sending off to a processor? Let me know in the comments.
Lately, I have been reading that film is coming back. Mostly, the return to film is with artists. Digital is nice and quick, but even the best digital filters cannot replicate what film produces–that is the grain. Old-school film is all about sharpness and grain. And, manufacturers like Kodak, are returning to produce film. Who doesn’t remember the popularity of Kodak Tri-X, the photo journalist’s go-to B&W film.
My Canon FTb purchased in Vietnam in 1971. It’s built like a tank, and the only film camera I currently own.
Why am I writing about this? Because today, talking with a friend, I was asked about selling off camera equipment that is no longer used. Turns out I did not know he was an amateur photographer with lots of gear. Nor did he realize my professional photography background. Turns out, he is sitting on his father-in-laws medium format equipment. My ears perked up.
I have often thought about returning to film for artistic efforts. My Canon FTb is still in good condition, even though I bought it in 1971 in Vietnam before I left that county. That makes it 55 years old, and it’s still viable. Load it up with some Tri-X or Ilford film, and it’s ready to go. But my real desire is medium format film cameras. The camera I regret letting go was my Hasselblad. Loved that camera, but I had long quit developing film. So, I let it go, and sold it to a friend who had access to darkrooms.
As film returns to the art community, there are companies that will develop and scan B&W film for customers, thus bypassing the need for a darkroom.
All this makes me think about returning to film. To resume art with B&W film. Time will tell what my future photographic efforts will hold.
It has been a while since last posting, and I have been contemplating changes. Big changes. I have been pondering the future of this web site, and have begun changes starting with a domain name I have owned for probably a decade. I have let Sojourn Chronicles dot com expire. I cannot see a future for it. I post way to often on Facebook when I should be posting here. Changes are coming.
Secondly, I am exploring moving to a new hosting platform. This is going to take some work. Changes are coming.
Thirdly, I am retired and have been for a while. I have worked as a journalist for a long time, and now, any writing or photography that I do is really for me. And, I am sharing that with you. It’s personal. You may have noticed the different pages that are now in the menu. That will be my focus. I hope you stay connected, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll share these ramblings with others. Changes are coming.
In the meantime, I’ll see you on the highway. No changes here!
