MikeHawkey.com

Weekend been featured ‘Tram Day’ at our local technology museum Motat. What better a subject to take out a roll of my vintage (60’s) 6ASA Ilford Micro-Neg Pan Type B film. Armed with the Canon EOS 10 (one of the few SLR’s which can shoot sprocket-less) and a nifty fifty set to 1.8 for the vast majority of the shots.

As with my opening image above, there is something cool about the feel of this combination. Wide open adds a touch of vintage softness in look and feel, the film itself is high contrast and old…add a few trams from a golden age – what a combo.

It was a pretty challenging day light wise really – bright sun in the most part combined with the naturally high contrast film made a few scenes difficult (like that one of a train in the distance above). Overall I was pretty pleased with the result. As you might recall in another post about this film, I went part’s with a mate in purchasing it. He’s not had much luck With what he shot. Don’t know if its roll of a dice or different developing techniques – Im not getting the same issue with what we think is emulsion lifting. Different part of the roll – I have more film left, so may yet experience it.

It was great to see all these old trains and trams out in live action. I loved the steam tram – I had not seen that one before. I was also amazed how many working trams they have in action also. A lot of the conductors and drivers (in full uniform) are the engineers who work on restoring them and there is no shortage of volunteers of all ages – great to see younger people (I’ll admit Im not young anymore) getting into historical transport from a age long gone.

[Digital] Developing wise, I just reversed the negatives and added a boarder. I didn’t apply a full monochrome selector as I love the slightly sepia that came from the film. Again – adding to the age.

The fourth shot in the above was inside the train. ‘Usually’ on F1.8 and say a 400ASA film you can get away with indoor shots. Not sure where I had a mind blank about being on 6ASA, but it was about a 15 second shot…’this won’t work’ I said – I was right, but Its still an interesting shot (to me).

Old army trucks – another good theme for this film. But I ran out. I had gone a little bit snappy on the trams and before I knew it the film was out. Not to worry – a fun outing, a successful few images from a film long past its time.

More of something photo’s next time!