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Tag: South Street

Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | Pentax Spotmatic SPII | SMC Takumar 55mm F:2

This roll of film is the second roll of Ilford HP5 Plus 400 that I developed with The Darkroom. This roll was shot on my Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II and Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2 lens.

NOTE: I'll begin this experience report with a brief disclaimer. It's been less than two years since I returned to shooting 35mm film after switching to digital photography over 20 years ago. I've inundated myself with as much film education as possible between web articles and advice from experienced film shooters. But, with my former experience way in past and limited recent experience, this review is coming from a relatively novice point of view.

UPDATE 13 April 2020: Hamish Gill of 35mmc suggested I may have a faulty shutter. In March, I had the camera CLA'd (Clean, Lube and Adjust) by Eric Hendrickson. Soon, I'll shoot another roll of film to see the difference.

This film is the second roll of Ilford HP5 Plus 400 that I developed and scanned at The Darkroom Lab. This Ilford HP5 Plus 400 roll was shot on my Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II and Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2 lens.

Using the Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II camera was more challenging than using the Pentax P3. The Pentax P3 has a shutter priority mode, and my unit has a working light meter. When I shot using the Pentax P3 camera, I set the shutter speed to 1/250s, and the camera adjusted the aperture as needed. However, while the Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II has a working light meter, the plastic to move the lever broke, and the rest of the camera settings must be set manually. I used the Sunny 16 technique to estimate the shutter speed on the Spotmatic II to expose each Ilford HP5 Plus 400 frame properly. The Sunny 16 technique is something I only learned about relatively recently. I practised a little at home, but this was my first time using it in the field.

I took the Spotmatic II and a cartridge of Ilford HP5 Plus 400 to the client’s office building at Old Slip, about a block from Wall Street in Manhattan, and exposed some frames during my lunch hour. I walked around Front Street, Gouverneur Lane, and South Street. The rain was light which made for a challenging walk. I was concerned about the camera getting wet, so I walked across South Street and under FDR Drive along the East River Esplanade. It's an area I explored with my Fujifilm X-T2 last year using an Ilford HP5 Plus 400 film recipe.

Photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organisation of forms which give that event its proper expression.Henri Cartier-Bresson

I expected all my frames to be severely under or overexposed. The shutter speed of the Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II is limited to 1/1000s, but fortunately, it was a rainy, overcast (and cold) day in Manhattan. The images are slightly over or underexposed, but I'm pleased with the results. I feel proud I had the skills to use this old camera, but I want a small, handheld light meter to make metering easier. Given the shutter speed limitation, I have purchased a roll of ADOX Scala 100 for use in brighter conditions.

The images were developed and scanned by The Darkroom.

South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Gouverneur Lane, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Wall Street Ferry and Pier 11. South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · CitiBike and Slip B at Pier 11, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · Bumper, East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · NY Waterway Ferry, East River, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Looking up at FDR Drive. East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Have a wet seat. East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Strutting pigeon. East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Pigeon in flight. East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February 2020 · East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2
South Street, Manhattan, New York City
11 February, 2020 · Seagulls but not the seashore. East River Esplanade, South Street, Manhattan, New York City · Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II · Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 55mm f/2

Stroll along the Financial District Waterfront

From the coffee break room on the 23rd Floor of the building on Old Slip, my gaze fixed upon the choppy water. The weather, a blend of dampness and dreariness, had subdued the surroundings. This inspired me, prompting a desire to capture the scene. Taking my camera in hand, I stepped out, commencing an unplanned exploration of the Financial District.

I began with a leisurely stroll along South Street, a path steeped in historical significance. Starting from Old Slip and proceeding toward Wall Street, each step felt like a venture into the city's financial hub. The juxtaposition of modern architecture against the cloudy sky created a visual contrast, underscoring the district's dynamic nature.

At one point, I crossed bustling South Street and returned to Pier 11, a maritime gateway that seemed to invite tales of distant shores. Meandering along the waterfront, the interaction between the restless waters and the city's urban energy captivated me. Despite towering skyscrapers and bustling activity, the waterfront emanated serenity—a sanctuary amid urban life.

As I traced a route along the pier, I took a brief excursion, exploring just a block or two from my starting point. Yet, within that short span, I was transported to a different realm—where the city's elements blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings. It served as a reminder that moments of tranquillity can be uncovered even amidst urban surroundings.

Contemplating my brief foray along the Financial District's waterfront, I realised that spontaneous explorations often yield unexpected gems.

FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO1250), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO1250), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO500), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.008 sec at f/5.6, ISO640), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (23.4 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (26.6 mm, 0.003 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (22 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.002 sec at f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (25.7 mm, 0.022 sec at f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Fast Walker —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.017 sec at f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.020 sec at f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.004 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Golden Narrows —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.003 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (38.8 mm, 0.008 sec at f/8.0, ISO1250), © Khürt L. Williams
Pier !! —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.008 sec at f/8.0, ISO1250), © Khürt L. Williams
Wall Street & South Street, Financial District, Manhattan, New York —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (24.2 mm, 0.008 sec at f/8.0, ISO640), © Khürt L. Williams