REVIEW: Fujifilm GFX 50s II With GF 35-70mm

The medium format camera landscape is ripe with fantastic options, and for quite some time, Fujifilm has had a lot of winners in this space. The brand's medium format range is well-known for its great build quality, as well as superbly sharp images. There's no wonder why they've earned themselves a very loyal audience and passionate fanbase. Lately, Fujifilm has continued to double down on the medium format market.

Their latest entry and addition to the family line-up is the GFX 50s II, a (relatively) more affordable, entry-level alternative amongst pricey digital medium format mirrorless cameras. The goal is simple - bring the world of high-resolution photography to a much wider and broader audience, especially for those who're likely new to this segment, or are finally making the jump and are upgrading from their current set-up.

PLEASE NOTE: ThIS CAMERA WAS ORIGINALLY LOANED TO ME BY FUJI. HOWEVER, I LIKED IT THAT MUCH, I PURCHASED MY OWN VERSION SHORTLY AFTER.

Video Source - Dustin Abbott via YouTube

It's an even more compelling package when you pair the Fujifilm GFX 50s II with the brand's GF 35-70mm lens. Featuring an impressive 51.4MP sensor, as I've experienced thus far with my time using the GFX 50s II, it manages unparalleled image quality and sharpness, capturing every minor detail with an impressive level of fidelity and resolution. From a technical standpoint, it's nearly perfect in every single way.

Moreover, the GFX 50s II's sharp and crisp images are equally easy and great to work with in post. So, for those spending a lot of time in the editing suite, they're a treat to spend time on. For those who value the finest image quality above all else, the Fujifilm GFX 50s II and its accompanying GF 35-70mm lens may be the perfect camera for you, Although, it does warrant a significant investment (more on that later).

What's Unique With The Fujifilm GFX 50s II (And GF 35-70mm Lens)?

So then, what's interesting with the Fujifilm GFX 50s II that should get you hooked? Well, for starters, the sensor is a noteworthy highlight - a massive 51.4MP medium format sensor, whose size is larger than full-frame. In short, it allows you to capture more light and detail from a shot, translating to those impressive pics that I got out of the GFX 50s II during my time with it. Yet, it doesn't compromise on weight.

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You will be able to see more sample images in my upcoming blog post from japan :)

Rather, the GFX 50s II (and paired with the GF 35-70mm lens) is wrapped up in a compact and lightweight design, despite being a medium format camera. It's relatively portable, which is great news for those such as myself, who are constantly on the move from one shoot to the next. Additionally, the build quality here is a major plus as well, which not only feels great in the hand, but it has a weather-resistant rating, too.

Another boon for taking shots in low-light conditions, the GFX 50s II has in-body image stabilisation, and it helps quite a bit with reducing camera shake. It's made more practical and versatile when you take the GF 35-70mm lens into account. As an F4.5-5.6 retractable zoom lens, it's flexible enough that it can be suitable for a wide range of photography styles and mediums, such as landscape or studio photography.

On that note, it's worth mentioning once more just how awesome the image quality is. Not only are those pictures already pretty great straight out of the camera, but the dynamic range is just as excellent. This is one of the reasons that editing shots that came out of it are so easy and fun to play with, given that you could brighten dark images or highlight additional details without adding too much noise or visual clipping.

Are There Any Considerations That You Need To Take Into Account?

The Fujifilm GFX 50s II isn't perfect though, and there are certain quirks and oddities that you need to take into account before getting one. The first factor you need to be wary of is the downgrade in its viewfinder when compared to the older GFX 50s. The updated 'II' model has a lower magnification, but it's still rather competitive when you look at the current selection of rivals. Then, we have to talk about the autofocus.

It's arguably one of the biggest flaws and it's no doubt the Achilles Heel of the otherwise terrific GFX 50s II, despite how pleasant it was to shoot with. While it now features an up-to-date processor and it's certainly speedier than the outgoing model, it's still not as good as its bigger brother, the GFX 100s. In general, the autofocus system in the GFX 50s II is quite slow, and the eye tracking and face detection are fairly poor.

Compared to other medium format options, the gfx 50S ii IS A FEATHERWEIGHT!

With that being said, unless your subject happens to be looking directly at you, and for a good amount of time, the eye and face detection is not very reliable. It's even worse when your subject moves about a lot, and the autofocus also does a bad job of re-focusing back on the subject. It's subpar enough that most of you might find it better to simply turn this feature off and rely more on manually focusing on a subject.

Another major omission in Fujifilm's GFX 50s II is the lacklustre video recording feature. Unlike its big brother, the GFX 100s, the GFX 50s II doesn't come with 4K video recording. In fact, the best it could do is 1080p at 30fps. Although, credit where credit is due, it's really good 1080p footage, at least. But then again, many of its competitors in this price point could easily manage 4K recording, so that's worth bearing in mind.

Rounding Up The Pros With The Fujifilm GFX 50s II

To keep it brief, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time shooting with the Fujifilm GFX 50s II and the included GF 35-70mm lens, and here's a TL;DR round-up of the best things about it:

• Superb & Sharp Image Quality - Once again, the Fujifilm GFX 50s II produces incredibly sharp images, with excellent dynamic range, as well. A lot of credit also goes out to the accompanying GF 35-70mm lens, and together, there's a lot of detail and highlights captured that's unrivalled by a lot of other cameras in its cost spectrum. In some areas, it's even better than certain full-frame cameras out there. With its great dynamic range and reliable in-body image stabilisation, it really helps you to get the best out of every shot.

• Robust Build Quality - In the hand, the Fujifilm GFX 50s II feels solid and confidence-inspiring. It's a regular reminder that you're handling something special, yet it's pretty ergonomic, too. Most of its many switches and buttons could be reconfigured and modified depending on what you think is most important and what could be easiest and most accessible to get at. In addition, the plethora of menu options and easy-to-reach dials are comfortable to use for those long shoots, and there's even a display on the top of the body, where you can quickly check your shutter speed or aperture settings. Plus, the rear screen has a good amount of tilt, which is great for portrait photography.

• Great User Experience - As I highlighted earlier, the intuitiveness and ease of use of the GFX 50s II is one of the best in the market, and it makes it a joy to handle during a busy shoot. The two command dials can be customised to additional or alternative functions, if you need to. Even its autofocus joystick is easier to use with precision and accuracy. The physical buttons on the back can be re-mapped, and the touchscreen can further be configured to have quicker and easier access to additional menus and options.

• Post-Processing Chops - Built-in, there's already a wide selection of various simulation modes as well as its other processing options. You can certainly have quite a lot of fun with these, and it also helps to add a bit more charm to your shots. Nevertheless, given how stunning the image quality and dynamic range are, you get a lot of flexibility while working on your photos in post. Editing additional highlights or pulling in more details from your images are much more pleasant to work with.

Some Downsides That You Need To Look Out For

While it's a darn near-perfect camera for my use case personally, there are certain aspects about the GFX 50s II that you definitely need to be wary of before splurging for one, such as:

• High Cost Of Entry - Yes, when compared to other medium format cameras, Fujifilm's GFX 50s II is a great value for money and arguably a fantastic bargain for what it offers in return. However, it's still a fact that the whole package is still pretty expensive, especially for those who are content with their current setups. Moreover, the GF 35-70mm lens can be a hefty investment for beginners or hobbyists, not to mention the cost of the camera itself. Although, for £3,000+ here in the UK - which will vary a bit depending on where you're shopping and whether or not you could get it for a discount - it's cheaper when you get the lens as bundled in with the camera, rather than getting it separately.

• Limited Range Of Lenses - The accompanying GF 35-70mm lens that I was using is of pretty great quality. However, I can't help but notice the range of lenses that Fujifilm offers for the GFX 50s II is pretty limited, and nowhere near the wide selection of lenses that you might see with competing brands, such as Canon or Sony. This wasn't an issue for me, but for photographers who often swap out lenses and shoot images within varying conditions or unique situations, this is something you absolutely need to think about.

• Lack Of Video Recording - Just like how I detailed earlier, video recording functionality on the GFX 50s II is seemingly an afterthought, or at least, it wasn't intentionally considered seriously for it, in the first place. It lacks the advanced video features that are found in other brands or even its bigger brother, the GFX 100s. Meanwhile, the GFX 50s II can only manage 1080p recording at 30fps, albeit the footage that came out of it was not too bad. If you do need 4K recording and those missing features, you'll need to cough up the extra cash for the GFX 100s, if you're sticking to the Fujifilm ecosystem.

• Autofocus And Face/Eye Detection - When seeing just how impressive autofocus and face/eye detection are in other cameras, and how rapidly the tech is evolving around it, Fujifilm's execution with the GFX 50s II does not really hit the mark. The autofocus is quite slow, and the face/eye detection is nowhere near as reliable or as dependable as the AF systems used by its competitors. And when in C-AF, you don't even get any eye detection! The unreliable and oft random way in which the autofocus works may often demand that your subject remains still and looks directly at you.

So, Is The Fujifilm GFX 50s II And GF 35-70mm Lens A Good Purchase?

For those that prioritise image quality above all else, this Fujifilm GFX 50s II and the GF 35-70mm lens is a pretty outstanding package, overall. Despite a comparatively pocketable form factor, the sharpness, level of detail, and extensive dynamic range are some of the best that you can get with digital, medium-format cameras. In some areas, and thanks to its large sensor, it's even better than pricier full-frame cameras.

Not only is its intuitiveness and ease of use conducive to a great experience while taking your shots, but when you bring all those photos into your preferred editing suite, they're amazing to work with, too. That shouldn't distract you from the GFX 50s II's negatives though, such as the lack of video recording features and the below-average autofocus compared to its many rivals, as well as the face/eye detection system.

It comes Tilly approved!!!

Still, for a premium price tag and point of entry into the medium format world, for those of you who value the very best in photography and maximal image quality, Fujifilm's new GFX 50s II is an option that's very hard to overlook. If you need a camera that can handle video or have more lens options, Canon and Sony are better alternatives. Yet, when it comes to raw and pure image quality, the GFX 50s II holds its own.

Specs And Details

About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.

Bronica GS-1 - The Most Underrated Medium Format Camera Ever?

I've been searching, yearning for a medium-format film camera like this for a long time. It wasn't easy to get my hands on it, and for some reason, its mere mention is but a hushed whisper floating from one forum post to another. Not a lot of people know about it, and one might argue that it's criminally underrated. In that sense, it's a good time to now introduce you to a new piece in my collection, the Bronica GS-1.

Now, if you know anything about 6x7 format cameras, you may've heard of the Mamiya RZ67 and RB67, as well as the Pentax 67. So, why not the Bronica GS-1? Why was it side-lined in the pages of history? On top of that, why did I get the GS-1 instead of its more popular rivals? For starters, the GS-1 perfectly matched a set of criteria that I set out when I was on the prowl for a medium-format film camera.

PLEASE NOTE: I PURCHASED THIS WITH MY OWN MOMEY AND NO PAYMENT OR CONTROL WAS EXCHANGED FOR PUBLISHING THIS UNBIASED REVIEW

This being... a 6x7 aspect ratio, (relatively) compact sizing, good ergonomics, great image quality, good lenses and it could be had for a bargain price. The 6x7 format was, in particular, very desirable among other formats that I planned on shooting. Moreover, Bronica's GS-1 is smaller than either the Mamiya or Pentax cameras. The latter two are quite hefty and cumbersome to operate, which would be quite a hassle for day-to-day use.

Having previously experienced both the Mamiya and Pentax offerings before and now handling the GS-1 - I found the latter to suit my needs the best. For a camera that's no longer in production, and one that's been left under-appreciated and under-mentioned amongst photographer and mainstream circles, was choosing Bronica and its GS-1 a mistake? Not at all. In fact, it's time that the GS-1 gets its own, silent revolution.

The Ideal Ergonomics For A Comfy Experience

So, about my particular GS-1... I bought it with a pop-up waist-level viewfinder. I consider it a bonus find for me since it’s my preferred way of shooting! Otherwise, the Bronica GS-1 could be coupled with other finders. That includes a 90-degree rotary prism (more on that later), as well as a metered and non-metered prism. The customisability is thanks in no small part to the GS-1's incredibly modular body.

That is further improved thanks to the excellent ergonomics when handling the GS-1. Therefore, most of the controls that you need... Be it the flash sync, lens disconnect switch, shutter speed, and the film back release button... Are all positioned within easy reach. This litany of switches and knobs also includes the mirror lock-up (MLU) button and double-exposure settings. These two are crucial for night-time and experimental shots.

You'll usually have to fiddle around with the exposure and MLU switches when the sun goes down if you want the best low-light experience possible. It's not the most intuitive system in the world. But, once you get used to it, night photography with the Bronica GS-1 can yield great results (be sure to source the correct shutter release cable for it!). Meanwhile, there's the other key talking point of the GS-1 over its period contemporaries - the build quality and packaging.

The body of the GS-1 itself feels solid, robust, and well-built. Granted, while it's slightly smaller than the Mamiya or Pentax that we mentioned earlier, Bronica's entry into the field is still rather large and heavy. As such, you'd better be prepared to lug about that excess mass with you wherever you go. On the plus side, you do have an interchangeable film back system, and Bronica even sold a Polaroid film back for it.

Video Source - Worldwide Camera Exchange via YouTube

“Has the heart and soul of a film camera, but paired with the conveniences and aspirations that bring it up to par with modern digital cameras”

Modular And Customisable To Your Heart's Content

Speaking of, the modularity of the GS-1 means that exchanging an accessory for another is a breeze. One great example would be the lenses. Personally, the lens that I gravitate to the most with it, and given my use case, is a 100mm lens. From time to time, I will vary between it and a 50mm or 65mm lens. This does bring us to the first significant point of consideration (and downside), if you're thinking of getting one.

Bronica themselves only made 9 different lenses for the GS-1... A 50mm, 65mm, 80mm, 100mm, 110mm micro, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, and a 500mm super-telephoto lens. Given limited aftermarket support, this does limit your usability quite a bit, seeing that there are only so "many" lenses to choose from. It's not something that I need to worry about with how I intend to use my GS-1, but you may feel otherwise.

Video Source - Brae Hunziker via YouTube

Still, the native lenses are pretty good. So good, in fact, that Bronica later re-used the lens formula and coatings from the GS-1 lenses, and adapted them to the rest of their camera line-up. Elsewhere, it has a healthy mixture of both mechanical and electronic elements. For instance, the GS-1's shutter speeds are electronically-controlled. Hence, allowing you to vary from 16 seconds to 1/500 seconds (and Bulb mode).

Additionally, you get a flash sync across all available shutter speeds - another huge plus point! Moreover, the GS-1 can be had with two teleconverters, a 1.4x and a 2.0x. And, two extension tubes, an 18mm and its 36mm counterpart. Some may say that the Bronica GS-1 has the heart and soul of a film camera but paired with the conveniences and aspirations that bring it up to par with modern digital cameras.

Some Good, Some Bad, And Some Ugly

Although, those very same electronics which distinguish the GS-1 are also a double-edged sword. It's worth mentioning, as well, that the GS-1 is battery-powered. In other words, you'll have to rely on its battery for everything from the shutter and even the cable release. With that in mind, if that singular PX28 battery is on the verge of dying, or if the electronics go kaput, you'll be deprived of using your GS-1 entirely.

When put side-by-side with other comparable older cameras, they at least have a few mechanical tricks and functions that could still work without electrical support. Meaning that even if their electronics give way, you can technically still use them, unlike the GS-1. To be fair though, many owners of the GS-1 can agree that thus far (given its old age), the electric circuitry is somewhat comparatively reliable.

Video Source - Brae Hunziker via YouTube

Still, you ought to be cautious if you're buying an old GS-1. I'd recommend checking the electronics more diligently than you'd otherwise do. Regardless, with all this talk of the GS-1's build, how well does it take actual photos? Well, it turns out, really fantastically so! The images that come out of it are very crisp and clear. I personally have no issues with the image quality at all - it's a silver lining with all big cameras.

A larger frame means more image. The large 6x7 negative means I'm able to extract more detail out of a typical shot. Furthermore, it emphasises the shallow depth of field, and is similar in quality to many digital cameras of today (with the right technique), but inside the form factor of a film camera. Overall, this makes the Bronica GS-1 a very satisfying hardware to shoot with.

Some Of The Compromises To Look Out For

The experience is even better if you're willing to shop around a bit harder and find the optional AE (auto-exposure) prism viewfinder, mind. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, as there is one aspect of operating the GS-1 that's less than ideal. More specifically, you'll need to use a bit of elbow grease when you're shooting in portrait. This is because Bronica made one small oversight compared to its rivals.

Mamiya, on the other hand, had rotating film backs (That’s the ‘RB’!) that let you switch from landscape to portrait in a pinch. Meanwhile, the GS-1 doesn't have this. So, you'll either have to manually rotate your camera 90 degrees anytime you're shooting in portrait, which is no doubt a pain if you've mounted it onto a tripod. Or, you could shell out a bit more to get one of Bronica's rotating tripod adapter accessories.

In short, it's probably better to keep the GS-1 as a handheld camera rather than one that you'd regularly pair with a tripod or fixed mount. Another huge downside with the GS-1, as with all older cameras, is the accessibility to spare parts. The older it gets, the tougher it'll be to source spares, should they break. And, it's just as challenging to find shops or people who know how to work on it, if you need repairs done.

It's something that you have to live with once you delve into the rabbit hole of owning and using any old, out-of-production photography gear. Then, going back to those electronics, the GS-1, remember, isn't an all-mechanical being. Having experienced how iffy electrics can be with these older cameras, if they ever go awry, it's likely a lot easier to simply replace the entire camera, rather than trying to fix it up.

Is The Bronica GS-1 Worth It?... Some Closing Thoughts

Not too long ago, the arrival and incredible growth of digital cameras brought and end to the dynasty of film. It meant having to say goodbye to the Bronica GS-1, as well as its compatriots. It's a shame too, since that bulky hunk of metal and plastic is one that I very much enjoy using. Every time I go out, I try to bring the Bronica GS-1 with me as often as I can. For a medium-format camera, it's a perfect package.

In summary, it's a great choice for either rookie photographers, or even experienced veterans like myself, who are looking to get the perfect medium-format camera. In terms of maximal ‘bang-for-buck’ it’s difficult to look beyond the GS-1. When compared to those Mamiya and Pentax 6x7 pickings, the GS-1 is relatively more ergonomic and compact for those busy shoot-and-scoot sort of days. If that's not convincing enough, the GS-1 is also a steal!

With a bit of searching, you could walk away with a good GS-1 for around £500 or so. I suppose that's the prime benefit of being so underrated for so long, yet delivering a great camera that'll capably ro capture amazing images. By contrast, you'd need to spend a couple hundred more at least (if not thousands!) on an equivalent Mamiya or Pentax. In which case, you might as well spend that on accessories.

Though, trying to source the GS-1 body, lenses, and the rest of the optional kits from used marketplaces can be a bit of a challenge. In some cases, you may even be able to walk away with 6x7 lenses for under £150 apiece. But, looking for intact and reliable ones is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Most GS-1 owners seem to have much better luck shopping for mint GS-1s and their accessories from Japan - which can have it’s own problems, as well as import taxes.

For me though, the GS-1 is as close to the perfect medium format camera as I’ve come so far. Considering, it doesn’t look like there will be any ‘new’ film cameras for a while (outside of toy cameras and technical offerings) it seems that the GS-1 will be my ‘go-to’ for quite some time, and I am perfectly fine with that…

Specs And Details

About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.

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Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.

Trying Three Lomography Films!

When it comes to film, I have a pretty simple palette. My ‘go-to’ film of choice has always been Portra 400. Recently, I’ve had a brief love affair with Fuji Pro 400H but falling in love with a discontinued film is a bad idea!

As you can probably tell from my Vanilla film choices (and Vanilla happens to be my favourite Ice Cream - my middle name is definitely not ‘Danger’!) I tend to keep things simple. Every now and then I might experiment with an expired film if I’m feeling particularly adventurous! However, in my instant hunt for reasonably priced film, I stumbled across Lomography.

If you’ve even stepped foot in the film world, you will have come across Lomography. Their dedication to analogue photography and commitment to quit is pretty much unmatched! Despite having a great range of affordable cameras to explore (I myself had a Dianna-F for many years and in part, it was that camera that got me back into shooting film!) they also have an amazing range of film!

PLEASE NOTE: I WAS SENT THESE ITEMS FOR REVIEW BUT NO OTHER PAYMENT OR CONTROL WAS EXCHANGED FOR PUBLISHING THIS UNBIASED REVIEW

My ‘typical’ film look and feel…

It was their more experimental offerings that got me interested though and after exploring the options, it was time for me to ‘Break Bad’ and ditch the Portra for something a. Little more exciting - I was going full Rum Raisin! 

There were a couple of caveats, I pretty much only shoot Medium Format and it must be C41 development so that I could develop the film myself. Fortunately, Lomography had me covered with a great range of 120 colour negative film. The three I would be shooting with were Metropolis, Lomo Purple and Lomo 800.

“If you’ve even stepped foot in the film world, you will have come across Lomography.”

The only real stipulation that I put on myself was that I was going to shoot all of the films on the same camera and lens setup. It’s not that I would be drawing a direct comparison between the films, we’’re dealing with three very different beasts here! It was more to keep the process straightforward. So the Bronica GS-1 and 65mm lens were my weapons of choice!

My developing would all be done at home so your results with these films may very, but I tried to be as consistent in my approach as possible! That included editing the images - all images have only had a very light edit and I have tried to keep the colours/tones somewhat representative of how the film looks. The only slight caveat being the Lomo 800 were I did use a Black Pro Mist ¼ filter - just to soften the lights at night. 

LOMOGRAPHY METROPOLIS

Metropolis is probably most famous for its muted, desaturated look with a good kick of contrast. As a Portra shooter, the desaturated look sounds like it should be right up my street. However, this was probably the film I was most suspicious of. I tend to go for warmer, more wholesome tones and this felt like it might be a little, dystopian…

However, when I saw the results, I was pretty impressed! This is probably more a reflection of my shooting style but the film renders a lot different to what I would normally go for. But it was a pleasant surprise and I could certainly see myself using it more often and certainly the kind of film that would be useful for certain projects or even entering photography competitions with a more urban feel!

I personally think it looks better when you have a bit of strong, directional light. If you shoot more urban scenes then this is certainly a great film for you. It has a little punch of colour that pops through and draws the viewer into the image. The contrast is great and gives it a gritty feel, without being too overdone.

As with all films, choosing what speed to shoot it at is really a personal choice. I shot this film at 200 to give the film a little extra light and I’m glad I did. That said, I also think this film would look cool and underexposed a little, it would certainly render shadows deep and black thanks to that strong, contrasty look. 

LOMOGRAPHY LOMOCHROME PURPLE

OK, I’ll admit I had no idea what to expect from this film! I’d done a little bit of Googling to see what it was all about but didn’t think it would be my cup-o-tea! I was wrong, I loved how these images came out! But there was one big problem with this roll of film, me… Let me explain.

I used the same camera/lens combo for all the films I tried - the Bronica GS-1. Whilst I was loading the Purple - I noticed the film leader and distance to the ‘Start’ markers on the backing paper was quite short. As I wound the film on to get to ‘shot 1’ - I was convinced the film was not being collected by the pick-up spool!

I hastily opened the back of the camera (believing the film would still be unwound) only to find the film had been collected correctly and I’d just exposed the first shot - what an idiot… but it gets worse. When I close the film back, it obviously resets the shot counter as if it’s loading a new film!

I quickly applied a bit of logic and switched to multiple exposure mode (thinking this would move the film counter on but not advance the film) - again, I managed to mess that up and what’s the result of all this stupidity - I wasted about half the roll of I’ll! There is a price to pay for this level of stupidity and when you shoot film, that price can quickly add up!

However, I did manage to get a few shots on the roll and I’m glad I did because I love how this film looks! This is the answer to all of my 'Vanilla’ Portra shooting and is so far removed from my normal style! It really did put a smile on my face as I was scanning the negatives and seeing those bright, bold colours shine through! 

I’ll admit, I’m sure this film won’t be for everybody and I certainly preferred the way it renders vegetation/sky rather than what it does in urban environments. However, it was great fun to shoot with and I wouldn’t hesitate in shooting with it again! Sure, you can adjust hue in Lightroom to get a similar look but where’s the fun in that and the one thing this film stuck is, is fun!

LOMOGRAPHY LOMO 800

So on a more serious level, this film is one that I was very excited to shoot with. Not because it has any weird or wonderful quirks but because it is probably most similar to a ‘standard’ colour negative film - albeit an 800 speed film. This film wouldn’t give me anything strange or peculiar, but if it was a decent alternative to Portra 800 then I’m here for it, as the kids say… 

Shooting the film raised one important question - do I shoot in the day, or in the night. Obviously, ISO 800 lends itself to slightly lower light conditions but I thought I’d fire off at least one late afternoon shot, just to see how it does. I wish I’d shot a lot more in the daylight! I think this film looks awesome in a sunset/soft light scenario! The soft pastel tones, beautiful grain structure and slightly warm feel make this film ideal for these kinds of scenarios!

However, I’d banked on it being a film I could use at night and guess what, it excelled in that department too! The 800 speed meant that my exposures didn’t need to be super long! I overexposed by about a stop and the longest exposure I was getting (in normal shooting conditions) was around two seconds. For a couple of shots, I did choose intentionally to stop down a little and get a bit more movement in the light trails.

This film worked wonderfully in the dark and I’m very impressed by the results. My only slight concern is the warmer base tone that comes through - but this is obviously easily corrected in post. If I was to have another, very mild criticism of the film it’s that the negatives themselves felt a little bit thinner than normal and therefore, were prone to curling. I honestly don’t know if this is me being super sensitive or if most 800 speed films are like this, but it’s something to be mindful of.

That said, I would have no problem buying a whole bunch of this film as my go to low light option. More so, I would also buy a load to shoot in the day/dusk as I think this would be a fantastic option. I’ve often heard good things about Lomo 800 and I can say that I am a well paid-up, ticket holding member on that particular band-wagon! 

MY FINAL THOUGHTS…

I had so much fun shooting these films. I have felt for a while that I need a change of speed with my film photography and shooting these stocks has highlighted that there is so much more to film photography than the old favourites! Would I use these films on a daily basis, possibly not but I can argue a good case for projects shot in each of these films and that is something that I’m sure I will do!

Lomography is more than just a retailer though and this is the message that I really wanted to get across. Brands like Lomography are at the heart of film photography and are opening up a world of possibilities to people like me and hopefully, you. From their cameras and films to their absolute enthusiasm about the community, it’s great to see brands not just trying to ‘sell’ us something, but genuinely caring about the people that matter, the creative process and the end results! Long live Lomography…

About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.

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