Wandering Photography October 2024 Gear Tests, Northern Lights, and Unique Vintage Lens Effects

00:16 Olympus Pen FT half frame / Zuiko Auto S 42mm f1.2 / Extra 200iso color expired film from 20 years ago
05:16 TT Artisan 90mm f1.25 / Leica SL2 / Northern Lights
07:10 Leica M5 / Summarit 50mm f1.5 / New Classic EZ 400 black and white
12:20 Harman Phoenix 200iso 120 format / Fujica GW690 medium format
Welcome to this new episode of Serial! As usual, I’ll go over the photos I took or edited in the past month - in this case, October 2024. Let’s dive in, starting with some film shots from the Olympus Pen FT, a half-frame camera from the late ‘60s. I used an AO Otos S 42mm f1.2 lens (equivalent to 60mm due to the half-frame format) and an expired 200 ISO film, likely from 2005-2007. I didn’t compensate for the film’s age, enjoying the natural grain and character of expired film.
The first two shots reveal this camera-lens combo’s unique qualities. The f1.2 aperture produces a shallow depth of field, resulting in soft peripheries with some color fringing, creating interesting effects in low light. Moving on, I experimented further with close-ups - including a bee shot where only the antennae are in focus, demonstrating the ultra-thin depth of field this setup can produce. The lens’s flaring is also distinct, providing an unusual visual experience in high-contrast situations.
Next, I tested the TTR 90mm f1.25 lens on a Leica SL2. Last month’s strong solar flares resulted in Northern Lights in reds, pinks, and purples. These two shots were handheld at ISO 3200 and 6400, respectively. Despite the lack of body stabilization, I’m pleased with the natural tones, as I avoid over-editing to keep the colors true to the actual scene.
For my next project, I used a classic Leica M5 film camera with EZ 400 film and a vintage Summitar 50mm f1.5 lens from 1949. This old-school combination produces a soft, timeless look, ideal for black-and-white photography. One shot is of a snowy Reykjavik in early spring; another, taken northwest of Iceland, shows a Martian-like lava field with high-contrast zones softened by the lens’s coating, giving it a dreamlike, hazy quality.
I wrapped up the month with some photos taken on a Fujifilm GW690 using 120 film. This large-format setup captures stunning detail. Shooting with no light meter, I relied on intuition for exposure, which brought out the Phoenix film’s unique color response, especially in low light. The result is an ethereal, slightly glowing effect in high-contrast areas, due to the film’s limited anti-halation layer.
That concludes this month’s first half. I hope you enjoyed this look at my recent work! Feel free to leave comments, ask questions, or suggest any gear you’d like me to try. I’ve tested hundreds of cameras and might have some insight to share. Catch you next time!
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