Philippines Filipino RF users!!!

[retrocam]

Hi Annie and ray_g,

I've seen both your galleries, really nice images! I just wasn't sure if they were shot by compatriots or tourists visiting our country.

Hi Joseph. Thanks. I visited your homepage..hehehe GAS - that's funny.

Ray_G, great shots! Which provinces did you go to?

-annie

 

[taps415]

Wam and Zorkikat, Maraming salamat for your informative response. I'm glad to hear that I can get Ilford back in Manila. It's been years (1999) since I've been home, so I have to look real for those shops that sell them. Zorkikat, I'm interested in the Chinese film you've mentioned (I hope they are still some to be found when I go for a visit), since you've mentioned that you had great results with D-76 and Rodinal. Is there a store where I might get them (hopefully in Manila)?

Speaking of Rodinal, are they still available in Manila? Ever since I heard the news that Agfa went out of business, I've tried most of the photo stores in the area to stock up, but they're all out.

My plan is to bring my Yashica GT, a few rolls of film, (some Rodinal, if they are not available in Manila and a Jobo tank); that should be enough right? I might also bring my Olympus XA, since from the thread it seems that security might be a problem. The XA is small enought to be mistaken for a disposable camera, that I might get away using it in the malls.

The only thing left is trying to see if my work would let me take time off for more than the two-three weeks they are willing to.

 

[retrocam]

I intend to visit the PI by the end of the year. I'm basically a B&W film user(Ilford or Fuji) and I want to know if these films are readily available in Manila, or is it better to bring my own.

Hi,

It might be better if you bring some. You might not have to time to look for BW films in Manila. Mine didn't get damaged by the airport X-ray naman.

-annie

 

[retrocam]

Annie, talking about La Mesa Dam - it's strange they won't let you shoot pics, when back around 1990, I went "shooting" there with my brothers. With rifles. I remember that because I got Dengue fever from that shoot. 🙁

Hi Ray,

La Mesa Dam has been renovated sometime between 1990 and 2005. There's a wired fence along the dam so it doesn't make a good pic. Plus there's a sign that says you're not allowed to take pictures of the dam. 🙁

It was my first time to go to La Mesa Dam, btw. There's a large pool area, an orchidarium and the old pond with the turtle aside from the foliage and picnic areas. I found that people go to the econo park not just for picnics but for some solace as well. I saw people writing in their journals and such. During my visit there was also a religious group congregating...but I didn't take photos of them. Mahirap na - madami sila, eh. 😉

-annie

 

[ray_g]

Hi Joseph. Thanks. I visited your homepage..hehehe GAS - that's funny.

Ray_G, great shots! Which provinces did you go to?

-annie

Thanks, Annie. It was just a very short trip. Mostly Manila. Some time in Dagupan, where my wife is from.

 

[doubs43]

What were you doing in Cebu in the 60's, Walker? 🙂

Ray, I was in the US Air Force, stationed at Mactan AB in support of Viet Nam. The unit was the 606 MASS or Military Airlift Support Sq. What's now Cebu International Air Port was only a very small terminal at the time.

Max Surban (my future brother-in-law) was playing guitar and singing at the base club "The Breezeway" and my future wife had just graduated from the University of the Southern Philippines with a degree in Elementary Education. Her major was English. We married in October, 1967, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu.

I bought my first rangefinder camera from the Mactan PX.... a Fujica V-2.

I really like Cebu and it was so much different than it is today. My mother-in-law and other relatives live near the old Provencial Jail on M.J. Cuenco Ave. My wife's trip home was the first in about six years so she really sees the changes. I wish I could have gone but work kept me here.

My wife and Max were the guests for a day of the Mayor's wife of a city on Bohol while she was home and she said it's gorgeous there and has fantastic beaches.

Walker

 

[taps415]

Hi,

It might be better if you bring some. You might not have to time to look for BW films in Manila. Mine didn't get damaged by the airport X-ray naman.

-annie

Well the plan was to have my sister look them up for me, and I'll just send her the money to buy them (on second thought, that might prove more expensive).

Have you ever heard of this one? A family friend (he works at the airport) once told me get those special bag ( 😕) where you can keep films.

Well, actually, what he said first was "Why are you still using film?", but he did mention those bags will keep the films safe from the X-ray machines they use at the airport.

 

[ray_g]

Hi Ray,

La Mesa Dam has been renovated sometime between 1990 and 2005. There's a wired fence along the dam so it doesn't make a good pic. Plus there's a sign that says you're not allowed to take pictures of the dam. 🙁

It was my first time to go to La Mesa Dam, btw. There's a large pool area, an orchidarium and the old pond with the turtle aside from the foliage and picnic areas. I found that people go to the econo park not just for picnics but for some solace as well. I saw people writing in their journals and such. During my visit there was also a religious group congregating...but I didn't take photos of them. Mahirap na - madami sila, eh. 😉

-annie

Wow, that is all new. Used to be just the dam and a whole lot of woods around it.

 

[ray_g]

Ray, I was in the US Air Force, stationed at Mactan AB in support of Viet Nam. The unit was the 606 MASS or Military Airlift Support Sq. What's now Cebu International Air Port was only a very small terminal at the time.

Max Surban (my future brother-in-law) was playing guitar and singing at the base club "The Breezeway" and my future wife had just graduated from the University of the Southern Philippines with a degree in Elementary Education. Her major was English. We married in October, 1967, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu.

I bought my first rangefinder camera from the Mactan PX.... a Fujica V-2.

I really like Cebu and it was so much different than it is today. My mother-in-law and other relatives live near the old Provencial Jail on M.J. Cuenco Ave. My wife's trip home was the first in about six years so she really sees the changes. I wish I could have gone but work kept me here.

Walker

I am sure that Fujica made a lot of nice photos back then, Walker. Must have been a nice time to be in Cebu.

 

[bernardG2]

Hello,

Another Pinoy RF-user here! Kaso bago lang ako sa RF. I uses a Rollei 35RF.

Regards to everybody!

 

[retrocam]

Have you ever heard of this one? A family friend (he works at the airport) once told me get those special bag ( 😕) where you can keep films.

Well, actually, what he said first was "Why are you still using film?", but he did mention those bags will keep the films safe from the X-ray machines they use at the airport.

Hi,

You mean the lead(?)-lined film bags? They are just extra weight (for me). I usually put film in ziploc bags and hand it over. During my previous trip, I forgot to hand over the film - going out and coming back. No damage naman. Sample pics are those pics I took in Chinatown. The guy at photo store I go to says that airport guys don't turn up the machine to the max or else they'll be impotent in a week. 😛 Just put your camera in the tray so they don't have to turn up the machine more than the usual.

-annie

 

[retrocam]

Hi BernardG2,

Welcome. 🙂

-annie

 

[wamjam]

ERIC and BERNARD! great so see you guys! kamusta? 🙂

 

[wamjam]

Ray

The ones I uploaded to the RFF contest and member (Zorkikat) galleries are mostly shot on Chinese BW film. The two in the RFF contest are two examples of how Lucky pan behaves-
Jay

hi jay,

due to my schedule and the numerous replies on the RFF CONTEST, i got lost in the thread. i do not even know the 'final ' rules anymore. i uploaded pics on my gallery...just wondering, is there a specific gallery for this contest that we can upload to? or whatever you uploaded on your gallery for a given period of time would be included in the contest?

i just don't wanna be disqualified...prize is to tempting! :bang: 😕

 

[ray_g]

hi jay,

due to my schedule and the numerous replies on the RFF CONTEST, i got lost in the thread. i do not even know the 'final ' rules anymore. i uploaded pics on my gallery...just wondering, is there a specific gallery for this contest that we can upload to? or whatever you uploaded on your gallery for a given period of time would be included in the contest?

i just don't wanna be disqualified...prize is to tempting! :bang: 😕

Need to upload them to the RFF Contest Gallery to be included.

 

[wamjam]

thanks ray,

got it! is the 'final rules sheet' posted anywhere?

 

[ray_g]

thanks ray,

got it! is the 'final rules sheet' posted anywhere?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15985

The first post. Jorge edited it.

 

[doubs43]

I am sure that Fujica made a lot of nice photos back then, Walker. Must have been a nice time to be in Cebu.

Ray, it was great then. I have lots of slides I took with the Fujica and one of these days I'll scan a couple and post them.

Those were the days before the bridge that now spans the strait between Cebu and Mactan. They had regularly scheduled ferry boats making the run from LapuLapu City to Pier Three at Cebu and cars would cross by using the WW2 LST's that ran between the islands.

Historically, Mactan is where King LapuLapu is supposed to have killed Magellan during a battle between rival tribes. Magellan sided with the other tribe. It's also thought that the Filipino martial art of Escrema may have played a part in the battle. Magellan's crew continued the trip around the world and Magellan got credit for it.

Cebu later became the first Spanish settlement in the islands, beginning 400 years of Spanish rule. Lots of history there.

Walker

 

[Kat]

Err, where is the La Mesa Dam located?

Also, is Lucky still available? The only cheap B&W film I saw in Hidalgo was Colpan. And Solid Gold for colored.

Well the plan was to have my sister look them up for me, and I'll just send her the money to buy them (on second thought, that might prove more expensive).

If you are willing to use just the cheap chinese brands, you won't have a hard time finding them, if you are going to be downtown (Quiapo), there's plenty there for only Php40-50. They are also being sold in some Malls (Konica stores), but at higher prices Php65. I saw Ilford Delta available in Quiapo as well in the few times I've been there the past couple of months or so.

Some of the major Fuji (not the franchises) stores also stock the B&W. Whenever I'm at the main branch, they have it, it's located along Sto. Domingo, Quezon City.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks. Very nice. IMHO, I think the highlights work really well in Siesta. Sort of gives it a fitting, "dreamy" look. I spent some time trying to figure out what I was seeing -- was that a karitela (driver) in Intramuros?

Ray

That was shot in Vigan, Ilocos. Noonday sun, as light and shadow would suggest- calesa cochero was having a mid-day break.

Jay