Rollei 35 - one year

Requin, thanks for your interest; shadowfox, thank you too!

As some of you might have noticed, I did not stand the test of one camera one year. There were too many aquisitions that could not stay on the shelf! So one important thing I´ve learned is, that i am weak!

Of course I will use the Rollei/Polypan combo in the future again and post to the blog.
 
Hi Zeno, I see your project continues with some excellent posts recently.

I finally gave in and bought 300m of Polypan, so I now have the film and a 35 TE (I don't think I will be able to replace my sorely missed 35S anytime soon).

I ran a short roll to make sure I was able to load cassettes into the camera (I find the polyester very springy, and difficult to load without a fairly long leader) and actually getting something in terms of an image. Processed in some slightly stale Neofin Blau, I seem to be close to the right exposure, even if fog level is a little high.

I'm now hoping for a few bright days so I can get out and shoot. I'm sure it won't be as often as you, or with the same (high) level of results, but it should be fun.

I'm hoping to try Caffenol as developer - have you tried that? My fall-back might be Xtol, as I have 5l prepared, any experience with that?
 
I've always enjoyed looking at the way you see things. You got some really nice images in your blog. Inspiring.
 
John, Hiyawaan, thank you for your kind words!

John, your thoughts about the springy Polyester base are the same as mine. The leader has to be relatively long to avoid slipping into the cartridge before exposing!

I do one more blindshot than usual when loading the Polypan. The start of the film is sometimes fogged by the light coming through the cartridges slot, because of the clear base. Better losing one frame by shooting blind than losing a great picture by fogging!

I developed the Polypan in Caffenol once but had horribly thin negatives. Look at the blog of a real Caffenol expert here:
Caffenol Blog

All other developing experience is APH09/R09 or Rodinal, stand developed.

Have fun!
 
Zeno,

Just seen roll 198 - that 2nd shot down is really intriguing - a double reflection perhaps?

Also like the shine on the motorcycle wheel a little earlier (roll 193?)

I'm still working on getting the right leader for my TE - the first couple of attempts have sprung off after I would the two initial exposures :bang:
 
Thank you John; the billboard girl was shot through the car window into the sun. The light on the motorcycle is a gift of the sun and the poor antihalidation layer of the Polypan
The leader is tricky at all Rollei 35s, but a pita at later, simpler models. I really got mad with the 35 LED and the Polypan polyester base. I´m folding a hard edge into the leader to form a hook before fiddling the film into the slot. Then I shoot/advance until the film is safely wound around the spool. An alternative could be gaffer tape (that helps everywhere!).
 
Zeno,

Almost the end of 2011, so I thought I would just say that I'm really impressed by how much beter the recent shots are than day one (if you will forgive the backhanded compliment).

There is so much more depth in the recent work, and you are obviously well on top of the camera / film / processing combination now. I really must try harder.

Happy Christmas (if that's your thing) and have a great 2012 - I'm looking forward to more of the blog :)
 
AgentX, John, sorry that I missed your comments; thank you!
I went through a time of self-doubt (film/digital?) and discontent with my ability to see things right (photographically) in the last weeks, as usual in the dark season.
Hopefully I will use the Rollei more often in the next months!

All the best for you in 2012 too!
 
petronius;
I just picked up a working 35T and plan a blog project around it. Thanks, I think.
Your ability to see things was never in question with me, love your vision for bw.
 
Petronius,
The consistency of your work and your amazing ability to see the
pictures is truly amazing. It is a gift. Pushing yourself so hard and
yet producing so many great pictures is just fantastic!

Respect!
 
Petronius,
I bought a 90m drum of the Polypan you have been using, with an hours stand I got very useable negs (Adox APH09). Have you got any other times to dev it in, from what I have seen it has to be the film bargain of the century its a pity I can't get it in 120.
 
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