Roll No.3
Since I still have a couple of undeveloped rolls lying around, I figured I should post the ones that are already developed before things start piling up.
Film: Kodak UltraMax 400
Lens: Olympus 50mm f1.4
Camera: Olympus OM-1 Silver
Develop & Scan: Lilai Photo Studio, Xinzhuang (6MP TIFF)
Date: 2022/6/24
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This was my first time trying ISO 400 film.
Although it technically allows one stop more exposure flexibility, it didn't help much since I already have a fast lens. In fact, I often worried about overexposure under sunlight.
This roll can be divided into two parts — "before the beach" and "after the beach." Unfortunately, during the beach trip, I still didn't know my OM-1's light meter was faulty. It wasn't until one night afterward that I discovered the problem: the wrong battery voltage. Once I replaced it with the correct type, the metering issue was fixed.
It's a bit of a pity that I couldn't properly capture my son's excitement as he experienced ocean waves for the first time — but thankfully, I did record it on my iPhone.
Note: There were a few photos of my awesome wife in this roll, but I decided not to post them here — better safe than being asked to take them down later.
↑ #1
Metering test that burned the film leader.
↑ #2
Not sure how this one happened — maybe I accidentally hit the shutter?
↑ #3
Baisha Bay
↑ #4
Another mis-metered seaside shot.
↑ #5
I think shots like this — gazing into the sea — are best taken with a medium telephoto lens. I only had a 50mm with me today, not quite enough reach. Not long after, I ordered 100mm and 135mm lenses.
↑ #6
Looking at these underexposed shots, I can only laugh. It's the beach, for heaven's sake.
↑ #7
So far, I've spent over 10,000 TWD on this camera, lenses, and film — and still haven't gotten a single decent family photo. Ridiculous.
↑ #8
An underexposed sky that was supposed to be bright blue.
↑ #9
After visiting Fulong, I must say Baisha Bay is much better. The beach is gentler, waves softer, and sand cleaner — all three areas where Fulong loses. The only downside: Baisha Bay is farther from Taipei than Fulong.
↑ #10
Our little setup at Baisha Bay — a Costco beach tent.
↑ #11
Back home. My current bedtime reading: "Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking". Really fascinating.
↑ #12
I don't remember if my son had school that day — just that he hadn't fully woken up, sitting at the corner of the bed, staring out the window.
↑ #13
As a loyal Olympus user, it's only fitting that my son uses Olympus too. This one's technically his camera — an Olympus E-M10 (first gen) I bought second-hand for 3,000 TWD, paired with a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens (gifted by my friend Jiang Wei-jie).
↑ #14
I logged the settings for this shot on my iPhone: ISO 400, f11, 1/1000s. Taken on my way home after dropping my son off at school — the weather was so clear I could see the Shulin weather radar station in the distance.
↑ #15
After school, my son and I rode bikes at the riverside park. We were exhausted, so I bought a can of Fin from a vending machine. It was his first taste of Fin, and after all that sweating, it must've felt like heaven to him.
↑ #16
By using the Light Meter Ultra app, I finally realized my OM-1's light meter was off. There are plenty of light meter apps, but I find this one has the best interface. (ISO 400, f1.4, 1/500s)
↑ #17
My current bike: Decathlon Tilt 500 XS. For some reason, there's little discussion about this model, but I think it's perfect for riding with kids. The 14-inch wheels don't go fast but have great torque — no need for gears, keeping it lightweight at only 8kg, comparable to a road bike. Perfect for short errands or convenience store runs. (ISO 400, f2.8, 1/1000s)
↑ #18
After school, we visited the so-called "Dinosaur Park" (Fuzhou Children's Playground). Though it claims to be "inclusive," I was yelled at by a staff member for sitting on a swing with my son — apparently adults over 12 aren't allowed. Honestly, it felt discriminatory against fathers. I've never seen mothers scolded for the same thing, so I'm not fond of this place.
↑ #19
That said, my son still enjoys it here. Well… that's Taiwan for you.
↑ #20
My son's bike: Giant Animator F/W 12. Personally, I don't think it's a great design — feels as heavy as my Decathlon Tilt 500 XS. Maybe it's made of solid steel inside? Still, he rides it proudly — a little strength training for him, I guess!
↑ #21
Without realizing it, I've reached the stage where I can ride bikes with my son. I've waited three years for this! He's just over three now — maybe in a few years it'll be mountain bikes and road bikes.
↑ #22
Late-night insomnia — walked to the convenience store to pick up a package. (ISO 400, f2.8, 1/30s)
↑ #23
Same scene as the previous one, but one stop faster. (ISO 400, f2.8, 1/60s)
↑ #24
Documenting the moment I finished filing my business income tax.
↑ #25
That day, I took my son on the entire Muzha MRT Line — round trip. (ISO 400, f5.6, 1/1000s)
↑ #26
The MRT started moving. My light meter showed +2 stops at the time, but the result turned out fine. Experience from digital cameras doesn't translate perfectly to film — it can even become misleading. (ISO 400, f2.8, 1/1000s)
↑ #27
My son in his new mosquito-proof outfit — looks like pajamas because, well, it is pajamas. (ISO 400, f1.4, 1/250s)
↑ #28
A shot of the Marshall Kilburn speaker I bought for my mom. Honestly, I just wanted to finish the roll quickly so I could get it developed the next day. (ISO 400, f1.4, 1/60s)
