Shooting 35mm In A Medium Format Camera

A trip down some desolate urban landscapes with my Fuji GSWiii and Nikon L35AF2. The plan was to test out some 35mm Ilford HP5 Plus on the Fuji GSWiii and for some fun on the side shooting Ilford XP2 Super on the Nikon compact camera. 

There are a few little nuances that I cover in loading the 35mm on the Fuji GSWiii. With that aside, I was able to take 16 shots in total. It may have been possible to get another shot or two if I had loaded the film in a dark bag or dark room. As you will see in the video I will take your step-by-step how to load the film onto the camera. 

The weather was bright and sunny when the cloud broke. However it was extremely windy in places making the wind chill factor drop the temperature a few degrees further. Great location to shoot from however, particularly with Ilford HP5 Plus or Ilford XP2 Super. 

Loading the Nikon L35AF2 is very straightforward although there are a few little steps you need to take before you can take the film out when the roll is fully shot. As it is an old automated camera it is susceptible to stop working. This can be quite problematic especially if you don’t have a dark bag or dark room to work. Keep this in mind as it is not unusual for vintage compact cameras to start malfunctioning at some point and the cost of repair makes it redundant to remedy this issue. 

I hope you found the video helpful, particularly when coming to new locations, setting up and framing compositions. Have you shot with the Fuji GSWiii or Nikon L35AF2 or similar Medium Format or Compact  cameras such as the Mamiya? Which one was your favourite picture from this video? What do you recommend shooting with or how to use this film for projects! Let me know in the comments below, thank you!

Check out my last video on Medium Format Portraits here, see you there! 

You can grab a copy of the book here

Fuji GSWiii Simplified with Fuji Pro 400H

I will be using my Fuji GSW690iii 6x9 medium format camera in this video. 

This camera is also known Texas Leica. It is big camera, you will see as I walk along this beautiful riverside on this overcast this afternoon. 

On occasions there is a break in the cloud as the blue sky seeps through. I wonder if this would have an affect on the Fuji Pro400H. 

This colour film stock which has sadly been discontinued will give l about eight shots on a 6x9 frame.

The first few shots were take of these lovely swans down, and then I swung around, and took another shot looking in the opposite direction.  

I ran out of shot pretty quickly so I rolled up another roll of Fuji Pro 400H into this camera, looking forward to seeing what else I would capture next. 

Fuji medium format film comes with a little sticker, so you just lift this part up, and then just swing it around the other side you’ll be able to quickly seal your film once exposed. I think they use a little bit less glue than the other film-producing companies and works a treat without you have to lick it seal the film. 

With the film safe keeping for later, I loaded up  the second roll. You’ll see the direction in which film needs to be rolled on the Fuji GSW690iii. Release the pins on either side and then load up your film. Carefully drag the film across until the arrow and close the film back. Always take your rubbish home with you wherever you are.

I hope you have enjoyed watching the video and seeing the images you can create even in less than perfect situations. 

The more you shoot, the better you'll get over time. I encourage you to get yourself a film camera if you don't already have one. 

If you're still on the ropes about getting one of these Fuji GSW3s, I strongly recommend it. The negative size, it's absolutely enormous. And you'll get a lot, a lot of fun out of it as well.