Testing Old Gear & New Beginnings
Last week, my main camera finally gave out—one of those heartbreaks all film photographers come to know. In its place, I'm testing a temporary replacement: the Pentax 645, loaded with Ilford Delta 3200 Professional black and white film.
To put it through its paces, I photographed two of my favorite people—my husband and my mom. These portraits were both a technical test and a sentimental session, helping me judge the camera while capturing moments I’ll cherish.
This was only my third time using this particular lens, and to be honest, I’m still not in love with it. The images came out too soft for my taste. There’s a fine line between “dreamy” and “lack of definition,” and this setup leans a little too far into the latter. Old equipment always brings quirks—some charming, others less so.
It makes me wish, yet again, that camera companies would return to making high-quality film cameras and lenses. The magic of analog photography deserves modern tools, not just vintage leftovers.
Still, there's something special about working through imperfections to create something meaningful. These portraits, flaws and all, are part of that process.
📷 Camera: Pentax 645 (Medium Format)
🎞 Film: Ilford Delta 3200 Professional Black and White
