Analog Therapy/Film test: Fujifilm GA645 Professional – Harman Phoenix 200 II.

Analog Therapy/Film test: Fujifilm GA645 Professional – Harman Phoenix 200 II.

Camera.

The ridiculously consistent and great performing Fujifilm GA645.

Blasts through 120 film so fast it is a good thing that I develop my own film or this thing would savage my wallet.

Film.

Welp. I tried the OG Harman Phoenix 200. A lot of it.

Had my fun. Have not used it in a while. Had read that a version II was out. Then when I stopped by the camera store recently Venu…

…asked if I was going to get any. Said that they said they improved it to make it more consistent. Then he showed me some test shots that they took at the shop.

Honestly?

I did not see a big difference. I do not think Venu did either. He also said that they shot it at ISO 125 after reading comments online.

Me?

As a creature of habit I always start by using film at box speed. And that is what I did.

What I do know from prior roles is that I wanted to take pictures of scenes and things, not people. Not people I like anyway.

Location.

Searched online for local graffiti, and found a local graffiti park. Found one and burned the enitire roll there. Here are the pics with thoughts after.

Thoughts.

Well?…

Ok, let me cut it one break before I start.

I agree with the camera shop that this should not be used at the box speed. The GA645 has very accurate metering, and the scans came out very dark. What you see above is the result of increasing the exposure while scanning and then again in Lightroom. Otherwise, these would have all been throwaway pics.

Before I render a full judgment, I will try the roll of 35mm film I also bought at ISO 100 to get more light through it.

Ok, that caveat sorted here are my thoughts.

Why is this rated for 200 when it seems it needs more light?

With the OG Phoenix I would see color differences from one roll to the next but Now I am seeing color shifts from shot to shot. Some pics above are completely tinted red while others are not. Odd.

What is with the pink hue?

Again, I will withhold final judgment until I try the next roll at ISO 100. But I think I like the original version better.

All that being said, I am still glad Harman makes it. It is not all that expensive, and it is always good to have more options.

And most importantly…

Another successful analog therapy session.

Happy capturing.

-ELW