A Heck Of A Saturday; Part 2 of 3 (FIlm Edit): The Morning Charlotte Juneteenth Hike, Rollei 35AF, & Fujifilm 200.
Camera.
A favorite. Though a favorite YouTube channel called it the worst camera of the year it was released, I heart it.
Some compare it to the newer Lomography MC-A. But they are different beats as far as I am concerned. And why the obsession with picking winners? Each have their own advantages… Enough of that.
The film.
Fujifilm 200, developed with Conestill CS41.
Occasion.
A friend, fellow Photographer, and former fellow chorus member invited me to photograph a Juneteenth hike in Charlotte.
An hour and change drive both ways to walk 4 miles during the summer in NC? Yes. Photography was involved.
The pics.
Had the choice of 2 miles, 4 miles, or 6 miles. Had planned to do the 2 mile walk because I originally had to beack to my home area for a chorus singing event. Received word that the event was cancelled because A/C went out at the venue. With that I decided to do the 4 mile walk…
To recap.
It is hot as heck.
So much so that no A/C cancelled an event.
I then decided to walk 4 miles.
2 miles to the peak.
2 miles back down, gracefully falling down a trail.
A few years into AARP eligibility.
Outside.
Where the sun is…
Fortunately, I survived with no more than all the horses in my right leg. Charlie, Tom, Raheem, and the other horses, But at least my leg had the decency to wait until I reached flat land.
Was really glad I kept going when I reached the peak.
I took fewer pics on the way down.
All energy was focused on gracefully falling down the trail.
Had an exposure left when I got home, so I took a pic of the house mascot.
Thoughts.
Nonsense ahead.
Technically, the Lomography MC-A is a better camera…
But I think I prefer the Rollei 35AF.
Why?
I am glad I imagined that you asked.
Here is the nonsense part.
The Lomography MC-A was an attempt to make the perfect, brand new all in one high end point and shoot film camera.
And they succeeded.
The Rollei 35AF is not a camera seeking perfection.
And they also succeeded.
Feature wise the Rollei 35Af is a strong performer.
AF, exposure, and such work perfectly.
But unlike the MC-A this camera is wonderfully wonky.
A ridiculously tight film rewind mechanism that took 20 rolls of film before it loosened up.
A ridiculously tight film back that took 20 rolls of film to loosen up.
A bit light in the pants compared the Rollei cameras it is based on and the MC-A, but it has held up just fine after many, many rolls of film and regular use.
The MC-A? Also nice, but I have had to reach out the Lomography for a replacement screw and and a replacement strap.
The 35AF? No issues to report at all.
Better? No.
I do not deal in better. I believe there are different tools for different tasks. And the Rollei 35Af was a fine performer this day, when I wanted the smallest and lightest film camera with AE and AF I could get my hands on. Not a single missed frame.
Welp. Enough of that.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 