120 Vision - Medium Format Film with a Fujica GS645W Camera

October 27, 2020

Earlier this year my friend Simon Madore - a talented filmmaker and director - lent me his very nice Fujica GS645W camera.

- photo by Simon Madore

 

The Fujica GS645W shoots 120 medium format film and has a fixed 45mm lens, which is roughly equivalent to a 28mm field of view on a 35mm camera.

- photo by Simon Madore

 

I often use a 28mm lens on my Canon AE-1 (a 35mm film camera), so framing images with the GS645W felt familiar to me.

The Danforth Music Hall

Expired Fuji Across 100

 

I had two rolls of 120 film in my fridge that were overdue for usage (expired by 8-9 months) so I appreciated the opportunity to borrow Simon's camera.

Naturally I bought two fresh rolls of film so I could make the most of my time using this camera!

City Dig

Expired Fuji Acros 100

 

In this post I share some of my favourite images from those four rolls of 120 film, as well as a few comments on using the GS645W.

Litter

Expired Fuji Acros 100

 

The GS645W creates images with 6 x 4.5 dimensions, hence the "645" in its name.

Each roll of 120 film gave me 14 exposures, vs 24 or 36 images from a 35mm roll of film.

Vanity Co.

Expired Fuji Acros 100

 

Ordinary Streets

Expired Fuji Acros 100

 

The GS645W is relatively compact compared to many medium format cameras - something I appreciate as I often carry more than one camera on my photo walks, and don't want to be too weighed down.

 

Here is a series of images shot on the GS645W with Kodak Ektar 100 film, the first three are from on The Danforth...

See You All Soon!

 

Body Blue

 

Pappas Grill

I live near Danforth Avenue and love the great shops and restaurants found there.

Check out the Broadview Danforth BIA and The Danforth Mosaic BIA websites to explore and plan a visit.

 

Thank You

 

The Future Is Not Set

 

120 film is much larger than 35mm film so each exposure offers a higher level of resolution and detail - something us photographers tend to enjoy.

 

Here are some of my favourites from a roll of expired Kodak Portra 400 film...

No Bills

 

Days A Week

 

Dolce & Gabbana

To see more boarded up Toronto click here and here.

 

Canadian Drycleaners

 

Housing 4 All!!

Click here to see more "COVID Messages"

 

4 Bites More

 

24 HRS

 

I shot a second roll of Kodak Ektar 100 film, one of my favourites film types...

Shut Down Hate

I am proud of my community in East York and Danforth East. People have risen to the challenge of hateful acts with determination and with love. The signs posted above were made by many, many individuals who wanted to show what our community overwhelmingly stands for.

Toronto East Anti-hate Movement, or TEAM, are one of the groups leading these actions. The good people at the wonderful Old's Cool General Store are also great leaders in this movement.

Thank you neighbours and all who are standing up against hate with love and positivity.

 

Continuing on with my neighbourhood, here are a few images from Woodbine Avenue...

Woodbine Auto Service

Kodak Ektar 100

 

New Stars Video

Kodak Ektar 100

 

Terry's Milk

Kodak Ektar 100

 

Beer Store

Kodak Ektar 100

 

Terry's Milk Part II

Kodak Ektar 100

 

A favourite landmark in the east end...

Wheels East

Kodak Ektar 100

The last image I'll share is one that I find quite intriguing...

Layers of Motion

Expired Fuji Acros 100

This is an accidental triple exposure that I somehow created in-camera.

The scenes in the above image are as follows:

1) runners passing Bloor Street United Church

2) a cyclist near Spadina Avenue

and 3) a person crossing McCaul street with their dog.

 

I loved using the Fujica GS645W camera and am very happy with the images it helped me to create.

To see more film images by me, please explore my blog.

Thanks to Simon Madore for lending me his camera, and thank you for looking!


Culture Snap Photography features the work of Toronto-based photographer Henry VanderSpek. Henry specializes in documenting the work of local and international non-profit organizations, special events, live music, street and art photography. To hire Henry for an assignment, please click here to get in touch.
Subscribe
RSS
Archive
January February March April May (1) June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June (1) July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January (1) February March (2) April May (1) June July August September October November (1) December
January (2) February March April May June July August September (1) October November December (2)
January (2) February (1) March (2) April (1) May June July August September (1) October November December
January February (1) March (1) April (1) May June (2) July (1) August September October November December (1)
January February (2) March (1) April May June (1) July August September October November December