Suddenly I’m steering towards film photography.

It all started when I considered buying the Fuji X-half. I liked the concept of a digital camera that simulates film photography routines.

Nostalgia kicked-in.

And while I’m still considering getting an X-half someday, I actually thought “why simulate digitally when I can get the real thing?”.

I mean, why not shoot film.

I started lusting after a Voigtlander Bessa R4A, so that I could use my Leica M glass. Many years ago I had a Bessa R2A and then I sold it, to my regret now. The Voigtlanders are discontinued and not cheap nowadays, so I searched for alternatives.

The Nikon 35Ti got on my way, but still too expensive for what I want to spend. Ditto for both Konica Hexar AF and RF. These are all beautiful cameras. Oh, there’s the Hasselblad XPan.

Okay, let’s stop and regain sanity.

I started rationalizing the Nikon FM2 since I have a beautiful set of vintage Nikon AI-S lenses that I use with my digital Nikon Df.

But the real catalyst was closer: my father’s old Canon AE-1 Program.

With a jammed mirror and a repair bill that I anticipate will outweighed any logic, I surrendered to the second-hand market.

A mint-condition body found via Buyee for $100 is currently en route from Japan.

Then came the second blow.

The Canon AE-1 Program was perhaps too fast, too easy a buy. Plus, while it will bring back memories because I used my dad’s one extensively during my school year, it will bring no new experience.

I still had to cater for my Leica M lenses, right? In came a silver colour Voigtländer Bessa T, mint condition, bargain buy from Japan. Again, en route to Macau as I type.

Damn.

I’m still searching for a vintage Nikon SLR to use my AI-S lenses. Saving this for another day. Let’s see how I will enjoy film with the two cameras mentioned above. Enough to keep me busy for the time being!

The obsession didn’t stop with cameras

Casually browsing a shop in downtown Macau with my wife, Michael Jackson’s Human Nature was pouring out of a TEAC vinyl turntable, rich and perfect. That store was unusual. Lots of vinyl records. Surrounded by John Coltrane and other classics, I was ready to dive into vinyl.

I settled for two rolls of Fuji negative film instead (bought in the same store, see how good it was).

Wasted no time loading my Olympus Trip 35. Started shooting on Sunday while heading to morning mass with my kids.

And I realized: perhaps this “anti-digital” shift is about me getting tired of clinical perfection and wanting to slow down.

Just recently I was complaining to my wife how I feel tired of constant notifications and messaging in my phone, plus having to listen to people day and night talking rubbish and the constant trash I expose myself to in social media.

In this world of instant feedback, it feels I’m looking for some comfort in analogue.