Harman Kentmere 200 – Underground street poetry in motion

Some more of my most recent Ricohflex Dia photos shot on Kentmere 200.

These were taken with one of the Kiddos, who deigned to come along with me during my death march to this location, which I have photographed (and shared here) before.

While similar in style and starkness to the Apocalypse-themed images of my previous post, as well as being highway-adjacent, these photos don’t scream “End of the world!” enough to be lumped in with that group.

Graffiti under an overpass. Keep moving, nothing to see here. f16, 1/50sec

At least if there was some fallout involved, we could shelter under this. f16, 1/50sec

If the hills indeed do have eyes, so, evidently, do the overpasses… f16, 1/50sec

While the Ricoh Dia is certainly a capable camera, I am finding that its limited and no longer quite standard in some cases shutter speeds are not exactly a handicap, but do put undue constraints on my options.

Basically, it was and is an entry level camera, and I’m starting to chafe against the limitations that entails. It has driven me to research other medium format cameras, and I’ve found a number I like, but they are not as inexpensive low-priced as cameras of this ilk.

I find I don’t enjoy working with this camera as much as I’d like. My 35mm cameras have more lens options, more aperture options, and more shutter speed options. While being constrained can make you more creative in other ways, I’m just not happy when using this camera. I’m spending too much time trying to work around the limitations, and that takes me out of the moment.

The Fujifilm 645 and 690 series of cameras appeal to me, as they’re more easily handled than my RZ670, but ones in good condition are more than I can justify spending right now. And the Mamiya C330 is also tempting, but then I have to ask myself if I really want another TLR…

Instead, I think I’ll focus on trying to hone my skills with what I have before I start pouring money into another platform.