Yashica Mat 124G and Kentmere 400. Ilfotec DD-X 10.5mins @ 20°.
Taken on 11 October 2025
Closed for the season
Tag: Kentmere 400
The loss of a lab
I received the sad news yesterday that my local film lab appears to have closed down. I last used them about a month ago to process the roll of Portra 800 which I’ve been sharing photos from the past few days and had planned to drop another roll of C41 off in the next week. I took a look at their website the other evening and noticed that it appeared to be offline, just displaying a blank page with no content, but assumed a temporary problem. But then, yesterday, someone else mentioned that there were posts on Twitter about it having been closed when it was visited in person and that the nearby businesses reported no-one has been seen for over a week. Some people on Twitter are concerned because they have posted film to be developed and now have no idea what has happened to their rolls.
I don’t know the precise cause of the closure, but it would appear to have been quite sudden.
I’m sad about this happening. They were a good lab with friendly and helpful staff (to whom I send my thoughts that they are ok). I stopped using them quite as much during and following the pandemic as, when they had to close for a few months as part of the lockdown, I taught myself how to develop black and white film at home, but I still regularly took all my C41 and E6 films there. It looks like I will now have to start using my local camera store for film developing services. While it’s still relatively convenient, being just on the edge of the city centre, it won’t be the same as the short walk I’ve been able to take advantage of these past few years.
I’m not sure if anything will happen to the lab – whether it is closed permanently, or might be rescued in some fashion – but it’s disappointing news for sure.
Today’s picture is from the first roll of film I had developed at the lab back in 2016.
Olympus Trip 35 & Kentmere 400 film.
Taken: 9 August 2016
Soon to be gone
A short distance south from Haggler’s Corner (see yesterday’s post) is a short row of businesses, only one of which remains trading – a wooden staircase manufacturer and supplier called Heeley Stairparts. Alas, this too is soon to close its doors. The reason for this is that there is a plan to widen Queen’s Road at this point, meaning that this row of buildings needs to be demolished.
I discovered this when a lady across the street from me noticed me taking photographs and asked what I was doing. As the road here is very busy, I couldn’t make out what she was saying so crossed the road once the way was clear. It turned out that she was the owner of the staircase business and thought I was from the council – she’d heard that the council sometime photograph buildings that are due for demolition (I have no idea if this is the case or not).
I quickly reasured her that I wasn’t there in any official capacity and had just been attracted by the low sunlight on the buildings (although these shots are B&W, the storefront is a light green colour that was glowing in the light), and we chatted for awhile about the reasons for the demolition and how it was a shame that so many older buildings in the city are torn down for re-development rather than being repaired and restored.
I’m not a stick-in-the-mud who opposes all new development – far from it in fact – and understand that sometimes buildings pass their useful lifespan, or are simply unsuitable for restoration, and this row of shops doesn’t stand out for any particular reason amongst others in the city – apart from than the staircase store, the other buildings seemed pretty run down. Nevertheless it’s a shame that the woman’s business is going to disappear and I wish her well in her future endeavours.
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 18 January 2020
Haggler’s Corner
Hagglers Corner is a multi-functional space just on the outskirts of Sheffield city centre. It hosts live music and other events, has a cafe, a shop and provides spaces for local makers of things. I didn’t get chance to go in on the outing, but will try and make sure I give myself time to do so next time I pass.
Although this picture doesn’t really indicate so, Queen’s Road is a busy thoroughfare, being one of the main arteries into and out of the city centre. I managed to find a brief spell with a gap in the traffic to take my photo that emphasises the road leading into shot (and the zig-zag road markings denoting the Pelican Crossing.
The two towers above the roof of Haggler’s Corner are minarets belonging to the Madina Masjid that sits a short distance beyond.
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 18 January 2020
Evocations of a journey #1
Last year, Postcard Cafe, a blog I follow, posted a number of pieces featuring photographs made on train journeys. The first of these I came across was a post titled “Jumping someone else’s train” and I commented on their post how I liked the idea and that I might borrow it at some point.
Today’s post is the first attempt at doing something along similar lines (badum-tish!).
If I’m to be critical, then Postcard Cafe’s posts are much better than my attempt here, but I’ll admit to making life more difficult for myself by a) using a compact film camera that struggled with camera shake, and b) attempting to fit picture making in around some work I had to do on the train, thereby probably missing some opportunities (plus I had a window-frame next to my seat, which limited my field of view somewhat too). Anyway, enough with my excuses and on to the photos.
For the purposes of this post, I’ve limited my photos to ones taken station-to-station. I shall also leave them without narrative, and just let them tell whatever story you see fit to make up. They are in chronological order though, both outbound and homeward.
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 15 January 2020
Abandoned bags
Another shot featuring reflections (albeit, mostly of the sky in this one) making up a trio of posts over the last three days. I like the ambiguity of this shot, it making it look like the faceless person walking away has forgotten or abandoned their bags.
One thing this roll shot with the little Pentax Espio has taught me, is that the camera falls back on slow shutter speeds very quickly in low light. Several shots on the roll were largely spoiled because of subsequent camera shake (although in some cases, the motion blur has added a great sence of movement to the images too). This said, I have used it in dim light before without any noteable camera shake, so I wonder if it’s somehow mis-read the Kentmere’s DX coding (or maybe it’s just faulty)? Where I’ve used the camera in sunny conditions, it’s a capable little performer though, so I shall bear that in mind for future reference.
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 15 January 2020
Floating in a reflection
This is the frame before the image I published in yesterday’s post. It was the puddle that caught my eye and how the letters of the “Bus Stand” sign on the road almost seem to float above the reflected building.
I got a few odd glances when taking the picture. 🙂
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 15 January 2020
A passing reflection
Just a random street shot today. Not much to say about it other than the scans from this whole roll of Kentmere 400 are covered with dust spots! – no idea why it should be worse than other rolls, but it is. It’s taken ages to spot each scan so far. Maybe I need to have a dusting session in the office…
Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.
Taken on 15 January 2020
Street artist
I spotted this guy painting a (presumably commissioned) piece of artwork in Sheffield city centre while out on a walk last autumn. I also spotted a couple who had also spotted him.
Olympus 35 RC & Kentmere 400 film.
Taken on 23 October 2016.
Almost distinguished again
It’ll be the 2017 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in a few weeks’ time, so here are a few pics from last year’s event in Sheffield. This was the second outing from my (then) recently acquired Olympus 35 RC.
All shots: Olympus 35 RC & Kentmere 400 film.
Taken: 25 September 2016
Steel City Snapper photography 