The Film, The Lens, and The Lab

The Film

New Classic EZ400 is an ISO 400 panchromatic black and white film. Although it is likely an existing film stock with a new brand name and packaging, it could potentially be a re-branded Fomapan, like many other boutique films. Regardless, at $6.33 for 36 exposures, it’s a great price to experiment with and try something new. It produces a retro look with notable contrast and grain. One unique feature of this film is its packaging – the canister is made from cardboard, making it fully recyclable. I shot this roll at box speed and I’m happy with the results.

The Lens

I’ve always wanted a Nikon 85mm lens for portraits. I decided the time was right and bought one on the ‘un-named auction site.’ The Nikkor-H 85mm f/1.8 was produced from 1964 to 1977. The ‘H’ in the lens name indicates a 6-lens design, with ‘Hexa’ referring to six elements in four groups. The lens is on the heavier side, weighing 420g. It is a Non-AI lens and can focus as close as 3.5 feet. During my first roll with this lens, I missed the focus on a few shots when shooting wide open. Currently, I’m using the Nikon FA with the Nikkor-H 85mm for my second roll. According to what I’ve read online, the sweet spot for this lens is f/8.

The Lab

TheFINDlab is located in Orem, Utah. The lab serves as an extension of the FIND (Film Is Not Dead) film workshops offered by owner Jonathan Canlas. They provide convenient mail-in and drop-off film services, and offer a range of scanning options. In addition to developing film, they also sell film and have recently started selling used camera gear. Last month, they organized a film photowalk in Sugar House, Utah, resembling what I imagine a Beers & Cameras gathering would be like if Utah had a chapter. It was a gathering of film photography enthusiasts, discussing film, capturing photos of each other, and sharing cameras. Although I usually develop my own film, I hadn’t used theFINDlab before. After meeting several of their employees, I decided to give them a try. I prepaid online, placed three rolls of film in a padded envelope, and sent them off. Upon returning from the post office, I realized that I had prepaid for color development instead of black and white for a roll of 120 film. I promptly emailed theFIND’s customer service, and they responded quickly, assuring me not to worry and promising to adjust the price accordingly. True to their word, they made the necessary adjustment. My initial impression: extra points for their prompt customer service. My second impression is that all the employees at theFIND are film photographers themselves, displaying a genuine passion for film. Five days later, I received my developed film back, uncut, and ready for me to scan. While theFIND offers various scanning options, I opted to scan the film myself. They also maintain an active YouTube channel and Instagram account. Even if you’re not located in Utah, I highly recommend using theFIND.

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Lens: Nikkor-H 85mm f/1.8 (1964 – 1977)
Film: New Classic EZ400
Process: theFINDlab
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo