Earlier in 2021 I finally went ahead and purchased a Medium Format Film Camera, the Borinica ETRS. I’ve wanted a MF camera for some time now, not just because I wanted more gear, but because the quality of each shot and the slower style of photography they bring. For those of you who aren’t too experienced with film photography, MF cameras take 120 or 110 film, which is simply a larger film roll. The larger the film the more quality it captures and allows a bit more ease when printing film larger. The following images are from the very first roll I put throught that new camera. All the following were shot on Kodak Portra 400 on the Gold Coast at Tallebudgera Valley and Currumbin Beach.

Within the MF family there are many different size shots, my camera shoots at 6x4.5 meaning I get 15 images off each roll of 120 film. This is very limiting to the usual 36 images I get when using 35mm film, this is what I mean by a “slower” form of photography. You must take your time with the images and composition, you could always take an extra roll with you but I’m not made of money. Of this first roll I was truly happy with about 2 images if I’m being honest, in that dissapointment I was really driven to go out and shoot another roll and get to know my camera more. The following shots were taken in and around the Gold Coast, including a little camping trip with my good friend Jackson to Minyon Falls just west of Byron Bay.

Finally, the most recent shots (taken in mid Febuary as Shim (my partner) and I moved south to Koonorigan, 15 minutes west of Lismore). We were craving the beach after a couple of weeks living west, the sun was out and it was everything we were looking for. I loaded up a roll on the headland at Lennox and all images were taken around that area, ranging from Byron Bay down to Ballina and across to our home in Koonorigan. I havent shot much since as I’ve only got Portra 400 currently for the MF camera and that particular film in my opinion doesnt perform well in the rainy, cloudy conditions present.

It’s been a little bit of a crazy start to the year hence why I havent really had the chance to update my site more than I’d like to. I do however have some bigger stuff on the way and really look forwad to sharing it with you all. I do want to hear more from you though, what do you want to see more of? Do you like my more indepth writing on film, and would you like me to take it further? Or do you just prefer the adventures and the stories? Let me know what you want to see, I’m always keen for a chat or even collaboration, just shoot me a message through my website or instagram @jacksonplayne \\ @asaltypirate. Thankyou as always, love the lot of you.