A Sun-Soaked Day with Rollei RPX 100 and Ultra Max 400

If there’s ever a way to turn a random drive into a full-blown analog adventure, it’s by having classic gear at the ready. On this impromptu photo journey, I had two distinctly different cameras and film stocks loaded and waiting: the rugged, all-manual Minolta SRT102 paired with Rollei RPX 100 black and white film, and the plasticky but charming Kodak VR35 loaded with Kodak Ultra Max 400 color film. With both camera straps at my side—one aiming for crisp monochrome, the other for vibrant color—I set out to capture sunlight, shadows, and all the stories hiding on a property I’d never photographed before.

It’s the spontaneous moments that often become favorites for film photographers. That’s exactly what happened on a recent drive when I spotted an intriguing property I’d always wanted to photograph. With a bit of luck, the owner let me in, inviting me to shoot as much as I liked—a rare gift for anyone passionate about documenting unique places on film. What followed was an impromptu shoot that tested my gear and my ability to adapt to bright, unforgiving light.

Working with the Light You’re Given

Midday sun is notorious for making photography tough. The harsh light can blow out highlights and flatten shadow detail, but sometimes the most interesting shots are made by embracing those imperfections. On this day, the sun was blazing overhead—far from ideal for most film, but perfect for challenging myself creatively.

I relied on the Minolta SRT102, loaded with Rollei RPX 100 black and white film. The SRT102 is a classic fully-mechanical SLR from the 1970s, offering full manual control and through-the-lens metering. Paired with a 50mm lens, I kept the aperture around f/8 and the shutter at 1/250th or 1/500th, watching the needle in the match-needle viewfinder to nail my exposure. The RPX 100 film is a modern favorite—fine-grained, great sharpness, and able to handle strong contrast without blocking up shadows or losing highlight detail.

Alongside the SRT102, I brought the Kodak VR35—a classic 1980s point-and-shoot loaded with Kodak Ultra Max 400, a versatile color negative film that thrives in bright conditions. The VR35, with its 38mm f/5.6 lens and auto-exposure, quickly became my weapon of choice for grab shots around the property. Despite its humble plastic construction, it has a surprising knack for sharp, vibrant images.

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