Fujifilm Superia 100 and the Carmel Artomobilia

I love to photograph old cars. When the city of Carmel, Indiana, closed its downtown streets late last month for a car show, I took Margaret and we brought our cameras.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

The Carmel Artomobilia is an annual event and this was its 10th year, but it was my first visit. I assumed for a long time that the show would mostly be newer exotic cars, and those don’t jazz me very much. But I was assured that the show is a good mix of all kinds of interesting cars. So off we went to see.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

I put my last roll of Fujifilm Superia 100 into my Pentax ME, and mounted my 50mm f/2 SMC Pentax-M lens. I prefer this lens to my 50/1.4 in everyday shooting as it gives extra depth and warmth to colors. It made the Fuji 100 really sing.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

It’s not often I get a roll back from the processor and feel my pleasure deepen with each frame I examine. But that’s just what happened with this roll. I am comfortable and confident with old cars as subjects, I was using my favorite camera, and I chose a lens and film that render color well. It was a recipe for success.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

The Fuji 100 really loves green. It might be the color negative film I’ve used that renders green best.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

The film returned deeply saturated reds similar to what I experience with Kodak Ektar 100. It’s too bad that Fujifilm discontinued this film. I like it as much as Ektar, and it was less expensive. That flare from something reflective out of the frame is a little bit of a bummer in an otherwise satisfying photograph.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

All sorts of cars were present. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Morris Minor in person before. I love it when I get to “meet” a car in this way.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

Plenty of classic American iron was on display, of course. I’m partial to 1960s Mopar muscle. I just adore the crisp and purposeful designs of Elwood Engel, Chrysler’s chief designer during this era.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

What’s this? One Ferrari photo? The contrast between the sensuous hood line and that crisp wheel arch was too strong to ignore.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

I’m old enough to remember when first-generation VW Buses were common hippie-mobiles, clapped out and covered in hand-painted flowers. I’m not old enough, however, to remember them as new. This one was beautifully restored.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

I made so many close shots because, with a 50mm lens, I needed to back way up to get more of each car in the frame. Especially at first, the event was so crowded that when I backed up my viewfinder would quickly be filled with people — usually from shoulder to knee, given where I was composing. Fortunately, I like to make close shots of old cars.

I did get a few photos from a distance. Here’s one of Margaret shooting a Buick. She’s not remotely the car fan I am, and I’m fortunate that she’s so easygoing and will share with me pretty much any experience I ask of her.

Carmel Artomobilia 2017

I also shot my last roll of Kodak Plus-X in my Spotmatic F at this show. I’ll share those photos in an upcoming post.


Comments

32 responses to “Fujifilm Superia 100 and the Carmel Artomobilia”

  1. conspicari Avatar

    Great images, seems like a really good lens film combo. I used to have a Morris Minor van in 70’s.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! While Morris Minors were rare here I am sure they were common where you are!!

      1. conspicari Avatar

        They were very common here at one time, but thanks to our great British weather most of them rusted away.

        1. Jim Grey Avatar

          Indiana weather rusted a lot of cars away too. My dad had a 1974 AMC Matador that had giant rust holes by 1978.

  2. J P Cavanaugh Avatar

    I love your close-up shots of cars. You have an ability to pick up on and highlight a definining detail of each car in a way that makes me look at and appreciate it in a fresh way.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Why thank you! I find car details to be enormously satisfying to photograph.

  3. Photography Journal Blog Avatar

    The color in these images is fabulous.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Yes! That Fuji 100 is remarkable.

  4. dan james Avatar

    Wow, sing indeed Jim! I think these are some of the best photographs I’ve ever seen you post – certainly in one batch together. Yes, stunning combo of camera/lens/film. I have to say though I’ve shot quite a range of films and have a number of favourites, Fuji Superia 100 is top of the pile for me too. Just does something others can’t seem to.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Too bad Fuji discontinued this film. Cars are probably the subject I handle best. I’m a lifelong car nut and have always been drawn to their design. I’ve had a lot of practice photographing them.

  5. Dan Cluley Avatar
    Dan Cluley

    Very nice shots. Glad to see you have found a new car show.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      It’s a pretty good show. Large but not sprawling. Crowded though!

  6. bodegabayf2 Avatar

    One of the joys of film photography…getting a roll back from the lab with some great shots. Satisfying to say the least.

    It’s a toss up for me because while I really like these, the b&w shots on Flickr are pretty sensational too!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! I will share the b/w shots in an upcoming post. I think I like the color shots slightly more!

  7. Martin Bruntnell Avatar
    Martin Bruntnell

    Wait till you see a Morris Minor 1000000 yes a million they built a few and they were in a lilac colour, ehm

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Lilac! Sounds fun.

  8. Reinhold Graf Avatar

    Beautiful shots ;)

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you!!

  9. Mike Connealy Avatar

    Nice finish for those fine discontinued films.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! The Plus-X shots are queued to post here late next week so stay tuned.

  10. kevinallan Avatar

    Nice to see a Morris Minor on that side of the pond. I arrived at my wedding in one; that wasn’t planned but the booked limo broke down and we were rescued by a passing Morris Minor.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Quite a story!!

  11. CLARE HENNESSEY Avatar
    CLARE HENNESSEY

    Excellent camera work Jim.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you Clare!

  12. Joe shoots resurrected cameras Avatar

    I love the close-in shots, Jim, very interesting subjects!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! Cars are probably my best subject to shoot.

  13. DougD Avatar
    DougD

    Great stuff. I too admire your ability to pick out a detail, be it buildings or cars.

    Love that red triangle on the Hudson hubcap, and that chrome on the VW bus hubcap looks deep enough to swim in. Mine have more uhh, patina..

    There’s a blue-green Morris Minor convertible in our neighborhood. I’d like to shoot the VW next to it someday..

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thanks Doug! I love those Hudsons. And that VW bus was in incredible condition.

  14. Amogelang Bathong Avatar

    Great photgraphy! I could sit the whole day just scrolling through the pictures you take.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! You’re very kind.

  15. Shaun Nelson Avatar

    Great images, Jim! I love shooting film at car shows. I love all the colors, shapes, reflections and details. And it’s always fun to shoot a car and strike up a conversation with the owner.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thanks so much Shaun! Same here — car shows are a favorite place for photography for me.

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