Analogue Photography in Hong Kong III - Matthew Dallow

When and why did you start taking analogue photos? 

I actually learnt photography on a film camera but my camera bag was stolen when I was travelling and by the time I had enough money to buy a new camera I reasoned that a digital camera would suit me better as the World appeared to be going down that road.
After a few years using my digital SLR I felt my photography and plateaued, kind of hit a wall. Basically my enthusiasm had dipped and wanted to try something new. 
I looked back through my old photographs from my travels and loved what I saw. I realised that my photography had maybe even regressed since I started using a digital camera and put simply I just prefer the look of film. I decided one day that I wanted to use film again. I wanted to push myself photographically.
I decided I wanted a fully manual camera as I'd never used one before so I settled on a Nikon FM2. Probably my most used 35mm camera. 


How many cameras do you have and which one is your favorite? 


I think I own around forty cameras. I've been acquiring them for roughly the last 2 to 3 years. They include SLRs, a TLR, a couple of rangefinders a few toy cameras and a bunch of compacts. They all work, all get used and none of them has cost as much as my digital SLR did.
My favourite 35mm is probably my Nikon FM2. It's simple, manual, mechanical and reliable. 
I've recently bought a Mamiya RB67 which I'm really enjoying. Although quite big and heavy it's extremely versatile as it has interchangeable and revolving backs. Very handy. I have to give a nod to my Mamiya C220 as well, a medium format SLR which I love.


 Where do you buy gear or film in HK and where do you develop your film? 


I shop around for my gear and film. I've found 1 or 2 places in Tsim Sha Tsui for gear and I get my film developed at Dotwell Photographic ,also in TST, until I can afford a flat big enough to do my own!

For film I mostly use Chung Pui Photo in Stanley Street in Central. I've found their prices to be the best in Hong Kong for most film. I use a few others for various things including Dotwell, Mirama Photo Supplies, also in Stanley Street and Wing Shing Photo Supplies in Mong Kong. I get my Fuji pack film from Polab in Wan Chai.

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