There’s a quiet magic in Dundas, Ontario—a town tucked at the edge of the Niagara Escarpment where tree-lined streets meet 19th-century brick storefronts. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, wander, and look closer. On this day, I wasn’t walking alone. I joined friends from the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup, along with fellow photographers from the Milton Camera Club (www.miltonphotoclub.com), a group I’m proud to be a member of.
One of the best parts of shooting film isn’t just the images—it’s the community around it. That was especially true here, as I walked Dundas alongside Alex Luyckx, my friend and fellow co-host on the Classic Camera Revival podcast. Between frames, we compared cameras, talked film stocks, and swapped notes on compositions. The conversations were as much a part of the experience as the photographs themselves.
My kit today was the Pentax 67ii, working primarily with the classic 105mm f/2.4 but also carrying the Takumar 55mm f/3.5 for wider scenes. I only shot with Fuji Acros (the original, not Acros II), rated at ISO 80. The Pentax is a deliberate, heavyweight setup—perfect for slowing down and taking the town in one frame at a time.
Starting at Collins Brewhouse
Our walk began at Collins Brewhouse, a Dundas landmark with its historic brick walls and cozy atmosphere. It was the perfect spot to gather, fuel up, and talk gear before heading out. Already the late September sun was strong, casting bright, high-contrast light across the streets—conditions that can challenge film, but also reward it with drama and definition.
From there, we wound our way through the historic residential parts of town, then past storefronts, side streets, and small architectural details that reward a patient eye. Walking with other film photographers meant we often stopped, lingered, and shared discoveries: a patch of light, an interesting reflection, or a textural detail on an old façade.
Two Lenses, Two Perspectives
I alternated between the 105mm f/2.4 and the Takumar 55mm f/3.5 depending on what Dundas offered up. The 105mm gave me intimacy—tight shots of signage, textured wood, and architectural details—while the 55mm let me step back and take in the broader character of the town: whole buildings framed by trees, the curve of a street, or the rhythm of bicycles lined up against a wall.
The Pentax 67ii is never a camera you shoot casually. With its size, weight, and only 10 frames per roll, every shot becomes intentional. That slower, heavier pace paired beautifully with Dundas’ unhurried charm.
Acros at ISO 80 in Harsh Contrasty Light
Shooting Fuji Acros at ISO 80 was a deliberate choice for the day’s conditions. The late September sun was unusually intense, with sharp, high-contrast light falling across Dundas’ streets. Shadows dropped deep, while highlights threatened to blow out.
Here’s how I approached it:
- Metering: With the Pentax 67ii’s center-weighted meter, I leaned toward exposing for the shadows. Acros has a generous highlight shoulder, so giving the shadows a little extra ensured detail without losing too much up top. When the light was particularly harsh, I spot-metered midtones and opened up about 2/3 of a stop.
- Exposure Compensation: Rating Acros at ISO 80 instead of box speed (100) gave me just a touch more density in the shadows. It’s a subtle tweak, but it made a difference in scenes where the contrast between storefront shade and bright sidewalks was extreme.
- Development Considerations: To match the pull to ISO 80, I developed the film in TMax Developer 1+4 for 5 minutes and 15 seconds. This slight reduction helped tame the highlights while preserving shadow detail. The result was a smoother tonal curve—perfect for balancing the high-contrast conditions of the day.
The frame with the small bicycle gleaming in full sun could have been harsh and blown out, but Acros rendered the chrome with silvery subtlety. Another frame of an old brick façade dappled with tree shadow held detail across both ends of the tonal range—deep shadow texture intact, highlights soft and luminous.
Community Between Frames
What struck me most wasn’t just how the negatives came out, but how much I valued the day itself. Between the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup, the Milton Camera Club, and friends like Alex from the Classic Camera Revival podcast, the photowalk felt like a celebration of film photography in all its forms.
The Milton Camera Club brings together photographers of every background and skill level, and it was great to see some of my fellow members joining in. Sharing the streets of Dundas with both seasoned film shooters and newer photographers reminded me that community is what keeps this craft vibrant.
Ending at Shawn & Ed’s Brewery
As the walk wound down, we made our way to Shawn & Ed’s Brewery, a fitting end point after an afternoon of slow photography. The historic space, with its textures and atmosphere, offered one last opportunity for frames—and then it was time to sit down, swap stories, and raise a pint.
That final stop reminded me why I love outings like this: the photos are important, but so are the connections, the conversations, and the shared experiences that wrap around the act of shooting film.
Final Thoughts
Film photography has always been about more than the frames you bring home. A town like Dundas gives you texture, light, and atmosphere—but when you add friends, fellow enthusiasts, and shared passion, the experience becomes richer.
From a technical perspective, this walk also reminded me why slowing down matters. Shooting Fuji Acros at ISO 80, carefully metering for shadows, and then compensating in development with TMax Developer 1+4 at 20°C for 5 minutes and 15 seconds gave me the balance I needed for Dundas’ bright, high-contrast September light. It was a complete process—exposure, metering, and development all working together.
With the Pentax 67ii, the versatility of both the 105mm f/2.4 and Takumar 55mm f/3.5, the tonal beauty of Acros, and the company of the Toronto Film Shooters, the Milton Camera Club (www.miltonphotoclub.com), and Alex from Classic Camera Revival, this photowalk reminded me of why I love film so deeply. From Collins Brewhouse to Shawn & Ed’s Brewery, it wasn’t just a walk through Dundas—it was a walk through community, memory, and the simple joy of slowing down with film.