KL Camera Style

21 January 2019 | Tanjung Bungah, Penang

December 2018 | Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang

I attended the opening of the Obscura Photo Festival 2018 in Georgetown, Penang. While waiting for the opening party at Hin Bus Depot, I managed to catch up with the guy that runs Bang Bang Geng thanks to a friend who inform me earlier.  Hassleblad 500cx with accessories. A true precision instrument made from the finest brand.  August 2018 | Georgetown, Penang

Aditya did a fine writing regarding the state of Photo Books culture in Indonesia. Can’t say the same about Malaysia but we are generally way behind. 

This blog has been maintained at a very slow paced over the years and there is no sign that I could contribute for a better content in the future. Therefore, whenever someone recognize the blog and got in touch with me after finding out this blog is indeed very gratifying.  Few months ago, someone reach out to me from Facebook stating that he got to know my profile through this KLcamerastyle blog. Surprised as I was, I was more than happy to follow along with the conversation. As I am busy with my study, there was simply no time to spare to meetup with the film photography community in Penang. At the end of our chat, we decided to meetup near my dormitory area and talk about geeky film camera stuff.  Meet Mr.Andrew, a casual photographer who recently interested in film photography after leaving lomography many years ago. He owned numerous camera and he brought his Leica M6 with a 40mm Voiglander that night.  Personally, I am looking forward to meetup with similar minded people in the future through the blog. But my best wish is that everyone should just keep on using film camera not as a trend but more as part of our lifestyle. Film photography is here to stay irregardless of how advance the technology will progress. 

Few months ago, I went to Bangkok as part of our architecture studio trip requirement. We visited some places and found that the film analog movement is well sound in the capital of Bangkok. This should come in no surprise as Thailand has an early history with photography compare to the rest of the South East Asia country. Thailand also have a well established photographer such as Miti Ruangkritya and Tavepong Protoomwong, just to name a few. (source can be refer to Zhuang Wu Bin ‘Photography in South East Asia : A survey.) As the last place we visit before our flight back to Malaysia. We stop by at this commercial area that consist of contemporary art and merchandise called The Warehouse 30. There was a section within the store that are selling vintage item and my friends, knowing how I still use film camera, urge me to have a look at their camera.  There I met this friendly guy who seems to be running the business of the store and he seems to be a fan of vintage item and lifestyle. This guy seems to be selling and even provide camera repairs at his place but I didn't manage to stay for long as we had a tight schedule that day.  Nevertheless, if you happen to be in Bangkok and looking for some rare Nikon camera and lenses for a very reasonable price. Do come by and follow their instagram page at Filmcamera101. 

As far as I know, there is only 3-4 active film developing store that provide reliable and affordable film developing services. Those that are on the list are Colordotcom Photolab, Darkroom8, Bang Bang Gang at Publika, and SPPG Lab at Johor.  All of them have their own facebook page and website so feel free to Google search them.  But among those 4, one of it is ran by someone who is quiet young and that guy is Yan Heng Lee, owner/founder of Darkroom8. I first know about his business when he promote darkroom equipment at an affordable price which includes developing tank, thermometer, changing bag, and etc. I got most of my developing kit from him and that was it. Fast forward to few years later, there was sudden surge of demand for film photography and he took advantage of it by providing and selling film while at the same time giving quality film processing and scanning at a very affordable price. He has a huge online presence within the film photography community here in Malaysia and is the usual go-to place for film developing and scanning for many enthusiasnt, including me.  So by chance, I was able to visit his place and had the opportunity to talk with him for a bit. Darkroom8 is located above Cafe Etc along Jalan Tun H.S.Lee (close to Petaling Street) and his workplace is very minimal and organized. When we visited, we saw a few film that he is getting ready to develop and he seem to use JOBO processing machine instead of the usual Fujifilm machine.  Someday I will try to do a series of interview with other Film Developing store but it might take some times. Do check out Darkroom8 website and Facebook page, https://www.darkroom8malaysia.com/filmprocessing

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!!! A bit late in posting this but hopefully everyone is going to have a blast this year. Shown here is my Leica IIF with a 50mm Elmar and my girlfriend Nikkormat FT with a Nippon Kogaku lens.  We will be updating this blog a bit somewhere in the future with different format and writing.  Cheers.   November 2017 | Sedim, Kulim, Kedah

If anyone have been in Penang before, I bet that they have at least heard or visit Hin Bus depot before. Apparently at Chai Dian Ma at Hin Bus depot is stocking many different rolls of film in 135 and 120 format. They also provide free shipping service to have your roll develop to Bang Bang Geng at KL. Do drop by and have a look. I just got a few rolls of Agfa for myself.

October 2017 | Queensbay Mall, Penang

Personally speaking, I am still using this old Seagull TLR camera. It has recently been CLA and should work for another few years. With my current photography project being shoot mainly on Medium format, I would be selling my full frame camera soon for 2017. Whenever I went out and shooting with my friend, the Seagull will always be a props.  December 2016 | Hotel E&O, Penang

I got the camera from Ebay 4 years ago

I even heard that they even have a darkroom within the school. University of Science Malaysia | Penang, Malaysia | March 2016

Little did I know that he got himself a Mamiya 7ii and has been shooting exclusively in color negatives for the time being. (this photo was taken using his Sunpak Flashgun that I try for the night)

October 2015, Ipoh, Perak.

For more info on the museum, try visit their website at thecameramuseum.com . 

Part of his recent work taken around Sabah was also showcased along with his other work that was taken around South East Asia. For the project, he use exclusively on film and mainly using his trusted Rolleiflex.