5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

By Chris Pattison

I’m lucky. Once in a while a good friend of mine invites me over to the English Lake District. I get to stay at his place with other friends, drink beer, summit mountains and take photographs with cameras given to me for free.

Twice in my life I have opened a parcel to see the shy, clam shell face of an Olympus XA looking at me. The first time was unboxing a brand new one on the occasion of my 18th birthday, bought for me by my brother; such a thoughtful and generous man, he had seen how much interest I had taken in his OM cameras and just knew I would love a camera of my own.

I used that XA for about 2 years before trading it in (but not ‘up’ arguably) for a Minolta SLR. I probably didn’t get as much for it as I could have. I was a bit naive I would say, and I came to regret the sale.

Fast forward around 30 years. I had done some paid work for another friend on a website. The work was done and I had the cash. One Saturday morning, postie arrived with a parcel of brown paper for me. I was puzzled. I wasn’t expecting anything. I unwrapped it, and there, once again, was an Olympus XA, which had belonged to my friend. He had decided to give it to me. It was quite a moment. I splashed a few tears on the thing as I inspected it.

It was with this camera that I took these 5 photos, on Skiddaw, the third highest peak in the Lake District. These mountains are small in comparison to many ranges overseas, but they are to be respected, particularly in winter. The XA goes to ISO 800, so that’s what I exposed the T-MAX P3200 at. It was developed in Adox FX-39II for 9 minutes. I am delighted with the results. I dropped some of the negatives when retrieving them from the shower, but got away with it. Luck again.

Leaving the summit of Skiddaw
Summit of Little Man
Summit of Lesser Man
The weather starts to turn
Time to get warmer gear on.

You can find more of my photographs on my Instagram
More content I have written for 35mmc here

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About The Author

By Chris Pattison
Chris Pattison is an English photographer, writer and web developer from the North East. His images have been displayed as part of the Connected exhibition at Patchings Art Centre and Landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Theatre. They have appeared in Amateur Photographer and Outdoor Photography magazines, and online at On Landscape, 35MMC and Edge of Humanity. He has become an accidental collector of 35mm cameras which he is showcasing at https://retrofilmcamera.com
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Comments

Barry Reid on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Nice, love the way the snow in the 1st image forms a visual pathway, for the lone figure, into the mystery of the clouds.
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks Barry.

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eric on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Great Photos. Love the atmosphere!
Tmax 3200 at 800 iso pretty nice.
Congratulations. One of best cameras for montain (Contax T, Rollei 35, ...)
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Hi Eric. Thanks. Yes, the XA is so wonderfully small and portable for the mountain environment.

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Michael Kay on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Isn't P3200 really an 800-1000 ISO film?
Nice shots & story btw!
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks Michael. Yes, you are correct. P3200 is nominally an 800 ISO film, but specifically designed to be pushed, which is why there's a 'P' before the 3200 apparently. I intend to push my next roll and see what happens.

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Alvaro replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

If you shoot it on the XA, you'll end up with a very overdeveloped roll!

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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

I won't be using the XA.

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Simon on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Just goes to show that you don't need good weather to get great images. Nice work!
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks Simon.

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jamesnorthcote on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Beautiful shots and a lovely story
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks James.

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David Hill on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Lake District? Looks like Rock District to my eye. Gorgeous terrain, lovely work—you’ve caught the barren character so well.
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks for that James. The bleak weather and terrain were made for monochrome.

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Paul Latheron on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Yes I to own a xa and occasionally use it. It's so different from my Olympus digital camera.
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MarkB on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

The mist and the film grain give real feeling and atmosphere to the images.
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Thanks Mark.

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Steve Brooke replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Lovely images. I have many fond XA memories too though none include little brown packages arriving by Post, unfortunately. ????

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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2019

Hi Steve, and thanks. I have been fortunate, there's no doubt.

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Bryan D. Costin on 5 Frames on Skiddaw with an Olympus XA and T-MAX P3200 – By Chris Pattison

Comment posted: 13/04/2019

Wow, these are all fantastic. Very atmospheric.
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Chris Pattison replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2019

Thanks Bryan.

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