5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

By Kate Johnson

This series of B&W flowers helped me to discover the beauty of Ilford HP5. Everyone raved about it, but I seemed to be missing the point. However, recently I was ‘forced’ to use HP5 on a recent extended stay in Phoenix, Arizona. Wanted to do some 35 mm photography and didn’t have time to place a film  order. The only B&W film I had on hand was HP5. Usually I lean towards the higher contrast T-MAX, but I grabbed the 5 rolls HP5 that I had on hand and headed out.

Inspiration:

My earliest inspiration to attempt B&W flowers came from a Mapplethorpe Exhibition. Of course mine were terrible, but I did continued to experiment occasionally. This Spring I’ve returned to experimenting with B&W flowers. My first set was taken at the Mayo Clinic Cactus Garden in Phoenix using HP5 and my Minolta X-700. They had a lovely Cactus Garden that was just starting to bloom in March. It gave me something pleasant to literally focus on while I was getting well.

I continued to work that theme with my home garden in full bloom during May and June. These results were even better, highlighting the best effects of HP5 Grain and even tones.

Scenes From My Garden:

Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental Grasses
Milk Weed
Milk Weed
Prickly Poppies
Prickly Poppies
Zucchini Leaves
Zucchini Leaves
Sunflower Bud
Sunflower Bud

You will notice, however, that many images have been cropped. These images were made with my first XD-11, and it has finally succumbed to a chronic film advance problem. I sent it out for maintenance, hoping for relief. But no, it could not be fixed. Yet in spite of that the lens optics produced wonderful if abbreviated images. This camera will now be retired to the ‘parts’ box.

A Leica Collaboration:

I often call the XD-11 the best camera that no one wanted (in Japan the XD and in Europe the XD7). It was one of two collaborative products with Leica (the other being the rangefinder Minolta CLE). The 1977 XD collaboration produced the first SLR to combine the TTL aperture and shutter priority modes with a fully manual metering option as well. Leica would go on to build the R4-R7 on the XD-chassis. It has a beautiful vertical plane metal shutter, and Minolta MD Rokkor lenses were always under-rated.

Metal Focal Plane Shutter
Metal Focal Plane Shutter

Follow this link for a History and Review of the XD-Series.

Camera & Film Details: Minolta MD 50 mm lens, f/1.7 with a yellow filter. The film, Ilford HP5, was exposed at EI 400 with a +2 filter factor. Developed by Old School Labs using F76.

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About The Author

By Kate Johnson
Kate Johnson is a World Traveler, Outdoors Adventurer, Research Scientist and Photographer. Kate’s preferred subjects are: Landscapes and Architecture. She makes silver prints in her own home darkroom. Following a move to Colorado, Kathleen is again submitting her work to galleries and competitions, and is a frequent contributor to @EMULSIVEfilm online journal. Other Creative interests include: Gardening and Singing Spirituals and Classical Choral Master Works. She studies voice and is a member of the Boulder Sing Along Messiah Chorus and participates in Special Choral Performances.
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Comments

Lachlan on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 28/03/2021

These are beautiful images! That lens! And I am a huge fan of HP5 too. Inspires me to shoot more on B&W!
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Kate Johnson on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 26/09/2019

Oooops, need to edit my Profile! Just found a typo......But thanks everyone for the comments. This is my first article for 35mmc. and I am very encouraged now to write more!
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Daniel Castelli on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 26/09/2019

Nice pics. B&W shots of flowers are so rare.
I always liked the Minolta cameras (I was using Nikons) and their lenses were top shelf. I have a Leitz-Minolta CL & the 40mm m-Rokkor f/2.0. The lens is equal to the Summicron. It also fits my M2. I can see the quality in my darkroom. I avoided buying the Minolta CLE because of the uncertainty of finding someone to repair it. I was told that the shutter module of the CLE was identical to the MD-11.
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Kate Johnson replied:

Comment posted: 26/09/2019

A local camera vendor is always trying to get me to buy a CLE because he knows that I collect Minolta. But I prefer SLR's for my 35 mm work. And the repair issue is why I keep multiple bodies for the models that I use most often. I figure that I can use the broken models for parts to keep the others going. So the XD11 in the photo is now my XD11 parts camera.

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Jens Knappe replied:

Comment posted: 26/09/2019

Also Daniel hat vollkommen recht : SW - Aufnahmen von Blumen sind sehr selten, zu selten. Deswegen , Kate, sind deine Aufnahmen auch sehr schön. Das Rokkor 50mm f1.7 ist ein tolles und sehr zuverlässiges Objektiv. Ich benutze es auch viel, aber nicht auf einer XD 5, die mich enttäuschte, sondern viel lieber auf Minolta SR-T 303, SR-T Super, X-700, X-500, XG-M oder XG-9.

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Rob B on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

Sorry to hear about your XD-11, I hope you're able to find another one. I bought mine from a lady who I met by chance at our local camera store. The store wasn't interested in buying it from her, so I bought it from her, Its one of my favorite cameras.

I'm also a TMax lover, but recently have discovered Ilford's budget B&W, Pan 400. It has a very similar look and feel to TMax, and its slightly cheaper. I do prefer TMax for its sharpness though.
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Kate Johnson replied:

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

I ended up with 23 more XD11, one entirely by accident. I thought someone would certainly out bid me, but no one did and I got quite a good deal.I think I have become a Minolta Collector. We won't talk about all of the lenses and camera models that I have. That's the topic of another article.

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Kate Johnson replied:

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

I haven't tried PAN 400. I'll have to look into that one. I do prefer the contrast and sharpness of T-MAX, especially for my landscapes. Still the film that I use for my Medium Format cameras.....But I am going to continue to use HP5 in my 35 mm cameras.

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Rob B replied:

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

I have more Minolta bodies than I care to admit ;-) I just added a Alpha7 (Maxxum 7) to my collection. Here are some that I shot with Pan 400 that I processed in Ilfosol3: https://www.lomography.com/homes/therealmrblue/albums/2205271-bellingham-fairhaven-minolta-maxxum-7000 Ilford actually makes this Pan in both 100 and 400. I highly recommend giving it a try.

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Lee on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

I picked up a used XD11 for $2 USD at a garage sale and realized I had found a hidden gem. This camera was so nice to use and so quiet with it's electronically controlled shutter. The entry-level Rokkor 50mm f/2 kit lens it came with was much better than I expected as well. Subsequently I purchased the equally nice MD Zoom 35-70mm f/3.5 and was gifted a Tamron 90mm f/2.5 Adaptall lens that fitted to my XD11. I shot some very nice rolls of HP5 through this camera, among other film types. Sadly though, much like yours, my XD11 is no more due to an issue with the shutter mechanism. I tried to have it serviced but was informed that the flaw was fatal. It was a sad day and I have not yet tried to find another one. For what I paid, I could not ask for more.
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Kate Johnson replied:

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

Yes the XD11 does not seem to be a particularly robust camera. Unlike my SRT's or X-700's which just seem to go on forever!

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Roger B on 5 Frames in My Garden with a Minolta XD-11 and Ilford HP5 ISO 400 – by Kate Johnson

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

Fine contrast range in your images, thanks to careful exposure, that yellow filter, and perhaps a tad of dodge & burn on the easel - I mean, with Lightroom. Curious to know if F76 developer is the same as Kodak's venerable D76. Any info? Thanks!
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Kate Johnson replied:

Comment posted: 25/09/2019

Yes F76 is a modern liquid version of D76. So you avoid the problem of getting the powder to completely dissolve.

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