Travelling from Germany to Northern Italy, taking in Denmark and Austria on the way: Original Canonet roll #5

For those unfamiliar with the Travelling Canonet project, you can read about it here. We have over 50 photographers on 4 continents taking/waiting to take part. Two Canonets are involved, each travelling in a different direction. Participants take 5 (or more) shots and send the camera on to the next person on the list. Previous pictures from the first, second, third and fourth rolls from this camera are on 35mmc. Shots from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rolls from the other camera are also available.

This article covers the fifth roll from the older of the two cameras. For this film the camera was shot in Germany, Denmark, Austria and Italy. The pictures below chart its journey. The text supplied by the photographers themselves is shown in italic type.

Thomas

Thomas writes: Shots were taken on a small island called Kirr. Kirr is located in the north of Germany with the mainland in the south and Drass peninsula in the north. The waters around the island are called the Bodden, technically they are a part of the Balitc Sea but very shallow and quite. The island is a preserve area, just 3 small cottages can be rented and a small part of the island can be accessed by tourists. Cars need to stay on the peninsula and the only way to get to your cottage is using the small boats photographed. There is no shop, no restaurant no infrastructure on the island itself. You are really remote within lots nature on that island, a perfect place for a time out for me…and the sunsets are nothing but spectacular.

I every now and then spend a couple of days with my family enjoying the silence and remoteness of Kirr. It was also on Kirr where I had some very nice shots from my 2nd or 3rd roll of film after restarting analogue photography with a 6×6 Bronica. This restart was more or less caused by the boredom while we were in COVID lock down, however I really fell in love and meanwhile shoot 90% of my images on film. And the shots from Kirr contributed dragging me down into that rabbit hole of analogue phtography. Couldn’t be happier.

Frames 0-8

Francois

Francois writes: My name is François, and I live in Denmark.

I love the idea of collaborative roll of film with a travelling camera, so I jumped on the opportunity to get involved in this fun project.

It was a nice surprise to find all the messages written from one participant to the next, allowing to retrace the journey that the camera has gone through, learn something about the others’ experiences, and an essential read to know what film is loaded, and potential problems identified with the camera.

Once the camera arrived, I quickly opened the package and soon went out on a walk to shoot my 5 pictures.

Frames 9-13

Martin:

Martin writes: I don’t remember how I got into the Travelling Canonet project. I read about it online and thought that could be fun so I signed up and forgot about it. The more was I surprised to get an email that I am next on the list to receive the camera. It came all the way from Denmark along with some hints by the previous user (lightmeter and rangefinder (maybe) not reliable, Fomapan 100 loaded) and all the letters by the previous users which might double the weight of the package any time soon and which I read, I confess, not all from beginning to end. After the camera had sat on my desk for a few days I decided that it is time to take it on one of my usual walks by the river Danube which passes through Linz/Austria (approx. 180 km west of Vienna). The Danube is one of Europe’s main waterways. It was mid of October, the fun fair by the river was over for a week and the place was not so crowded anymore.

I took pics of the last attraction that was not yet dismantled – a roller coaster and of the skeleton of a tent where merchandise was exhibited or beer drunk. Then my steps led me downstream where I took pics of the bridges further down and a two cranes. When I was walking up to one bridge I came across a guided Segway tour. The people on that weird means of transport reminded me with their white helmets on a cartoon character of my youth – Calimero. A chicken with half the egg shelf it crawled out of still on its head. A few meters further I took a shot of the elegant arcs of our New Railroad bridge. On my way home I took a shot of the City of Linz as seen from the north and upstream with old and new architecture by the river.

Linz is very much an industrial town but since the 1980ies a lot of efforts have been undertaken to get the air cleaner also to establish a vibrant cultural scene, both mainstream and independent. I am a bit sorry that I had only a limited amount of pics so I decided on a limited view of my hometown. The camera was sent off to Italy as soon as I got the details for the following user from Bob. It was good fun to be part of this community project and I hope you enjoy some impressions of the city I was born in.

Frames 14-20

Alessio

Alessio writes: I brought the Canonet with me, on my silent lunch breaks, to the area around the office where I work.
I belong to the Roero hills, I was born, I live and I work in the Roero.
Located in lower Piedmont, Roero is the hilly area that flanks the left bank of the Tanaro river, which separates it from the Langhe until it touches the provinces of Turin and Asti.
I hope to see the article of roll 5 as soon as possible, when I’m excited I’m very impatient, but I know the difficulties and timing of films and it would be a wonderful Christmas present.

Thank you again for your great work and for giving me the chance to share all this with you!

Frames 21-27

The 22nd frame was similar to frame 21 and Alessio preferred to show this one.

Frames 26 was similar to 27 but for frame 26 the T ring around the shutter button got stuck. Alessio preferred the second of the series.

Sergio (aka @CanonF1)

Sergio wites: Mostly taken by EE exposure, having lowered sensitivity at 50 by comparison with another meter.

I’m a chemist, teacher AND photographer living between Como and Milan, Northern Italy. I’m shooting on film since I was 10, so just something more than 50 years. A Canon FD guy (and a Canonet QL17 lover), during last decade I’ve been suffering frequent GAS attacks that inflated my hardware stock, also exploring the western and eastern sides of the Zeiss galaxy. >80% of my pictures are BW, I develop also C41 and E6.

To finish this roll I decided to spend an afternoon on the lake, in a Como bright November. Next one will be my favourite film (HP5+) as the days are getting shorter. I’ll shoot three or four pictures on a different location before leaving the Canonet.

By the way, I find it in excellent conditions, just needing some workout between the rolls. Rangefinder is out of register, but EE seems to be working, providing that you set it 1 stop (or so) below the real EI value. Times looks reliable down to 1/30s or maybe 1/15s, and B is clean.

And the Travelling Canonet idea is simply great!!!

Frames 28-38

The shutter does not appear to have fired for frame 30 – an occasional problem with this particular camera.

Summing up

Five rolls. Approximately 180 exposures from 29 separate photographers – just from this camera. Rather more than I had expected from an informal experiment. The original Canonet is over 60 years old (I know how it feels..) It seems to be holding up very well, given the limitations I noted in my review of this very camera body. I’ve seen references that suggest that the rangefinder vertical alignment has drifted out. In re-reading my original review I note that it was out when I got it, but that setting it back is reasonably straightforward, as the top-plate is held on by three screws and the adjustment is on the back of the rangefinder mirror. However, I quite understand if no-one quite feels they want to carry out a ‘procedure’ while the rest of 35mmc looks on…

As ever, it is wonderful to get an insight into the environment of those who live in different countries/cities. It is lovely to be a part of this – many thanks to all the contributors.

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