EP282: Witness to a Glorious Era — Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8 with Kentmere 100

Roll 282

Camera: Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8
Film: Kentmere 100
Developed & scanned by Li-lai Photo 2025/8/26

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Over the past six months, I have come to realize something unexpected. When I am doing well, it becomes surprisingly difficult to write.

This is a feeling I have never experienced before. Perhaps it is because my life has often been tough in the past. When I cannot write, it usually comes down to two different states. Either life feels too empty, or it becomes so full that there is simply no time left to write. At the moment, I am clearly in the latter.

My son is now seven years old and has just started elementary school. This is an important turning point, both for him and for me. For him, it means becoming more independent, starting with something as simple as going to and from school on his own. For me, it means I can no longer casually take photos of him and share them online or on social media.

If you imagine your parents constantly taking photos of you and sharing them in group chats without your consent, regardless of how you look in those images, it becomes easy to understand how uncomfortable that might feel.

That is how I see it now. I need to treat my son as an individual, not simply as a child. Many people freely upload photos of their children online, often because those children are not yet active on the internet and do not have their own social presence. To them, those images may feel as if they do not exist. But just because something feels invisible does not mean it has no impact.

This is something that anyone who holds a camera needs to consider. We should try our best to ensure that our photos do not become a source of discomfort for others.

This roll was shot in August 2025 using the Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8 with Kentmere 100 black and white film. I took many casual and test shots, and after reviewing them, I selected ten images to share.

The Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8 stands out for combining several key features into one camera: manual film advance, autofocus, a sliding lens cover, a minimum focusing distance of 0.7 meters, a fast f2.8 aperture, and a built in flash. This combination makes it a very capable camera for a wide range of shooting situations. In many ways, it feels like a design that was ahead of its time.

In terms of build quality, the Pentax PC35AF reflects a transition between two eras. It retains the solid feel of earlier compact cameras, such as the Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8, which made extensive use of metal components. At the same time, it precedes the later shift toward lightweight plastic bodies that often feel less substantial.

It is also worth noting that the Pentax PC35AF was released in 1982. Around that same period, Pentax introduced the Pentax 645 medium format system in 1984. I have always been drawn to the design language of Pentax from that era. The logo and overall aesthetic feel clean, precise, and slightly futuristic. During that time, Pentax had a complete lineup across multiple formats, including 120, 135, and 110. It was truly a remarkable period for the brand.

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#1
Because the Pentax PC35AF uses manual film advance, it behaves similarly to manual SLR cameras. After loading the film, it is usually possible to take a few shots before the frame counter officially reaches one. This roll gave me a total of 38 exposures. I did not feel comfortable taking important shots at the very beginning, so this image is part of my initial test frames. I specifically tested focusing through glass, using an aquarium, and found that the camera could not properly focus through it. The result is a blurred image. Glass remains a common limitation for many compact cameras.

 

#2
This was my first run after recovering from an acromioclavicular joint injury in my right shoulder, and I also took the opportunity to test the camera.

 

#3
During this period, I frequently traveled to Taipei 101 for work. Each trip from Banqiao takes about two hours round trip. It is not ideal, but I find it difficult to ignore things that can be handled sooner for my clients.

 

#4
Because of an approaching typhoon, the sky had an unusual sense of depth. Compared to clear blue skies, I find moments like this far more interesting to photograph.

 

#5
When driving along Civic Boulevard in Taipei, I often pass through around five in the afternoon. The low angle of sunlight at that time is particularly beautiful. If I want to photograph distant scenes from the elevated road, I usually have to wait until traffic slows down.

 

#6
My second run after the shoulder injury.

 

#7
Many people like to document their runs and share them instantly with friends. I would like to do the same, but I cannot. I shoot on film.

 

#8
On this day, I visited the Taipei Fine Arts Museum with my son. One of the exhibitions featured an entire area built from white LEGO pieces, designed for visitors to participate and create their own works.

 

#9
Every time I come here, I think about returning alone one day to take my time. But it never seems to happen.

 

#10
If traffic signs define a city, then its geometry is shaped by crosswalks and shadows.

 

#11
Photography makes you realize that very few things in daily life are truly straight, even those that appear to be.

 

#12
An imprecise close up, possibly affected by reflections from the aluminum can.

 

#13
A calm moment before the storm.

 

#14
For me, the Taipei Metro Red Line is tied closely to memories from high school.

 

#15
This was Saturday, August 16, 2025. I also kept a record of my run on that day.

 

#16
One of the familiar views along my running route.

 

#17
The geometry of road markings.

 

#18
I have always believed that everyone will experience a traffic accident at some point in their life. As a father, that thought inevitably brings a sense of concern.

 

#19
When my son was younger, I used to ride my bicycle here with him. At that time, the road was still under construction, and we would watch the excavators together.

 

#20
When I first started photographing, I would wait for empty roads before taking a shot. Now, I prefer to wait until something enters the frame. It adds context and meaning. In this image, the bicycle appears after waiting for a while. Its shadow reveals the time of day, and its presence defines the space as a bike lane.

 

#21
Harsh sunlight.

 

#22
When focused at infinity and stopped down, this is the rendering of the Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8. The level of detail, especially in the water surface, is remarkable.

 

#23
This area used to be covered in wild grass when I was in elementary school.

 

#24
The key message of this sign is not simply "do not occupy," but rather "not for use by those without disabilities."

 

#25
Are arcades a defining feature of Taiwanese architecture?

This is the full set of images from this roll, shot with the Pentax PC35AF 35mm f2.8 and Kentmere 100. Thank you for viewing.