Roll 299
Film: Harman Phoenix II 200
Developed & scanned: DEP Lab 2025/10/8
Camera: Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8
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For a while, every Saturday morning we'd bring our son into Taipei for a two-hour English class. Later, when the teacher changed, we switched to a different school — Friday afternoons, three hours, near Taipei 101.
These regular weekly trips into the city gave me a reason to walk around. Just walking, nothing more, but I found it genuinely good for me. As someone who works from home, I always need some excuse to get out and about — otherwise life gets unbearably dull.
This roll documents one of those afternoons taking my son to English class — casual shots taken around Taipei 101.
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#1
The film box itself, at minimum focus distance.
#2
I'm very used to the angle of view of the Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 — it has more of a "fixed gaze" quality than a typical 35mm. If I had to crown the best 38mm fixed-lens compact, I'd give it to the Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 rather than the Contax T2 38mm f2.8, because I think cost of ownership is the single most important factor when evaluating a camera. The C-AF is cheap enough to be the obvious choice for exploring the 38mm focal length. The Contax T2's lens is sharper, sure — but think about it: has any photo ever won an award just because the lens was sharp?
#3
The Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 comes in two versions: a silver body without date function, and a black body with date (Quartz Date). I'd bought two date-version bodies before, but neither could display the date. This date version actually works — I'm so happy to have finally found one. With a date stamped on the photo, though, it means you can no longer rely on rotating and cropping after the fact.
#4
Checking whether the iPhone Air is here in person.
#5
The Apple Taipei 101 store, where there's always a class going on and always someone not paying attention. I was surprised that Harman Phoenix II 200 found the indoor light insufficient — and this was with a 38mm f2.8 lens, no less.
#6
When I was younger I loved everything Apple. Now I'm more lukewarm. I once made a pilgrimage to Apple's Cupertino headquarters — Apple Park wasn't finished yet back then — and I passed by Steve Jobs's former home while I was at it.
#7
The time changed, and so did the light.
#8
Sometimes I buy Apple products simply because I have no other choice — though generally speaking, Apple products are good. The iPhone has been around for nearly 20 years now, and people still call it a luxury good. I genuinely don't get it. Isn't it just an electronic device? Usually, calling something a "luxury good" carries a hint of snobbery.
#9
Confirming the coordinates.
#10
Harman Phoenix II 200 should probably be shot at ISO 100 too — metering at ISO 200 comes out slightly underexposed.
#11
On the way back, leaving Taipei.
#12
These past few years I've become quite comfortable with driving. I wonder if the future me will get into used cars? For now, I think I'll pass...
#13
I often share stories from my own childhood with my son — like how I loved keeping fish as a kid, and even kept piranhas once, which is how I ended up getting bitten.
#14
Tree test.
#15
I'm a Fuzhou local.
#16
Needed to cool off a bit.
#17
7-Eleven actually prohibits photography inside its stores.
#18
Without my noticing, the Panasonic commercial microwaves that once held the highest market share in convenience stores have all been swapped out for Midea units.
#19
Personally, I find Harman Phoenix II 200 no less difficult to handle than Phoenix I 200.
#20
Slide film is incredibly expensive now — strictly speaking, you can't find cheap repackaged slide film anymore. Otherwise, for blue skies, my first choice would still be cross-processed slide film.
#21
We looked at each other.
#22
Malayan night herons are a common sight.
#23
Every time I see this horse, I think of how my son looked riding it when he was very small. Am I too easily sentimental as a father?
#24
A rare sight — a spotted dove drying its wings on the grass.
#25
A park with a rain shelter is a wonderful thing.
#26
Mid-Autumn Festival. We went to a friend's place for a barbecue.
#27
My friend simply hired a food truck to come and do the grilling for us. Incredibly convenient.
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That's this roll — Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 with Harman Phoenix II 200. Thanks for reading.
