Yashica MF-2 Super

In a world where cameras are like cellphones with new model releases every year and cellphones are like cameras, it’s very common for us to get excited with new gears and drool on specs rather than focus on taking pictures. And quite honestly, I for one can be guilty of that. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s perfectly fine to get excited about cameras and gears, even pioneer photographers used the best gears they can get during their time. The problem is when the gear becomes more important to us rather than going out there and taking actual photographs. Worse, is if we think that we’re not getting good images because of the gear we use. We worry too much about megapixels, high ISO capabilities, fast autofocus, and high dynamic range that we often forgot the real joy of photography – creating photos. Today, let’s forget about camera specs and go back to the basics, let’s shoot with a point and shoot plastic film camera. Introducing my Yashica MF-2 super.

Now this camera is the definition of a point and shoot. No need to worry about shutter speeds, apertures, and focus. All you have to do is put a film, crank the advance lever and well.. point and shoot. I remember using this camera for the first time and it was such a relief. With the kind of photography I like doing (street/documentary photography), I always find myself walking for long distances and quiet often ending up on very unfamiliar places. With this camera, I don’t have to worry about expensive gears hanging around my neck and just be comfortable wherever my feet took me. Of course, a camera like this would have a lot of limitations but as long as you know how to work with those limitations one can be amazed by the results you can get out of it. Again, photography is not always about the gear.

The photos  here are taken during one of my long solo photowalks around Pasig and Manila – my favorite City. Now a lot would say Manila is dirty, old, and neglected, and I would neither agree nor disagree. But what I love about Manila is its heritage and people. Wherever you look, there are thousands of stories to be told, the streets are always full of characters, and the city bursting with energy.

It may sound cliche but there is something about shooting film that makes it feel a bit more “special”. It may be the mystery and excitement of having to develop an exposed roll or the pure nostalgia of using a film. camera Whatever it is, the biggest advantage for me is that it makes me not worry too much about all the technical stuff but rather focus on the things happening around me.