First Friday of the Month - Dalston HipstaPak

Previously I have always been anxiously awaiting the new release but with so many similarities between the last several releases, I approached the Dalston HipstaPak with a little trepidation.

As with the previous review, I select my alternative lenses and films by importing an a couple of images into Oggl, in order to see the possible results I might achieve when using the Classic version of Hipstamatic. I also decided that upon my return from the field test, I would run a few images through Oggl and share these results with you also.

Also for the first time, there will be a selection of three images in one row, where the first image will have been captured with the 6x6 application, followed by Hipstamatic Lowy with Sussex and Lowy and Rock BW-11 combination.

The purpose for this is to show a natural capture with the 6x6, followed by a most neutral Hipstamatic combination and a Black and White version to show how the image relates to blacks, greys, and white. This way other factors can be assets in the variable between all the combinations and that of the Dalston HipstaPak. 

Here are lenses and films selected and their order as they appear in the review:

          01: Benedict + Hackney

          02: Benedict + DC

          03: Hackney + Sussex

          04: Benedict + W40

          05: Benedict + Blanko

        

          07: GSquad + Hackney

          08: Kaimal Mark II+ Hackney

          09: Helga Viking  + Hackney

          10: Lowy + Hackney

6x6 - Lowy & Sussex - Lowy &  Rock BW-11

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

With the last several HipstaPak that have been released, we see the direction that Hipstamatic is definitely going. These films have all been borderless, which certainly is a good thing, but these HipstaPaks are generally tone generators. By this I mean that depending on the HipstaPak, we will see a dominant color filter that shifts the overall color properties of the image towards a different spectrom, as is also the case with Dalston HipstaPak.

This is evident in the above 4 examples, in which the main color filter is red, resulting in a more intense red, stronger blues and greens. It also leaves behind a purplish tone, mostly evident in the greys and medium blacks, as in the concrete.

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

There are certain anomalies that re-accure based on the direction of the light. One is the annoying circular light flares that appear at random throughout, including in images that have been introduced into Oggl. There is also the strong darkening of the sky in an arch gradating from the top down to a lighter and more natural sky. The center photograph was to show how Dalston combo reacts when shooting towards the sun, something that we should not be doing in general.

I will say that depending on the light condition, the direction of the sun and the over-all composition and color of the scene, Dalston’s ability to saturate the colors to a point were they appear to replicate a CibaChrome print, is a most welcome addition of the HipstaPak.

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

While the above example is limited in color, we do see that there is the reddish tinting and the asphalt in the sunny area is definitely shifting towards the purple spectrum. The sky is not as, but that could be because the amount captured is not enough to be as dramatic as in other examples.

6x6 - Lowy & Sussex - Lowy &  Rock BW-11

Benedict lens and Sussex film - Classic Camera

The following examples are all shot using the Dalston’s Benedict lens and alternative films. Please note how varied the sky is being interpreted, especially the bottom left image.

Benedict lens and W40 film - Classic Camera

Strong saturation throughout and circular vignetting can also be seem in all four photographs, due to the nature of the W40 film.

Benedict lens and Blanko film - Classic Camera

It is clearly represented in these four photographs how light interprets the combination one decides to use and that some of it can be anticipated and other times not. While mostly saturated, the bottom right image appears overwhelmed by the amount of non-reflected light and so appears lighter then the other three.

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

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6x6 - Lowy & Sussex - Lowy &  Rock BW-11

GSquad lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

These next examples are different lens combinations with the Hackney film. As you will see, the Hackney film provides us with a larger variety of differences then if we were using the Benedict lens with other film combinations.

The example above illustrated the strength of the GSquad lens rendering the scene with confidence and shifting the tones towards the green, while the Hackney film retains the its strength in the blue sky and over all saturation of the colors.

Kaimal Mark II lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

This next combination of the Kaimal Mark II lens reveals a very different kind of response between the lens and film. Clearly the colors are more washed in appearance and the over-all projection of the colors towards a little yellow.

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

As mentioned earlier, the over saturation of this combination Dalston HipstaPak can be desirable under the right circumstances, even thought I wished the concrete would retain more of its natural color then shift towards purple.

6x6 - Lowy & Sussex - Lowy &  Rock BW-11

Helga Viking lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

In the days when we dropped of a roll of film to be processed and printed, the prints might have a dominating bluish tonal shift and the Helga Viking lens paired with the Hackney film reflects this 70-80s automated print process rather well. Because of the blue filtration, the reddish appearance is considerable less evident, except for the black and grey asphalt and concrete.

Lowy lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

This may be the most neutral representing combination in which the Hackney lens is used. The Lowy lens retains the natural colors of the scene, while Hackney film controls the density and richness of the colors. We also see that the asphalt and concrete retain their normal appearance. This is certainly a combination that would be favored when one does not want to use Sussex film due to its border and yet have somewhat an accurate rendition with moderate saturation. 

The next couple of images are stray captures of the Dalston HipstaPak and due note the variation in lens flare.

  

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Classic Camera

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In this third part of the review, we come to photographs shot with 6x6 and introduced to Oggl. The representation of the Dalston HipstaPak within Oggl is accurate as if shot with the Hipstamatic Classic camera. 

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

Due note the circular three ring lens flare that appears in all three images above, including in the next photograph, were these flares appear not as three circular color rings, but as white circles. 

Benedict lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

In this next example we are treated to a surprise and see that the Benedict lens is totally over powered by the Blanko C16 film, rendering this photograph as an image which has lost its colors or having the appearance as it it was given a soft sepia tone.

Benedict lens and Blanco C16 film - Oggl post processed

The remaining images were all photographed using 6x6 before being introduced into Oggl, but then having only the Hackney film applied in all images, with only various lenses as described beneath each image.

While I did test each image with all lenses in Oggl, the following were my favorite combinations using Hackney film. I hope you will agree there are some wonderful possibilities here.

Salvador 84 lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

Sergio lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

Yoona lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

Vincent lens and Hackney film - Oggl post processed

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          Final thoughts

While there are certainly more options with the Hackney film when paired with other Hipstamatic lenses, then with Benedict lens and other films, I cannot help but wish for Hipstamatic to shift directions as to where they have been heading. 

I certainly do like a number of the combinations that are possible, yet I care less for the randomness of the three circular lens random flares. There are other applications that permit the addition of various types of lens flares, that we really do not need it here in the Dalston HipstaPak.

Though at first I felt we had just another filtration HipstaPak, I will say, we certainly do have more options, more choices in our endeavors for creative expression. 

It is therefore up to you and what it is you like to do in achieving what Hipstamatic has to offer and ultimately you will decide if the Dalston HipstaPakis for you. However I would be curious as to your thoughts about the new HipstaPak release and how it compares to what I have written here. Also please consider sharing this article with your friends.

All photographs taken with an iPhone 4S by

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