Written by Peter Weilnböck
Published on: 2024-02-11
Bringing a Pentax ME to Rockbar Bauhaus
Recently me and Katharina went to the Rockbar Bauhaus in Roppongi. https://rockbarbauhaus.com
And while it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, this is of course not why I am writing.
But still, first a view words about that place: Bauhaus is a music venue and a bar. Or a bar that is a music venue at the same time. I am not sure where to place the focus.
In any case, we arrived basically at opening time, and therefore got a prime table directly in front of the stage. We ordered some drinks and some food and got talking. The place was already quite nice. The atmosphere was good and the music they had running was to our taste as well. The drinks were alright, and the food was surprisingly good for bar food.
But after a while the brilliance of the place was revealed. Some of the bar staff went on stage, and after a few minutes of setting up, they started rocking for the better part of an hour. The singer changed after almost every song, and they played rock. From some of the classics to a few of the better modern options.
They allowed to hand in a wish list from their “song menu” as well.
Every full hour they started a new set, giving a proper rock show each time.
We stayed for only 3 sets, simply because we usually go to bed quite early. Still, the ride home was not enough to get us tired, since we were quite wound up by all the energy in Bauhaus.
However, as already should be clear from the description, I took an analog camera with me with the full intent of snapping a few pictures. I had already gotten comfortable with the Pentax ME, that I got as an “always with me” camera.
However, I did not stop at a few pictures. Instead I shot almost a whole film roll. And if I would have had another roll with me, I would have shot even more.
Of course not all of the pictures turned out well, but overall I am very happy with the results.
The grainy black and white images from the HP5+ film create a mood that matches rock music very well, at least in my opinion.
I also developed the pictures myself using the Ilford Simplicity Starter Kit, that I had gotten from my parents for Christmas. And the process of developing and scanning the pictures myself was also quite enjoyable. I still have a lot to learn in this regard, but it is a fun experience already.
But enough talking, it is time for a small selection of the pictures: