5 Frames with Adox HR 50

By Art Meripol

28 January, 2026

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Image above: Veterans representing each branch of military service in the US as the event gets started with a formal wreath laying.

For the last few years I’ve volunteered to photograph the annual Wreaths Across America event. Every December people gather to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans.  I photograph a small cemetery in Montevallo Alabama where family member lay the wreaths. Last year I took my Leica M4p and shot a roll of Tri-X with a Voiightlander 35mm. So this year I tried my new Summicron 50mm f2 and took a chance on a roll of Adox HC 50 I read about here in a post from Geoff Chaplin.  This is the second time I have used the new-to-me Summicron. The first time, a No Kings protest I shot on Tri-X on a sunny day so I didn’t get to see how the lens performed wide open. I thought the 50 ISO Adox would give me a chance to shoot with a more shallow DOF.

It did.  I’m not a big fan of grain so I like the slower aspect of the Adox.  Though I was expecting sunshine we ended up with a grey overcast sky rendering low contrast. I think the Adox added a lot of tonality and contrast. And I like the focus fall off with the 50mm as most of my exposures were 1000 sec between f4 and f2.

Pausing at the grave of a veteran and member of the family.
Too young to really understand I think this young girl still knew it was something important.
Musician Chuck King volunteers every year to come play taps. And no matter how often I hear taps it still stirs the heart.
A young girl sitting alone on a grave with her cell phone.

I started developing film and scanning at home over the last year or so but for this decided to try a commercial lab. I was pleased with their work. But I think going forward I’ll keep it at home.

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About The Author

By Art Meripol
Journalism degree. 13 years as a news photographer with a sideline as a concert photographer before 24 years as a magazine travel photographer and the last 13 years freelance for editorial and corporate clients. Official photographer for the US Civil Rights Trail. Now moving away from client work and trying to figure out what's next by returning to film.
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Comments

Charles Young on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 28/01/2026

Art: Thanks for your photos of the veterans. The photos remind us that (for me anyway) photography is about the people and other subjects, not about the gear. I have done my own lab work for about 70 years!
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 28/01/2026

Thank you Charles. It’s always been about the people for me too. And how I wish I had a darkroom.

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RichardH on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 28/01/2026

Art: Thank your for posting these photos of the wreath laying. The "Pausing at the grave.." photo is both gentle and powerful.
I am impressed with your results from Adox HR 50. Slow films are my usual choice for the modest shutter speeds of my cameras. I will look out for that Adox film stock.
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 28/01/2026

Thank you Richard, I now want to try some other low ASA films. Back in the film days many years ago I was always a fan of Panatomic X. I just looked to see if it's still available. Apparently only as expired film. I think it might have been the best (whatever that is) B&W film ever made. At least it was for my preferences.

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Omar Tibi on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 29/01/2026

Nice shots Art! My favorite has to be the bugler, it draws you into the moment, you composed it very well.

I love Adox HR-50 also! I especially like using it for accenting any sharp lines, form, or geometry of a subject, such as in cityscapes & urban abstractions. Once you experience the fineness of slow film, it becomes harder to shoot fast.

If it might interest you, I've reviewed it before here, if you have the time I'm curious as to how you find it in comparison:
https://35mmc.platform81preview.com/21/07/2025/adox-hr-50-a-better-aerial-film/

Have fun shooting and looking forward to more shots from you!
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 29/01/2026

Thanks Omar, With my shots it was soft lines of people and nothing really accented or geometric. But now I want to go out and try some like your suggestions. I'll look at your more in-depth review too. Thanks for that link.

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Jeremy Rata on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 29/01/2026

Love this. I hadn't considered Adox HR50 before, I will now.
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Geoff Chaplin on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 29/01/2026

A difficult underlying topic but concentrating on the grievers and families works very well. Excellent shots, in particular the bugler and child sitting on a grave.
Home development gives you the opportunity to get more from any film than the standard box speed and contrast range. Take a look at pyro developers or compensating developers to capture a higher contrast range for example.
Glad to see somebody reads my posts!
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 29/01/2026

I'm going back to home development as soon as I can. We're in the process of moving so most everything is packed up or scattered somewhere. Hope to be settled into a new place before summer and will get back to processing at home. My lovely spouse doesnt' know that when we are looking at a home I'm thinking ...Darkroom! Thanks for all your great posts. You know they're well read.

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Scott Ferguson on 5 Frames with Adox HR 50

Comment posted: 31/01/2026

Hi Art,
I love these photos, such quiet grace and dignity in front of and behind the camera. Wonderful use of our favored medium to bear witness and pass along meaning. As you know, I'm a bit of a dabbler in different b&w stocks, so I think I have to check me out some Adox.
But terrific post, thanks!
s
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 31/01/2026

Thank you Scott. I really appreciate your comment. This whole ceremony is imbued with quiet grace and warmth. It's an honor to be invited to document it every year. The people are wonderful and often ask me to shoot a family portrait by the gravesite they're honoring. I treasure the chance to do that for them and give them a print as well as a digital version. A hard copy is saved and so often the digital one is lost among the billions in the ether.

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