Berlin’s Tempelhof Feld is unlike any other. This vast expanse, once a bustling airport central to the city’s history, now serves as a massive public park—a unique blend of historical remnants and wide-open recreational space. In the summer of 2023, I joined a photo walk organized by the great folks at Safelight Berlin, armed with my trusty Canon F-1 and a very special roll of film: a heavily expired AGFA HDC 100.
And here I’m thrilled to share some results from that day. While navigating Tempelhof’s scale with a camera, I was drawn to the contrasts—the stark white radio tower against the summer sky, the wildflowers pushing up near old tarmac markings, and nuanced reminders of its aviation past scattered across the green.
Capturing the perfect alignment wasn’t always easy, especially with the old radio tower. Still, trying with this specific film felt like part of the adventure.
Shooting Expired AGFA HDC 100 Film at Berlin’s Tempelhof Field
This outing marked my first dedicated analog photo exploration of Tempelhof. Living relatively close by, I often take its presence for granted. Except for barbecues. And it opened my head for this former airport as a place to explore analog photography. I have been there many times after this first photo walk.
But seeing it through the viewfinder of the Canon F-1, knowing I had only 36 exposures on an uncommon, expired roll of AGFA HDC 100, sharpened my focus. It motivated me to look closer and appreciate details I might otherwise overlook. After that, Tempelhof has become one of my go-to local spots for testing new (or old!) film stocks and lenses. It’s a readily accessible canvas for analog experimentation.
The world of color film photography often seems divided into camps—there are the Fuji fans who embrace cooler palettes, the Kodak devotees who love warm tones, and those, like myself, who simply enjoy the medium in all its diversity. But I have to say that I do hold a particular appreciation for Agfa’s color films. Sometimes, they appear on eBay listings, whispering tales of past photos, and I have to start bidding.
Among these gems is the AGFA HDC 100. The “HDC” stands for “High Definition Color,” and finding a roll these days feels like unearthing a minor photographic treasure.
Production ceased years ago (sources suggest around 2005, though confirmation is tricky), making each expired roll a bit of a gamble and a unique experience.
It’s an ISO 100, C-41 process film originally available only for 35mm cameras. Based on my experiences, AGFA HDC 100 rendered some distorted colors with a pleasing warm tone. It could be the sunny afternoon when I used it. Still, it felt clean and precise, even with the unpredictability introduced by its age.
Shooting heavily expired film, especially color negative like this AGFA HDC 100, is always an exercise in managing expectations. Especially because I had to expose it to around ISO 25 due to its age. You might encounter color shifts, increased grain, or variations in sensitivity. But that’s part of the appeal! You’re working with something that has its own history and unpredictable character.
My goal wasn’t technical perfection but rather to see how this specific roll of AGFA HDC 100 would interpret the unique light and atmosphere of a Berlin summer day at Tempelhof through the reliable mechanics of the Canon F-1. And I can clearly say that I accomplished that.
AGFA HDC 100: A Blast from the Past on an Analog Photowalk in Tempelhof
The Safelight Berlin Photowalk provided the perfect context—a communal experience focused on the joy of shooting film. Slowing down, manually focusing, metering the light, and making each frame count felt right in a place as expansive and contemplative as Tempelhof. Discovering new vantage points and compositions within this familiar landscape was incredibly rewarding. If you are interested in photo walks like this one, watch what Safelight posts on Instagram!
While finding the AGFA HDC 100 today requires patience and perhaps a bit of luck on auction sites, shooting it was genuinely enjoyable. It offered a different look and a distinct color signature from a bygone era of film production. I managed to get my hands on more rolls after shooting this one since I was quite pleased with the results.
For those seeking a currently available alternative with a similar speed, the Kodak Gold 200, might be considered. However, they will certainly have their own different color characteristics.
Exploring Tempelhof with this particular camera combination and an expired AGFA HDC 100 film was a fantastic reminder of why analog photography continues to fascinate me. It connects you to the process, the place, and even the history of the materials you’re using.
If you can, grab a film camera, wander around Tempelhof, and see what stories you can capture. And if you ever stumble upon a roll of AGFA HDC 100, give it a shot – you might be surprised by the results!
