Boston United vs Yeovil Town on Film

Small non-league grounds are great for being close to the action. Lots of football fans, I think, get used to watching the sport in vast stadiums from high vantage points or, of course, via a screen with the very best views served up to them!

So visiting Boston United for their National League fixture against Yeovil Town in August 2024 was a great opportunity to take a film camera along to get some shots, knowing there was a very good chance to be very close to the action.

Boston’s Jakeman Stadium is relatively new and whilst home fans have a modest stand and covered terrace to choose to watch the game from, away fans have a narrow covered terrace and it’s from here I watched the game, literally just a couple of metres from the playing surface and maybe ten metres from the corner flag.

I packed my still relatively new (to me) Olympus OM-10 along with a newly acquired and un-tested 50mm lens, 75-150mm and (hoping I wasn’t pushing my look) my 500mm f8 mirror lens.

I had a roll of Kodak Tri-X (TX) 400 black and white film partially shot and wish I’d take another roll as I immediately felt conditions and opportunities were good. A good location with a good view across the pitch and bright, with light cloud, probably enough light even for the 500mm, particularly with 400 film!

My first shot was Boston’s mascot, with the 75-150mm. I didn’t anticipate shooting such a close subject so the lens was a little too long and I had focus quickly, remember there’s no autofocus here! I was really pleased with the practice of reacting quickly and background softness produced from a long lens.

Very quickly realising the new 50mm lens is a keeper!

I’m blown away by the quality of the 500mm, but this shot illustrates it’s chief challlenge, it’s focus point is very sensitive. 1/1000th sec.

An accurately focussed shot illustrating the quality of the lens, as well as it’s very narrow depth of field.

Yeovil take an early lead, again with the 500mm lens

Finally some action at our end of the ground and switching back to the 50mm

And find an equaliser

Attacking the goal in front of us in the second half Yeovil take the lead

And celebrate their victory, in front of their fans

Reviewing the images is interesting to see how there’s a very different look to the shots taken in the second half, as the good light from the first half faded away.

Overall very happy that I’m building a quality and reliable kit around my Olympus OM-10. The OM Zuiko prime lenses are remarkably good and practical, being fairly abundant and well priced. I’m already on the lookout for good 100 & 200mm versions. The 75-150mm adds some convenience and flexibility whilst still retaining reasonable quality. The 500mm is a bit of a novelty but as probably one of the smallest and lightest 500mm lenses available it’s actually pretty good and a lens I’ll continue to get to know.

Film Notes

Kodak Tri-X is a really flexible film and I really haven’t suffered any issues with it, it’s very forgiving. It produces a broad range of tones and an almost limitless range of greys, without the sharp contrast of HP5 which can sometimes be a little jarring.

In good lighting and when well exposed it’s grain is fine and details are sharp, unlike digital photography I do find that lighting changes can have an effect on the overall look and ‘feel’ of shots taken on the same film.

Tri-X is becoming my ‘go-to’ black and white film for it’s reliability and flexibility, particularly when I might consider packing the 500mm lens in my bag!