Camera Stories is an on-going series where we ask photographers to tell us about their favourite camera, and give us the story behind one meaningful image they captured with it. This instalment features Vancouver-based photographer Vishal Marapon.

This is a Mamiya 645 medium format camera. A friend of mine told me he had one sitting in his storage so I offered to buy it. It’s such a perfect camera for me as I love taking street photos. I pretty much shoot with one lens which is a 90mm and though it’s not a sharp lens, I’m always happy with the result. Last month I dropped it so I haven’t used it at all. I’m worried it might actually be broken.

One night, I couldn’t sleep so I decided to go for a walk with my Mamiya. I don’t usually shoot at night so it was a great to try it out. I think I used Portra 400 on a tripod and my trusty light meter. There was a time where I thought of selling this camera, but I’m glad I kept it.

Vishal Marapon on Instagram

Vishal Marapon’s Website