35mm film in a digital age

[rpcrowe]

There is a weekly car show in my town in which people show their old cars which they have maintained merticulously. It is fun to visit and look around on a Friday afternoon. My Goldendoodle dog also loves it because she gets all kinds of attention from the crowds of people.

I am mentioning this because I can see that it might be fun to have an old car which I could drive down to the show and interface with the rest of the car owners.

However, if I wanted a car to drive day-in and day-out and to go on vaction with... I would certainly not pick one of these older cars! I drive a reasonably up-to-date vehicle.

Same thing for film. It MIGHT be fun if a photographer has never shot with film, to play with that medium. However, for serious work, give me a good DSLR setup anytime!

[Shadowman]

Okay I have bitten the bullet and bought a 35mm film camera. I have just bought on ebay a Pentax ME Super fingers crossed it is a good example. The photos looked good as did the description. Seems that it was owned by an elderly lady a relation to the seller.

That sounds like an old used car salesman line.

Start out with a roll of b & w and a roll of color. You should be able to get these at a local camera store. I think shooting with b & w film slows you down even more than just shooting a roll of color. You will very likely start out shooting architecture in black and white, I also like shooting everyday life especially near a city center. Sometimes b & w street shots can look timeless, not really knowing when the image was shot save for newer vehicles and someone talking on a cellphone.

[gredawarha]

That sounds like an old used car salesman line.

Start out with a roll of b & w and a roll of color. You should be able to get these at a local camera store. I think shooting with b & w film slows you down even more than just shooting a roll of color. You will very likely start out shooting architecture in black and white, I also like shooting everyday life especially near a city center. Sometimes b & w street shots can look timeless, not really knowing when the image was shot save for newer vehicles and someone talking on a cellphone.

Hi Shadowman

You are right about the car salesmen line but hte seller has good feedback and is offering a return policy so not to worried. Quite the opposite im looking forward to getting my hands on it

[William W]

Sorry I didn't get back in time about some Nikon ideas.
Enjoy the Pentax ME. Nice Camera.

Kiron were a relatively small Lens manufacturer. Vivitar bought them out or had some affiliation. I don't know that particular lens.

Around that time there were a lot of “standard zooms” all very similar in design, but any Pentax Prime of that era will be much, (probably ‘a lot’), better though.

WW

[gredawarha]

Sorry I didn't get back in time about some Nikon ideas.
Enjoy the Pentax ME. Nice Camera.

Kiron were a relatively small Lens manufacturer. Vivitar bought them out or had some affiliation. I don't know that particular lens.

Around that time there were a lot of “standard zooms” all very similar in design, but any Pentax Prime of that era will be much, (probably ‘a lot’), better though.

WW

Hi Bill

No need to apologise. I am now impatiently waiting for my Pentax to be delivered along with some 400 Tri-X and batteries.

[gredawarha]

Hi Bill

No need to apologise. I am now impatiently waiting for my Pentax to be delivered along with some 400 Tri-X and batteries.

Okay, batteries were delivered a few days ago but today I got camera and surprisigly the 28mm F2.8 that I ordered seperatly arrived too.

First impressions of the camera. I had forgot that it came with a small bag, the bag smells of old lady. The camera with the Kiron lens is a little heavier than I imagined but not too heavy. The camera is clearly used and old but considering that it appears in good condition. The lens has a bit of marking on the front element and when peering through the back there appears to be some spots which I presume are dust.

So far I am happy with my purchase.

Waiting now for the film, will then take some test shots with the Kiron zoom, the 28mm F2.8, 50mm F2 and the 135mm F3.5 that I am waiting on.

Edit, when I put the 28mm lens on I was suprised by how much brighter the view finder is compared with Kiron lens and my Nikon D3100

[GrahamH]

........the bag smells of old lady........

Very vivid picture popped into mind - ah well, I need to lose some weight.
Graham

[gredawarha]

Very vivid picture popped into mind - ah well, I need to lose some weight.
Graham

[gredawarha]

Okay for those interested here are some images of the Pentax ME Super with the 28mm SMC F2.8 attached and a seperate image of the Kiron lens

[IMG] Pentax3 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] Pentax1 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] Pentax2 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Shadowman]

Very nice. if you are interested, here is some info on your lens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiron_Lenses

[William W]

You have to make a self portrait with the clockwork shutter delay mechanism – that’s so fun to do.

WW

[Letrow]

Fun to read this thread, as I have been looking through my old negatives lately. It reminded me of a few good cameras I have had (Nikon FE2; Contax G1). I sold all those a long while ago and the only camera I kept is the Nikon 35Ti.
Especially the Contax G1 with its beautiful lenses still appeals to me, but TBH, when I think about it, I wouldn't want to use film anymore.
Camera quality nowadays is pretty good and with my D600 I don't feel like I am missing something. So, the only reason to use film cameras would be for old time's sake. At least, that is how I feel about it.

The big disadvantage of using film is not being able to view the result immediately. Was lighting ok? Did my subject have the eyes closed? Etc., etc.

The advantage of using film is of course that you get to explore a nicely made analogue camera, get to see the shutter close from inside if you want and overall get to enjoy a well made old-fashioned product. I would think that it evokes the same sentiments as a mechanical watch does for some people.
I hope you enjoy your Pentax!

[gredawarha]

Fun to read this thread, as I have been looking through my old negatives lately. It reminded me of a few good cameras I have had (Nikon FE2; Contax G1). I sold all those a long while ago and the only camera I kept is the Nikon 35Ti.
Especially the Contax G1 with its beautiful lenses still appeals to me, but TBH, when I think about it, I wouldn't want to use film anymore.
Camera quality nowadays is pretty good and with my D600 I don't feel like I am missing something. So, the only reason to use film cameras would be for old time's sake. At least, that is how I feel about it.

The big disadvantage of using film is not being able to view the result immediately. Was lighting ok? Did my subject have the eyes closed? Etc., etc.

The advantage of using film is of course that you get to explore a nicely made analogue camera, get to see the shutter close from inside if you want and overall get to enjoy a well made old-fashioned product. I would think that it evokes the same sentiments as a mechanical watch does for some people.
I hope you enjoy your Pentax!

Hi Peter

You have pretty much summed up how I feel. I will be using my digital camera most of the time. I'm 34 years old but have only gotten into photography in the last year. By purchasing this SLR I can kind of connect to the past and understand how it used to work.

[Shadowman]

Hi Peter

You have pretty much summed up how I feel. I will be using my digital camera most of the time. I'm 34 years old but have only gotten into photography in the last year. By purchasing this SLR I can kind of connect to the past and understand how it used to work.

You could start a list for the two technologies (digital and film) and there would be a marked contrast as to what would be acceptable and unaccepatble between the two. I'll start:


Digital
Noise (unacceptable)
Printing (investment/variable)
Power/battery (small utility fee)

Film
Noise (acceptable)
Printing (variable)
Power/battery (variable)

[Shadowman]

For Darren and anyone else interested in film photography.

http://microsites.lomography.com/ana...e043937c0064ba

[gerryquiff]

Okay I have bitten the bullet and bought a 35mm film camera. I have just bought on ebay a Pentax ME Super fingers crossed it is a good example. The photos looked good as did the description. Seems that it was owned by an elderly lady a relation to the seller.

It comes with a Kiron 28-70mm f/3.5 - 4.5 which I know little about but I have my eye on some fast 50mm primes.

Next thing to do is think about what film to buy and where from in the UK so if anybody has any comments I would be keen to hear from you.

I've a similarly aged Pentax, an MX model with f1.7 50mm Pentax lens. (I've had it since the 1990s)

I've used it recently on a couple of model shoots with my dSLR as the main camera. (the models have been intrigued by it)

Poundland has been stocking both Kodak and AGFA films with a decent shelf life. I don't need to tell you the price

Snappy Snaps are reasonably priced for their developing and printing, and will also scan the images onto a disc (36 colour film D & P & CD for £12 ish)

There's a few of us in my local camera club with interest in film developing and printing, and I'll hopefully learn that art through time.

There's a recently formed group on facebook for film users. PM me and I'll certainly send you the link.


Gerry

[gredawarha]

For Darren and anyone else interested in film photography.

http://microsites.lomography.com/ana...e043937c0064ba

Thanks!

[gredawarha]

I've a similarly aged Pentax, an MX model with f1.7 50mm Pentax lens. (I've had it since the 1990s)

I've used it recently on a couple of model shoots with my dSLR as the main camera. (the models have been intrigued by it)

Poundland has been stocking both Kodak and AGFA films with a decent shelf life. I don't need to tell you the price

Snappy Snaps are reasonably priced for their developing and printing, and will also scan the images onto a disc (36 colour film D & P & CD for £12 ish)

There's a few of us in my local camera club with interest in film developing and printing, and I'll hopefully learn that art through time.

There's a recently formed group on facebook for film users. PM me and I'll certainly send you the link.


Gerry

Hi Gerry

My missus goes to poundland or something similar every couple of months as she stocks up on toothpaste and other such things. I will have to go with her next time and have a look.

I have thought about Snappy Snaps as there is one not far from where I work. Otherwise I am likely to send the film by post to Ilfords develop labs.

[gredawarha]

Morning all

I thought I would update this thread as I have today received my negatives and digital copies of my first roll of film.

I found using a film camera quite different to digital. Getting used to not being able to see what I had captured immediatly after was very odd. It was also however exciting having to wait and see what might be. Whilst using the camera I found it easy to handle starting from when I loaded the film to using it each day I had it with me. With the 28mm, 50mm and 135mm I had a good selection of prime lenses that were easy to switch between.

Manual focusing was difficult but made easier that say with my D3100 due to the lovely big bright viewfinder and the split focusing ring. Whilst shooting I did feel that I was doing okay but some of the images that I know have do show signs of being out of focus. Some are particularly bad where it is clear that due to low light I had the aperture wide open, great for capturing lots of light but the small depth of field meant the focus was out.

[IMG] cnv00034 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

In this photo you can see where the tree seems to be in focus but Alex my Son is slightly out of focus. Here are a few others taken:

[IMG] cnv00029 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] cnv00019 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] cnv00010 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

All in all I have enjoyed using the film camera and I certainly will continue to use along side my digital camera

[Shadowman]

Morning all

I thought I would update this thread as I have today received my negatives and digital copies of my first roll of film.

I found using a film camera quite different to digital. Getting used to not being able to see what I had captured immediatly after was very odd. It was also however exciting having to wait and see what might be. Whilst using the camera I found it easy to handle starting from when I loaded the film to using it each day I had it with me. With the 28mm, 50mm and 135mm I had a good selection of prime lenses that were easy to switch between.

Manual focusing was difficult but made easier that say with my D3100 due to the lovely big bright viewfinder and the split focusing ring. Whilst shooting I did feel that I was doing okay but some of the images that I know have do show signs of being out of focus. Some are particularly bad where it is clear that due to low light I had the aperture wide open, great for capturing lots of light but the small depth of field meant the focus was out.

[IMG] cnv00034 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

In this photo you can see where the tree seems to be in focus but Alex my Son is slightly out of focus. Here are a few others taken:

[IMG] cnv00029 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] cnv00019 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] cnv00010 by Darren Joseph Gregory, on Flickr[/IMG]

All in all I have enjoyed using the film camera and I certainly will continue to use along side my digital camera

Darren,

Very nice images. Does your camera have auto or manual focus system? Perhaps in the child photo the camera was focusing on the closest object.

Keep in mind that there are different criteria used for evaluating film images as opposed to digital images. Additionally, you would want some softness on a child's image, however yes the tree does seem to be more in focus.