Does anyone use cameras that take film anymore?

[Johnniem]

Between my wife and I we have two Canon EOS SLRs in 'as new' condition. I also have an Olympus OM 2 (fantastic camera!) with various lenses and other stuff. Trouble is that I am now hankering after an SLR digital camera as it more suits me and how I snap away, willy nilly. (not the professional or even good amateur; as you may have noticed!).

Have looked at the Canon EOS560D (£560) which looks pretty good and will be compatible with our additional EOS lenses but there's no point in buying another camera unless I can get rid of the other three. Is there a market for this stuff anymore or will it be ebay for me and be done with it?

Also, if I might be so bold, I am off to Thailand in 2 weeks time. If I take my Canon is there anything I need to do to protect the film from high levels of humidity? When I went to Sri Lanka in 1978 all my photos were really fuzzy when developed and the tour photographer told me it was heat/humidity induced. Any thoughts?

[GetCarter]

1/ e bay and be damned

2/ I always used to keep my film in the fridge (not near the freezer bit!) Mini bar perhaps?

Sell and buy a DSLR - you won't regret it.

Steve (Recently stopped using Nikon, Hassleblad and Bronica film cameras).

[bacchus180]

I use hasselblad and leica.. both of which can be film or digital.. must admit.. haven't picked a roll up for years.. too expensive

[simpo two]

Unless your film cameras are collectable or have sentimental value, I'd sell them on eBay asap and put the money towards a DSLR. If you do it now you won't have to worry about taking film on holiday

I was perfectly happy with my Nikon F70 - then when I got a digital compact 'just for fun' I realised it was suddenly a dinosaur.

[FunkyNige]

What bits you selling for the Canons?

[te51cle]

I never had any problems in Kenya, Australia, South Africa or Singapore from the 90s onwards. Take sensible precautions such as not leaving your film in an enclosed vehicle or in the sun. Keep them in their tubs until you want to change rolls and try to change films in a comparatively arid place. I have heard that its best to protect your film from steep temperature gradients too, so if your film does get hot accidentally don't stick it straight in the fridge to cool it off - my films survived a couple of such 120 degree plus accidents with no loss in quality.

One other thing, use amateur rather than be tempted by professional films as amateur films are designed to tolerate a wider range of climatic conditions.

[LongQ]

The late 70's was a time when certain places turned up the power of their X-ray machines - especially if people had allowed for that and bought lead lined film pouches! I can't remember where it was but there was on trip I made twhere the boys on the security system refused to hand check the films and insisted on putting them through the machine. Not only were the results 'cloudy' but a couple of rolls I had left in the camera bag, 'cos they would not fit in the lead lined, had a perfect image of the camera bag's zip across the first 5 or 6 frames on the roll.

Ebay is a good source of comparative pricing. I don't check everything - too much around - but prices can be strangely volatile, some items attracting very little attention and low prices and the next one the same a few hours later achieving spectacular money.

That said there does seem to be a tendency for quite high prices on some of the old Canon FD stuff (never did get to EOS) at the moment. At least, high compared to typical prices a few weeks ago.

Ebay offers an opportunity to see what items have sold for during previous months. Never can remember how to get there though. But if you can find it it might give you a good idea of what sort of prices the kit is fetching.

[Vipers]

Johnniem said:

ebay for me and be done with it?

Wouldnt touch e-bay with a 10ft barge pole, so many get ripped off, but its not widely publicised.

Two pals of mine purchased laptops, sent up the dosh, never ever saw the laptop. What does e-bay do, nothing cept told them to read their disclaimer etc etc.

Quicker and easier to take them to Jessops, or if you feel benevolent, donate them to a local camera club or something.

[LongQ]

Vipers said:

Johnniem said: ebay for me and be done with it? Wouldnt touch e-bay with a 10ft barge pole, so many get ripped off, but its not widely publicised.

Not so much of a problem if you are selling of course.

You have to go in with your eyes open if buying. The few things that I have bought I've been pleased with and have had no problems.

[imperialism2024]

LongQ said:

Vipers said: Johnniem said: ebay for me and be done with it? Wouldnt touch e-bay with a 10ft barge pole, so many get ripped off, but its not widely publicised. Not so much of a problem if you are selling of course. You have to go in with your eyes open if buying. The few things that I have bought I've been pleased with and have had no problems.

I've actually heard it's worse to sell. At least with paying credit card, one can cancel payment for services not received, IIRC. May depend on location and bank, though. But I've heard most complaints concerning PayPal screwing sellers.

[Vipers]

LongQ said:

Vipers said: Johnniem said: ebay for me and be done with it? Wouldnt touch e-bay with a 10ft barge pole, so many get ripped off, but its not widely publicised. Not so much of a problem if you are selling of course. You have to go in with your eyes open if buying. The few things that I have bought I've been pleased with and have had no problems.

Good to hear that. Incidently for those who still use film www.7dayshop.com usually have some excellent deals on film and batteries. Some of the camera batteries costing £5.99 in shops, are about a quid from there, well worth a visit.

[trackcar]

bacchus180 said:

I use hasselblad and leica.. both of which can be film or digital.. must admit.. haven't picked a roll up for years.. too expensive

lol .. surely if you can afford those cameras you can afford the film Gary?

[bacchus180]

valid point.. lol I should explain.. to get to the quality that the clients expect you would have a roll professionaly processed and drum scanned.. anywhere between 35-50 quid a frame depending on res.. now I can spit out same files for nought.. saves me 20 grand a year plus.. so I can't afford film..lol.. and still charge the same and more bunce for moi!

[Johnniem]

Thank you all for your helpful reponses. To funkynige, I will be selling two canon EOS SLR camera bodies and 35 - 130(?) standard lenses. I will be keeping the wide angle as it will fit the digital EOS. Let me know if anything interests you.

[trackcar]

ah I see .. good point!

I still have my trusty old OM3 kicking around somewhere .. though it must be 3 years since i last looked at it .. can't bear to part with it though, not really worth enough to sell on and has great sentimental value.

[simpo two]

Vipers said:

Two pals of mine purchased laptops, sent up the dosh, never ever saw the laptop. What does e-bay do, nothing cept told them to read their disclaimer etc etc. Quicker and easier to take them to Jessops, or if you feel benevolent, donate them to a local camera club or something.

Certain things on eBay are best avoided - ie laptops and highly desirable high-value electronic items like DSLRs sold on a BuyItNow basis for half price as an 'unwanted gift' from a seller called Ngorogorocrater. You learn to spot these.

Genuine sellers are easy to spot, as their history lists a remarkable collection of household and hobby items both bought and sold.

Selling is effectively risk-free - you don't ship the goods until you've received the money, so your fears of being 'ripped off' are not valid.

Jessops will give you 3/4 of 5/8 of eff all, and will simply re-sell them for twice that. But don't expect anything like cost price even on eBay; my £280 F70 body went for about £92. Point is - shift them now while they still have some value. Throw your spare films in as well to help the deal.

[theboyfold]

Nooooooo! Don't do it, keep your film cameras! Nothing can touch them in my opnion. By all means add a DSLR to the collection, which I use all the time and I'm learning loads from, but it just can't touch a decent film camera loaded with some Velvia. Sure it takes ages to get it developed, and I'm sure with some Photoshopping you can fix the DSLR images to (almost)match the film version, but where is the fun in that. Nothing beats the feeling of getting a decent roll of film back (well maybe a Clio on 3 wheels) but you know what I mean. Great pictures straight from the camera, with the warmth and feeling that only good film can produce.
Sorry if this post is of no use, and is totally off topic, but I'm in the mood for ranting today!

ps: Pick up a Holga and embrace medium format, light leaks, soft focus and all the other things that digits just can't do!!

rant over

[simpo two]

[antonyb]

i have a canon dslr which i love (never thought i would), but i also have Contax and Leica film cameras. Must admit the contax doesnt get used much now, but the leica is still by far my favourite.

its an m3 rangefinder, completely mechanical and is the most involving, satisfying and beautifully crafted object you could ever hope to take a picture with.

i wont be selling it.

if i had standard slr gear i would swap to full frame digital. although selling the old gear wont come close to full frame digital... price wise.

the best bet IMHO is a leica R9 or R8 film camera, invest in some glass and then later on buy the digital back when they bring out the next gen version with more pixels.

money no object of course

[dinkel]

Love that thing, nice 135mm 2.8 is utter utter quality . . . good enough flashy, fast and reliable, battery just goes on and on . . .