Cheap fun with film
Discussion
Now then!
Im pretty much a novice when it comes to photography, I have a very normal compact digi that I use, however I've become really interested in shooting film.
However I enjoy it, and know what I like to see.
My reasons being
- I can get good quality equipment for low cost
- I enjoy actually getting prints - i Very rarely print my digital pictures, and ive decided whats the point in taking pictures if i cant hang them up, look at them, touch them...
- It looks like fun
- old cameras are really cool, have some old non working (presumably) things on a shelf, all leather and wood type efforts. Know nothing about them.
A friend has reccomended I buy an Olympus OM-10 with a basic 50mm lense, apparently all you photo people will know it.
Supposed to be sturdy, easy to use, cheap, easy to find. And a good few years older than I am!
Then the plan is, buy a load of film, and just muck about...
At NYE I am staying in a cabin in the middle of a forest with loads fo friends ,I'd quite like to record that in images.
I also really like the look of the Lomo cameras, jut to keep in your bag, take out at night etc. The pictures are 'technically' shite, but visually wonderful and intriguing.
what do you all adivse
Im pretty much a novice when it comes to photography, I have a very normal compact digi that I use, however I've become really interested in shooting film.
However I enjoy it, and know what I like to see.
My reasons being
- I can get good quality equipment for low cost
- I enjoy actually getting prints - i Very rarely print my digital pictures, and ive decided whats the point in taking pictures if i cant hang them up, look at them, touch them...
- It looks like fun
- old cameras are really cool, have some old non working (presumably) things on a shelf, all leather and wood type efforts. Know nothing about them.
A friend has reccomended I buy an Olympus OM-10 with a basic 50mm lense, apparently all you photo people will know it.
Supposed to be sturdy, easy to use, cheap, easy to find. And a good few years older than I am!
Then the plan is, buy a load of film, and just muck about...
At NYE I am staying in a cabin in the middle of a forest with loads fo friends ,I'd quite like to record that in images.
I also really like the look of the Lomo cameras, jut to keep in your bag, take out at night etc. The pictures are 'technically' shite, but visually wonderful and intriguing.
what do you all adivse
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 16th November 23:56
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 16th November 23:56
Not to start a film versus digital thread, but......
I've stayed with film for various reasons, but the key reason is that I actually quite like the disconnect between taking the picture and getting the results. It makes me think about my images more carefully, as I can't just check the results on the little LCD screen. Of course it means that I get about a 10% success rate, but it's all about the fun of taking photos not just the production of a final image.
I should hasten to add, that I (i) own a digital point & shoot camera which I use solely for family type photos and (ii) scan my slides/film for image maniupulation and printing (providing the best of both worlds).....
I've stayed with film for various reasons, but the key reason is that I actually quite like the disconnect between taking the picture and getting the results. It makes me think about my images more carefully, as I can't just check the results on the little LCD screen. Of course it means that I get about a 10% success rate, but it's all about the fun of taking photos not just the production of a final image.
I should hasten to add, that I (i) own a digital point & shoot camera which I use solely for family type photos and (ii) scan my slides/film for image maniupulation and printing (providing the best of both worlds).....
Sounds like great fun, and going to the right place for film stuff means you could probably get a whole set up for peanuts.
I kept my old Canon bodies (and EOS 5 and and IX & - the latter is a dodgy APS SLR), the handy thing was having a couple of lenses to transfer to digital.
Lomo stuff looks great, I think it's got a real creative and 'fun' quality to it. The other great thing is that if it's cheap stuff you've got, you're more likely to take the camera out with you and use it in some more unusual places (I, er, took my EOS5 out mountain biking in Wales in a holster - worked fine as long as I tried not remembering it was there!)
Let us know how you get on.
I kept my old Canon bodies (and EOS 5 and and IX & - the latter is a dodgy APS SLR), the handy thing was having a couple of lenses to transfer to digital.
Lomo stuff looks great, I think it's got a real creative and 'fun' quality to it. The other great thing is that if it's cheap stuff you've got, you're more likely to take the camera out with you and use it in some more unusual places (I, er, took my EOS5 out mountain biking in Wales in a holster - worked fine as long as I tried not remembering it was there!)
Let us know how you get on.
Hope I am in time to help here...
IF YOU GO FOR AN OM10 CHECK THE SHUTTER WORKS PROPERLY AT ALL SPEEDS
I have owned several OM10s and they are great but the electromagmetic shutter release has a habit of releasing the closing blind late and thus causing overexposure/shake etc.
It used to be a faily cheap repair but I have no experience these days of that sort of thing (my local repair chaps have shut up shop - well one has, he finally retired, the other popped his clogs, pity that).
I use a Nikon 301 - fairly basic and, yes, real good fun. Even bought a tank and chemicals to redo some processing, now I need the rest of the darkroom kit - anyone got a cheap enlarger and trays etc?
I have even noticed that the local hock-shops (Cash Converters) have periodic sales of cheap 35mm kit - bought a Praktika IV, just like the one I owned in 1967!! not tried it yet, but I will be out asap.
Keep in touch if you do do it.
Rob
edit to add: dragging my brains about the OM10 - it was an automatic so gave you little control on exposure except by juggling the film speeds. There was a manual adaptor which enabled you to control the shutter speed, just plugged into the side.
Lomo and the like give you very strange results, I like them. You could also look for those cheap plastic-lensed 'focus-free' things, I won't justify them with the name camera. They can give you some surprising results as long as you have good conditions or FAST film.
And also those old wood and leather items might be interesting to revitalise - whay are they?
IF YOU GO FOR AN OM10 CHECK THE SHUTTER WORKS PROPERLY AT ALL SPEEDS
I have owned several OM10s and they are great but the electromagmetic shutter release has a habit of releasing the closing blind late and thus causing overexposure/shake etc.
It used to be a faily cheap repair but I have no experience these days of that sort of thing (my local repair chaps have shut up shop - well one has, he finally retired, the other popped his clogs, pity that).
I use a Nikon 301 - fairly basic and, yes, real good fun. Even bought a tank and chemicals to redo some processing, now I need the rest of the darkroom kit - anyone got a cheap enlarger and trays etc?
I have even noticed that the local hock-shops (Cash Converters) have periodic sales of cheap 35mm kit - bought a Praktika IV, just like the one I owned in 1967!! not tried it yet, but I will be out asap.
Keep in touch if you do do it.
Rob
edit to add: dragging my brains about the OM10 - it was an automatic so gave you little control on exposure except by juggling the film speeds. There was a manual adaptor which enabled you to control the shutter speed, just plugged into the side.
Lomo and the like give you very strange results, I like them. You could also look for those cheap plastic-lensed 'focus-free' things, I won't justify them with the name camera. They can give you some surprising results as long as you have good conditions or FAST film.
And also those old wood and leather items might be interesting to revitalise - whay are they?
Edited by robbin'b on Tuesday 21st November 15:45
Edited by robbin'b on Friday 24th November 11:35
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff