newbie question
Discussion
OK guys (deep breath),some advice please. Many moons ago I did some 'old fashioned' film photography at college & quite fancy getting back into it. I have a Rollieflex T, some accessories (incl light meter etc) but no dark room set up. I've approached several photography clubs here in Plymouth & whilst they all were friendly & approachable, it seems none have access to dark rooms, although they all have members who still indulge in film - but mainly 35mm slides it seems.
Now to my questions. Is it worth me investing in a scanner & not bothering with the 'wet' route at all ? If so, what do you recommend ? I have been thinking about an Epson V500 - anyone had any experience with this machine ? Worth the price ? I have a lap top computer (1G)so would it be a good idea to buy an external hard drive ?
I know, so many questions !!
If I'm honest, I would really like to do the dark room stuff again (masochistic tendancies ?), although I know there would be a steep re-learning curve. I guess even this area has moved on since the early eightees !
Would really appreciate some advice.
Chris
Now to my questions. Is it worth me investing in a scanner & not bothering with the 'wet' route at all ? If so, what do you recommend ? I have been thinking about an Epson V500 - anyone had any experience with this machine ? Worth the price ? I have a lap top computer (1G)so would it be a good idea to buy an external hard drive ?
I know, so many questions !!
If I'm honest, I would really like to do the dark room stuff again (masochistic tendancies ?), although I know there would be a steep re-learning curve. I guess even this area has moved on since the early eightees !
Would really appreciate some advice.
Chris
i have a whole darkroom setup! its a little old but i have it all. projector, developing tubs, measures and i even have the equipment todo colour prints aswell! i am also looking to get rid of it all. if your interested drop me an email and we could arrange something?
Edited by L4MBOLUV3R on Tuesday 24th March 00:40
Chris, you can develop negatives (and slides for that matter) without needing a darkroom.
Film can be moved from it's canister to a developing tank using a 'dark bag'. Basically it's a large black bag with two openings that your arms go into. You put the film canister and developing tank in, close it up, put your arms in the hole and transfer the film to the tank. Once the film is inside the tank, all other developing can be done in daylight, as the tank is lightproof.
Once all the processing is done, you open up the tank and pull out your roll of negatives/slides.
Film can be moved from it's canister to a developing tank using a 'dark bag'. Basically it's a large black bag with two openings that your arms go into. You put the film canister and developing tank in, close it up, put your arms in the hole and transfer the film to the tank. Once the film is inside the tank, all other developing can be done in daylight, as the tank is lightproof.
Once all the processing is done, you open up the tank and pull out your roll of negatives/slides.
DIW35 said:
Chris, you can develop negatives (and slides for that matter) without needing a darkroom.
Film can be moved from it's canister to a developing tank using a 'dark bag'. Basically it's a large black bag with two openings that your arms go into. You put the film canister and developing tank in, close it up, put your arms in the hole and transfer the film to the tank. Once the film is inside the tank, all other developing can be done in daylight, as the tank is lightproof.
Once all the processing is done, you open up the tank and pull out your roll of negatives/slides.
Thanks Del Boy - will defo look into that.Film can be moved from it's canister to a developing tank using a 'dark bag'. Basically it's a large black bag with two openings that your arms go into. You put the film canister and developing tank in, close it up, put your arms in the hole and transfer the film to the tank. Once the film is inside the tank, all other developing can be done in daylight, as the tank is lightproof.
Once all the processing is done, you open up the tank and pull out your roll of negatives/slides.
No one out there used an Epson V500 (or similar ?) then ?
Chris
I did 'old fashioned' developing for many years, and I'm wondering why the hell you want to re-visit!
Unless you like the smell, and the 'burn' marks on your clothes of course.
If you want to shoot film, that's strange, but fine. I know several from here still do. (Med and Large format are still unbeatable). But why do you want to 'dark room'? If you like red light may I suggest Amsterdam?
Why not buy a DSLR and save yourself a HUGE amount of money. (Not in the camera or software, but in everything else - you'll be quids in after a year or two, and almost certainly producing better images).
Unless you like the smell, and the 'burn' marks on your clothes of course.
If you want to shoot film, that's strange, but fine. I know several from here still do. (Med and Large format are still unbeatable). But why do you want to 'dark room'? If you like red light may I suggest Amsterdam?
Why not buy a DSLR and save yourself a HUGE amount of money. (Not in the camera or software, but in everything else - you'll be quids in after a year or two, and almost certainly producing better images).
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 25th March 14:44
Thanks Steve / Ian
You highlight very nicely my ignorance of the current 'state of the art' as it were - I didn't think about the possibility of the lab processing roll film & digitising the results !! As for cameras, I already have a Rolleiflex which I know takes very good pictures - at least as good as any digital I've seen lately, but I guess someone will come along soon to correct me on that also !
Thanks for the advice.
Chris
You highlight very nicely my ignorance of the current 'state of the art' as it were - I didn't think about the possibility of the lab processing roll film & digitising the results !! As for cameras, I already have a Rolleiflex which I know takes very good pictures - at least as good as any digital I've seen lately, but I guess someone will come along soon to correct me on that also !
Thanks for the advice.
Chris
Also Chris, just to point out that the Rollei will be producing 2 1/4" square negs, not a job that can be done generally by your local lab. You'd need to find a local professional lab who can develop that size. Or send them to a mail order lab. And if you planning to scan these negs, you'll need a machine that can hold these larger negs as most are set up for 35mm.
there must be a reason why people still use film as opposed to Digital? excuse my ignorance & curiosity.
I am as of today thinking about photography as a new channel for my creativity but am a COMPLETE novice! so please excuse the dumb questions
I am as of today thinking about photography as a new channel for my creativity but am a COMPLETE novice! so please excuse the dumb questions
Edited by Pvapour on Thursday 26th March 20:58
Yo PV, don't see you around this part of the forum often! Get yourself a nice camera and take some pictures of your Integrale.
A lot of people who get into photography with a DSLR will at some point decide they want to make a foray into film - I certainly did and still am using film a fair bit. Generally the reasoning is that it slows you down, makes you think more about what you are shooting, and that translates into your digital work improving as well
For whatever reason I find the process is more enjoyable and a good result is more rewarding with film, it is bloody expensive though.
Given the choice of just one I'd go digital without hesitation.
To the OP - GetCarter's advice is sound - go digital and refine your skillz first, then maybe switch back to film if you think you still want to.
A lot of people who get into photography with a DSLR will at some point decide they want to make a foray into film - I certainly did and still am using film a fair bit. Generally the reasoning is that it slows you down, makes you think more about what you are shooting, and that translates into your digital work improving as well
For whatever reason I find the process is more enjoyable and a good result is more rewarding with film, it is bloody expensive though.
Given the choice of just one I'd go digital without hesitation.
To the OP - GetCarter's advice is sound - go digital and refine your skillz first, then maybe switch back to film if you think you still want to.
I think it largely depends on your age. If you've not grown up with film, then you may well have an interest in trying film to see how it all works. For people who started out with film like me, I'd be surprised if many want to go back to it. I know I wouldn't dream of it!
Having said that, I've never used anything other than 35mm SLR or DSLR, so medium format stuff isn't something I could comment on.
Having said that, I've never used anything other than 35mm SLR or DSLR, so medium format stuff isn't something I could comment on.
thanks for the advice, I'm quite comfortable with digy TBO (pretty aept with PS too so that should help) what sort of digy camera is good for a learner then? I see SLR mentioned allot, are there different models within that range? if so, is there a minimum spec model for decent images? I'd like it to be as flexible as possible as I'm not sure what type of photography as yet.
Any book recommendations for beginners would be good also
Didn't realise you were into photography Dobbo? do you drink when taking pictures as well be good to see you back Sunday (hope it behaves 
)
Any book recommendations for beginners would be good also
Didn't realise you were into photography Dobbo? do you drink when taking pictures as well
be good to see you back Sunday (hope it behaves )Ok, so had a bit of a read up this morning on the DPR website, and nosed through some posts on here.
I definitely want to go Digital, am I right in thinking the Cannon SLR range seem to be slightly ahead of the game? or have been & the others have now closed the margin somewhat?
As an entry level SLR I'm guessing the new eos 500d would be quite favourite but I dont need the HD video capability as I have a cannon HD video camera, the FPS will be quite important as I'd like to do some motorsport shots, dont have any existing lenses etc to try and reuse.
Basically a good beginners, anti shake, point and squirt camera is what I need but the ability to grow with my skills & expand with additional lenses etc.
If there are killer packages with stands and lenses included that anyone knows of that would be great, maybe even someone's old 450 that they are looking to move on from?
Don't know, maybe Cannon is not the way forward? I have good experience with them in movie cameras so maybe hugging the brand for security here
Don't mind used if thats a good way to go, budget around £800 really.
Just starting Scuba diving too so would be great to get some underwater images, I'm guessing you cant just use a waterproof casing for your existing camera & it would have to be a whole different type of camera?
OOOoooo just found this, it's getting exciting maybe this or similar casing will sway what model I have to go for....
Chris - sorry for the hijack
I definitely want to go Digital, am I right in thinking the Cannon SLR range seem to be slightly ahead of the game? or have been & the others have now closed the margin somewhat?
As an entry level SLR I'm guessing the new eos 500d would be quite favourite but I dont need the HD video capability as I have a cannon HD video camera, the FPS will be quite important as I'd like to do some motorsport shots, dont have any existing lenses etc to try and reuse.
Basically a good beginners, anti shake, point and squirt camera is what I need but the ability to grow with my skills & expand with additional lenses etc.
If there are killer packages with stands and lenses included that anyone knows of that would be great, maybe even someone's old 450 that they are looking to move on from?
Don't know, maybe Cannon is not the way forward? I have good experience with them in movie cameras so maybe hugging the brand for security here
Don't mind used if thats a good way to go, budget around £800 really.
Just starting Scuba diving too so would be great to get some underwater images, I'm guessing you cant just use a waterproof casing for your existing camera & it would have to be a whole different type of camera?
OOOoooo just found this, it's getting exciting
maybe this or similar casing will sway what model I have to go for....Chris - sorry for the hijack
Edited by Pvapour on Friday 27th March 08:47
Pvapour said:
I definitely want to go Digital, am I right in thinking the Cannon SLR range seem to be slightly ahead of the game? or have been & the others have now closed the margin somewhat?
Not really. Sometimes one manufacturer will pull out a bit of a lead in a particular area, but it's a very competitive market and overall, they're all pretty level. You can pretty much guarantee that at any given time the market leaders (in terms of market share), Canon and Nikon, will have cameras that fairly closely match each other with others such as Olympus and Sony there or thereabouts. Pvapour said:
As an entry level SLR I'm guessing the new eos 500d would be quite favourite but I dont need the HD video capability as I have a cannon HD video camera, the FPS will be quite important as I'd like to do some motorsport shots, dont have any existing lenses etc to try and reuse.
Basically a good beginners, anti shake, point and squirt camera is what I need but the ability to grow with my skills & expand with additional lenses etc.
If there are killer packages with stands and lenses included that anyone knows of that would be great, maybe even someone's old 450 that they are looking to move on from?
Don't know, maybe Cannon is not the way forward? I have good experience with them in movie cameras so maybe hugging the brand for security here
Don't mind used if thats a good way to go, budget around £800 really.
I'd suggest that any of the entry-level cameras from the major manufacturers would be suitable. They each have their quirks though so it's often recommended that you go to a shop and see which one you like the ergonomics of most. The one thing that might make a difference for you is the FPS, so check this when buying. To get into the really fast frame rates and large buffers you have to go to the more expensive cameras though. Most DSLR cameras don't have 'anti-shake'. The only manufacturer I know of that does this is Sony. Others build it into their lenses. Basically a good beginners, anti shake, point and squirt camera is what I need but the ability to grow with my skills & expand with additional lenses etc.
If there are killer packages with stands and lenses included that anyone knows of that would be great, maybe even someone's old 450 that they are looking to move on from?
Don't know, maybe Cannon is not the way forward? I have good experience with them in movie cameras so maybe hugging the brand for security here
Don't mind used if thats a good way to go, budget around £800 really.
If you get into it, you'll doubtless want to buy more lenses and accessories, especially if you want to do action motorsport photography, so it makes sense to leave as much of your budget as possible for this stuff. Of course, you can get better kit for your money if you buy used, but obviously buying from a private seller entails more risk.
Pvapour said:
Just starting Scuba diving too so would be great to get some underwater images, I'm guessing you cant just use a waterproof casing for your existing camera & it would have to be a whole different type of camera? mmmmm......
No, you can use a waterproof casing for your existing camera. The only waterproof cameras that I've seen are relatively cheap, compact cameras. I'd imagine that most people who are seriously into underwater photography or who do it for a living use a normal camera with a waterproof housing. I think they can be quite expensive though.Edited by SamHH on Friday 27th March 09:07
Pvapour said:
Didn't realise you were into photography Dobbo? do you drink when taking pictures as well be good to see you back Sunday (hope it behaves )
Safe to assume I'm drunk about 80% of the time... be good to see you back Sunday (hope it behaves )Just kidding - I fear my Sunday night beer and racing ritual has made me look like a bit of a lush!
Into photography? Just ask my long suffering wife who has to stand around waiting whilst I piss around with lenses and filters and lately reloading film!
Good to see you giving the equipment lark a lot of thought, often you'll see the advice to buy the camera that feels most comfortable in your hand as there often isn't much else to choose between them. However things like waterproof cases are a factor most people wouldn't consider.
I'm off for a beer...
CivicMan said:
Also Chris, just to point out that the Rollei will be producing 2 1/4" square negs, not a job that can be done generally by your local lab. You'd need to find a local professional lab who can develop that size. Or send them to a mail order lab. And if you planning to scan these negs, you'll need a machine that can hold these larger negs as most are set up for 35mm.
I've checked with the local LCE branch & they assure me there is a local lab they use just down the road who process 120 roll film in colour & B&W. As for scanning, the reason I mentioned the V500 is that I checked with Epson & they say it can scan 2 1/4" perfectly well, albeit without a negative holder.Interesting to read some of the comments below - it seems I'm not the only barking mad one then !!
Chris
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff