Describe your thought and feelings after loading a fresh rolls of film in your camera

jtk · Apr 28, 2018

When I load film my only thought is "why am I loading film?"

I spent the past week in Mojave desert region. I brought a mirrorless digital camera and my new pair of film cameras, which were loaded with Ilford 3200 and some 400ei color that had been gathering dust (expecting a particular kind of opportunity that didn't materialize). I didn't shoot any of the film. I did shoot what I'm certain will make a half dozen very satisfying 13X19 prints from digital camera files.

...and, incidentally, when I do shoot film I scan it myself...I enjoy scanning and have zero dust issues thanks to good practices and Nikonscan.

Carter john · Apr 28, 2018

I have a camera that I love, in fact two of them, BUT it is DX only. So I have to scratch and tape to adjust the EI (ISO). Once I tested, which I always do, to check if I have done the adjustment correctly, but I forgot to advance the film to the take-up spool. So now I am really nervous I will do it again. MF is no problem.

chip j · Apr 28, 2018

I adjust the EI by adjusting the ASA/ISO control on the camera.

markjwyatt · May 9, 2018

I have come to realize (after not shooting film for a decade or two) that my first question is 'where the heck can I get this developed (let alone- where can I buy some)'! I realize that online I can find what I want. I just bought a Kiev 4 can wanted to run a roll through it. Ran to my nearby Rite Aid and bought the last individual roll of 35mm film in the place (they had a couple of packs with multiple rolls of Fuji Superia X-Tra). I asked if they develop- NO. I messed it up learning to load the the Kiev, so ended up at a Super Walmart. They had a few boxes of 3x36 exposure Superia X-Tra. I bought one box. I asked if they develop- Yes. I shot my film, came back to Walmart to send it out for development. It takes two weeks and they scan and dispose of the negatives- NO. I need to check for film advancement problems. I will take it to one of a couple places I researched on the internet in nearby towns tomorrow or the next day, but I had not realized the extent of the demise of film. I called a guy 25 miles away who does scanning and other services, and he had just gotten rid of some film development equipment because no one needed it. He says suddenly people are calling him every day asking for film development. Is a corner being turned?

jtk · May 9, 2018

I'm amazed that some people shoot B&W and pay somebody else to process it. What's the point? I won't try to convince anybody (here) that digital is better in every respect, but I will say that processing film is tremendous fun and doing it oneself separates sheep from goats.

Sirius Glass · May 9, 2018

jtk said:
I'm amazed that some people shoot B&W and pay somebody else to process it. What's the point? I won't try to convince anybody (here) that digital is better in every respect, but I will say that processing film is tremendous fun and doing it oneself separates sheep from goats.

It is a matter of knowledge. Some people do not realize how easy it is to develop film. If someone asks you, tell them.

markjwyatt · May 9, 2018

jtk said:
I'm amazed that some people shoot B&W and pay somebody else to process it. What's the point? I won't try to convince anybody (here) that digital is better in every respect, but I will say that processing film is tremendous fun and doing it oneself separates sheep from goats.

I presume you realize I am talking about C-41 film here? If I do end up using this camera a lot, it will probably be B&W, and I would set-up to develop it (have not done it in decades, but as you say it is not that hard) then scan the negatives (don't want to set-up a darkroom).

jtk · May 9, 2018

Mark (and everybody) ... warning... if you give your film to a minilab or pharmacy it's VERY important to confirm that they'll return that film.

These companies are increasingly discarding the film after scanning and printing ... in other words, they scan, toss, print from file. It's wise to specifically ORDER their "best" scan because their lesser scans are intended for the merest snapshots ... they assume that after your initial order the future is no more.

markjwyatt · May 9, 2018

jtk said:
Mark (and everybody) ... warning... if you give your film to a minilab or pharmacy it's VERY important to confirm that they'll return that film.

These companies are increasingly discarding the film after scanning and printing ... in other words, they scan, toss, print from file. It's wise to specifically ORDER their "best" scan because their lesser scans are intended for the merest snapshots ... they assume that after your initial order the future is no more.

That is why Walmart does not have my film!

"... It takes two weeks and they scan and dispose of the negatives- NO..."

Theo Sulphate · May 9, 2018

I've done B&W developing and printing, but not color. After many years of poor color prints from stores, I've settled on sending my film to Blue Moon - apparently they have real people looking at your negatives and adjusting the color, because it's the best I've ever seen. From other places, the machine does its auto calibrations and printing and the results are often not even close to the best of what the negative has to offer. However, just the "standard Blue Moon" print is more than acceptable. For me, it's worth the cost of sending film to them.

Blue Moon is a Photrio advertiser, but I am not affiliated with them in any way.

Berkeley Mike · Jun 29, 2018

I used to take the FM and the 35 and the 105 and walkabout the older parts of town. Standing in a peeling doorway, clacking another roll of Tri-X into my FM, snapping the leader into the spool, advance the spool, tighten the rewind, slap the camera back closed. Two quick advances holding a finger against the closed rewind knob, and ready to go. And I had 3 more canisters in my jacket.

It meant I was shooting

jamesaz · Jul 2, 2018

I loaded a roll of fp4 (which I've only used as copy film) a couple days ago and my thought was " let's see what happens".

guangong · Jul 2, 2018

jnanian said:
"here is another roll/sheet &c of film .. hope i have time to process it ... "

Took the words out of my mouth. Preoccupation with several pressing projects and a sudden explosion of mundane tasks, undeveloped film just keeps accumulating...from Minox subminiature through to various 120 formats.

Vaughn · Jul 2, 2018

I missed this topic back in April. At the end of March I loaded the van with a bunch of cameras and 53 loaded film holders; thirty-three 8x10s, ten 5x7s, and ten 11x14s -- and rolls of 120. All B&W, some extra film along for re-loading (and a couple cases of local beer). And off I went via Hwy 50 to Zion National Park for an Artist-in-residence...very much ready to be living in the Park for all of April

Sort of that fresh roll of film feeling, but on steroids. A silver van of light-capturing instruments shifting its way towards the rising sun.

PS...it was an incredible time. I have one roll of 120 to develop that might be of Zion and there might be a few 5x7 waiting in a box somewhere. I'll have to check my notes! I do not mind the time it takes to develop film...it is the cataloging of negatives I still need to do that preys on my brain!

My van at the stone cabin in Zion Canyon (first Park building, 1923)...my home for a month.

Describe your thought and feelings after loading a fresh rolls of film in your camera

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