Getting into 35mm film photography

BrianShaw · May 3, 2022

xkaes said:
I would not be surprised if Tem is simply overwhelmed by our overwhelming responses to what is a simple question.

As a simple question, get a million answers.

There was no question asked…

“Have always been interested in film photography…

So I would appreciate any advice, camera recommendations, and etc. Thanks in advance!”

faberryman · May 3, 2022

tem said:
So I would appreciate any advice, camera recommendations, and etc. Thanks in advance!

Asking for a camera recommendation on a camera forum results in as many responses as there are cameras. I am a little surprised we are only up to 25 posts so far.

Sirius Glass · May 3, 2022

The first thing I learned in photography is to move closer and eliminate the extraneous.

xkaes · May 3, 2022

Or use a longer lens.

Sirius Glass · May 3, 2022

xkaes said:
Or use a longer lens.

We are talking about a beginner starting with one camera, one lens and if developing film, one developer. One step at a time.

ciniframe · May 3, 2022

I have a question for you Tem. Are you already taking pictures with a digital camera? If so, which one. The reason I ask is that without burning through a lot of expensive film a person with an interchangeable lens mirrorless or DSLR could set it on full manual and learn an lot about the relationship between shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, and many other things that could apply to a film camera. To make the simulation more realistic you would turn off shake reduction, limit ISO to 400, don’t chimp, (turn off rear screen). Try shooting only 36exposures. Wait 24 hours before you look at them. If you have a mirrorless, or can borrow one from a friend, invest a $100 and get one of those manual focus and manual aperture Chinese made normal lenses to get the feel of old time film camera shooting. If one got a Nikon D90 (body less than $200) and a 50mm f1.8 manual Nikkor lens then the lessons learned and lens could be transferred directly to a Nikon film body.
Yep, I know, this is a film use site, but depending on what the OP already knows and what his desires are this idea might turn out to be a real good education tool.

4season · May 3, 2022

tem said:
camera recommendations, and etc.

Canon Rebel G is an easy choice: Like other last-generation film SLRs, trendiness has eluded it, so it can be had cheaply, and it's relative newness means that the camera is less likely to need servicing than one manufactured decades prior. Nikon from the same era ought to work nicely also.

Rubberized grip area of the camera can become sticky, but this is simply paint which can be rubbed off, revealing a perfectly okay looking black textured plastic surface.

Advantages: Lightweight, inexpensive, great picture-takers.
Disadvantages: Might not seem sufficiently "old school".

Alan Edward Klein · May 4, 2022

The OP has been checking with others selling 35mm camera equipment. So he seems to be on his way. Just buy one of them and get started is my advice to him.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/38118/

Sirius Glass · May 4, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
The OP has been checking with others selling 35mm camera equipment. So he seems to be on his way. Just buy one of them and get started is my advice to him.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/38118/

It does not matter what the OP buys, as soon as he posts his camera of choice, everyone will chime in and tell he that he should have bought their drug-camera of choice.

randoRandy · May 5, 2022

Doing research and asking questions like you are is already a great start! Have fun with it.

A ton of good advice here already, so I'll give you my 35mm camera recommendation. I've loved my Minolta x-700 for years and its a great learner. Can be had on ebay for under a 100 bucks (hopefully still).

xkaes · May 5, 2022

Get a Minolta X-370 instead. Much cheaper and less confusing.

Brendan Quirk · May 5, 2022

xkaes said:
Get a Minolta X-370 instead. Much cheaper and less confusing.

Although I use x-570 a lot, the x-370 is great too.

flavio81 · May 5, 2022

tem said:
Have always been interested in film photography, but it always overwhelmed me. I'm finally deciding to commit fully as summer begins and start sooner than later. So I would appreciate any advice, camera recommendations, and etc. Thanks in advance!

1. Any old (pre-1980s) camera will, will, will require service to work properly.

2. Don't bother with brands or camera types, etc. Just get a machine that works properly (and that has a working light meter) so you can get experience. You don't ever "need" a 50mm lens, it's fine if you have a 28mm, 35mm lens or anything between 28-58mm. Just make sure the lens is in good optical shape.

3. Black and white film of high tech like Acros 100, Tmax 100 or Delta 100, printed optically (using an enlarger) can give results of stunning quality. Don't take for granted that somehow film is a "low-fi" medium.

4. If you don't print your pictures or project your pictures (using slide film), you're missing part of the fun.

5. Best camera is the one that you have in the hand! Don't lose time and money purchasing and purchasing equipment!

eli griggs · May 5, 2022

Canon F1n, no the newer F1 AE,
Canon f1.8 50mm, w metal lens hood, Heavy star on eBay,
Polarizer filter, circle type,
K2 Yellow filter, R25, #11 yellow green.
protective skylight filter, worn when polarizer or no needed no needed.

Older aluminum Gitzo medium tripod with ball head, other.

Good 18" cable release,

Shaving kit bag for camera kit or dipper bag, do no spend a lot of money for latest/greatest camera bag, buy second hand quality bag, if you must.

1 gl. Zip bags for rainy days.

HP5 film,
D761:1, you can compound it yourself at home,
water stop bath,
F4 rapid, double fixer bath,
Photoflo wetting agent,

Ansco 130 paper developer, you can mix, last forever or at least a year in many cases.

Selenium Toner, for both film and Fiber Based, (FB) papers,

Same F4 fixer as film, but a different chemical to water ratio,

Steel reels and tanks
Or
Paterson plastic reels and tanks,

Kodak Colour thermometer,

Hypo clearing agent

flavio81 · May 5, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
It does not matter what the OP buys, as soon as he posts his camera of choice, everyone will chime in and tell he that he should have bought their drug-camera of choice.

I am waiting!!

flavio81 · May 5, 2022

eli griggs said:
Canon F1n, no the newer F1 AE,

Good, good, thanks for helping us keep the New F1 prices from rising!!.

eli griggs · May 6, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
@tem the first thing I learned about photograph is to move closer to cut out the extraneous.

Yes, moving in close enough is almost always a tough sale to newbies, but, if I may, I will start with a first impression View but take a step back before taking my shot.

IMO, Life's just better that way

eli griggs · May 6, 2022

flavio81 said:
Good, good, thanks for helping us keep the New F1 prices from rising!!.

No worries about a Canon F1 of any generation and you can use so many different makers lenses in it, an attic sale find could treble your choices for glass, later on

ts1000 · Dec 8, 2022

tem said:
Have always been interested in film photography, but it always overwhelmed me. I'm finally deciding to commit fully as summer begins and start sooner than later. So I would appreciate any advice, camera recommendations, and etc. Thanks in advance!

@tem check this blog and the audio podcasts
for example:

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 140 - Worth the Effort

Let's face it; film photography can be pretty frustrating. But then there are some cameras, films, and processes that can be worth the effort as they deliver results that are something unique or special. So join Alex, John, and Bill as they discuss what they think is worth the effort!

www.alexluyckx.com

I think you can also email the guy there for more personal advice/feedback if you would like.

Forums can be overwhelming at times -- too many folks , too much good info.

Donald Qualls · Dec 9, 2022

I don't know that we've heard from the OP since May or so. I hope he managed to find a camera that would let him learn, and then got out there and made some mistakes (and some happy accidents) while learning. In the end, that's really the only way to learn -- even if you learn well by reading, you eventually have to load the camera, focus, compose, expose, and process.

Getting into 35mm film photography

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