Hello (Tom from PA)

[TomTomJ]

Hey everyone!

My name is Tom and I live in Central PA (USA). My girlfriend and I recently started working together as wedding photographers but on our free time we enjoy shooting fashion, beauty & portraits.
I've just recently started shooting film and it's been a BLAST. It's merely a personal interest but I would love to eventually mix it into my paid gigs.

I picked up an EOS-1V locally on a trade and just received a PB-E2 grip from KEH (wow this camera is HEAVY, lol)
I think the 1V is great since I can use all of my L lenses but I've been really considering a Mamiya 645D or Contax 645 (also found locally), I'm just not sure if I'm ready to invest that type of money into this new venture of mine.

I've been shooting Kodak BW400CN since I can get it developed locally but I just placed an order for a bunch of other random films.

Tri-x 400 35mm
Portra 400 35mm
Ilford HP5+ 400 35mm
Kodak Ektar 100 35mm
Kodak Ektar 100 120

My friends gandfather recently gave me a bunch of old cameras; Praktica with waist level view finder, Polaroid Land Camera Electric-Eye 900 and a Kodak Tourist. I plan on modifying 120 to use in the Kodak Tourist, so that should be fun.

Digitally I shoot with a 5D Mark III (upgraded from a Mark II).


PS: Are there any sites that show different stocks of film and perhaps what they look like when under/over exposed? It seems some film looks better when pushed/pulled and I have no clue what those might be.

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Welcome aboard Tom. Glad you decided to give film a try. The 1V is a really nice rig for 35mm for sure. If you want to move up to medium format with a 645 you will probably love the mamyia or the contax. Medium format is so much nicer than 35mm or your 5D III. It's a different shooting style but the results are amazing.

For film "looks" there are as many as there are Photoshop techniques. It can go on forever, esp with BW film. For color c-41 negative film try shooting one roll at different exposures so you can see what happens. I typically over expose all color neg by +2/3 to +1 stop over exposed. Highlights won't blow out with color neg film. Over exposing will brighten and open up the shadows and saturates the colors a bit. It looks great but you will have to figure out what you like by doing your own leg work.

Good luck and keep film alive!

D.

 

[Whiteymorange]

Hi Tom,
Welcome to APUG.
But watch it–– medium format is a gateway drug. Soon you'll be trolling the classified for 4x5 field cameras and then it will be 8x10, trying to jury-rig a hand held for street photos. You will, of course, eventually have to stop somewhere... and when you find where that somewhere is, tell me, I haven't found it yet. I'm still buying gear.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Welcome To The Analog Club, TomTom !

Ron
.

 

[Rick A]

Howdy neighbor from north central Pa.-- You know, now that you are shooting film you will need a dark room for process and printing. Unlike the "D" kind, film demands to be printed using traditional methods.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hi Tom, I hope you enjoy APUG.

Jeff

 

[winger]

Welcome from southwest PA!

 

[cliveh]

Tom, welcome to the non-virtual world of real photography.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

 

[nickrapak]

Welcome from a SE PA resident and a Penn State student!

 

[DWThomas]

Welcome from the SE part of the state.

 

[leix45]

Glad to hear another person from PA has joined. I am new to this site myself but I have to agree with Whiteymorange- Medium Format is VERY habit forming,especially the Hasselblad variety. But on the other hand I have learned more about the art and science of photography from this than any other camera I have ever owned.
Cheers

 

[TomTomJ]

Thanks for the warm welcome! It's great to see so many PA members!

No darkroom yet. Right now I'm depending on a few local labs but so far I've been a bit disappointed. I have two more labs to try but if all fails, I'll probably start thinking about my own darkroom.

Besides reading all of the great post on here, any recommendations on where a film newbie should begin? Books, sites etc?

 

[M.A.Longmore]

Besides reading all of the great post on here, any recommendations on where a film newbie should begin? Books, sites etc?

.
APUG Is The Ultimate Analog Photography Site !
{ That's Just My Opinion }

When I was a youngster I constantly read The Photographers Handbook,
by John Hedgecoe. A few years ago, when I read that John died, I cried,
as if I lost a family member.

When I was younger I thought that photography would be conquered after a few years of practice. I Was Wrong ...

Ron
.

 

[Griz]

Welcome to Apug Tom, from another Central PA resident, and newbie to the site. You'll find a wealth of info here. This is the first place I turn to for research and helpful tips! Good idea to start thinking about building your own darkroom. Once you begin digging into the film process, you won't be satisfied to have someone else handle your film and printing!

Griz

 

[Rick A]

I strongly urge you Pa. photogs that haven't already joined us in Pennsy Photo Pfolks to do so in the groups section. Tell us all about yourselves and feel free to start a thread there.

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome to APUG, Tom.

 

[Griz]

Will do Rick, and please pass along my appreciation to your son for his service!

Griz

 

[TomTomJ]

Welcome to Apug Tom, from another Central PA resident, and newbie to the site. You'll find a wealth of info here. This is the first place I turn to for research and helpful tips! Good idea to start thinking about building your own darkroom. Once you begin digging into the film process, you won't be satisfied to have someone else handle your film and printing!

Griz

Very cool, Landisburg is about 30-40mins away from me.

 

[Griz]

Landisburg is about 30-40 minutes away from EVERYTHING! Ha! I love the peace and quiet here. Lived in San Antonio for a couple of years, couldn't wait to get out of the city.

Griz

 

[leix45]

If I remember correctly, that is referred to as " Centrally Dislocated "

 

[papagene]

Tom - hello and welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts.