How to select a film camera....

gr82bart · May 20, 2016

How to select a film camera. Pass this link on. Especially amongst the millennial and younger generation who are eager to try film, since their parents have been telling them it's dead.

http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2015/11/selecting-your-back-to-film-camera-by-dan-k/

Regards, Art

Diapositivo · May 20, 2016

It's all vain. You know nobody will select a film camera. They will begin with a film camera. It's like selecting a kind of tea to brew!

David Brown · May 20, 2016

Diapositivo said:
It's all vain. You know nobody will select a film camera. They will begin with a film camera. It's like selecting a kind of tea to brew!

I tend to agree. Most of the younger film users I have met are doing so because they were given or inherited a camera.

TheRook · May 27, 2016

I'm not sure I'd suggest a Holga for the first time film user, as the article does. A bit over-priced for what the camera does, and 120 film isn't as readily available as 35mm is, plus more costly per frame. I see the Holga as more of a specialty camera rather than a general purpose camera to learn on.

Ko.Fe. · May 28, 2016

It is not about what film camera to choose, but what to do with it. Our local Walmart still sell remaining film stock but developing is gone.

TheRook · May 30, 2016

Ko.Fe. said:
It is not about what film camera to choose, but what to do with it. Our local Walmart still sell remaining film stock but developing is gone.

True.
However, I still think some cameras are better suited for the first time film shooter than others. Certainly you wouldn't recommend a big old 4x5 press camera as a first camera. Not that one couldn't learn film photography on it, but not everyone will have the persistence required to do so. Especially nowadays, in the age of easy access and instant gratification.

Ko.Fe. · May 30, 2016

TheRook said:
True.
However, I still think some cameras are better suited for the first time film shooter than others. Certainly you wouldn't recommend a big old 4x5 press camera as a first camera. Not that one couldn't learn film photography on it, but not everyone will have the persistence required to do so. Especially nowadays, in the age of easy access and instant gratification.

The whole reason to try film camera is to be able to think outside of the digital box.
If George Zimbel was OK to use 4x5 press as first camera, why not. For newer generation it might be as alternative for instant, plastic and crappy Fuji cameras. 4x5 holders allows to use positive paper or cheap regular darkroom paper as negative. It will also introduce beginner to the darkroom process.
Here is the scan of the paper-paper photo taken with 4x5 camera.

TheRook · May 30, 2016

Ko.Fe. said:
The whole reason to try film camera is to be able to think outside of the digital box.
If George Zimbel was OK to use 4x5 press as first camera, why not. For newer generation it might be as alternative for instant, plastic and crappy Fuji cameras. 4x5 holders allows to use positive paper or cheap regular darkroom paper as negative. It will also introduce beginner to the darkroom process.
Here is the scan of the paper-paper photo taken with 4x5 camera.

But if you give 4x5 camera to a teenager, don't be surprised to find that camera a year later in the back of a closet, with no prints to show. I don't believe a plastic automatic camera or Holga would serve as an ideal camera to learn film photography either, but a camera too involved can be discouraging for the first time user. A 35mm rangefinder or SLR with built in meter and manual exposure settings may be the best option.

BTW, nice photo!

Down Under · May 31, 2016

Here is a much better idea. Hidden agenda stuff. Buy your little dear a beautiful 1950s folder. I would go for a Voigtlander Perkeo I or !!, but any quality folder will do. One you will want to use and be happy with. Also some film.

A few weeks or months later, when said little prince or princess has tired of this latest enthusiasm, quietly retrieve the camera and unused film and claim it as your own. Voila! A new toy for you.

You will do well to watch the camera, however, to ensure it doesn't end up flogged for quick drug money at the nearest Cash Converter shop. Funny, sure, but it happened to a mate of mine, and after having retrieved the CC docket he had to pay out $130 to bail out the camera. (Druggy son moved out of the family home quickly after this event.)

How to select a film camera....

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency