My first film camera

John Koehrer · Jun 24, 2018

Use the F50 for a while. And then...............While you're in Japan visit a couple of the BIG camera stores in Tokyo & try a couple
them on for comfort. There's no practical difference in results between 35mm cameras no matter what lies in peoples imaginations.
There is a difference in all the miscellaneous tests about different cameras but nothing you're going to see. I guess
that's good if you take pictures of the many test charts around us.

albada · Jun 24, 2018

John Koehrer said:
There's no practical difference in results between 35mm cameras no matter what lies in peoples imaginations.

There's a clear difference between photos taken with any decent 50mm 6-element double-Gauss lens, such as the Xenon, versus the 3-element Cassar lens. The Cassar has color fringing (chromatic aberration) and stopping down won't improve it. The double-Gauss is fringe-free and fairly sharp even at f/2.8. This represents a practical difference among 35mm cameras at enlargements above 4x6 inches.

Mark Overton

Les Sarile · Jun 25, 2018

John Koehrer said:
There's no practical difference in results between 35mm cameras no matter what lies in peoples imaginations.

I agree that if all cameras are in good working order and in manual mode set exactly the same results with the same settings - same everything such as metering, scene, etc., you would expect the same results.

However, not all cameras are similarly endowed. For instance, I have a Pentax LX and in aperture priority mode, it will keep it's shutter open for as long as it takes all the while monitoring the scene for changes in lighting and adjusting accordingly. There is no other camera - past or present, film or digital, that can do this. This advantage can render a scene far differently then any other camera in the same mode of operation.

Example below is a scene I shot using the Canon 3 with an L lens using Velvia 100F. I didn't notice the warning light in the viewfinder telling me the result would be underexposed due to the Canon's 30 seconds minimum shutter speed in AV mode.

This is the same location shot using the Pentax LX with Kodak Ektar 100 on AV mode but this time the exposure lasted over 45minutes.

It takes little imagination to distinguish the results from these two.

If you try a few cameras, you may find differences between them.

blockend · Jun 25, 2018

Steam punk conjures images of large format, glass plates and magnesium flash powder. If you want a practical camera with conspicuous knobs and dials, something like a Super Ikonta will offer Jules Verne looks and high quality images. In 35mm the older Nikkormats with mechanical aperture indexing pin and fork on a pre-AI lens has lots of clunk and click and the camera will outlive you. Or perhaps a Kiev 4 with it's wheel focusing and flip up metering panel?

If your aim is purely photographic it won't matter what you use so long as it's reliable and reasonably sharp.

Jonahnieuwe · Jun 25, 2018

blockend said:
Steam punk conjures images of large format, glass plates and magnesium flash powder. If you want a practical camera with conspicuous knobs and dials, something like a Super Ikonta will offer Jules Verne looks and high quality images. In 35mm the older Nikkormats with mechanical aperture indexing pin and fork on a pre-AI lens has lots of clunk and click and the camera will outlive you. Or perhaps a Kiev 4 with it's wheel focusing and flip up metering panel?

If your aim is purely photographic it won't matter what you use so long as it's reliable and reasonably sharp.

albada said:
8x10 millimeters. Got it.

For the OP: If you want sexy, I suggest something that is sexy and cheap. Later, you can buy something else without feeling that you wasted your money earlier.
For sexy and cheap, I recommend the Olympus OM-1.
If you want a rangefinder, try a Retina IIa/IIc/IIIc.

Mark Overton

John Koehrer said:
Use the F50 for a while. And then...............While you're in Japan visit a couple of the BIG camera stores in Tokyo & try a couple
them on for comfort. There's no practical difference in results between 35mm cameras no matter what lies in peoples imaginations.
There is a difference in all the miscellaneous tests about different cameras but nothing you're going to see. I guess
that's good if you take pictures of the many test charts around us.

Thank you everyone for the great replies!
Just a little update:

I received the battery and roll of film yesterday and managed to successfully install both, loading the film was a cool experience on its own while this was a first for me. I went on a walk in the woods near my house together with a friend of mine. I just started with the camera in auto with autofocus on and the speed and accuracy of the autofocus blew me away. I started with mirrorless cameras so I hadn’t even really used a (D)SLR before, well except for trying it once a long time ago.

It was a really weird experience taking the shot and hearing the film advancing and not being able to review your picture. I also tried the self timer mode so I’m really curious to see how that turned out. I took 8 pictures in total, 2 of wich where not completely planned (the shutter button is really sensitive).

So that means that I still have 28 pictures to make, I’m fighting between shooting 28 pictures as fast as possible so I can see them and taking my time and making them count.

I think I’ll wait until I’m in Japan before I buy another camera. I do like the OM1, this one is for sale in The Netherlands:

Les Sarile · Jun 25, 2018

nusproizvodjac said:
I believe that the Yashica Electro does the same, the meter is active even during the exposure, although it probably doesn't compesate for the time as fast as Pentax.

I have a couple of Yashica Electros and not sure what you mean? Which specific model?

Marco Gilardetti · Jun 26, 2018

Jonahnieuwe said:
So that means that I still have 28 pictures to make, I’m fighting between shooting 28 pictures as fast as possible so I can see them and taking my time and making them count.

You're re-discovering part of the game! Especially for those who owned more than one camera, it was customary to forget about the pictures already taken and then get back from the lab prints of photographs completely forgotten!

I have to fully subscribe the suggestion of concentrating on good lenses rather than (or first than) a sexy camera body. The Nikon F50 doesn't look anything special but is a very capable camera and since you already own it you're in a ideal situation. Did you find in the box a set of lenses or only the one that came mounted on it?

AgX · Jun 26, 2018

Jonahnieuwe said:
So that means that I still have 28 pictures to make, I’m fighting between shooting 28 pictures as fast as possible so I can see them and taking my time and making them count.

For people like you Agfa not that long ago made the shortest film cassette ever: 10 exposures

Helge · Jun 27, 2018

Give him a break guys. The F50 (and F70) is one of ugliest, cheapest feeling peices of plastic Nikon has ever produced.
It stems from the most dense part of the horrible school of 90s blobtacular design (something we are incredible and sadly not out of yet here over twenty five years later, with both Nikon and Canon et al still using some of the same elements).
It never looked good, even the day it launched (at most, It might have looked different or new to a few nincompoops).

No one who proposes to do something like taking photos for aesthetic purposes and with the accompanying sensibility, should find himself comfortable using such an ugly tool. Let alone let himself be caught dead with it on the street by someone he would want to make a positive impression on.

You indeed do take better pictures with cameras you like the look and feel of.

Helge · Jun 27, 2018

Get the OM-1 if you like it (very good lens on it too).
The colour isn’t my cup of tea, but the fact that someone went to the trouble of doing the leather job tells you most of what you need to know about the general state and level of care taken of the camera.
It is an excellent camera and you might never need another 35mm camera as long as it lasts.

Agulliver · Jun 27, 2018

There's nothing wrong with a Nikon F50. Nope, it's not sexy and has buttons and menus but it's capable of excellent results. I was given one a decade or so ago and while I very rarely use it my wife used it for a while as she doesn't like manual focus. It always performed admirably. There are far worse places to start.

So my advice, like some others, would be to get used to shooting with the F50 and at the very least have an idea of what you really want out of film photography. Then visit a big camera shop and try handling some other cameras to see what works better for you.

Sirius Glass · Jun 27, 2018

Helge said:
Give him a break guys. The F50 (and F70) is one of ugliest, cheapest feeling peices of plastic Nikon has ever produced.
It stems from the most dense part of the horrible school of 90s blobtacular design (something we are incredible and sadly not out of yet here over twenty five years later, with both Nikon and Canon et al still using some of the same elements).
It never looked good, even the day it launched (at most, It might have looked different or new to a few nincompoops).

No one who proposes to do something like taking photos for aesthetic purposes and with the accompanying sensibility, should find himself comfortable using such an ugly tool. Let alone let himself be caught dead with it on the street by someone he would want to make a positive impression on.

You indeed do take better pictures with cameras you like the look and feel of.

Gee, maybe I should have you look over all my cameras to make sure you approve of their fashion looks.

Helge · Jun 27, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
Gee, maybe I should have you look over all my cameras to make sure you approve of their fashion looks.

You should feel good about the way the camera looks. Just as you should with your clothes. And you know that, why are you being dense on purpose?

Helge · Jun 27, 2018

Agulliver said:
There's nothing wrong with a Nikon F50. Nope, it's not sexy and has buttons and menus but it's capable of excellent results. I was given one a decade or so ago and while I very rarely use it my wife used it for a while as she doesn't like manual focus. It always performed admirably. There are far worse places to start.

So my advice, like some others, would be to get used to shooting with the F50 and at the very least have an idea of what you really want out of film photography. Then visit a big camera shop and try handling some other cameras to see what works better for you.

Sure it will do most of what you’d ever want. But that isn’t really the point here.
I don’t see why, when as photographers are dealing with aesthetics, it’s frowned upon to want a beautiful camera? It should be quite natural.

shutterfinger · Jun 27, 2018

Helge said:
I don’t see why, when as photographers are dealing with aesthetics, it’s frowned upon to want a beautiful camera? It should be quite natural.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What are you smoking before making these posts?
I'll take the ugly, rugged, controls well placed, easy to operate over the "pretty one" any day.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 27, 2018

Aesthetics do matter, all else being equal. There are so many nice cameras available, why not have one you enjoy looking at, holding, and using?

Sirius Glass said:
Gee, maybe I should have you look over all my cameras to make sure you approve of their fashion looks.

Your Graflex RB sucks. Give it to me.

Pentode · Jun 27, 2018

Helge said:
I don’t see why, when as photographers are dealing with aesthetics, it’s frowned upon to want a beautiful camera?

I don't think that's what very many of us are frowning upon. What we're suggesting, rather, is that the appearance of the camera is not so important when one is learning the craft/art of photography.
Since the OP is already in possession of a VERY capable camera, ugly or otherwise, most of us are suggesting that he wait until he's more experienced and more familiar with shooting film to purchase a camera he likes better and most of us were pretty clear on that. I don't think anyone told him not to buy a camera he likes the looks of; we told him not to buy it NOW.

As for the (subjectively) hideous looks of the F50, I had a friend give me his old film outfit a couple of years ago as he had gone to digital and knew I still used film. The kit consisted of two lenses and an N6006. Is it an attractive camera? No, not in my opinion it isn't. I also (like the OP) dislike it's buttons and display in place of knobs and it's plasticky feel. Despite all of that, it's a very good camera that's capable of things my other, older cameras are not. Autofocus, motor wind, extremely flexible metering - these are things none of my mechanical cameras can do and they are, at times, quite handy. I have plenty of cameras that are old and beautiful and they take great pictures but my ugly N6006 takes great pictures too. My point is that none of us are necessarily disagreeing with you that a person should like the way their cameras look or feel. We are simply stating the obvious fact that the OP has a very good camera to learn on that cost him nothing and it doesn't make sense for him to spend money on a different camera right now; money he could spend instead on film.

Even the OP has openly stated that he completely understands our position. Why are you having so much trouble with it? Do you honestly feel we've given him impractical advice because his camera is unattractive?

rpavich · Jun 28, 2018

Buy experiences, not gear.
That's my advice. I've been in your shoes. I've spent many many thousands of dollars on cameras that I just HAD to have and in the end...they didn't satisfy any more than the simplest point and shoot. And yes...I mean Leica M6, Epson RD-1x, folders, rangefinders, point and shoots, SLR's by Nikon, Minolta, and Olympus, pinhole, medium format cameras.

Trust me when I say...the gear lust is a diversion that will suck you in and leave you cold.

Shoot and develop and print.
repeat.

There will be enough time to make bad gear-buying decisions later.

Ste_S · Jun 28, 2018

For camera shops in Japan (Tokyo) see here :-
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/04/camera-shopping-in-tokyo-pt-1-shinjuku/
https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/04/camera-shopping-in-tokyo-pt-2-ginza/

Or as you're in the Netherlands, if you're near Amsterdam try Foto-Radio Janssen on Haarlemmerstraat which has a lot of cool stuff there.

Not that I'm trying to enable you Shoot more with the F50 first of course...

Agulliver · Jun 28, 2018

Helge said:
Sure it will do most of what you’d ever want. But that isn’t really the point here.
I don’t see why, when as photographers are dealing with aesthetics, it’s frowned upon to want a beautiful camera? It should be quite natural.

There's nothing wrong with having a beautiful camera. There's nothing wrong with having an ugly camera.

In my opinion, OP would be best advised to get used to shooting film in his F50 as it's a fine performing camera....work out what he wants from film photography then try some other models to see if they suit him better.

abruzzi · Jun 28, 2018

If the look of the camera makes you want to pick it up and shot more film, then chances you will pick it up and shoot more film. That’s better for the OP since the more he shoots the more he will learn. It’s also better for me because more people buying film keeps Kodak, Ilford, and maybe even Fuji in the game.

On the other hand, shooting what he has now will make him more knowledgeable of the features he likes and dislikes, so he will make a better choice when he does buy a new camera.

MattKing · Jun 28, 2018

To the OP (Jonah):
You tell us you are 17 years old.
I think that it is totally okay when you are 17 and exploring something new to look for something that resonates with you. I would just suggest, however, that you practice and learn with what you have (because it is certainly useful), while you look for what you want.
At 17, you may not have yet learned that some things that appear unattractive initially actually tend to grow on you as time goes by.

pbromaghin · Jun 28, 2018

You want steampunk? Check these out

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...4.img..0.10.604...0i67k1j0i30k1.0.wmhKZxTMnZc

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1......0...1c.1.64.img..5.7.1693....0.mnfuwfzU3mI

Chan Tran · Jun 28, 2018

What is steampunk?

Erik Petersson · Jun 28, 2018

For a few years I bought several cameras, and spent time trying them out. It was an diversion from making interesting photos, but also useful, as it made me shoot more. My advice would be, that if you choose to buy something steampunky, get something that is in good working order - or have it serviced at once. Then you wont waste time on bad gear.

My first film camera

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