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miatadan · Jul 18, 2015

Hi everyone here

I am new to this forum but not new to analog photography. First camera I owned in 1979 was the Pentax K1000. I have had quite a few digital slrs and compact digital cameras but never been happy with their viewfinders compared to film cameras I had in the past. I am considering getting a Voigtlander Bessa R3M or R4M ( about $800 canadian dollars )
Have many here gone back to film after using digital for 10 years. At this time I can not afford Leica M-A body but have to start some where.

Any advise about getting back into film after digital

Dan

Nathan King · Jul 18, 2015

miatadan said:
Hi everyone here

I am new to this forum but not new to analog photography. First camera I owned in 1979 was the Pentax K1000. I have had quite a few digital slrs and compact digital cameras but never been happy with their viewfinders compared to film cameras I had in the past. I am considering getting a Voigtlander Bessa R3M or R4M ( about $800 canadian dollars )
Have many here gone back to film after using digital for 10 years. At this time I can not afford Leica M-A body but have to start some where.

Any advise about getting back into film after digital

Dan

Welcome to APUG! Do you have a darkroom? If not, do you have space for a small darkroom? I learned more printing my own negatives than I ever could have sending my film to a lab.

A Leica M-A will not improve your photography, and that's coming from a Leica fanatic.

miatadan · Jul 18, 2015

Yes, I know that a Leica M-A will not improve my photography. I think having a darkroom for colour photography much too difficult. I will send film to Caribou Film lab in Toronto. I know buying film and processing is expensive compared to digital but I feel film still has much to offer

Trail Images · Jul 18, 2015

Hello Dan, and welcome to APUG. To answer your question on camera usage, No, I've only shot seriously with film. Like many I do use a iPhone for grab shots, but only if necessary.

Alan Gales · Jul 18, 2015

miatadan said:
Hi everyone here

Any advise about getting back into film after digital

Dan

Yes, since digital has arrived prices have dropped on film gear. Now you can afford a professional 35mm SLR, medium format or large format camera or all three. Have fun and welcome back!

miatadan · Jul 18, 2015

Alan Gales said:
Yes, since digital has arrived prices have dropped on film gear. Now you can afford a professional 35mm SLR, medium format or large format camera or all three. Have fun and welcome back!

Thanks

Sirius Glass · Jul 18, 2015

Welcome to APUG

fotch · Jul 18, 2015

Welcome to APUG!

Xmas · Jul 19, 2015

fotch said:
Welcome to APUG!

Seconded:

For film all you need is Changing bag and tank.

For wet printing heavy drapes and dark night.

John Bragg · Jul 19, 2015

Hi Miatadan and welcome. I hope you soon find the camera that suits you. There are plenty out there, so have fun searching. A Nikon SLR is not a bad place to start, as even F5 and F6 are a fraction of the price that they once commanded. They handle like a DSLR but have far superior viewfinders (100% coverage and very bright).

darkosaric · Jul 19, 2015

Welcome to APUG . M-A is too expensive, better find some ugly but functional M6, it is more less the same thing.

4season · Jul 21, 2015

Just my opinion here, but I would keep my total investment modest and not get too fixated on any one approach until you're sure that's what you want to do. Experiment and don't take it too seriously! Take advantage of the fact that most of this gear is selling for a fraction of it's original price and try all sorts of things you couldn't try before. Buy heavily-depreciated gear (avoid fixer-uppers unless you know how to fix yourself) and if you get bored, you can probably get most of your money back in resale. When buying older gear, look for items which have been serviced, because paying to have someone clean foggy glass, replace crumbled foam or get slow shutter speeds working again can get kind of expensive, and you won't recover that expense in resale.

The Leica M-A is really more for the collector than the shooter and it's priced accordingly. The M6 and M7 are probably the best shooter's M cameras, and secondhand prices are okay by Leica standards.

Too old to care · Jul 21, 2015

I've own my Leica M6 since I bought it new in 1998, and a K1000 since 1984 when I also bought it new. I love my Leica, but the K1000 gets more use because of all the lenses that I have for it. My recommendation is to buy something inexpensive and start there. Also set up a darkroom for B&W. Equipment is dirt cheap now on eBay. My darkroom is in my laundry room, works great.

Welcome to APUG.

flavio81 · Jul 21, 2015

Nathan King said:
A Leica M-A will not improve your photography, and that's coming from a Leica fanatic.

I salute your honesty.

flavio81 · Jul 21, 2015

miatadan said:
Hi everyone here

I am new to this forum but not new to analog photography. First camera I owned in 1979 was the Pentax K1000. I have had quite a few digital slrs and compact digital cameras but never been happy with their viewfinders compared to film cameras I had in the past. I am considering getting a Voigtlander Bessa R3M or R4M ( about $800 canadian dollars )
Have many here gone back to film after using digital for 10 years. At this time I can not afford Leica M-A body but have to start some where.

Any advise about getting back into film after digital

Dan

If you have already a good amount of Pentax K lenses, try getting a Pentax LX or at least a Pentax MX. Those are really tiny for being 35mm SLRs.

If you go for the Bessa, consider that the lenses will not be cheap. If you want to try lots of lenses for cheap, a SLR-type camera with the Canon FD, Nikon F, M42, or Pentax K mount may be your best bet.

Conversely, if you can live with only one lens, do not overlook the fixed-lens rangefinders, which can be great cameras, and really cheap. My personal favorite is the Kodak Retina IIIc, although you won't like the viewfinder. It is tiny.

If you are after really good viewfinders and want to try SLR cameras, try, in no order:

Pentax LX
Canon New F-1
Leicaflex models (if the prism has been renewed!)
Some Minolta X-series have nice screens as well

Finally, if you have the budget for a modern Leica rangefinder, I think your money would better be spent on the Mamiya 7 medium format rangefinder system. Seriously!

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