Evening all.
Very very new to all this!! Been using a DIY pinhole camera for a few months and been getting a lot better at it. Very tricky to handle.
I've been getting into my photography over the past few years and i'm a keen iPhone-ographer and today i made the leap into the real world of photography!
I bought a Zenit-E 35mm SLR with a Helios lense on eBay, I'm very excited and can't wait for it to arrive!
I'm on here really looking for some help and tips on where to start.
What do i need to be aware of when using the camera?
Anything really!!!
Check shutter blinds are not pinholed and open at each speed.
Load a pound land film and shoot it.
You need to think about darkroom equipment maybe daylight loader and cheap film.
Most of what I shoot is well expired cine and surveillance film.
There are occasional group outings in Manchester.
Welcome to APUG, Matt. I'm fairly new here myself. I cannot share in any thoughts on your new gear, I've never used one of those units before. But, I'm sure you'll figure things out real quick. If not, there are lots of helpful folks on this site to share Q&A's with. Good luck with the new camera.
Mike Butkus is a resource for manuals for cameras of all formats and ages. Have a look at this http://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian.htm I imagine that the Zenit is a pretty simple machine, but its still a good idea to have the user's manual at hand. IIRC this is a 42mm screw thread mount camera, if so there are literally thousands of used lenses out there. Watch for Takumars, made by Pentax. They are generally excellent. Kentmere film made in your country is a good film and, at least over here, quite inexpensive.
Don't drop the camera (get a neck strap) shoot a lot and have fun.
Welcome aboard. Bradford West Yorks, or Bradford down south?
I'm in Bingley, so if it's Bradford West Yorks, very close. As far as film gear goes, Bradford Camera Exchange on North Parade have some unbeatable deals on used film gear, and the guys are really nice in there too.