Old-ish amateur photographer getting back into film

[sperho]

Just wanted to say hello. I've been shooting for mostly personal work since 1997 and a volunteer photographer for a large competitive marching band in Tennessee for about 6 years. Shot film until 2003 and this past year have dusted off my old film developing gear and have been doing hybrid photography and I'm re-energized! I had sold all of my film cameras years ago and have been on kind of a ridiculous tear of acquiring new-to-me old-ish Nikons including the FE, FE2, FM2, FM3A, 2 F3s (one with a waist-level finder), S2 rangefinder, and a Nikkormat EL. Strange, because I was 100% a Canon shooter 25 years ago - Lol. I'll probably unload a few, but for now, I'm just tasting the offerings and enjoying shooting all of them. I've purchased a few "well-used" FEs for my two kids and they both shot their first rolls of film last weekend and also seem to love it! There is so much great information here. I was an avid OG photo.net reader/poster back when Phil G. owned it, but not active much in other forums since then. It's great to have a few actual forums still around with so many knowledgeable people. I'm doing my homework on C41 development now, so I'll probably have some clarifying questions on that at some point...

Cheers,
Spencer

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio Spencer.

 

[Chuck1]

I think you need an F2
welcome btw

 

[sperho]

I think you need an F2
welcome btw

You're evil!

 

[sperho]

I have to say that despite my bias toward a mechanical shutter-based camera, the HP viewfinder on the F3 is very nice as a progressive lens eyeglass wearer. I know I can get diopters, but then I'm doffing and donning my glasses all of the time... That said, I love the combination of the match needle meter and mechanical shutter in the FM3A. The FM2 was my dream mechanical camera back when I was shooting film before and that was the first film camera I picked up after deciding to get back into film. I probably need to get rid of one of the two (!) FM2s I bought before finding a nice FM3A at the right price. (I like to have back up cameras of the same model, if possible). I kind of went nuts and now need to breath for awhile and just shoot. The EL was a "birth year" release decision. I love the shutter sound on that thing!

 

[chuckroast]

You're evil!

And an Apollo F

 

[koraks]

Welcome back @sperho!

 

[loccdor]

You will love C-41 developing, it's easier than baking a decent bread, and so is E-6.