Passing things on to the next generation

This past weekend I had the opportunity hosting a few seminarians who were in town visiting. One of them expressed interest in photography. He had an old digital camera (not sure which) that he was presently practicing on, and we got talking about my photography interests, including analog equipment. He said that he had never shot any film cameras. Being that I have sort of an extensive collection of Minolta gear, I asked him whether he was at all interested in learning photography "the old way" with film. He excitedly responded that he would love to learn how to shoot film.

So... I gave him a recently CLA'd Minolta XG7 with a 50mm MD 1.7 lens. Also gave him a Minolta Auto 132X Flash Unit. Threw in three rolls of Tri-X and two rolls of Portra 400. I told him once he gets back to seminary to reach out to me, and I'll try to teach him the basics via online "correspondence." Downside is that he doesn't have any equipment or place to develop the film or make prints, but I thought it was better than nothing. I also said that he can mail me back the rolls of film once shot, and I'll develop and scan them for him.

We'll see how it goes. Worst case scenario is that he doesn't find much interest in it. But I thought I'd give this a try; if I can get one more person interested in film photography, all the better.

Good for you... that was a very nice act!

Over the past few years I've given a few cameras to interested young photographers. If it sparked their interest and continued with it, that would be great, if not I asked them to pass it along to someone else. Mostly they were either Retina IIc's or Nikkormat's but we did give my neighbors daughter a K1000. The cameras all had been recently serviced by a local shop. Trying to support their business as well. The local high school has an active photography class and there is a shop located close by. If I have short dated film, its donated for the students to try.

Sounds like your missionary work has resulted in a convert to the faith..., ur, film!

mazel tov!

Even in this time of newer, faster better digital cameras there is a reason film is still alive. I tried digital cameras but tired of the bulk and weight plus after a lifetime of using film it was hard to turn away from it. Many of the young photographers I talk to are interested in film for a new look. They have followed someone on social media and want the challenge film offers. Over the years, I have bought and sold more cameras than I can remember and have reached a point where all I need is a film camera (or two) and a digital for scanning. Any others deserved to be used and they should go to someone to will use them. If someone embraces film and starts using it more, great. If they find it's more trouble than the bargained for, that's ok too.

I've been on the receiving end of this many times. Us next gen really do appreciate getting old gear that would otherwise sit on a shelf or in a closet. Almost as nice as making friends with said generous folk and learning from them and hearing their stories, like doing a ski shoot with a Nikon F and motor drive. How the heck did you change film on the fly? 'I didn't, I had 36 shots and made it last all day'

I in turn have been passing on cameras to younger than me generation too. Half dozen already, I give it with a couple rolls of B&W and on their merry way.

All my friends and family use their smartphones to take pictures and are not interested in film photography, however, my sons say they will never sell my photography equipment.

My neighbor’s son was working on his Eagle Scout merit badges and mentioned that he wanted to do the one in photography. I said that I’d help out but that he’d have to do it in film. Over the course of the summer he learned how to roll film in a 35mm cartridge, operate a Minolta SRT, deal with exposure, as well as developing and printing the film. He even quickly mastered rolling the film on stainless steel reels. It got to the point where he’d just come over once a week and use my darkroom. When he’d leave, I couldn’t even tell he’d been in there he cleaned up so well. One day when he was leaving, he thanked me “for passing on the tradition.”

Yes, he got the merit badge and is just now completing his Eagle project at our Audubon center.

Also, for his chemistry class big project, he did a study of film developers.

A seed has been planted.

BrianShaw said:

Good for you... that was a very nice act!

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Well, like I said, I've got a lot of this equipment lying around not being used. If this works out, maybe I'll try lending out some of the other equipment with others.

I did that with a friend during the pandemic. Gave him a Nikkormat I had collecting dust and a couple of rolls of film that I developed and scanned for him. He was good, especially with people, made nice candid portraits. He apparently lost interest or something and now the camera sits on a hutch in his apartment collecting dust. When I visit and see it there he is always apologetic saying he will take more pictures soon and I just shrug and say no worries. Maybe there was some issue having me develop and scan the film. There is nowhere else for that these days on a budget, unfortunately.