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Returning to film

keisisqrl

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2021
Messages
17
Location
Seattle
Format
35mm
I didn't shoot film for most of 20 years (haven't done a ton of photography at all for a while), rediscovered it recently and got to shoot some black and white which I always wanted to but never could when I was a kid, and uh... yeah. You know how it is, growing camera collection and lab budget, rip

Greetings from Seattle
 
Greetings from just up the I5 and over the border.
Hope you enjoy your time here.
 
Film is so much fun. Gotta get a developing tank and a frame to make contact proof sheets.
 
mshchem said:
Film is so much fun. Gotta get a developing tank and a frame to make contact proof sheets.
Click to expand...

Charity shops are ideal places to find old photo/darkroom gear. A few charge like wounded bulls, but many don't and old developing tanks, trays, safelights and other darkroom bits can be found. Not all are in working order, but occasionally a tank that is fully complete turns up, with reels, stirring rod et al.

Last week I scored a 1950s Paterson Universal II adjustable tank in its original box with the instructions. It was covered in dust and grime, but after a good cleaning it looks as if it hadn't been used in 60+ years. For all of A$6.00, so the bargains are out there.

As for frames, given the insane prices of enlarging paper I no longer make proof sheets of my films. Last year I sold a Paterson 35mm proof sheet frame on Ebay for A$75.00, which was probably more than someone paid for it in the 1970s or 1980s. I still have a 120 roll film one somewhere in the garage, but I'll be darned if I can find it...
 
Welcome! I returned (to film) last year. I love processing black and white film. Check out caffenol if you’re concerned about using standard developers.
 

Yeah, I may have to go scrounging at some of those. Unfortunately most close in to the city have gone away except Goodwill and they have a good eye for stuff to put up on their auction site.

I do know a couple of former film shooters though so I'll probably also try and ask around. Just that, soon as I start developing, I know I'll want a scanner, and... well, at least there's a public darkroom here I can book access to (and an acquaintance I ought to call).

I'll like as not do digital contact sheets with a light table and iPhone.
 
Andrew O'Neill said:
Welcome to the forum! Start developing your own film. You'll be glad that you did.
Click to expand...
fully agree. Oh, I remember it well... I was scared to dev my own film; afraid to screw it up but now... I wouldn't rust anybody to dev my film. Nobody can do this better than myself and it is just part of our unique process.
 
Horatio said:
Welcome! I returned (to film) last year. I love processing black and white film. Check out caffenol if you’re concerned about using standard developers.
Click to expand...
I have been obsessed with the idea since I learned about it. Dunno if it'll be my primary choice but to me Caffenol ranks up there with "I made ink from these weird things I found on an oak tree and some rusty nails" (haven't actually come across any oak galls to forage since I started looking, but y'know).
 

Nothing wrong with Caffenol. There are several recipes that give impressive results.
 
glad to see you made it home
hope you have a blast! and share some of your
fun and enthusiasm

John

ps. lots of info in the caffenol cookbook if you hadn't discovered it yet...
 
I'm attempting to return to film myself with the use of the Holga 120N which has been slightly modified to suit my needs. Once my testing has been completed I'll be hopefully moving on to the Dore Goodman 3D camera. Same medium format, but with better results. But who knows I could get some good results with the holga.
 
Film Can be considered permanent compared to digital. I can print pictures taken 50-60 years ago. Acquire a camera not dependent on batteries, a light meter (or better still, download and print an exposure calculator), film, a developing tank, some chemicals, and you are ready to go. You can most likely get an enlarger for free, or go hybrid with your computer. Have fun!
 
Holgas can be remarkably competent little cameras, so long as you understand their limitations and use them accordingly.
 
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Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​
 
Lots of great photo/camera shops all arouind the downtown. Visit my son in West Seattle several times a year and always drop in to several of them...
 
Hello and welcome.
 
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