Beginner Question

J

JoshB01

Suspended / Banned
Messages
8
Name
Josh
Edit My Images
No
Firstly im unsure if this has been posted in the right area or not, please feel free to redirect me to the correct space for this.

this morning i found an old Pentax MX camera, it was only the main body and the lens. (here is the link to the instruction manual is anyone is interested: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_mx/pentax_mx.htm)

i was only wondering what i would need to get started. i know it uses 35mm film, but only being 16 i havent had any experience with film cameras so wouldnt know whether there are any other type of film specifications, or where to go with it once ive exposed it. so any extra information would be useful; should i use this camera or sell it and buy a newer one?

thanks a lot
Josh




Edit: Thanks everyone for the advice. i have all the necessary equipment now (film, batteries) but have a question. the film i bought came in a see-through container. i was under the impression that the film couldnt be exposed to light. am i safe to put the film back in there once ive taken my photographs or will i have to by a container which doesnt allow light in?

thanks again
 
Last edited:
An excellent camera. I have an ME Super. Does it have the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 lens? If it does, it is a cracker. However, at that age it ideally should have had a service, new light seals, and be fungus free with a smooth operating aperture.

You need 35mm film. Cheapest C-41 (colour negative) film by far is the perfectly good AgfaPhoto found in Poundland. Film can usually be bought cheaper online than elsewhere on the shelf to be honest. I'm not sure if I would be in breach of board rules in order to post websites of retailers. There are still plenty of manufacturers and types of 35mm film around.

You need to develop and process it. Do you need prints or digital scans? There are a few chains in the high street that at last process C-41 35mm - and quite often an independent processor or two just off the high street. They'll usually offer development only (if you have a film scanner), development and scans, or development and prints/scans.

If you want to DIY, then B/W film processing is easier at home. If you buy a film scanner (not a cheap Chinese job), then you do not even need a darkroom - just a film changing bag, light proofed closet, or film changing tent. Lots of us use film changing bags.

I'd suggest that if you decide to purchase this or any other working condition film camera - pop a cheap C-41 film in it (such as Poundland), use it up, take it to a high street processor as a test film.

A newer exchange? Film or Digital? They are different beasts. If you just want photography, then digital is the future. If you want the challenge and fun of film, then believe me, it is addictive.
 
Last edited:
JoshB01 said:
Firstly im unsure if this has been posted in the right area or not, please feel free to redirect me to the correct space for this.

this morning i found an old Pentax MX camera, it was only the main body and the lens. (here is the link to the instruction manual is anyone is interested: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_mx/pentax_mx.htm)

i was only wondering what i would need to get started. i know it uses 35mm film, but only being 16 i havent had any experience with film cameras so wouldnt know whether there are any other type of film specifications, or where to go with it once ive exposed it. so any extra information would be useful; should i use this camera or sell it and buy a newer one?

thanks a lot
Josh
Click to expand...

Josh, I have moved this to Talk Film for you, you will get lots of help and advice in this section form very willing and enthusiastic filmies ;)
 
XA2inmypocket said:
An excellent camera. I have an ME Super. Does it have the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 lens? If it does, it is a cracker. However, at that age it ideally should have had a service, new light seals, and be fungus free with a smooth operating aperture.

You need 35mm film. Cheapest C-41 (colour negative) film by far is the perfectly good AgfaPhoto found in Poundland. Film can usually be bought cheaper online than elsewhere on the shelf to be honest. I'm not sure if I would be in breach of board rules in order to post websites of retailers. There are still plenty of manufacturers and types of 35mm film around.

You need to develop and process it. Do you need prints or digital scans? There are a few chains in the high street that at last process C-41 35mm - and quite often an independent processor or two just off the high street. They'll usually offer development only (if you have a film scanner), development and scans, or development and prints/scans.

If you want to DIY, then B/W film processing is easier at home. If you buy a film scanner (not a cheap Chinese job), then you do not even need a darkroom - just a film changing bag, light proofed closet, or film changing tent. Lots of us use film changing bags.

I'd suggest that if you decide to purchase this or any other working condition film camera - pop a cheap C-41 film in it (such as Poundland), use it up, take it to a high street processor as a test film.

A newer exchange? Film or Digital? They are different beasts. If you just want photography, then digital is the future. If you want the challenge and fun of film, then believe me, it is addictive.
Click to expand...






thanks for the response, as far as i can tell, it does have the Pentax-m 50mm lens. ive opened it up, had a look and it seems very well looked after; a little bit of wear and tear as you would expect from an older camera, but no mould as i can see.

thanks for the advice on the film and developing, ill probably get it all done and put on digitals for now unless i really get into using this camera.

thanks a lot
Josh
 
Yv said:
Josh, I have moved this to Talk Film for you, you will get lots of help and advice in this section form very willing and enthusiastic filmies ;)
Click to expand...

thank you kind person
 
JoshB01 said:
i know it uses 35mm film, but only being 16 i havent had any experience with film cameras so wouldnt know whether there are any other type of film specifications, or where to go with it once ive exposed it.
Click to expand...

Huh. So this is how I find out that I'm officially an old fart. :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: PMN
Strappy said:
Huh. So this is how I find out that I'm officially an old fart. :(
Click to expand...
We could have told you that ages ago, you only had to ask :whistle:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PMN
Josh, don't forget to check the batteries (though the MX will function perfectly well without them, except with no meter). They need 2*LR44, available from Boots, supermarkets etc. Make sure they go in the right way up!

MX is a brilliant camera, a proper antidote to auto-everything digital cameras. Lovely weight, brilliant viewfinder, fabulous. You don't really need anything else!!

If there's no Poundland near you, many Boots sell film, usually on a buy-one-get-one-half-price basis. You could try XP2 for interest; it gives black and white images on what is basically a colour film. Boots also do process and scan; not the greatest but fine for starters. Snappy Snaps and Max Spielmann stores are in many towns, and some ASDAs have a real bargain: process and CD for £3!
 
ChrisR said:
Josh, don't forget to check the batteries (though the MX will function perfectly well without them, except with no meter). They need 2*LR44, available from Boots, supermarkets etc. Make sure they go in the right way up!

MX is a brilliant camera, a proper antidote to auto-everything digital cameras. Lovely weight, brilliant viewfinder, fabulous. You don't really need anything else!!

If there's no Poundland near you, many Boots sell film, usually on a buy-one-get-one-half-price basis. You could try XP2 for interest; it gives black and white images on what is basically a colour film. Boots also do process and scan; not the greatest but fine for starters. Snappy Snaps and Max Spielmann stores are in many towns, and some ASDAs have a real bargain: process and CD for £3!
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice, ive already established that i need batteries, so will most likely be making a trip to poundland very soon
 
Excellent! The MX is a lovely camera alright. I've also got one and am a big fan of it! Welcome to the fun aide of photography! And remember, apart from film, the MX and the 50mm lens really are enough to make a great start in film photography. There'll be loads of time for more lenses and kit in the future!

If you've not shot much with a DSLR in manual before, then a notepad to make a record of the settings for most shots will also help you work out what went right/wrong with various images.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top