Film Camera

D

daventryh

Suspended / Banned
Messages
184
Name
Helen Daventry
Edit My Images
No
Ive had the Canon 1100d for a few months now and been exploring all types of photography. I'm now focusing on learning all about photography, the basics.

I'm interested in trying out a film camera, haven't used these for years, didn't even know you could still get film developed!!

I know nothing about film cameras and was wondering if you could direct me toward one.
 
daventryh said:
I know nothing about film cameras and was wondering if you could direct me toward one.
Click to expand...

I could, perhaps, direct you towards the Film and Conventional sub-forum.. .. it still exists!
 
TheBigYin said:
I've moved the thread to F&C...

welcome aboard Helen.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I have had a read of other posts in the film section and I'm now veering toward a canon camera that will allow my ef lenses to fit.

There are so many... Ahhhhh!!!
 
EF camera that handles like a modern digital body

Budget : EOS 30

EOS-30 with Flash Up by The Big Yin, on Flickr

More Upmarket:
EOS3

The EF 24-105L is for Mugs by The Big Yin, on Flickr

Or if you're feeling flush - get the pro one... EOS-1v - last of the pro-film cameras from canon, Everything that the EOS-3 does, plus a Magnesium Alloy Body and a primitive version of EXIF (if you can get the software and special cable to get the data out of the camera)
 
If you're used to using the EOS1100, the EOS3 is pretty much the closest you'll get to the same camera, only with film loaded. Only difference is, it won't work with the (presumably) EF-S kit lens you've got with the 1100 :(
 
My favourite film EOS body has become the 50E, mainly because it handles well with a nice lightweight grip that also means I am freed from having to buy expensive 2CR5 batteries as it takes 4 rechargeable AA's.
 
Don't forget medium format. If you don't have a darkroom/film scanner etc you are going to have to send films away for processing anyway, so 35mm vs 120mm are the same amount of trouble. For me at least, I don't see the point in carrying around a DSLR and a 35mm SLR since they are too much like the same thing. Whatever you want to do, getting a decent film camera can cost very little money just now regardless of what format you choose or whatever level of automation you want.
 
Great camera and probably a bargain today. Friend of mine had one 30 years ago and I was jealous (and am now a Nikon user). Anybody know if 30 year old electronics are still reliable?
 
kenm said:
Great camera and probably a bargain today. Friend of mine had one 30 years ago and I was jealous (and am now a Nikon user). Anybody know if 30 year old electronics are still reliable?
Click to expand...

Well usually with cameras that rely on electronics they "work or they don't" some capacitors can fail on some cameras like Minolta, maybe LCD readout will fade eventually, but other than dropping the camera in water can't see why you can't get many more years out of an old electronic camera and if say you spent £50 on a VG A1 with lens, and for example it only lasted 3 more years....you've lost £15/year for using a camera body.
 
kenm said:
Great camera and probably a bargain today. Friend of mine had one 30 years ago and I was jealous (and am now a Nikon user). Anybody know if 30 year old electronics are still reliable?
Click to expand...

It's difficult to say, because every sample will have been treated differently, used by different people in different places, and a mix of chance & luck could get you an example that works for decades or one that dies tomorrow.

Same applies for mechanical cameras as well, although they are far more likely to be fixable by the relevant competent technicians should failure occur.
 
daventryh said:
Views on canon a-1?
Click to expand...

Remember that you won't be able to use any EF mount lenses on an A-1 as it uses Canon's previous FD mount and you can't adapt EF lenses to it, mostly because their completely electronically controlled.
 
I'm thinking that as the lens are so cheap, I'm not really bothered about my lens being compatible.

Hoping to find a canon a-1 with 50 lens!!
 
Hi Helen. For a different perspective, the A models can have electronic difficulties, and the A-1 is one of the trickiest electronically speaking. A few years ago a friend in Australia sent me a black one in what appeared to be new condition but not working correctly. I never could sort it out and eventually had to sell it as a parts camera. Some of the models like the FTb will have fewer electronic problems. Please also watch for broken battery doors. For a camera series so dependent on batteries, the battery door on the A series was not designed for long life. Some would say it was designed to fail and it would be hard to argue against that idea. Canon made some excellent fixed lens rangefinders (like the QL19) which did terrific work. Would something like that be of interest? Some of them can be had very inexpensively. Good luck.
Best regards,
Jon
 
Bought my A1 from E-Bay back in 2005, it's been through a lot over the years but still works perfectly today.
By the way, A1's were only made in black, it was the AE1 that was available in silver or black.


John:)
 
As with every camera, people have different views, but the canon a-1 keeps coming up.

How much would I be looking at spending to get myself a canon a-1 & basic lens? As with buying a film camera today it depends on condition but that is a risk I think I will have to take.
 
I had a contemporary camera (not Canon though) and the electronics caused me nothing but bother and that was when it was new. I must have been unlucky. Can't help but think that the decade before the A1 (a sophisticated camera at the time) came out we were still putting valves in audio amplifiers, and in the decade they stopped making it mobile phones were the size of a house brick and nearly as heavy. Replaced it with an FM2n and never looked back.
 
robhooley167 said:
The valve amp on my desk agrees :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I can add my thorens td150 mk II record player to that too! ;) We are a funny lot.

As per the op, go Olympus OM, great cameras and lovely lenses.
 
menthel said:
I can add my thorens td150 mk II record player to that too! ;) We are a funny lot.

As per the op, go Olympus OM, great cameras and lovely lenses.
Click to expand...

I left my Rotel deck back at home and my brother has taken it hostage, no space for it at uni :(
 
aw, can't really join in on the HiFi valve amp front... But there's a pair of flightcased Marshall 50W MV heads (2204's iirc) in my boxroom if that helps ;)
(there's also a Hiwatt 100w bass amp in there, but all the valvey goodness has been released when some tool knocked it off the top of the cab. stack!)
 
robhooley167 said:
The valve amp on my desk agrees :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I need to get another one, if only I wasn't spending so much on camera gear :bonk:
menthel said:
I can add my thorens td150 mk II record player to that too! ;) We are a funny lot.

As per the op, go Olympus OM, great cameras and lovely lenses.
Click to expand...

I used to have one of those, it's still going strong at a mates house and I bought it 2nd hand in about 1986.

and :plusone: for the Olympus kit, affordable quality that never lets you down.

kenm said:
Glad to oblige. Here you go:


leak1 by ken__m, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Thanks Ken, that should hold me for a while :lol:
 
menthel said:
I can add my thorens td150 mk II record player to that too! ;) We are a funny lot.

As per the op, go Olympus OM, great cameras and lovely lenses.
Click to expand...

Gyrodec SE in the living room, Thorens TD125 next to me, Garrard 401 and SME 3009 in a cupboard waiting for me to find/build a plinth for it.

I am sadder than you.
 
Last edited:
Back to the subject at hand. I bought an old T60 Canon with a 50mm FD lens back in September for college for £45 with 3 rolls of HP4 thrown in, it's rather basic but does the job and produces fantastic images still, great as a start. I've now moved to medium format, I love the detail and crispness of the images and in colour find a certain quality digital cannot get near. Kind of like comparing an MP3 to an old record or tape, if I could get the confidence to use MF for Motorsport I would happily ditch digital completely.
 
JonFM said:
Back to the subject at hand. I bought an old T60 Canon with a 50mm FD lens back in September for college for £45 with 3 rolls of HP4 thrown in, it's rather basic but does the job and produces fantastic images still, great as a start. I've now moved to medium format, I love the detail and crispness of the images and in colour find a certain quality digital cannot get near. Kind of like comparing an MP3 to an old record or tape, if I could get the confidence to use MF for Motorsport I would happily ditch digital completely.
Click to expand...

...and if not at anywhere special, using MF film, 10 or 12 shots are enough. Using my ETRs, 15 shots is usually too much esp as I carry a 35mm film camera as well.
 
Ok, the chosen one was ...

Olympus Trip!

Will collect from post office tomorrow. I took a risk and brought from eBay for £21 described as immaculate and working.


Is there a way of testing the camera without a film in it?
 
Well I don't own one but from what I have read it has a very good lens so your shots will be sharp. Until trip owners reply I can suggest you point the camera at different light sources with the back open and see if the iris opens and closes (due to bright and dark subjects) when you fire the shutter.
 
It will take very good pictures. As I recall it only had two shutter speeds...something like 1/40 sec and 1/200 sec. Excalibur2's advice is just what I'd suggest you do, also. Good luck with it.
Jon
 
Ensure the red flag comes up in situations which are too dark - with the selenium cell covered, it should appear. If it doesn't, the cell could be dead or there could be a problem with the wiring.
 
The Trip is a superb camera. No better evidence than ten million sold :) load some xp2 in it and you are all set!
 
norters said:
The Trip is a superb camera. No better evidence than ten million sold :) load some xp2 in it and you are all set!
Click to expand...

I have an Olympus XAII (never used it) but many people say the XA range is very good as well, in fact the big manufacturers produced some VG compacts and I would be surprised if you could see the difference in print.
 
excalibur2 said:
I have an Olympus XAII (never used it) but many people say the XA range is very good as well, in fact the big manufacturers produced some VG compacts and I would be surprised if you could see the difference in print.
Click to expand...

Well I've just ordered a Nikon L35AF for a very good price after reading a load of rave reviews! Can't wait for it to arrive!

To the OP, make sure you post some of your Trip shots up here in the F&C section :)
 
kenm said:
Glad to oblige. Here you go:


leak1 by ken__m, on Flickr
Click to expand...

You were either a Leak man - or a Quad Man...
EF86 - ECC83 - EL84 methinks? Chassis looks a bit corroded, I resprayed my Quad II's! Thanks for sharing your Retro :thumbs:
 
norters said:
Well I've just ordered a Nikon L35AF for a very good price after reading a load of rave reviews! Can't wait for it to arrive!

To the OP, make sure you post some of your Trip shots up here in the F&C section :)
Click to expand...

Well I have that one and it is very good, I've got Nikon AF210 also....but up near the top is a Konica C35 (got that) and a Yashica T5 and a.......:lol: In fact my wife is fed up with me feeding all these P&Ss to her. :nuts:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top