New to film advice please

cmc1

cmc1

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Chris
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I have never used a film camera but have totally fallen for film photogrpahy. I want to go straight in for the big one (medium format) having seen the results and the feel you get from the whole film experience. I am thinking of bidding for (Fuji GS645 S professional camera, medium format) on ebay and was wandering what to look out for and if it's a good starting point?


Any advice would be appreciated
 
This thread on rangefinderforum might help... there's a review of the more basic GA645 in the massive review thread here, courtesy of @stevelmx5 .
 
cmc1 said:
I have never used a film camera but have totally fallen for film photogrpahy. I want to go straight in for the big one (medium format) having seen the results and the feel you get from the whole film experience. I am thinking of bidding for (Fuji GS645 S professional camera, medium format) on ebay and was wandering what to look out for and if it's a good starting point?

Any advice would be appreciated
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What do you like to shoot? Are you happy with using a rangefinder? Are you set on 6x4.5cm? The Fuji rangefinders have some very nice lenses, but the 645 variants have vertically-oriented frames and viewfinders, which doesn't suit everyone. You'll also be limited to just the 60mm f/4 lens, which may or may not work for you. I have previously owned the GA645 and I personally quite liked the vertical orientation and the 60mm lens, but I was using it as a second camera to my SQ-A, so it really will depend on personal needs and circumstances to determine if it's right for you.

ChrisR said:
there's a review of the more basic GA645 in the massive review thread here, courtesy of @stevelmx5 .
Click to expand...

I would argue that the GA645 is more complex than the GS645S; the GA645 is essentially a fully-automated GS645S.

Edit: Reflecting on my original comments, I suppose the use of simple and complex can be a bit ambiguous. When I say the GA645 is more complex, I mean that its design is more complex (e.g., autofocus, metering modes, flash, etc.). With film cameras, to me, this is a downside, as it is much harder to repair discontinued electronics-laden film cameras than mechanical ones (my GA645 required several trips to the camera hospital). That said, in most instances, it would probably be easier to pick up and use a GA645 than its GS645S cousin.
 
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I would like something not to unconventional.
 
The GA645 is one if the most simple medium format cameras in that it's basically a point and shoot. You choose the aperture and the built in meter sets shutter speed according to the film iso. It is also autofocus using the centre point so pretty easy to get large sharp medium format negatives.

I haven't used a GS645 but that has manual controls on the lens to set the aperture/shutter speed according to an internal light meter so it's slightly more complex in that you're adjusting dials rather than turning a control wheel.

Cheers
Steve
 
Are there any other simplistic models worth considering?
 
Most MF cameras a fairly simple beasts usually being completely manual. Compose, focus, meter, set, click.

The standard questions are, pick a format then decide on a budget. 645, square, 6x7 and 6x9 are your main standards.
 
Have a look at Yashicamat twin lens reflex cameras - I have the model 124G. Fairly compact and lightweight. The waist level finder takes a little bit of getting used to but soon becomes second nature and is very useful when photographing from a low viewpoint - the predessor of today's angled digital screens. Focussing and exposure are manual.
 
Yes, as Kevin rightly says a Twin Lens Reflex camera is simple to load, use and enjoy. They are reasonably light and compact and the lenses are generally pin sharp. I have had a Yashica D, A, Mat and 124g, the Mat was my favourite it simply took excellent images. I dropped it and now its dead and I'm very sad......:(
 
Thanks I will be taking a look at one of those. Please be prepared for more questions
 
Standing by....the team are ready.(y)
 
I've only been using a film camera for about a month, and I went for a Mamiya C220 TLR (thanks to a recommendation from @skysh4rk ). It's fantastic and I've loved every moment. In fact, I havent even picked up my DSLR since my C220 arrived in the post :D It obviously takes much, much longer to use because everything is manual and it has no electronics whatsoever, but as I mainly shoot stuff that doesn't move I dont mind that. In fact, I actually prefer that it's totally manual as it makes me have to really think about what I'm doing.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you get and how you get on with it :)
 
7dayshop are normaly reasonable for film purchasing, for when you do have a camera...

and theres normaly info and vids on youtube for most camera's too :)
 
It wasn't my fault, the strap got caught and it flew from my hands on to the cold, hard ground....I wept bitter tears that day...
 
I am watching a couple of yashica mat 124g's.

I will be wanting to shoot colour film (recommendations please) and would also like to view them on my pc as well as having prints.

Does anyone know who could do this processing for me?
 
Have a look at the Film Developing in the UK sticky at the top of this forum - the service you want is 120/medium format C-41 develop and scan.

There are lots of labs that provide this service, so you'll be in safe hands.
 
pingu666 said:
7dayshop are normaly reasonable for film purchasing, for when you do have a camera...

and theres normaly info and vids on youtube for most camera's too :)
Click to expand...


Silverprint are FAR more reasonable.

HP5 120

7DS - 6.39
SP - 3.98
 
chris-red said:
Silverprint are FAR more reasonable.

HP5 120

7DS - 6.39
SP - 3.98
Click to expand...

I find both 7dayshop and Silverprint to be relatively expensive nowadays, although 7dayshop does occasionally have some good prices on colour negative film. Personally, I've been using a combination of Calumet, Mathers, and Ffordes recently to find the best priced film.

For what it's worth, Mathers have HP5 120 for £3.75 (http://www.mathersoflancashire.co.uk/prodDetail.html?intProductID=939&intCategoryID=63) and Ffordes have it for £3.76 (http://ffordes.com/product/13021310340181).
 
There is no one stop shop for film. A combination of postage, individual brands, individual emulsions and different prices across shops/websites means it really does pay to shop around. I probably have 10+ websites bookmarked and it isn't always the obvious ones where the specific emulsion I want is the cheapest!
 
:agree:
 
I am definitely gunning nor a Yashica mat 124 G now. Can someone recommend both a good colour and B&W film please? I would like to get some in my hands the day I get the camera.
 
cmc1 said:
I am definitely gunning nor a Yashica mat 124 G now. Can someone recommend both a good colour and B&W film please? I would like to get some in my hands the day I get the camera.
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Fuji Acros b&w and Kodak Portra colour and you won't go far wrong.
 
If you're sending them away to a lab to process you might be beter with Illford XP2, its a black and white film which is done in colour chemicals. Its almost always cheaper having C41 (colour process) done than true b&w in a lab since they'll usually do b&w by hand.
 
For colour Kodak Portra 160 or 400 are both very nice and have a good deal of latitude in exposure, Kodak Ektar 100 is a nice film as well with a bit more sturation than the Portra.
For b&w the choices are a bit more difficult. I personally like Fuji Acros 100 but Kodak do produce some very nice ones and their are quite a few smaller independant producers of b&w film as well such as Adox. I'm sure someone else will have other ideas.

Andy
 
I've been using Ilford FP4+ for my black and white, and Ektar 100 for my colour so far, but I'm planning on trying some Portra in the next few weeks as the photos I've seen with it look great. If you send them off to The Darkroom UK then 'development only' is the same price for all 120 films (£5 per film and £3.50 return postage, plus you'll get them back in 2-3 days!).
 
Roll of Potra 400, Check, Roll of Ilford B&W, Check, Yashica MAT 124G Check-ish (in the post) Can't wait to have a go at his Old Skool photogprahy
 
It will make you a better person, give you almost god-like powers and make you irresistible to your chosen partners. Well done.
 
Camera arrived this morning. All looks good but it has a this (see pic) attached to the top lens and all I can see that it does is make impossible to focus when it's on. What is it? View attachment 8528
 
cmc1 said:
Camera arrived this morning. All looks good but it has a this (see pic) attached to the top lens and all I can see that it does is make impossible to focus when it's on. What is it? View attachment 8528
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It looks like part of a Rolleinar set (Rollei TLR close up filters). There's usually a filter for the taking lens and then a prism for the viewing lens to correct for parallax (I think some older sets might have two parts for the prism on the taking lens).
 
Yes there is one on the taking lens too. They look extremely well extremely well engineered
 
cmc1 said:
Yes there is one on the taking lens too. They look extremely well extremely well engineered
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Yes, they're quite nice and quite useful too, especially given that TLRs are not known for their close focusing capabilities. I used to have a set for my Minolta Autocord.
 
As far as film choice goes, you won't go far wrong with any film from the bigger manufacturers, which are Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford. I second the recommendation for Ilford XP2 if you want black and white, but are sending it away to be processed. It is an excellent film - my favourite ISO400 black and white film, and if you're not using a tripod then ISO400 will come in very handy.

If you are scanning the film, or having scans done by the lab, you'll be able to do B&W conversions in software - so even if you've loaded colour film you're not ruling out mono output.

The "other" suppliers - Maco/Rollei, Efke, Adox, etc - have their fans. My limited experience of them is that handling problems are more of an issue than image quality - by which I mean curly negs which are difficult to develop (for those who develop their own film) and scan, and easy to scratch. Having said that I do use Rollei IR400 for infrared purposes and that one doesn't have the curling problem. These other suppliers are not necessarily cheaper if you shop around.

I find that 7dayshop usually has the best UK prices (once postage is included) for Kodak films, but for Ilford films 7dayshop are expensive unless you but a lot of rolls.

Ilford don't make colour film, so for colour negative film Kodak and Fuji are the main choices.

I've used a lot of Kodak Portra in 160 and 400 speeds. It is excellent quality, with a fairly natural colour rendition. Some examples are here - https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=portra &w=33186310@N03

I'm now starting to use Kodak Ektar too which has more vibrant colours - https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ektar&w=33186310@N03 . Perhaps I will use Ektar when the weather is a but dull and Portra when it's more sunny.

I have only used a couple of rolls of Fuji film in medium format - Fuji Pro 160S and 400H. It's OK but I think Portra has more exposure latitude. Fuji also supply some cheaper films in medium format - Superia and Reala, whereas Kodak only provide their "consumer grade" films in 35mm.

I have found, when using 35mm film, that the consumer grade films can produce acceptable results in good light, the image quality really degrades in low lighting, whereas the professional grade films (Kodak Portra and Ektar, and Fuji Pro 160S and 400H) stand up better in low lighting.
 
Thank you for such an informative reply. I look forward to posting some images
 
I think I have just trashed my first roll of film.
I rolled the film on to the second arrow not the first. So I had to remove the film and start again. Hopefully only the first two exposures will trashed.

I am finding hard not seeing my results immediately like on the rear of my DSLR but I am loving the viewfinder on this thing.
 
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