Film or Digital

[ChrismonDA]

I recently acquired my uncles Nikon F3 that uses film. I remember when he had this camera it was his baby. But he passed away several years ago and my aunt left it to me. The camera is such a beautiful piece! I was really wanting to shoot film again. I was just wondering if anyone here still uses non digital to take pictures? I know it is old school but I have looked at his pictures from over 30 years ago and they just seemed to look better. I was wondering if anyone here still uses film?

 

[kennith]

I stuck with it for a while, even though I bought a digital camera very early on in the consumer market.

Once I began to sort it all out, though, I was shooting decently with a mid to late 90s digital. I've been a graphic artist since it was reasonably possible with computers, so digital photography really fit into what I do on occasion.

I can't stand scanners, so it made things easier.

I'm better with film, but I developed some bad habits with earlier digital cameras that I'm just now ditching with nicer models that function in a more traditional manner. I let it all become too convenient and became lazy.

Even so, if I never set foot in a darkroom again, I'll be a happy person.

Film is great for enthusiast pursuits and for certain professions. You don't have to ditch digital cameras to play around with film, though. It's possible to enjoy both.

One is not better than another, in the end. You're either happy with the experience and result, or you aren't.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[JackW]

I still have my old manual focus Canon F1 loaded up with B&W film for special occasions. Mostly I use my Pro level Canon 1DsMkII for just about everything now though. Sold off the Speed Graphics, the Rollieflex and the Hasselblad. to buy more glass for the digital Canon. Once you get over 60 autofocus can be a good thing. The Nikon F3 is a good camera and lenses are reasonable . Go shoot some Fuji slide film or some Ilford B&W and have some fun.

 

[p m]

I've been a graphic artist since it was reasonably possible with computers

That, too?

 

[kennith]

That, too?

It's fun, and I occasionally get some money out of it. It's kind of like the custom PCs I build. These are things I do for fun that occasionally pay off.

I'm not always running around training or taking stupid jobs. I have a daily life too, you know, and I like geeky stuff.

It's a very strange combination.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[p m]

My hat's off, Kennith

 

[Blueboy]

How true on the age deal for autofocus as is the VR lens. Like others still have my film body, yet, digital really opens up how many shots you can take and try various settings easily.

 

[leshassell]

I still shoot med. and large format film but I honestly can't remember the last time I shot 35mm film. Maybe 15 years ago? F3 is a nice camera, though. Did you get any lenses?

 

[ChrismonDA]

I still shoot med. and large format film but I honestly can't remember the last time I shot 35mm film. Maybe 15 years ago? F3 is a nice camera, though. Did you get any lenses?

Yes, a Vivitar Macro zoom 28 to 70mm and a Nikkor 135mm 1:28. I am a noobie with these older SLR's and would really like to try it out. Just seems like a very quality piece of equipment. I have been looking on line for other lenses. What would your recommend?

 

[leshassell]

It really just depends on what you like to shoot. Its probably a little wide for most but for me, a 24mm is my goto lens. I think all I ever carried with my manual bodies were a 24mm 2.8, 55mm micro, 85mm 1.4 and sometimes the 135mm 2.8. Big teles when needed for sports or whatever. I never carried any zooms until autofocus came along.

 

[ChrismonDA]

It really just depends on what you like to shoot. Its probably a little wide for most but for me, a 24mm is my goto lens. I think all I ever carried with my manual bodies were a 24mm 2.8, 55mm micro, 85mm 1.4 and sometimes the 135mm 2.8. Big teles when needed for sports or whatever. I never carried any zooms until autofocus came along.

I am really new to this. I remember my mothers manual Cannon but with the new DSLR's will make your head spin. But if you can give me some pointers I would really appreciate it. I have used digital SLR's I didn't like them. Yeah it's nice to see what you just shot but the camera was just too complicated and I did not like the aperture compared to a manual.

 

[kk88rrc]

The F3 is a great body and that Nikkor 135 is one of my favorites. I still throw that on a digi body. If you're looking for more lenses stick with Nikkor. Makes me want to dust off my FM2!

What type of pointer are looking for?

 

[ChrismonDA]

The F3 is a great body and that Nikkor 135 is one of my favorites. I still throw that on a digi body. If you're looking for more lenses stick with Nikkor. Makes me want to dust off my FM2!

What type of pointer are looking for?

Still doing some research what would you recommend? I still haven't decided what to shoot landscapes, buildings color or black and white.

 

[JackW]

The 135mm F2.8 is a great portrait lens. I kept the 35mm F2.0 out of my collection of manual focus Canon lenses for my old F-1.
35mm is great size for general all around use on a 35mm film camera.

I never shot Nikons but a friend of mine still has a whole range of old Nikon cameras and a big bag of lenses. He recommends getting Nikkor lenses as well - there are some great buys out there on film stuff. Check KEH.com for real life prices and values.

 

[leshassell]

If its in good shape, hang onto that 135mm, its a pretty sweet lens. Use the zoom for a while and pay attention to see if there are any focal lengths you tend to use more. Then go buy Nikkor primes in those focal lengths. I'd imagine if you were to get a 28 or 35mm and, a 55mm micro to accompany your 135mm you'd be off to a good start. Ditto on the KEH.com recommendation, their used gear grading is always conservative.

 

[ChrismonDA]

The 135mm F2.8 is a great portrait lens. I kept the 35mm F2.0 out of my collection of manual focus Canon lenses for my old F-1.
35mm is great size for general all around use on a 35mm film camera.

I never shot Nikons but a friend of mine still has a whole range of old Nikon cameras and a big bag of lenses. He recommends getting Nikkor lenses as well - there are some great buys out there on film stuff. Check KEH.com for real life prices and values.

Thank you for the link they have everything! What film speed should I start out with? I really want to thank all of you that have posted. I usually take pictures with my phone and they are ok but with a SLR I would like to try different things. I am new to this and would like to become proficient shooter. Like knowing how to use this camera if that makes any sense.

 

[ChrismonDA]

If its in good shape, hang onto that 135mm, its a pretty sweet lens. Use the zoom for a while and pay attention to see if there are any focal lengths you tend to use more. Then go buy Nikkor primes in those focal lengths. I'd imagine if you were to get a 28 or 35mm and, a 55mm micro to accompany your 135mm you'd be off to a good start. Ditto on the KEH.com recommendation, their used gear grading is always conservative.

Thanks so much, Yeah I went to their website and they had everything you could think of at some really reasonable prices. I have the standard K view finder. Just would like some info on what film to buy for a beginner. Or steer me for a good blog sight for film users. I have seen several but just would like some input on which one is good.

 

[JackW]

ASA 100 and 400 are the two most popular film speeds - 100 for bright days and 400 for action and varied light (almost everything else).
ASA 200 was conceived as a "universal" film for the amateur market and usually had compromises that I didn't like.

I haven't bought film in such a long time I'm not sure what's available any more - no more Kodachrome 25 I know...

You can extend film's life by storing it in a plastic zip closure bag in the freezer - just let it thaw for a day before you use it.

Shoot some Fuji slide film to begin with and try some black and white Ilford 100. Tripods are your friend with film.

Luminous Landscape is a good site:


http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=38161.0

I've spent a bunch of money at KEH over the years and never been disappointed - they are good folks to buy from.
As everyone says their rating system is very conservative - Excellent generally means its like new.

 

[kk88rrc]

I'm with Jack… not sure what film is out there today. My first assignment at RIT was to shoot Techpan & process it into BW slides but that was gone even before Kodachrome. Using slide (or positive) film is a great way to learn about light. It can be very unforgiving though and you will lose some shots. One of the hardest things may be finding a lab in your area or you may have to send it out.

If you can find a good deal on a 35 or 50 or 55micro grab it.

 

[jim-00-4.6]

A million years ago, I was acquainted with a professional photographer. He told me "film is cheap, your time is expensive. Shoot a lot."
He went on to say that having to go back to your shooting location because you missed the shot would be costly and might not even be possible.

I'm not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination. However, like a stopped clock, if I shoot enough frames, I'm bound to get a couple good ones.
I have a Canon EOS Rebel T1i, with a 25mm(ish) lens & a 50mm-150mm(ish) zoom.
I'm comfortably in between a cameraphone and a professional sports photographer.

I take pictures at my daughter's play performances; 1 night with the short lens & another night with the long lens. That gives me a full show of wide shots and a full show of closeups.
Most recent performance, i took over 800 pictures.
About 120 of them were average or better.
Probably 20 of them were at least as good as the professionally-shot senior pictures some of the kids have.

The theater department uses my photos for all their publicity stuff. Probably because they're free, rather than any spectacular ability on my part!

My average used to be 1 worthwhile pic out of 20 or so. I'm getting better.

An item that may be just a peculiarity of my camera; the viewfinder does not match the picture.
I don't use the viewscreen on the back of the camera, I use the glass viewfinder.