First step into analogue photography!

[Shine Li]

Hello,

been wanting to get into film photography for the longest time but never know where to start. (I do shoot with polaroid for fun, if that counts? ;p)

But recently, while doing some packing and cleaning the house, I FOUND 2 OLD CAMERAS (according to grammy, it's about 30years old now)

Canon Ae-1 and Ae-1P (have no idea why there's 2 similar one but will ask grammy again)

Anyway, that marks the start of my journey in film photography.

BUT.... I have no idea how it actually works (it's different from digital cam, isn't it? I am not any professional photographer nor know much bout DSLR/lenses etc. I just like taking pictures and keeping films - It always bring back good memories)

It didn't come with canon lenses but instead a Japanese branded lens - Konmura(?) - 35mm - 70mm & a huge macro telepho lens 75mm - 200mm

OK NOW THAT IT LOOKS LIKE I HAVE ALL THE GEARS... I am not geared up for this! - I mean, I don't know how to use it!

I watched Youtube, read up manual guide, purchased films and started shooting (only to realize i did not roll it out correctly the film got wind in and it's of no use anymore - learnt my lesson since then. Now i have it roll out correctly and started shooting again)

Honestly, I have no slight idea on how a film camera work and how's the outcome of the pictures (it doesn't show preview like digi cam whuttt!)
For example: How to adjust the light meter to suit the shooting environment? How about the ISO and shutter speed - how does it work? SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Please helppppppppp!
Any video which give simple explanation on film photography? Or any workshop/people I can go to?

):

 

[joh]

Hi there. First thing you want to do is search online for the user manual for the 2 cameras. Download them. Read them.
Next thing you want to do is go to YouTube and search videos with that camera model. See them.
Then buy some film. Shoot them.
Welcome to the world of film photography.
You will learn the fundamentals of exposure and it's limitations.. The very thing that makes the image. It's a rewarding journey. They start toention the joy of photography long before the digital age. And you will experience all that.

 

[watzzup]

Hello,

been wanting to get into film photography for the longest time but never know where to start. (I do shoot with polaroid for fun, if that counts? ;p)

But recently, while doing some packing and cleaning the house, I FOUND 2 OLD CAMERAS (according to grammy, it's about 30years old now)

Canon Ae-1 and Ae-1P (have no idea why there's 2 similar one but will ask grammy again)

Anyway, that marks the start of my journey in film photography.

BUT.... I have no idea how it actually works (it's different from digital cam, isn't it? I am not any professional photographer nor know much bout DSLR/lenses etc. I just like taking pictures and keeping films - It always bring back good memories)

It didn't come with canon lenses but instead a Japanese branded lens - Konmura(?) - 35mm - 70mm & a huge macro telepho lens 75mm - 200mm

OK NOW THAT IT LOOKS LIKE I HAVE ALL THE GEARS... I am not geared up for this! - I mean, I don't know how to use it!

I watched Youtube, read up manual guide, purchased films and started shooting (only to realize i did not roll it out correctly the film got wind in and it's of no use anymore - learnt my lesson since then. Now i have it roll out correctly and started shooting again)

Honestly, I have no slight idea on how a film camera work and how's the outcome of the pictures (it doesn't show preview like digi cam whuttt!)
For example: How to adjust the light meter to suit the shooting environment? How about the ISO and shutter speed - how does it work? SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Please helppppppppp!
Any video which give simple explanation on film photography? Or any workshop/people I can go to?

):

Hi,

i just started using film camera too, i remembered when i didn't even know how to place the film
ahh. i wasted 2 rolls. haha, but it's a learning process. You'll improve as long as you go out and shoot more.

Another is manual focus on these camera's are new to me and a challenge.

There are loads of information here on films, on where to get films and stuff like that.

All the best. Keep film going.

 

[iamnubie]

There's a lot of information in internet about this, but to kickstart you i try to answer your question.

1st thing i will do is check is the gear still working fine (shutter speed, mold and haze on lens), you can ask professional to do this, or just bought a roll of film and use it as test.

Light meter : if your in-camera light meter is accurate it doesn't matter, slow shutter speed in certain condition (dark,indoor) is more of your concern.
The alternative is using external meter or sunny 16 rule (pls google).

ISO will depend on the film you choose, higher ISO film will give you more speed but also more grain, for starter i will reccomend ISO 400 (subjectively). Remember you must finish 36 exposure before changing ISO (well, you can, but wasting film, remember no matter how many shots you took, the processing cost is the same).

Shutter speed will be controlled by camera if you use AE, or manually if you choose to use manual. It depends on what kind of picture you want to get, and the availability of light.

Don't think too much about looking at LCD for preview, concentrate on the viewfinder before you snap is more important.

And when you process your film and get the result from the lab, it feels like someone send you a present

 

[Shine Li]

Hey, thank you for this.

I did all of the above but guess i'll just have to play around a little more to get the hang of it.

Er.. You mean for a roll of film, i can only use the same ISO? for example, if my first shoot is ISO 400, it'd be better to shoot throughout the 35 exposures with an ISO 400?

Anyway, I've just decided to sell the AE-1 and start using the AE-1 Program, I googled on both the camera and it doesn't seem much of a difference to me? Please correct me if my information is incorrect.

 

[iamnubie]

Yes, your 36 exposures all same ISO. That's how it's work, don't get burdened, just enjoy and work within the limitation.

 

[Shine Li]

I read up on the manual guide and it says that it is a shutter priority camera and if i set the lens to 'A', the camera will select the aperture. But, what if i don't set it to 'A'? What would happen? the meter is always at the lowest and to my understanding, that means it's too dark right?

 

[maxilite]

Hey, thank you for this.

I did all of the above but guess i'll just have to play around a little more to get the hang of it.

Er.. You mean for a roll of film, i can only use the same ISO? for example, if my first shoot is ISO 400, it'd be better to shoot throughout the 35 exposures with an ISO 400?
ISO in digital camera can be set/switched anytime. In analog, ISO is determined by your film. If your film is iso 400, you are stuck with iso 400 for 36 or so shots. If your next roll of film is iso 1600, you are stuck with iso 1600 for the next 36 shots. Most of the time, if your film is rated a certain ISO (e.g. iso 100), you cannot tell your camera that you are using iso 200/400/800/1600. It will meter the light incorrectly.
Anyway, I've just decided to sell the AE-1 and start using the AE-1 Program, I googled on both the camera and it doesn't seem much of a difference to me? Please correct me if my information is incorrect.

I would also recommend selling the AE-1 as well (unless you plan to have 2 film cameras, which can be useful if you intend to use film of 2 different ISO ratings). AE-1 is a shutter priority camera. whereas AE-1P is a shutter priority camera which has "auto" mode. Which i think would help take a lot of things off your mind, for now.
I would recommend practicing the following using the P/auto mode: loading film; setting of ISO; Setting to Programme Mode; focusing (it takes some time to get used to); unload film.
After a few rolls, decide if this is good enough for you or you'd prefer to venture deeper into film/manual photography. If so, then start taking your camera off P/auto mode. This will mean that your camera will either fully become manual or shutter priority mode. depending on your settings.

 

[maxilite]

IIRC,

P/auto mode: Lens at 'A' + Shutter speeds at 'Programme'.
Shutter priority mode: Set desired shutter speed + Leave lens at 'A'.
There is no apperture priority mode.
Manual mode: Set desired shutter speed + set desired aperture. Adjust accordingly to get proper exposure.

If you do not set your lens to 'A' (it has to be set to an aperture rating), and you've set you shutter speed to a certain value,its considered full manual. in full manual mode, your camera cannot configure any settings to get you proper exposure, therefore, you'd have to ownself adjust the settings of shutter speed and aperture to get proper exposure. (remembering ISO is determined by the roll of film you use and can't be adjusted)

(i can't comment of too-dark/bright, coz i usually just use the P mode. but from what i know in P mode, as long as the light is not blinking at the top or bottom, its "acceptable".)