Hello! i am keen in trying out film photography. I've read through the net but yet to decide on what camera to start off! I shoot canon in digital world, and I'm not sure what brand of film slr i should start with! is there anyone who can narrow my choices down for me! and is there any reasons why people go with older or more vintage models like canon ae-1 or a-1 !! please enlighten me!
interested to try film
- Thread starter alvintwt
- Start date
There isn't a need to go with Canon on film since the lenses are not directly usable on a digital EOS DSLR.
Just find what pleases your eye, usage and pocket
For me, the film cameras are either very mechanical (Eg. Spotmatic); semi (ME Super; LX) or electronic (MZ-5n; MZ-S).
Mechanical ones don't rely on batteries. Some don't even have a light meter and don't need batteries at all.
Semi-mechanical ones will need a battery for metering and auto exposure modes.
Electronic ones are nice and convenient, working just like a DSLR but on film and no review LCD
No right or wrong. Just depends what catches your eye and what level of creature comfort you want from the camera.
The famous camera models would be a good bet to try out (Eg. AE-1), since they were well made and featured in their time and most of them go for a song nowadays.
I have mostly Pentax SLRs since the lenses are directly usable on my DSLR.
MF, I use a Mamiya RB67 and a few TLRs.
Gd luck
Just find what pleases your eye, usage and pocket
For me, the film cameras are either very mechanical (Eg. Spotmatic); semi (ME Super; LX) or electronic (MZ-5n; MZ-S).
Mechanical ones don't rely on batteries. Some don't even have a light meter and don't need batteries at all.
Semi-mechanical ones will need a battery for metering and auto exposure modes.
Electronic ones are nice and convenient, working just like a DSLR but on film and no review LCD
No right or wrong. Just depends what catches your eye and what level of creature comfort you want from the camera.
The famous camera models would be a good bet to try out (Eg. AE-1), since they were well made and featured in their time and most of them go for a song nowadays.
I have mostly Pentax SLRs since the lenses are directly usable on my DSLR.
MF, I use a Mamiya RB67 and a few TLRs.
Gd luck
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There were Canon EOS film bodies. If you get one of those, you can use your current lenses as long as they are not EF-S. You can't use them on the AE-1 or any FD camera. I have a Nikon FM2N, and I bought a Nikon to EOS adapter so I can use the Nikkor lenses on my Canon DSLR.
Try out the cameras to see which one you like. Like the others said, there is no right or wrong.
Try out the cameras to see which one you like. Like the others said, there is no right or wrong.
thx for replies! probably main reasons why i wan to try film. is to train the eye to see? becos i realise in digital I've been spamming a lot .. i wan to come out with a collection of black and white film photos! nt concern about whether its on focus or not! more of exploration with the olden days method ! and also i thought if i could get a vintage looking camera it would be cool as well!
ps. can any kind soul break down the technical details on some canon SLR . e.g. ae-1 a-1 and some even newer models. thanks in advance
ps. can any kind soul break down the technical details on some canon SLR . e.g. ae-1 a-1 and some even newer models. thanks in advance
Here is a link to the Canon Camera Museum. http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/index.html
For Nikon here. http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/index.htm
For Nikon here. http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/index.htm
oceanpriest
Senior Member
just buy the cheapest one in mintest condition, brand doesn't matter. don't forget to blacktape the brand and start shooting.
giantcanopy
Senior Member
Rather you will end up being more selective to shoot as a result of the more perceivable cost of film/processing/scanning etc. With digital there issin't much cost per se unless you are unduly mindful of shutter count and the likes..
Digital is more compliant and pliable to what you want to do post processing, and with bracketing, gives much more latitude for clean shots and also opens up more opportunities for abuse and over-processing
Film however sets its own rules, its own characteristics for the user to follow, and only when you obey and know it do you work its magic. There is still alot of nostalgia in film, and way much more satisfaction holding your work on a piece of slide.
I think you can get alot of budget old film cameras in the used market, be it nikon or canon. different models reflect varying functionality like AF vs manual etc
Ryan
actually, a single prime lens, say 35mm or 50mm focal lens + a film camera will do wonders to improve the ability to see.
We are all spoilt (sometimes in a lazy way) by autofocus and zoom and unlimited exposures.
ever hear of the phrase, "the restaurant is so popular, hardly anyone goes there anymore" ? I sometimes feel
that dslrs are so big and can fo everything, that hardly anyone brings it out for day to day shooting.
raytoei
We are all spoilt (sometimes in a lazy way) by autofocus and zoom and unlimited exposures.
ever hear of the phrase, "the restaurant is so popular, hardly anyone goes there anymore" ? I sometimes feel
that dslrs are so big and can fo everything, that hardly anyone brings it out for day to day shooting.
raytoei
BnS section here in CS.
The Other Cameras Section : http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/forums/117-Buy-Sell-Other-Camera-Brands-Formats
or
Pentax BnS : http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/forums/113-Buy-Sell-Pentax-Equipment
In fact I think someone is selling Nikon FM and Canon AE-1 in Other Cameras Section right now.
Pentax BnS subforum is rather active for film cameras. I think mainly because the lenses are forward compatible.
I don't think film cameras pop up that often on the other BnS sub-forums.
Gd luck
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you can try the usual shops in peninsula. they do usually have manual film cameras there.
for ebay, it would really depend on your luck. there are instances that the prices are low and times that it is higher. downsides are the waiting period and risk as you would not be able to test it first.
agreed! bns is a good place to source for used cameras
Odyssey-Boy
Senior Member
Yes there's such thing. I'm using Canon in both Digital and Film.
Firstly, I do already own a couple of EF lenses which I have been using it for my Digital. And acquiring a EOS Film body also meant that I do not have to worry about lenses.
Secondly, if you are thinking about canon bodies such as AE-1, you are aren't able to use FD lenses on your EOS bodies unless with an adaptor. However, the adaptor does not allows you to focus infinity and most probably you will be using it for macro works.
Lastly, choosing of SLR(s) are subjected to each of his/her own preferences. Like me, I am slowly moving to Nikon and slowly building up a legacy of glass. Not sure why, but I love the Nikon's F4, solid and robust body.
Firstly, I do already own a couple of EF lenses which I have been using it for my Digital. And acquiring a EOS Film body also meant that I do not have to worry about lenses.
Secondly, if you are thinking about canon bodies such as AE-1, you are aren't able to use FD lenses on your EOS bodies unless with an adaptor. However, the adaptor does not allows you to focus infinity and most probably you will be using it for macro works.
Lastly, choosing of SLR(s) are subjected to each of his/her own preferences. Like me, I am slowly moving to Nikon and slowly building up a legacy of glass. Not sure why, but I love the Nikon's F4, solid and robust body.
Odyssey-Boy
Senior Member
raytoei said:
Got hooked on it ! F4 + Motor winder !
never tried the f4 but the f5 is pretty amazing. love the fact that you can see the aperture reading of manual lenses inside the viewfinder
Odyssey-Boy
Senior Member
azzurri said:
Didn't know there's still quite a lot of people who still favored the Nikon F series. I thought I'm one of the few who got hooked with one of these solid machines.
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