Opinions on a film camera - Finally found one

[Kimosobey]

Basically I've had my canon dslr for about a year now and I learned all the basics of what does what.

But I've always been drawn to film due to it being more crisp, grainy and more of challenge. I don't like the fact that all my photos I've taken are digitaly saved on a computer that for God knows why but can easily disappear just like that.

So any of you camera gurus out there that can recommend a older film camera along the lines of Fuiji, canon or Nikon? Under $200 that is.

[12_egg_Omelette]

I have a Nikon body that I love dearly. It takes all the

Nikor lenses.

[cromag27]

Check out the Nikon fm2. old school manual.

[brad908]

Canon eos3, canon ae1 program, canon élan 7, canon eos 1v

[cromag27]

When I shot film I used the Nikon f5, but I think those are still more than $200.

[KurtS]

No experience with film bodies so won't recommend one but if you stay with Canon pick a film body with an ES mount, that way if you get a few extra lenses later (and make sure they are ES mount, not EF-S) you can use them on both the DSLR and the film body.

[StevieT]

Film? Is that what you clean off your monitor?

[4x5]

I'm not trying to smash your dream here (I shoot film as well as digital) but have you looked into film emulation software such as VSCO or Mastin Labs? They do a pretty damn good job at emulating the film look and maintaining the flexibility of shooting digital.

 

As far as a challenge; Stick some gaffer tape onto your LCD and digital will be just as challenging as film.

[brad908]

You can usually spot out pretty quickly what is a vsco/lightroom filter and what was shot on film,

 

I love my eos3 with 24-105L. The contax t2 is also amazing, but it is out of your price range; it probably takes my best pictures.

 

You can get a canon ae-1 program with 50mm lens for pretty cheap on ebay.

[Kimosobey]

Sorry haven't been able to reply to any of the comments faster, bought a "new" computer. Which finally arrived.

 

Anyways. Finding a lot of ae-1 programs on craigslist locally. All different prices between $50-$200

 

Two questions.

 

1. What do I look for in a used film camera to make sure its operational?

 

2. Some come with different lens. Mostly the 50mm. Some come with the 35mm. Since i'm more likely to use it for landscape photography, is there any advantage of one lens over the other?

[brad908]

Look for fungus,dust, sratches etc. Most of these old film cameras will have dust in the view finder, but it won't impact the pictures. Also make sure the shutter speeds are accurate. You'll want the 35mm for landscapes, but look for a 28mm on ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-AE-1-Program-Black-Film-Camera-With-FD-28mm-f-3-5-Lens-From-Japan-097-/281679971814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41956f45e6

 

I have two ae1 programs with 50mm and 28mm lenses, and it does take fantastic pictures.

 

This is with the 50mm and portra 400 film. When I get home, I can give you more examples of shots from the ae1p, if you want.

Stranded Boat | 35mm by BradBphoto, on Flickr

[hey]

If your going film, and want the full experience you are eventually going to want to develop and print them yourself (or at least develop the film and scan it) Color is much more of a pain and I honestly never wanted to bother with it, but black and white is pretty straight forward and you can do the film transfer in a dark closet so all you need is the chemistry and a bucket kit.

 

I can get decent results from lightroom settings to emulate black and white film but film itself is by far more interesting.

[Kimosobey]

Look for fungus,dust, sratches etc. Most of these old film cameras will have dust in the view finder, but it won't impact the pictures. Also make sure the shutter speeds are accurate. You'll want the 35mm for landscapes, but look for a 28mm on ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-AE-1-Program-Black-Film-Camera-With-FD-28mm-f-3-5-Lens-From-Japan-097-/281679971814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41956f45e6

 

I have two ae1 programs with 50mm and 28mm lenses, and it does take fantastic pictures.

 

This is with the 50mm and portra 400 film. When I get home, I can give you more examples of shots from the ae1p, if you want.

Stranded Boat | 35mm by BradBphoto, on Flickr

 

Thanks man! Appreciate the help. I think I'll end up going with a ae-1 just due to the options locally.

 

Here's the top 3 I've found

 

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/pho/4987038433.html

 

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/pho/4977138200.html

 

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/ele/4980278485.html

 

Yeah would love some more example shots! Do you have the 28mm?

[CatfishSoupFTW]

ae 1 is great. The pentax K1000 is amazing as well. Used it for years! very robust and it only had a little battery for the light meter. Just make sure all the mechanics work and youre good to go really.

 

As for digital reproduction to make it look like film, it takes a while to make it look proper. Aside from adding noise filters, or film grain presets, the contrast etc all needs work. you would be surprised what some people can do. fool yeah big time. An easy way to learn is use a preset, and just fine tune it more but dont get carried away. lol

 

35mm and 50mm lenses are wonderful to own as well.

[Kimosobey]

ae 1 is great. The pentax K1000 is amazing as well. Used it for years! very robust and it only had a little battery for the light meter. Just make sure all the mechanics work and youre good to go really.

 

As for digital reproduction to make it look like film, it takes a while to make it look proper. Aside from adding noise filters, or film grain presets, the contrast etc all needs work. you would be surprised what some people can do. fool yeah big time. An easy way to learn is use a preset, and just fine tune it more but dont get carried away. lol

 

35mm and 50mm lenses are wonderful to own as well.

 

Thank you! I can't believe how hooked I am on photography. Someone was totally right when they said "watch out when you start getting into cameras, it will turn into another expensive hobby.." When all I wanted was some decent FTS with a camera haha.

 

I picked up my first film camera!

[Kimosobey]

So for $50 this is what I bought. Is it worth it? You be the judge...

 

This older Portuguese fellow had it on Craigslist. It's been sitting in his closet the last, I don't know, 5 years? Maybe more... He use to take it all over Europe with him backpacking. From inspection everything looked fine. Just the battery compartment door is cracked.

 

The only thing I have to find is the 6v battery it needs. I found one at a local walgreens for $12. But that was right after I bought the camera so I waited until I knew exactly what kind of battery it needed.

 

It came with a handful of accessories and a 135mm 2.8 lens. Still need to track down the 35mm but that can wait since I have a ton to learn about this camera and film in general. Luckily it came with the original manual!

 

So can I get your guy's 2 cents? What kind of battery would you suggest? What brand, rechargeable, any other important accessories? Also any videos or articles online that can give me a jump start on what I need to learn to shoot film? Also I'm almost certain this isn't the program model so theres no automatic mode.

 

Thanks everyone above for the help!

 

 

 

[Christopher Marks]

I would buy the battery on eBay, this Lithium battery is designed to fit the AE-1 and will last 10+ years ($9 free shipping): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-Battery-L28PX-Fits-Yashica-Electro-35-Rangefinder-Canon-AE-1-Nikon-EL2-/231467233533

 

The new battery will get the light meter and auto exposure working again. Here's a replacement battery door on eBay for $7 with free shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Door-Canon-AE-1-/181183396170

 

That 135mm f/2.8 sounds like a pretty decent lens for portraits. There are lots of old manuals digitized online to explain all its functions.

[Kimosobey]

I would buy the battery on eBay, this Lithium battery is designed to fit the AE-1 and will last 10+ years ($9 free shipping): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-Battery-L28PX-Fits-Yashica-Electro-35-Rangefinder-Canon-AE-1-Nikon-EL2-/231467233533

 

The new battery will get the light meter and auto exposure working again. Here's a replacement battery door on eBay for $7 with free shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Door-Canon-AE-1-/181183396170

 

That 135mm f/2.8 sounds like a pretty decent lens for portraits. There are lots of old manuals digitized online to explain all its functions.

Thanks! Ordered both items. Hopefully they'll get here soon. Do you have a AE-1?

 

And can anyone recommend some film that I can start out with, like basically practice with without burning a whole in my wallet?

[CatfishSoupFTW]

any kodak color film really will do you just. just get iso 100 for those outdoor sunny days and maybe 400 for indoor use. that should suffice for the most part.

 

the great thing with photography is , while yes it is very expensive ( our school has enough gear, that six figures isnt enough 0__0) you can also get away with a lot. just you, the camera, a basic lens, and a tripod at most. The film life would cost you more than digital only because it cost money just to actually get your 24 exposures, versus the time you spend shooting digital.

 

if you find that film is something youll only shoot when you feel is right, you can always partition a memory card so it only shoots 24 frames, or dont have your screen turn on for reviewing - wait until after the fact. Good glass can greatly improve the sharpness of a dslr as well.

[brad908]

Portra 400

Portra 160

Ektar 100

Fuji Pro 400h

Tmax 400..black and white

Delta 3200..black and white

 

95% of my shooting is with Portra 400. Ektar 100 will give very saturated colors. Portra 160 is great for portraits. Fuji Pro 400h is Fuji's equivalent of Portra 400, it is a really good film too.

 

I hear good things about Portra 800, if you need the lower light film. I actually have a roll in one of my ae1-p's, looking forward to seeing how it comes out.

 

Tmax400 is what I would say most people shoot b&w with. I love delta 3200, but has limited use. The grain from delta 3200 is to die for.

 

I get my film processed by a local shop in San Francisco, but if you're looking for a good and cheap mail in option, look at http://www.refocusphotoco.com/

[cromag27]

Delta 3200 is awesome. for color I was a Fuji guy. I shot concerts with npz 800.