35mm Film help or should i bother!

Fujiguy

Hi, i have just started getting into photography in a serious way ( thinking of doing a HND or something like that ) i have no money for DSLR's, and bridge cameras are starting to feel restricted. I decided to give film photography a go as both a way to help me understand principles, and mostly as a way to gather lenses and gear a lot cheaper.

anyway..

I have a Cannon eos 3000v ( k2 ) on its way with lenses too, 28-90 + i think 50-200. My problem is i have no clue what the best way to get the images from film to PC are. someone told me get a CD when pics are being developed, but is there no way i can scan the negatives, or any other way to get the pictures to my PC?

I am tempted to get a D3100 or 1100d, but from what i see i will be stuck with the kit lens for a long time ( considering i just got the K2 and lenses and bag etc for 65 euro. )

Should i just not bother with film? i really would love to take pics on film just for the thrill, but am i better off just jumping the gun and getting a DSLR entry level?

Thanks in advance for any advice, greatly appreciated.

dharn

not speaking with any great knowledge here, but i would have thought that what you save on equipment you would spend on film then the cost of development and either printing or putting on disc so in my opinion you would be better off starting with digital im sure there is plenty of good secondhand equipment to be had

dubtom

I use film and as stated,it's not cheap,around 4 quid for a roll of 36,I think it's about €10 for develop and scan but could be wrong. In fairness €200 or so would get you a Dslr,which, if your lenses are EF, will fit.Although I love shooting film,I develop and print too, if learning digital is the cheapest way to do it. You will get a better quality image,in terms of quality,from even a lowley Dslr than you will from a fairly low res scan from booths or who ever,you will pay for high res scans.

Promac

Speaking from personal opinion alone - save up for a DSLR. In the meantime - feel free to experiment with film for the sake of learning the science behind taking a photograph and at the same time, rent or borrow a DSLR to get the hang of it. You'll probably go back to dabbling with film later but as you get into photography more (especially if you go for the HND or whatever) you'll meet other people that are into it that you can borrow from or pick up cheap lenses and bodies along the way.

Prenderb

It is cheaper to make mistakes and learn on a Digital camera that's for sure. That being said, if you've already bought a camera and it's on the way, why not take the opportunity to run a few rolls through it? Even 10 or 20 won't break the bank and will definitely let you know if it's a bug that will bite you.

The lenses you have for the film camera will also work on digital (for the most part) so if you have a couple of lenses then you'll just need to find a digital body to mount them on if you find it's something you like (and still want to go digital).

Fujiguy

Thanks for the advice. The film camera is already paid for, plus some film etc ready to go, but my thinking was really do i keep buying and expanding the film SLR camera with more lenses and maybe flash gear, or should i stop now with what i have and go for a D3100 or Cannon equivalent that these lenses would fit. I had a D60 5 years ago that i really really loved, to get one now or a D3100 would require saving for a month or more.

I think re-learning photography on a film camera as you say is an expensive way, but my thinking was more that it would..well not force, but make me think about each shot before i waste film etc. So that when i move to DSLR that thought process would stay with me.

Anyway, thanks again for the comments, i think i will hold off buying anything else for this camera in case i end up going Nikon!

Wish there was an easy ( and cheap ) way to develop your own B&W pics at home!!

CabanSail

There used to be a deal for Boards Members of €3/roll delelop & scan at Blanchestown. That kept the cost down.

The other thing you learn with film is to make each frame count as it does cost. This is not a bad thing to practice.

cnocbui

For £82.40 you can get an Epson V330 flatbed scanner that will enable you to scan negatives, slides and photos.

For £88 you can get aCanon 700F film and document Scanner which will also do the trick.

Then there's always secondhand.

You might also want to get Hamrick's Vuescan to drive the scanners with.

I have recently gone from exclusively shooting film using an Olympus OM4-Ti, to also shooting digital, having just got an Olympus E-M5 M4/3 mirrorless camera.

Photography is costly. Paying for film and it's development is peanuts compared to the cost of good glass. Good glass for 35mm is a lot cheaper than the new DSLR equivalents, so it probably more than balances out.

I think coming from film, I definitely shoot with greater care and thought than I would if I had started out with a DSLR.

I am probably biased, but I would definitely say film is a better teacher and would advise you give it a go.

Using a hot glue gun, a knife and some foam and the plastic lid from a spray can, the E-M5 and it's kit lens with very handy macro mode, allows me to scan slides and negs with great ease.





Giving results like this:





Just a thought.

thefizz

Fujiguy wrote: »

Wish there was an easy ( and cheap ) way to develop your own B&W pics at home!!

It is very economical (not to mention rewarding) to develop B&W negatives and make prints at home.

Fujiguy

cnocbui that is exactly what i was thinking regarding the cost of glass etc for an SLR, thanks for the tip!

I have to say just 20 minutes ago i went into a shop and asked for film, when i got it and held the tube in my hand...well i guess i just fell in love with the idea of film and developing from home, so i think that will be my next investment. I have a small walk in wardrobe that i rarely use that would be ideal too.

Thanks everyone for the comments, really looking forward to developing my own film now.

chisel

You can buy a tetanal C41 kit for ~€22 - which is good for about 16 rolls. www.thephotshop.ie or Gunns are the places to go. You will also need a developing tank and spools (~€30 from the same places). Have a look at videos on youtube - its not hard, but a bit knacky to start off with. Loading the film is exactly the same whether its B&W or colour - you'll need the tank, a scissors and a room you can make completely dark. FWIW, have a go after a while at B&W developing too.

Komplett have a good deal on the Epson V500 scanner at the moment for €161 delivered (film/slides/roll film/prints/documents). Dedicated film scanners are scarce now, plustek 7600i is about the only model in production (I have one of those), and would be more expensive than flatbed scanners with film/slide attachments.

Having said all that, working with film is fantastic! It certainly makes you work a lot more than digital, and will get you figuring out manual modes and exposures. I'm not sure it would make financial sense (even with your free eos3000v) to go with film, but its a great hobby.

Heres one - its a print scan that I printed today in the darkroom.


print001-1.jpg

Fujiguy

Wow i love that picture, and i am more convinced to develop at home, even as a hobby.