I borrowed my parents Film SLR, is that a good way to learn?

[elise1030]

Please don't laugh, I borrowed my parents Film SLR which is a Konica Auto-reflex TC. It came with two lens, one being a cimko 80-200mm 4.5 zoom and the AR 40mm 1.8. I'm hoping that by playing with this camera I'll get a better understanding on how aperture and DOF etc work.

Do you reckon this is a waste of time playing with it or try it anyway? What kind of pics am I going to get with either lens? Portraits, macro?

Thanks!

[sandro9mm]

put on prime and go hunt for some cool shots :)

[Permagrin]

I think it's an excellent way to learn both. The 40mm would be a good walk about type lens...you can shoot just about anything with it (foot zooming of course) from landscapes to portraits (though you'd have to be close to your subject). The telephoto is good for long distance type portraits, wildlife (not too far away...the famous duck shots often come from a 70-200). You can do a lot with both those lenses (I'm not familiar with the brand so I don't know the quality but I believe film is like shooting a 22mp camera). It's just the hassle of having it developed...

Your idea is a good one. If you learn the concept & application of aperture/shutterspeed/dof...if you ever go digital it will become second nature.

[John_B]

elise1030,
Its a way many have learned before DSLR's :) I suggest you write down what settings you used for each photo taken ex. f/stop, shutter, iso, film, time, date and lens used. This way when you have the film developed you can see what did what :D

[KCMO Al]

Last suggestion to record the details of each shot is excellent. I´d just get some cheap color print film and find a cheap one-hour processor in your area and shoot away. If you want to try black and white, get Ilford XP-2. It can also be processed at a one-hour color lab. Prints will often come back with a (sometimes) interesting sepia tone. As said, this is how many of us learn and photo courses here in the States often require the students to have a manual film camera.

[CoolToolGuy]

An excellent choice. Spend some time with the Konica and remember what you do to get the shots you like (shutter speed, aperture, etc). When you are forced by the technology to do those things yourself you will better understand when you need to override the automation when you get a DSLR.

Biggest downside - the long time before you get to review you shots. It can be easier if you see your mistakes and correct them quickly.

Have Fun,

[Mark_Cohran]

People were learning on film cameras long before digital existed, and even up to 5 years ago, I was teaching photography and darkroom classes with film. So, I echo everything that has been said before, but would add that you should get your film processed as quickly as possible while the details of the photo shoot are still fresh in your mind.

Marka

[SuzyView]

Any good camera film or digital is worth using. I still use my F-1 and my Kodak 4800.

[fivefish]

Film camera is a good way to learn photography, ISO/shutter/fstop relationships, etc. Why? Because it forces you to think carefully before pressing that button. Every shot cost $$$.

Same thing can be said about careful composition... watching the foreground, background, tree branches coming out of the person's head, etc... every shot cost you $$$. So you always want to be sure as much as possible.

When you move to digital, all you'd have to do is learn the new functions of your digital camera and maybe experimenting with more advance techniques.

[Statement]

Ha ha ha!!!











Just kidding..I learned at lot on my parents' film SLR. Go for it.

[elise1030]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! Now I don't feel so silly. I've seen my parents with this camera for the majority of my life but never played with it myself. My father reckons the lens aren't very good quality and he was never able to get great shots(though I object to that thought). They are a Hexanon zoom and a cimko 40mm. I'll definitely go and get some film and start playing. What film speed is best? My dad said he always put 400ASA in it. Also, can you change the film speed on the camera every though you put 400ASA fim in it? It goes up to 1600 on the dial.

[maxyedor]

You can not change the film speed once you load the roll. You turn that dial to tell the camera how to meter so the film you use gets exposed properly. Just go grab a pack of film, for daytime outdoors I like 125 or 200 ASA, indoors I'd go for 400ASA. Get a book as a reference for what to look for, and ways to shoot. Have fun with it.

As far as I'm concerned the film SLR is still the best way to learn, each shot costs you a little bit, it teaches you to look for moments, and think more about the frame.

[elise1030]

Thanks maxyedor!

I feel completely dense when it comes to this camera. I know how to use my Canon A610 manually, but with this camera I feel dumb and feel like I don't know how to use it. It has an aperture from f1.8 to f22 and shutter speed to bulb or 1000. Since I'm cheating and not putting batteries in it for the light meter, what is a good general aperture and shutterspeed for outside? I bought 400 ISO film by the way.

Thanks for helping me out here!

[KCMO Al]

On film speed: with inexpensive consumer line films, the quality of the print, both color and detail, is affected by the speed. 400 is not as good as 200 and it is not as good as 100. If you are shooting outdoors under good lighting, you might try 100 for better quality. As someone said, the problem with film versus digital is the wait time to see the prints. For this, I´d recommend getting some short rolls if you can. 24 max but I´ve seen some 12 shot rolls. That way you can shoot (without forgetting to record the details, shutter speed, f-stop) and then take the film to a one-hour place (assuming there is one where you live) and see your results immediately (well, relatively). For starting, I´d stick with the 40mm until you become more comfortable. Believe me, having acquired this level of knowledge will enhance your abilities as a digital photographer when you get there. Good luck.

[kram]

If you have already decided to go the DSLR route, I would go against the trend here and say - get the DSLR and learn. Instant feedback is hugely useful when you are trying to learn DSLR settings.

You can surely learn with a film camera - but what's the final purpose? Else, you are going to end up spending a decent amount of money on film and developing etc and get a fraction of the learning for the same timeframe that you could get with a DSLR.

[elise1030]

Thanks for your replies. I'm just playing to learn ATM as when I do get a DSLR, I'm hoping to go straight to manual. I'm not sure when I will be able to afford a DSLR or even what kind of DSLR to go for. I don't imagine I will go through much more than 2 rolls of film anyhow as I do like the instantaneous feedback from a digital camera. I guess I was just bored and so I asked to borrow my parents camera. I must say the 200mm zoom is pretty cool!

[Permagrin]

Thanks for your replies. I'm just playing to learn ATM as when I do get a DSLR, I'm hoping to go straight to manual. I'm not sure when I will be able to afford a DSLR or even what kind of DSLR to go for. I don't imagine I will go through much more than 2 rolls of film anyhow as I do like the instantaneous feedback from a digital camera. I guess I was just bored and so I asked to borrow my parents camera. I must say the 200mm zoom is pretty cool!

Well just keep reading the forum threads and you'll see what sounds good to you...check out other forums too so that you can be an informed purchaser, when you do buy.
And good luck.