FILM: It's like Christmas Morning

I used to shoot film in the 70's through about the 90's, and then I took a break from photography, and got back into into relatively recently with the purchase of my fist dSLR. (I'll bet there are a few others that took that path as well.)

Anyway, I forgot how much fun and anticipation there is in waiting the return of a roll from the lab. I've been testing an old Bronica S2 that a friend of mine asked me to sell, and I've been shooting about a roll a week. That's a whopping 12 exposures. That's per week, not a 2-3 second burst on the 50D.

Anyway, I know there are a lot of guys/gals out there that have never shot film. At all. If you're looking for a little change in your day-to-day photographic life, I'd suggest going and getting yourself an old film body, or even a film P&S, and shoot three rolls. Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS all still carry and develop film, so it's all readily available.

As for a body, stop in at your local thrift store, and see what they have, or jump on ebay and you can pick up a body (Canon EF system even) for under $20.

If you don't have fun doing it, donate it back. But I think you'll enjoy it. It frustrate the **** out of you at first, but that's half the fun as well!

...the next year for some people.
Pro films are made to be processed right away, but amateur film was made with the thought that Summer images would be on one end of the roll with Christmas images on the other end. The color changes magenta to green as it ages. (Or the other way around -can't remember)
; )

Developing my own B&W for about a year now. It's been a blast. Lost touch with my 5D2 about 3-4 years ago. Fell in love with B&W film and recently got back into digital with an x100s.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16383134
I used to shoot film in the 70's through about the 90's, and then I took a break from photography, and got back into into relatively recently with the purchase of my fist dSLR. (I'll bet there are a few others that took that path as well.)

Anyway, I forgot how much fun and anticipation there is in waiting the return of a roll from the lab. I've been testing an old Bronica S2 that a friend of mine asked me to sell, and I've been shooting about a roll a week. That's a whopping 12 exposures. That's per week, not a 2-3 second burst on the 50D.

Anyway, I know there are a lot of guys/gals out there that have never shot film. At all. If you're looking for a little change in your day-to-day photographic life, I'd suggest going and getting yourself an old film body, or even a film P&S, and shoot three rolls. Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS all still carry and develop film, so it's all readily available.

As for a body, stop in at your local thrift store, and see what they have, or jump on ebay and you can pick up a body (Canon EF system even) for under $20.

If you don't have fun doing it, donate it back. But I think you'll enjoy it. It frustrate the **** out of you at first, but that's half the fun as well!

I agree with the Christmas morning aspect, and that was a cool feeling that is like no other, but to be honest I'm glad I'm all-digital now.

Film-lab is frustration less way, comparing to digital PP.

I develop all my film, but I still get that feeling. Generally I develop black and white by the roll as I shoot them so there's not much wait, but I let my color film sit for months until I've built up enough (about 16 rolls) to use up one kit of c41 chemistry.

Its nice waiting to see pictures, it kind of disconnects you from them, leaving you in a better position to judge them.

I do agree there was a lot of anticipation waiting for the film and pictures to be returned but I wouldn't call that fun. I did do some darkroom work and enjoyed it but didn't have anyone to teach me the basics and there was no internet to get information. I did use the local library some but their selection of books on photography and darkroom work was meager. I still have my AE-1 but never use it because I much prefer digital. I am glad there are still people around that love shooting film and keep it alive, it will be a sad day when it finally disappears, but I really enjoy digital.

Yes, film is like Christmas morning.

Sometimes it's like receiving a new X-Box.

Sometimes it's like receiving a package of tube socks.

20droger wrote in post #16383936
Yes, film is like Christmas morning.

Sometimes it's like receiving a new X-Box.

Sometimes it's like receiving a package of tube socks.

ain't it great!?!?

20droger wrote in post #16383936
Yes, film is like Christmas morning.

Sometimes it's like receiving a new X-Box.

Sometimes it's like receiving a package of tube socks.

I can definitely agree with that, it ain't always good!

I recently developed 6 rolls of 120 portra 400, all with a horrible color cast, lots of magenta. It wasn't the development because all of the 35mm Fuji superia looked perfect. Frustrating to say the least.

There's also the picture that you thought was great when you took it months ago, but then you see it and its far off from what you had been waiting for.

Film is very much a love hate relationship, a lot can go wrong, but that's part of whats so rewarding about it, when everything goes right it feels like a real achievement.

I shoot almost 100% film these days. I love everything about it, especially the incredible mechanical camera that can be had for a song these days.

Digital is convenient, but other than that, it offers me nothing that film can't do.

I gave up on film when it turned out my really nice Minolta rangefinder just made the click sound without opening its shutter half of the time. Of course I only found out after the film got developed. Really sucks to know I missed some good shots, not because I did something wrong (I can live with screwing it up personally), but because they simply weren't captured by the piece of junk.

edge100 wrote in post #16384039
I shoot almost 100% film these days. I love everything about it, especially the incredible mechanical camera that can be had for a song these days.

Digital is convenient, but other than that, it offers me nothing that film can't do.

I don't shoot digital anymore unless I am shooting for money and have a deadline to meet. I usually shoot tons of bike races and coming home with over 700 shots. Batching processing them. Is very impersonal. I am getting tired of it. Also, unless you are into another format, like digital medium format, the image IQ isn't so different between a RAW shot taken with a 5II versus 1dx. Maybe 95% identical. Everything comes down to the post processing. Of course, there is this sense of being different and exceptional when everyone is around you is shooting with a DSLR and you pull out a 40 year old camera and begin shooting. Hahahaha....

iamascientist wrote in post #16383957
I can definitely agree with that, it ain't always good!

I recently developed 6 rolls of 120 portra 400, all with a horrible color cast, lots of magenta. It wasn't the development because all of the 35mm Fuji superia looked perfect. Frustrating to say the least.

There's also the picture that you thought was great when you took it months ago, but then you see it and its far off from what you had been waiting for.

Film is very much a love hate relationship, a lot can go wrong, but that's part of whats so rewarding about it, when everything goes right it feels like a real achievement.

Color film is very temperamental. You have to make sure there are no significant color casts (dominant color in RGB) when you expose the shot. Bright late afternoon sunny day you get strong yellow and red. With a lot of grass, trees, and shades? You have strong green. Overly shaded scene with little color contrast? You get more cyan and blue. You can color correct them during the scanning process. Shooting with BW is easier for this reason.

20droger wrote in post #16383936
Yes, film is like Christmas morning.

Sometimes it's like receiving a new X-Box.

Sometimes it's like receiving a package of tube socks.

I know, right? I'm always getting an Xbox when I really needed socks.