Looking at picking up an old film SLR for fun...

Looking to get a film SLR just to play around with. But I really have no idea what i'm getting into...

There is an old Canon ae-1 on the local craigslist here. But not sure how user friendly those are. anyone have any tips?

I know this isn't a film forum but I figured someone out here has to know something about it right? Thanks guys

The most enjoyable film shooting i did was in B&W with the school darkroom so I could print while I still remembered what I had been trying to do.

Sending away film is a pain plus you will have to think much harder about what you shoot or it gets expensive.

Have fun

magwai wrote in post #11332255
The most enjoyable film shooting i did was in B&W with the school darkroom so I could print while I still remembered what I had been trying to do.

Sending away film is a pain plus you will have to think much harder about what you shoot or it gets expensive.

Have fun

Well i don't have access to any blackroom stuff and i think that would be more than i want to get into at this point. I have a local place i get all my stuff printed off at that does a really good job, so i'm not extremely worried about the processing end of it.

I just need some advice on camera's and what not.

Forgot to mention the ae-1 i was looking at on craigslist comes with a 50mm lens as well (the guy didn't list an aperture)

That is a great camera and it most likely has a 50mm 1.8 on it. Put a roll of slide film in there and go out there compose your every shot. When you see that slide film come back you will be amazed at what you will find.

My tip would be to get a film EOS, then you can interchange your EF (non EF-S) lenses... If your looking for an early one, the EOS 630 is great... There is also a Rebel X-S on eBay for $24.95, that would handle similar to your Rebel... Also, I get my film developed and a Photo CD, no prints... It's cheaper, and I load them into my Mac with my digital shots, and the work flow is the same...

mguffin wrote in post #11332386
My tip would be to get a film EOS, then you can interchange your EF (non EF-S) lenses... If your looking for an early one, the EOS 630 is great... There is also a Rebel X-S on eBay for $24.95, that would handle similar to your Rebel... Also, I get my film developed and a Photo CD, no prints... It's cheaper, and I load them into my Mac with my digital shots, and the work flow is the same...

sadly the only EF lens i have at the moment is my nifty fifty. which i wasn't sure if it was backward compatible with the chip in the lens. but if it is that would be sweet. i was looking at some of the used film rebels on adorama as well. i just know the ae-1 is kind of a classic and i would only really want one prime with it which it already comes with. but i could always use my 50 on a rebel as well... hmmm... decisions decisions...

I would avoid using a EOS film camera actually. They are good, but if you want that classic film feel go for the AE-1. I use a FX for hobby stuff and a EOS 1v for the paying jobs.
And it isn't that hard to make your own improvised blackroom. A toilet with no windows and a roll of black duckt tape. Just make sure no light gets into the room and pop in a red lightbulb.

And if you have a good scanner its a piece of cake developing the negs in the computer.

ryan-oceros wrote in post #11332446
sadly the only EF lens i have at the moment is my nifty fifty. which i wasn't sure if it was backward compatible with the chip in the lens. but if it is that would be sweet. i was looking at some of the used film rebels on adorama as well. i just know the ae-1 is kind of a classic and i would only really want one prime with it which it already comes with. but i could always use my 50 on a rebel as well... hmmm... decisions decisions...

The nifty-fifty, being an EF lens, will work on any EOS camera, film or digital... The EF-S lenses will not work on any film EOS...

Bang Bang Boy wrote in post #11332597
if you want that classic film feel go for the AE-1

Yes, agreed... however, I wouldn't avoid the EOS film cameras, it just depends on what your looking to do... I had an A-1, and an FTb and sold them both in favor of the Elan... only one set of lenses, and the E-TTL flashes work, now I can carry it in my bag with everything else, and they all work together...

Bang Bang Boy wrote in post #11332597
And if you have a good scanner its a piece of cake developing the negs in the computer.

Yes...

mguffin wrote in post #11332610
Yes, agreed... however, I wouldn't avoid the EOS film cameras, it just depends on what your looking to do... I had an A-1, and an FTb and sold them both in favor of the Elan... only one set of lenses, and the E-TTL flashes work, now I can carry it in my bag with everything else, and they all work together...

Yes...

True thats why I use my 1v as my backup body even on fashion shoots. I mean I can burn away a roll of 36 in the blink of an eye.

Bang Bang Boy wrote in post #11332635
True thats why I use my 1v as my backup body even on fashion shoots. I mean I can burn away a roll of 36 in the blink of an eye.

When is that fast, too fast...

Bang Bang Boy wrote in post #11332597
I would avoid using a EOS film camera actually. They are good, but if you want that classic film feel go for the AE-1. I use a FX for hobby stuff and a EOS 1v for the paying jobs.
And it isn't that hard to make your own improvised blackroom. A toilet with no windows and a roll of black duckt tape. Just make sure no light gets into the room and pop in a red lightbulb.

And if you have a good scanner its a piece of cake developing the negs in the computer.

definitely gonna get this camera to go for the vintage feel. the camera is an ae-1 program as it turns out. not the standard ae-1. not too worried about actually post processing them too much

edit: would be nice to be able to use my EF lenses that i plan on getting tho. any EOS films that are better than the rest? say in the less that $100 category... a 1v would be fun but this is just gonna be recreational and i'm a student

Or you could get a old Olympus OM or a SLR with a M42 mount. With an adaptor you could use those lenses on your EOS Digital body too.

Although what these guys are saying makes sense. A EOS Film body would be extremely convenient.

I think the AE-1 would be a great toy to play with to experiement with. ITs pretty simple to use in Manual mode. You should be able to find some fun lenses for sale pretty cheap on CL.

ryan-oceros wrote in post #11332658
edit: would be nice to be able to use my EF lenses that i plan on getting tho. any EOS films that are better than the rest? say in the less that $100 category... a 1v would be fun but this is just gonna be recreational and i'm a student

I have seen 1n's going for around 120-140 USD. You could go for the EOS 3 or EOS 1 aswell. They are all good cameras.