Everything I wish I knew before starting film photography

#filmphotography #tutorial #35mm

In this video I will tell you everything I wish I knew before picking up a 35mm film camera. I hope you get some value out of this video and you go out and shoot some 35mm film for yourself

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[leovredenbregt]

This was quite entertaining for an older person who shot film at your age hearing your experiences in the digital age and film! Back then, film was expensive to develope and print too! Good vid, keep it up.

[CalumetVideo]

As a older photographer here, in the 90’s it’s all that we used, film cameras. I would do shoots for the newspapers and weddings and never was concerned with my exposure, I had used my Nikon F3, and Nikon F5 with its built in meter was spot on. The F5 was like a digital camera that uses film. When we shot film, we didn’t really waste film, we weren’t click crazy like people today with digital cameras.

[sputumtube]

I'm 62 and I've been shooting film since I got my first 'real' camera (Zorki 4) in 1978. My 'Top Tip' would be to always have a tripod handy and use a cable release (or the self timer) for slower shots. Also, if you're just starting out (with film), consider a night school photography course.

[hankosaurus]

Excellent video. I've shot film and digital since the 1960s. The metal, mechanical, manual camera has a special place in my heart. That's how I learned photography. It made embracing digital easy, because I knew what the automation was trying to accomplish... and how to override it.

[billkaroly]

I was so lucky growing up before digital. I've shot 35mm, 120 and 4x5. I've been shooting digital in one for or another for 24 years with 26 years of film prior to that.

[dovydaskaminskas]

if you open a camera with a film inside, it will not ruin all the film, only like 4 frames. Film when it is rolled is not transparent. Of course unless you open it and leave under the sun for hours, then yes gradually the light will soak in deeper layers of the film.

[anta]

Understanding some basics is a must. I've seen teenagers asked something like "how to achieve this bokeh... I'm using this Kodak point & shoot camera..." I simply assume they never use any camera beside their iPhones and usually my assumption is right. Well, time to teach them a bit of photography 101 :D

[sonvis]

Great video! Just a tip: Developing your own films at home is really cost reducing and - in my opinion - half the fun of film photography. It is really easy to develop film, no skills required. 😊👍🏻

[CanonChuckAZ]

Great video .. After finding digital photography in my late 50's as a hobbyist photographer it was a fun and challenging journey. During that period in my photography hobby, I would pick up film cameras here and there at yard sales, thrift shops etc. Never intending to use them, except for display in my office. Maybe it is being nostalgic, but I am wanting to go back to film photography. I enrolled in a photography 101 class back in high school and I really enjoyed that class. I have a Canon T70, EOS Rebel XS and a Mamiya 1000 DTL that are all in excellent shape. I appreciate you making this video and sharing your thoughts and advice on film photography. Being retired, I am excited in going back to the future with my photography! I am subscribing :)

[mrca]

Had a darkroom in 1960 so have shot film for over 60 years. Shooting film without an lcd is taking the training wheels off for hipsters.

[jonathanreid]

I've been using serious (not point and shoot compacts) film cameras for the last 25 years or so and was curious to hear what you had to say...
Nicely done. I think you covered most of the salient points in a clearly understood way.

[samanthamanders]

Really loved this video! I'm just getting started in my analog/film journey and this was a super helpful starting place. Especially loved your point about a benefit being to get away from instant gratification. That is one of the many reasons I've decided to pick up this hobby.

[markgoostree]

Good video. Yes, you are correct.... slow down, think, make good choices about the settings but most of all, enjoy the day. Take pictures and make memories.

[jyrkijyrki]

Easily the best video i've seen on this topic. Not new to this, but it's fun to se this kind of videos once in a while, might even learn something new.

[Kevins_Camera]

Keep it up man, video quality good, audio is good, context has substance. I subbed

[tonyfoulkes]

Well put together and simplified. Has great information to be able to start and enjoy film and latter digital photography.

[ghw]

I have been shooting film since using my mother's Brownie Hawkeye in the 1950s, owned a photo studio for 32 years and amused to see videos on low to load film, change a lens, etc and then I remember how I am with digital. I shoot and enjoy both, but still prefer film. A very well done video.

[bryankee]

You flashed around a few cameras but if it is a Pentax k1000 that you need a battery for you can use a LR44 silver oxide battery. It is equivalent to the original. The numbers changed a bit over the years. I found on the internet what the equivalent was and the information is out there for numerous old button battery sizes.

[dafonk]

Thanks for this video. It's nice to see the film community grow and grow. I personally think that the Spotmatics are one of the best choices for a beginner: They're affordable, convenient to use, you'll definately learn about the exposure triangle and Pentax made great lenses. Last but not least they look neat and stylish.

Just a hint about the Spotmatic (SP II) lightmeter, as there are in fact batteries you could use as a replacement today: I got perfect results with a zinc-air hearing aid battery type 312. They run with 1.45V instead of the originally required 1.35V but the SPII can handle the difference. One just has to use a little rubber O-ring (or something similar) around the battery for perfect fit and isolation. I also once used a Weincell PX400 with exactly 1.35V. They work great, but are far too expensive. The only downside with both battery types is that they don't last very long (up to 3 months). On the other hand hearing aid batteries are quite cheap.

[hackbodies]

One thing to remember on the "expensive equipment" part

Some of the most famous/important pictures taken were done on run of the mill "tourist" cameras