I’ve gotten a few of my 35mm cameras serviced and even bought another one, but just haven’t actually used them–until this weekend. I loaded up my new-to-me Canon F-1 with some Fuji 400 and met a friend on Sunday. We shot the entire roll: sun, shade, a mix.
How’d they come out?
Ask me on Friday.
I learned a few months ago that you can buy film at our local college - I assume some of the arts programs still teach film photography. Don't know if they'll develop it, though, or if you're expected to have access to some smelly room in the basement of the school.
Cool. We have a full-service lab like five minutes away. Free plug: Reformed Film Lab in Ormond Beach, Fla. Processing, printing and scanning are done right there.
It’s been 20+ years since I have shot film. Back in the day, of course, we had no choice. (And in college and high school, we processed and printed our own film, too.)
I forgot how slowly it goes–manual focus, manual exposure–but definitely enjoyed the outing. It was a more immersive experience on both sides of the lens.
To be fair, manual focus and manual exposure aren't necessary for film :) Both technologies were quite mature by the time we went to pixels. My first SLR (a Pentax S) had both manual focus and a separate light meter, but of course it dated back to the 50s. Great for teaching the fundamentals.
That reminds me; I have two rolls of 110 to be processed. Only about two years old! I have a 6x17 pinhole I bought to play with. I use 110 in that. I have used a place in Oregon that was not that expensive. I'll check out the Reformed Film Lab and see if they can develop these.
In reply to Shadeux :
I remember 110 film.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I actually misremembered - the camera uses 120. With the 6x17 you only get 4 images per roll of film. Adds a little more tension to your image choice. 
This thread just reminded me I have like 10 rolls of film I need to get developed. I was actually thinking of sending it out to Reformed to get developed and then I can scan the negatives at home.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Lomography just dropped a brand-new 110 film camera, and 110 film is surprisingly easy to come by.
I've always thought the Pentax Auto 110 would be fun to add to the collection.
Reminds me I need to blow the dust off of the Bronica ETRS and go shoot some film. I am nearly finished with a roll of Tri-X in the Minolta. I rarely shoot color. Black and white I routinely develop here.
I am so glad I took a few photography courses in college. It was back in the film days, and we did our own B&W developing and prints. It was so helpful to know how it all works because it has taken my digital photography to a new level.
In reply to Colin Wood :
Wow, dang on the new 110 cameras. Totally didn’t expect that.
Colin Wood said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
Lomography just dropped a brand-new 110 film camera, and 110 film is surprisingly easy to come by.
I've always thought the Pentax Auto 110 would be fun to add to the collection.
I have an Auto 110 somewhere. I used to have the whole kit - body, three lenses, autowinder - but everything but the body and the standard lens got stolen out of my car many years ago. I should dig it out one of these days.
I had a 110 camera–likely a Kodak–before my first 35mm camera. I had a 126, too.
I also had what we called a spy camera–basically a basic holder, lens and shutter for a 110 cartridge. It had a key chain, too. Something like this:
Shadeux said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
I actually misremembered - the camera uses 120. With the 6x17 you only get 4 images per roll of film. Adds a little more tension to your image choice.
Okay, that makes more sense.
And, yeah, gotta plan those shots. I have found myself looking at medium format cameras lately. Maybe?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I have a very simple 126 camera. It's a little tricky to get film for it, but not impossible. I'd love to get a proper medium format camera, but most are out of my price range.
P.S. David: Check out the Fuji GW690/GSW690 "Texas Leica." I wonder how similar it would feel to your current (digital) Fuji.
Well, they are getting cheaper. I just poked my head in at B&H and FUJIFLIM is having $1000-$1650 off of MF mirrorless. That gets really close to a few of the FF bodies we have.
Depending on what you want, there should be lots of medium format stuff available fairly cheap. Folders are common, and even the best ones aren't that costly. TLRs are also easy to find, and if you stay away from anything with "Rollei" in the name you have your choice of reasonably-priced options. And don't discount box and toy cameras; I've seen some really good work done with them.
I've got folders in 6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x9, as well as several 6x6 TLRs and box cameras, and a couple of pinholes (6x6 and 6x9). They're all fun to play with, and it's fun to see people's reactions when you set up an 80-year-old camera. I don't think I paid more than $300 for any of them (and most a lot less than that).
In reply to Colin Wood :
I’ve been looking at the GW690 as well. I’d like to hold one. I know it’s pretty big.
The “problem” is that my X-Pro3 is spoiling me. I love the form, the ergonomics, the flip-down rear screen, the controls and, oh, the images.
I actually have a house full of vintage cameras, many of which are medium format. I need to take stock of them. Maybe I should run some film through them? I have a FED (Soviet copy of a Leica) that I’ve never used. It is pretty, though.
And this one takes 120: a Voigtländer Brillant. If my Wikipedia research is correct, the metal body means that it was built between 1932 and 1936.
Still trying to figure out if it takes USB-C or what.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
That's an early Voigtländer. I don't have a Brilliant, but I do have several other Voigtländers that are a little later (40s-50s) and the lenses are universally excellent and have lots of character, even the simple ones. I was always fascinated by the Superb, a TLR with a horizontal film transport, but I never found one that was reasonably priced. It's worth cleaning up and trying out.
FEDs are a mixed bag - some are really good, some are pretty cranky. Many of the lenses are surprisingly good, though.
I totally understand the lure of good digital (I have and enjoy an X100F), but I find the process of film - especially MF - to be both engaging and extremely satisfying (if at times also frustrating and expensive). The limited number of available frames is really helpful in forcing one to pay attention to every shot.
I've got a whole drawer full of Minolta cameras and lenses. Haven't used them in decades. The good old days....go to Mosport...shoot 6 rolls of film......wait a week......get a dozen decent pictures !
How long will film keep? I found some rolls I shot many years ago (like 20) that I forgot about. Are they still worth getting developed?
In reply to dean1484 :
Depends on the film and storage conditions. Some is really robust, some is really fragile. I've seen decades old TriX produce decent images, while PanF explicitly states that images will degrade significantly after only six months.
In reply to 02Pilot :
I’m going to clean it up as it’s been on display for decades. Then we’ll see from there.
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