I broke out a film camera this weekend

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I love shooting adapted cinema film–you just have to make sure someone removes the Rem-Jet layer before processing (which Reformed looks to have done already).

I was not impressed with the prints I got from C-41 Black & White film.  Pretty sure it was a Kodak product.  Many years ago.  Blacks weren't black.  Not sure where it went wrong.

I was lucky enough to find a local B & W darkroom workshop offered by the local art museum.  Took a couple of sessions and was loving it until I had a conflict arise. 

I have a tiny half bath with no windows that makes an easy darkroom.  Winding film onto spools is not difficult.  Once you've got it in the can, processing can occur in broad daylight.  Printing requires a bit more space and there are more light leaks/sources to track down.  Paper is much less sensitive than film, though, so makes it less critical.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

That film sounds like this one. I kinda remember buying this B/W film but not ever shooting any. Guess it’ll be a bit of an experiment. 

We have two full baths, both with windows. The garage has windows, the laundry room has windows. The only rooms in the house without windows are closets. 

Colin Wood said:

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I love shooting adapted cinema film–you just have to make sure someone removes the Rem-Jet layer before processing (which Reformed looks to have done already).

Cool and, yeah, looking forward to shooting it. 

Found some more expired film in my office: three rolls of Kodak Gold 100 circa 1990s.

Okay, you have convinced me to get my film camera out and start shooting with it again. I love my digital camera but since I use it every day for work it seems like working to take it out to shoot and I want to shoot more for fun in my free time. 

My big question, what is a good all around film that I can start with? 

In reply to Chris Tropea :

Totally hear you on the shoot for fun vs. work. That’s how this whole film/Fuji thing started. 

I started with the film that I had in my office, but that Fuji 400 might be a good place to start. Figure it’s fairly common so it can provide a good baseline. It’s also at the lower end of the price spectrum. I paid like $25 for a three-pack at Reformed. I’m going to load up a roll into one of the cameras next.

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Chris Tropea :

Totally hear you on the shoot for fun vs. work. That’s how this whole film/Fuji thing started. 

I started with the film that I had in my office, but that Fuji 400 might be a good place to start. Figure it’s fairly common so it can provide a good baseline. It’s also at the lower end of the price spectrum. I paid like $25 for a three-pack at Reformed. I’m going to load up a roll into one of the cameras next.

I'll second this. Fuji's film stocks tend to be a little cheaper than Kodaks (at least from what I've seen) and 400 is a pretty decent sweet spot as far as latitude goes (even though I have three rolls of Kodak 200 Gold staring at me as I type this).

I've always been very happy with results using Fuji film.  Last roll was probably the Reala 100 product, which may have been recently discontinued.

Ah, yes.  A quick search reveals they stopped making it in 2013.

Thanks everyone, I have a few rolls of Fuji Film on the way. I am excited to get the film cameras back out this weekend and figure out which one I will shoot with first. 

Apparently new Fuji 200 and 400 is rebranded Kodak and the original Fuji stuff is discontinued now.

Its on a few photo news sites, but Fuji has been really cagey on their film news these last few years. 

In reply to aw614 :

Yeah, I have heard that, too. The current Fuji is even marked that it’s made in the U.S. 

So, something here on a shelf in my office just caught my eye: more film containers!

Inside: three rolls of un-shot Kodak.

I've shot a fair bit of Fuji color over the years, and I've still got a few rolls (Superia 200 and Velvia, plus some B&W) kicking around here somewhere, but I prefer the palette of Kodak color. Ektachrome is great but hugely expensive, so I have leaned into Ektar for more serious stuff, and Gold 200 or Pro Image 100 for casual shooting. They tend to be warmer and less green than the Fuji stuff. If Fuji is rebranding Kodak now, I'll probably like it better - I'll have to look into getting a few rolls of the new stuff. I like TriX more than any of the Fuji B&W stuff I've used (I like grain and contrast, so...), but Acros 100 is pretty great for pinhole cameras, due to low reciprocity.

Could I have captured this vibe with the Fuji camera or even Photoshop? Probably. 

But knowing this was shot on film just, to me, makes it way rad. Was it shot last week or 40 years ago? 

That’s Arianna, by the way, my favorite magician. Her mom made the outfit. This was also shot on that expired Fuji with my Canon A-1. 

Just got some black and white scans. This is Kodak 400TX shot with a Pentax K1000 formerly owned by multi-time SCCA Solo champ and regular $2000 Challenge pro driver Dan Shields. 

David I think you will appreciate this:

In reply to preach :

Thanks. Will check it out. (Heading out the door to go autocross.)

Speaking of videos, one from our local lab aimed at those new to film photography.

Finished another roll of color today. On this roll: Waffle House, Porsches, bike night. 

I got my film today and got the cameras out to load in a roll and shoot. 

In reply to Chris Tropea :

Yay. 

I might have ordered a lens for the Canons this weekend, too. 

Today’s update: another roll of Fuji 400 dropped off at Reformed, while a filter for the new lens just arrived. Lens scheduled to land tomorrow. 

And for a little related background reading as to how we got here: How I rekindled my love affair with photography.

And, yup, new lens: Canon 24mm f/2.8.

For total flex, I bought the vintage Canon lens hood, too. :)

Went to Kiwi today and test drove some medium format cameras: Yashica MAT-120, Rolleiflex (didn’t get the model number) and Hasselblad 501c. Mainly interested in the entire experience–and wondered how focusing would be. To be honest, that’s my biggest concern: Can I manually focus without needing my glasses? 

The Hasselblad really did feel like the Rolls-Royce of cameras: beefy, precise, not small. About $2500 as it sits. 

The Rolleiflex and Yashica felt similar, but the Rolleiflex has a faster lens and, hence, a brighter viewfinder. Both of these cost less. 

The loupes helped. 

We’ll see.