35mm film camera's, anyone still using them?
Discussion
skinnyboy said:
I bought about 3 years ago a Pentax Mz50 35mm camera, witha Sigma lens, just after this I bought a digital camera and have never used the Pentax since, its just sitting there gathering dust. Seems a waste, would it be worth anything now?
I still use my very ancient (70s and 80s) 35mm systems. Value of used unit now very low, though some of the Canon FD lenses are still prized and can be used on the current bodies with adaptors. Mint 'Collectors' items, typically unused can have rather high price tags attached but I'm not sure they often (or ever) achieve the targets
No idea about the Pentax. Setting up a recurring search on eBay is quite an interesting way of seeing what is on offer and what people are prepared to pay for them. Just use the 'Watch Item' facility and see how the history builds up.
Maybe I should buy some film. I have a couple of old Pentax 35mms - an old SP1000 with a fantastic 55mm f2 SMC lens and an ME Super, I also have a Bronica ETRS system.
I only recently took the digital plunge and bought a Nikon D80. I'm keeping hold of the 35mm cameras mainly 'cos I think they're worth more to me than I'll ever get for them on eBay...though I might well sell the Bronica later in the year.
I only recently took the digital plunge and bought a Nikon D80. I'm keeping hold of the 35mm cameras mainly 'cos I think they're worth more to me than I'll ever get for them on eBay...though I might well sell the Bronica later in the year.
Great choice graham. This is what I learnt on and used for about 15 years. Loved it and keep meaning to pop in some more film.
You should try to get this 50mm f1.4 lens. Its a beaut and dirt cheap now too (if you can find one)
The 200mm f4 I have is also stunning. Its tiny but gives great results.
You should try to get this 50mm f1.4 lens. Its a beaut and dirt cheap now too (if you can find one)
The 200mm f4 I have is also stunning. Its tiny but gives great results.
graham@edinburgh said:
Just about to buy a Canon AE-1 with 50mm 2.8 and 85mm 1.2 (drool) FD lenses off a friend who's photo business is entirely digital now.
Hmm. AE-1 and the 50mm (I assume it is the f1.8?) now worth about the same as a bag of chips - but the 85mm, if it is the correct version, still attracts serious cash.
One dodgy thing to be aware of with the AE-1 - the speed control dial is very susceptible to getting 'nudged' by handling as you shoot. The click stops are a bit light (at least they are on mine) and the position is at the edge of the body so simply changing a hold grip can change the speed setting and you may not feel it.
If you get into you can probably pick up a New F1 body for about £100 these days (not looked recently) and that is a whole other experience and would be a great combination with the 85mm lens. Built like a brick outhouse as well.
Just don't expect to be able to get them serviced if they go wrong. Replacement light seals seem to be about the limit of the specialists offerings these days. Lack of spare parts blamed.
LongQ said:
graham@edinburgh said:
Just about to buy a Canon AE-1 with 50mm 2.8 and 85mm 1.2 (drool) FD lenses off a friend who's photo business is entirely digital now.
Hmm. AE-1 and the 50mm (I assume it is the f1.8?) now worth about the same as a bag of chips - but the 85mm, if it is the correct version, still attracts serious cash.
Yeah, sorry, 1.8 not 2.8
Only paying about 30 quid for the body - he's got an F1 for sale as well (and an A1) but even though it's good value, it's a bit extreme for my needs. Only after a toy to get into film. Certainly don't want to be having to buy film and develop from 8 fps
graham@edinburgh said:
LongQ said:
graham@edinburgh said:
Just about to buy a Canon AE-1 with 50mm 2.8 and 85mm 1.2 (drool) FD lenses off a friend who's photo business is entirely digital now.
Hmm. AE-1 and the 50mm (I assume it is the f1.8?) now worth about the same as a bag of chips - but the 85mm, if it is the correct version, still attracts serious cash.
Yeah, sorry, 1.8 not 2.8
Only paying about 30 quid for the body - he's got an F1 for sale as well (and an A1) but even though it's good value, it's a bit extreme for my needs. Only after a toy to get into film. Certainly don't want to be having to buy film and develop from 8 fps
Are you suggesting he has a motordrive for the F1?
Hmm. Interesting. (partly because the motordrive also provides the F1's shutter priority mode.) Is the F1 an F1, and F1n or a New F1?
Film can be quite cheap to buy though with ever decreasing production that might change. Processing readily available in the highstreet for not much money at the moment even with digital scan to CD. However that too may change if the volumes of film continue to fall as they have been.
If you you are planning to do your own processing ... last time I looked around it was quite difficult to spot any kit new even just to process the film. Wouldn't surprise me if the EU has banned the chemicals for use without special training and thumping great licence fee. You know how they are about chemicals.
LongQ said:
If you you are planning to do your own processing ... last time I looked around it was quite difficult to spot any kit new even just to process the film. Wouldn't surprise me if the EU has banned the chemicals for use without special training and thumping great licence fee. You know how they are about chemicals.
If you're talking monochrome there are loads of places that readily sell the processing chemicals, very simple to DIY at home . . . colour, I'd leave to someone else personally, too much of a pain in the arse . . .
Mono suppliers list from Ilford : www.ilfordphoto.com/wheretobuy/buyilfordsonline.asp
Fd
LongQ said:
graham@edinburgh said:
LongQ said:
graham@edinburgh said:
Just about to buy a Canon AE-1 with 50mm 2.8 and 85mm 1.2 (drool) FD lenses off a friend who's photo business is entirely digital now.
Hmm. AE-1 and the 50mm (I assume it is the f1.8?) now worth about the same as a bag of chips - but the 85mm, if it is the correct version, still attracts serious cash.
Yeah, sorry, 1.8 not 2.8
Only paying about 30 quid for the body - he's got an F1 for sale as well (and an A1) but even though it's good value, it's a bit extreme for my needs. Only after a toy to get into film. Certainly don't want to be having to buy film and develop from 8 fps
Are you suggesting he has a motordrive for the F1?
Hmm. Interesting. (partly because the motordrive also provides the F1's shutter priority mode.) Is the F1 an F1, and F1n or a New F1?
Yup. As far as I know it's "just" an F1. Titanium body, 1800 quid when new.
I'll be using high st or web place for developing, aye. Not fussed with doing it myself yet. That may change though. I just fancy playing around with the medium a bit more and try different things
(Watkinson's exploits with the Xpan and a mate's ownership of just about every type of camera going, including a few hand built pinholes have prompted me to "play"
LongQ said:
If you you are planning to do your own processing ... last time I looked around it was quite difficult to spot any kit new even just to process the film. Wouldn't surprise me if the EU has banned the chemicals for use without special training and thumping great licence fee. You know how they are about chemicals.
as fergusd has said you can easily get anything you might need to prpcess b&w film and paper (color is a different matter)
check out www.silverprint.co.uk
they have everything you will need to get started
Edited by scalper on Saturday 6th January 18:28
scalper said:
LongQ said:
If you you are planning to do your own processing ... last time I looked around it was quite difficult to spot any kit new even just to process the film. Wouldn't surprise me if the EU has banned the chemicals for use without special training and thumping great licence fee. You know how they are about chemicals.
as fergusd has said you can easily get anything you might need to prpcess b&w film and paper (color is a different matter)
check out www.silverprint.co.uk
they have everything you will need to get started
Edited by scalper on Saturday 6th January 18:28
Must confess I was thinking colour rather than B&W.
Colour processing seems to be a much cheaper option on the highstreet anyway.
My local Tesco will process a film and scan to CD for 98p, just specify no prints.
Sometimes they may be OK scanning more than one film to the same CD to save storage space.
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