I'd like to buy a film SLR

[Typhon]

An old, cheap one to start off with. I've been looking at the Canon EOS 50 and they seem quite good, and so far really cheap on eBay. Would I be right in assuming that all my current EF lenses (70-200 2.8 IS, 50 1.8, etc) will work with this camera? I can't decide between the EOS 50 and EOS 50E. Is there any real use for the eye-controlled focus feature? I'm thinking maybe it's useful for photographing sports/motorsports, but I don't know much about how well it works. Or if this isn't good can someone reccomend an alternative?

[V6GTO]

Buy my EOS1n = winder and 430EZ flash

Seriously though...I've heard the eye focus is very "hit and miss", and it's just one more thing to go wrong.

Martin.

[mr noble]

I used to use an EOS 50E and I loved it. The eye focus did work pretty well but I must admit to only having it on about 50% of the time as if you were shooting moving stuff, it was not worth risking.

Did enjoy using it though and I guess you could get one now for about £2.25 and a mars bar!

G

[scalper]

I have an Eos Elan IIe (the american version of the 50e)
althought I no longer use it much these days, the eye controlled focusing is a joy to use and (after proper calibration) has always worked faultlessly since the day I bought it

[Typhon]

The EOS 1N is definatly an option too, but I'll have to see how much they're going for first. I don't want to spend too much on the camera. It'll be replaced with a brand new one later on, anyway.

Edited by Typhon on Monday 12th February 11:13

[hugh_]

Or go old school and get an OM2 Spot/program. A forgotten camera these days, and one which is still hugely competent.

[Zad]

I know it won't be any good or sport, but a Mamiya C330 twin lens reflex would be a great way to learn the art and science of photography. They go on Ebay for about £100-150 with 1 lens pair. Not bad for a 6x6 camera.

[V6GTO]

He wants a camera that his existing lens's will fit.

Martin.

[hugh_]

V6GTO said:

He wants a camera that his existing lens's will fit.

Martin.

Ah yes good point, sorry forgot that

[jwyatt]

I have a couple of EOS50E's - one bought new, and one of which was bought very cheaply in mint condition on Ebay. I think they are really good cameras, with a build quality above even mid-range DSLR's - ceretainly well above my 20D. Never had any problems with mine, for sure. Because I don't like the visual effect of super-side lenses on 1.6 crop DSLR's I still use one of the 50E's with a 24mm Canon prime as my main landscapes camera, with Velvia. The other is paired witha cheap Sigma zoom and my wife uses it for holiday snaps. The camera and lens bought off eBay cost less than a quite basic new compact camera!

Film SLR's are for sure immense value on Ebay, and many were built to superb standards - before cameras became all about fitting in the best CCD possible then throwing some cheap stuff around it. The full-size viewfinder image is a joy to behold after using a 1.6 crop DSLR as well...

[Typhon]

Good to hear

This is going to sound stupid to everyone, but what's the best type of film to use? I mean as in, I know there's the one that produces nagative images, and other types.. but I'm not sure what the advantages and disavantages of each are. I've heard Fuji Velvia are quite a good brand. I'd probably be photographing landscapes, wildlife, cars, things like that. I know you can scan the negatives. Can I get prints made from them, for example, at Jessops?

[Zad]

Velvia is colour reversal (i.e. positive or slide) film, rather than negative. It is rather yummy though. Most processing places will offer to scan your negative to CD but it tends to be a rather low resolution. Some do offer a higher resolution scan for a few quid more e.g. Jessops

[trackcar]

hugh_ said:

Or go old school and get an OM2 Spot/program. A forgotten camera these days, and one which is still hugely competent.

I went the OM10, OM1n, OM40, then OM3 route and missed the OM2SP/Pr out, but a friend of mine had one and loved it. Not really relevant to the thread but it sent me on a reminiscing theme

[Typhon]

Zad said:

Velvia is colour reversal (i.e. positive or slide) film, rather than negative. It is rather yummy though. Most processing places will offer to scan your negative to CD but it tends to be a rather low resolution. Some do offer a higher resolution scan for a few quid more e.g. Jessops

Could a shop like Jessops scan positive film, like velvia, in the same way? I know I can buy a scanner myself, but that'll probably happen a bit later.

Sorry for all the questions. I'll stop now

[le gravy noire]

I would say film wise, if you want to shoot transparencies, i would recommend provia 100/400. Its a beautiful film with great tones, saturation and contrast. Its more forgiving than velvia and rated correctly at ISO 100 which from my experience velvia (100RVP) isn't.

Matt

[kannepis]

I have an 5OE also.
it's a fine piece that allowed me to take my first (serious) steps in photography...
I'm holding on to it for a couple of months... then I'll buy a 400d

[jwyatt]

I have used a slide scanner for many years, an Acer scanwit 2720. This was only a bit over £200 new, must be able to get them second hand very cheaply now. Canon and Nikkon do similar (and often better in terms of dark areas, but pricier) examples.

Using this scanner produces images pretty much exactly the same size and quality as my EOS20D DSLR - basically a bit over A4 at 300dpi. Negatives are quite hard work, the colours can be hard to get right, but the results are OK up to 200ISO, even 400 at a push. Hard to tell in screen quality resolution (and admittedly I'm not great at optimising shots for web viewing) but these are scans of 200ISO neg film:





Slide film is much easier to use, the colours come out much better and the shots need less editing. Grain is an issue with slide scanning, 50 and 100 ISO slide film is pretty good in this regard. I settled on 50ISO Velvia and just a grey grad if needed, as punchy but more natural looking than 100ISO slide film and a warm-up/poliariser. These are slide scans of Vevlia with no filter or a grey grad:









Wheras this is 100 ISO Provia or similar, with a polariser and 81B. Looks quite different:





All landscapes are with an EOS50E and Canon 24mm prime, or OM1 and 28mm Zuiko prime (another cheap as chips combo these days).

[Typhon]

So as not to make a new topic, I got it today.



One final question; is it worth having the slides mounted? I'll probably want to scan them myself later on, and I have no intention of showing anyone slideshows or anything..
Edit: I have them processed at Jessops (is that the best place?)

Edited by Typhon on Wednesday 21st February 11:01

[jwyatt]

Most slide/negative scanners have a slider for mounted slides, and one for negatives. If you don't get the slides mounted, you can just use the negative slider instead.

I get my slides mounted but I've no idea why