Sijun Forums :: View topic - Anyone want to reccomend a good FILM camera?

Steelwind · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2001 11:31 am

As I got a digital camera for Christmas, and it irritates the hell out of me.

I don't know a ton about photography, so I don't really need a fifteen hundred dollar machine of coolness, but I would like to be able to do the little things (like focus) on my own.

Since I know there are some accomplished photographers here (I'm looking at you, Lunatique!

) I figured someone might have the time to help out a photo-newb.

Anyone?

Steelwind

[Shizo] · member Member # Joined: 22 Oct 1999 Posts: 3938

Umm? Digi cams with manual features like exposure and focus start at about $700.
It doesnt depend on what type it is, there are plenty of film cameras without manual focus also.

Jezebel · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2001 4:25 pm

I use a Canon AE-1 and I love it. Its an old camera and you can get it pretty cheap on Ebay. Does everything you need it to and produces nice pictures. All the photography I've posted is taken with that camera.. with the exception of the pictures I took this afternoon.

Steelwind · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2001 6:23 pm

Um, Shizo, I understand that..the point is I don't really need a digital camera, I have a scanner.

I don't need all the cool things a digital camera can do, really, so I figured I'd go with a camera that uses film, so if I ever want to play with cool things like overexposure and such I can do that.

But thanks for commenting.

Thanks too, Jezebel, I'll check that one out.

Steelwind

snarf · member Member # Joined: 20 Dec 2001 Posts: 155

My SLR camera is one of my most prized possessions. I usually stick with Canon when it comes to cameras of any specification.

The Canon EOS Rebel G, all the way baby!

Impaler · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2001 9:33 pm

Yeah. Go with any SLR camera, and you'll get just about any effect you could wish for. They'll run you at least 200 bucks. I personally like the older ones without of the useless features like Timestamping and autofocus, since you get more control and flexibility in what you do. Make sure to get one of the more renowned brands, like Canon, Minolta, Nikon, or even Vivitar.

Get a tripod.

Get more lenses than just the boring portrait lens that most SLR's come with by default. Telephoto, wide-angle, stuff like that.

Don't be afraid to take bad pictures, but don't get trigger-happy. Think out every picture you take, and you'll get better with every roll you develop.

Understand every function of your camera; I have a good friend who's an avid photographer, yet didn't know half of the stuff he should have. He got a blank stare when I asked him about the light meter, for christ's sake. Understand what the AE lock does. Understand the film speed settings your camera has. Understand what shutter speed and aperture you should use for what conditions. There are hundreds of good books out there that can explain all the nuances of technical photography far better than I can, so I advise purchasing one of those.

A good tip for trying to make an interesting photograph is to try and see something in an entirely different manner. See that rock out there? It has a story and a state of being. Your job as a photographer is to tell that story.