Getting into photography - Tech Support Forums

EXreaction · September 15th, 2008, 01:12 AM

I have really always wanted to get into photography, but I've never been willing to spend the money for a good digital camera.

So lately I've been thinking about film cameras and have looked into it more and I'd have to say I am definitely interested in trying out film photography for myself. I am especially interested when I think of the photographers who are getting rid of their old film cameras for new digital ones and hoping I can get some used equipment at a good price.

The only problem is I have no idea about what to look for in a good film camera, oh, and I should mention that I also have no idea how to develop my own film.

theGlitch · September 19th, 2008, 12:27 PM

If you are getting into photography, you need an SLR (single lens reflux) camera. To start, I'd just use a basic lens (there's no need to buy a better one until you are better). Personally, I have a Canon Rebel GX.

I'm not sure if it's still on the market, but it got me through 3yrs of photo classes and it still works amazingly. Play around with shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field. The manual for the camera should outline how to do all of this.

Next, developing your own film... this is costly to setup, so perhaps build it over time while developing your film at the local drug store. But, in the long run, I highly suggest buying/rolling your own film, purchasing an enlarger, and enlarging your own pictures. In order to do this you will need a perfectly light proof room with either a red or black light. Enlargers aren't cheap (which is why I suggest doing this over time). I never had to purchase the chemicals, but I'd assume the are medium in expense, and photo paper can get pricey.

So all in all just get yourself a decent SLR camera and play with it for a while... If it seems like something you enjoy, look into building your own dark room.

ShuckyD · September 19th, 2008, 01:15 PM

are you looking to get into photography to the point of developing your own film? If so the most economical way would be to shoot true black and white... C41 processing (color and "fake" B&W) gets to be quite costly.

I would reccommend film, as I would anyone getting into photography to understand where the industry has come from (i usually reccommend fully manual cameras too)... heck I still shoot alot of film although I am moving more away from it due to the high price of processing medium format/etc.

Its cheap just to get the negatives developed at Walmart, thats what I did for one of my photography classes for assignment roles, for our portfolio we had to develop our own color negs/slides, but for the assignment stuff the prof said I could go to Walmart and just get them to develop and cut the film for me for like $2. That way I saved myself the cost of proofs, etc. and I just louped the negs on a lightbox to see what ones I wanted to develop. Some I went as far as scanning them in with a negative scanner and looking at them on the computer (Photoshop).

So nonetheless I have alot of experience in this area... feel free to rattle off any other questions you may have

EXreaction · September 19th, 2008, 02:00 PM

We've actually had a long discussion on this all here:
phpBB • View topic - Getting into photography

I think to get started I am going to be better off with something like the Nikon D40 DSLR. Once I get good and if I decide I want to go that route I'd like to get into film photography (specifically medium format).

ShuckyD · September 19th, 2008, 02:23 PM

I believe TRB has a D40 and he loves his...

Steve R Jones · September 19th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Stick with digital....You can start with a $200 camera and when you get really good and spend a lot time taking pics - then consider a killer camera.

You spend a fortune just on gas going to by film and getting the pics developed

With digital, you can do a lot more with the images on your pc etc...

EXreaction · September 19th, 2008, 03:01 PM

We already have a Sony DSC-P200 Cybershot that was probably around that price. It sucks. It is so horrible I don't even waste my time taking pictures with it.

The only way to go is DSLR from what I've seen.

Steve R Jones · September 19th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

The #1 question that all professional photographers is-> WOW, what kind of camera do you use

The #1 response -> The camera has little to do with it

Just keep in mind .... Spending a couple grand on a camera and then losing interest in photography is a huge waste. But good luck to ya.

ShuckyD · September 19th, 2008, 04:19 PM

a Canon XT, XTi or Xsi (great camera)... on the Nikon side, the D40, (and other models I dont know off the top of my head) can all be bought for under $1000 and a few of them around $500

Whichever brand you decide to go with and then start accessorizing with you'll probably stick to since the lens and all will be for that kind. I have all my AF/Digital stuff with Canon and with that I have 10 or so lenses... so it wouldnt make sense for me to get a Nikon as I would loose all that interchangability

EXreaction · September 19th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Yes, I'll be watching for the D40 to go on sale somewhere and maybe grab it then. Otherwise I am going to probably wait until I move and see if Nikon releases a new camera to replace the D40.

I probably won't be buying the D40 for quite a while unless I can get it for around $400 or less with a lens.

The camera does have a little to do with your photography. Our camera has horrible file saving options. It can only save a .jpeg with a lot of nasty artifacts and noise.