I have a Canon EOS 650 and I am completely new to film photograaphy...?

Question

-Where can I find a manual for the camera?

-Where can I find information to learn about all the features of the camera?

-Do I need different film, or filters if I want to take Black and white pictures?

Answer 1

Check at http://www.butkus.org for the Owner's Manual. You can also find it at eBay.

Look at Amazon or eBay for a copy of "How To Choose & Use Canon SLR Cameras" by Carl Shipman. It is an excellent companion to the Owner's Manual.

Another excellent book is "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven.

I use Ilford XP2 Super, ISO 400 or Kodak BW400CN, ISO 400 for most of my black and white photography. Any 1 Hour Lab like Walgreen's or Wal-Mart can process and print it. Just stress the prints are SUPPOSED to be black and white.

For my color prints I like Fujicolor  Superia Reala ISO 100 or Kodak Portra 160VC (ISO 100, Vivid Color). Both are excellent for nature and scenics.

I also use Fujicolor PRO400H (ISO 400) and Portra 400VC (ISO 400) for shooting nature/scenics on cloudy and/or windy days.

I use Kodak Portra 160 NC (ISO 160, Natural Color) for people/portrait pictures.

I buy almost all my film on eBay or at:

http://www.adorama.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

By buying 20 to 40 rolls at a time its much cheaper. I store it in the refrigerator and often use film that is 2 years "out of date" with excellent results.

I suggest at least 2 filters - a Skylight or Haze/UV to protect the front element of your lens and a circular polarizer. A polarizer will darken a blue sky, making white clouds really "pop" and a polarizer will remove glare/reflections from glass, snow, sand, water and painted metal - but not polished metal.

If you plan on doing a lot of black and white, you'll need at least 4 additional filters: Red, Green, Yellow and Blue.

Good luck!