Wanting to get into photography???

Question

I never got to study photography in high school and am now very intrigued by it. I want to start teaching myself bit by bit the techniques because I have no time to take a course as I am a full-time worker... Can anyone give me information on the better kinds of cameras to use. Oh BTW I do not want to go digital. I am more interested in film cameras... so far I know I should be going for SLR's or Compacts??? or Hasselblads... all just a bit confusing to me right now... if someone can tell me which is better and why that would be great.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Do more research. While film has a certain appeal, I think that it would distract you from your goal of studying photography. If you're just learning, the LCD on a digital camera has great value in allowing you to determine on-the-spot things like exposure, composition, depth of field, etc. With film, you take the shot and then wait a couple of weeks to get the results. With digital, you are also able to review the camera settings, which are stored with the image. This has great value when you're trying to figure out what went wrong with an image. You would have to copy your camera settings into a notebook to get the same information with your film images. The optics for both digital and film are the same.

Film is also more expensive. You're paying for both film and processing. These will get more expensive because the volume sold is getting lower every year. You will also find it less convenient to get your film processed, as drugs stores and convenience stores have largely converted to digital processing or will do so once their film revenue drops.

If you want to learn techniques, you should get an SLR. This will allow you to explore manual control over your images. Hasselblads are excellent, but are the most expensive cameras. They are also big and heavy.

Answer 2

It depends on what you are comfortable with. I got myself a pentax and it's completely manual except for the light meter. Go to a photo shop and see which one you like.

Answer 3

Hi Kandi.

I applaud your decision to use film. :)

An SLR (Single Lens Reflex) will give you more versatility since you can change lenses for creative purposes.

As to what camera to buy, I suggest a Minolta XE-7. Yes its an old camera that you'll have to buy used but it has several features that I think you'll enjoy.

The XE-7 has Aperture Preferred and Manual metering. It also has a switch that allows you to effortlessly take double or multiple exposures.

When you buy any camera make sure you get the Owner's Manual with it.

Here is what I would consider to be a good kit: XE-7 with a 50mm f1.4 MC ROKKOR-X lens, a Minolta MD 35-70mm f3.5 zoom and a Minolta MD 70-210mm f4 zoom. Both zooms are constant aperture which is preferred.

You can check these trusted sites for prices/availability:

http://www.adorama.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

http://www.keh.com

http://www.ritzcamera.com

http://www.beachcamera.com

You can also shop on eBay but you need to be careful. Knowing what questions to ask can help you avoid problems.

Along with your camera, buy a copy of "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Editions" by George M. Craven. Another useful book would be "How To Select & Use Minolta SLR Cameras" by Carl Shipman. It doesn't cover the XE-7 but is still worth having.

An excellent on-line resource is at http://www.adorama.com

Just click on AIRC (Adorama Imaging Resource Center) and you'll find numerous topics to help you improve your photography.

One thing that usually causes a problem for new photographers like you is focusing. Its something you have to practice before loading that first roll of film. One way to practice is by taping a piece of newspaper to a well lit wall. When you can read the print you're in focus. The XE-7 has what's called a "split image spot" in the viewfinder. As you focus, any vertical or diagonal lines will line up perfectly when you're properly focused.

Since you're just getting started, I suggest using ISO 400 film. For black & white try Ilford XP2 Super or Kodak BW400CN. Both are C-41 compatible and can be processed and printed at any 1 Hour Lab. Just stress that the prints are SUPPOSED to be black & white. For color, try Kodak Royal Gold 400 or Fuji PRO400H.*

The reason I'm suggesting 400 speed film is to help minimize camera shake since from experience I know that at first you'll have to learn the right technique for holding the camera. Once you're comfortable with the camera you can start thinking about using Fujicolor Superia Reala ISO 100.

Kandi, if you have additional questions just email me.

* I buy my film from either Adorama or B&H. I keep it refrigerated and have used film that had an Expiration Date of 6-06 with excellent results.

EDIT: I have to laugh when people talk about digital being cheaper than film and then "... having to wait a couple of weeks to get your prints...".  

First, you'll be spending close to $1,000.00 for a decent DSLR and a couple of lenses. Then you'll need software such as Photoshop so you can edit your digital files and try to make a good picture from a mediocre one. You may need to upgrade your computer and that adds a cost. Going digital may end up costing $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.

An XE-7 in good condition with the lenses I mentioned should cost you less than $200.00. The books maybe another $20.00. Having a 36 exposure roll of film processed and printed costs me $11.00. By buying film on-line I seldom pay more than $3.00 a roll (including shipping) so that's $14.00 for film and processing. Since I use a good 1 Hour Lab I wait one hour - not two weeks.

So lets just say a DSLR with 3 lenses costs $1,500.00 and an XE-7 with 3 lenses and the 2 books I mentioned costs us $250.00. We now have $1,250.00 to buy film and have it processed and printed. Why that's almost 90 rolls.

It would also be beneficial if people would read the question and any statements such as "... I do not want to go digital." and then address their answer to the actual question.

Answer 4

Hi, Kandi :) I'm not a professional photographer but I take hundreds of pictures for my business and I've got friends who actually work in the movie industry shooting portraits of celebrities.

It all really depends what you are planning to take pictures of. I actually own 3 different cameras for shooting different subjects. (Sorry, they're all digital :P)

SLR cameras are great for distant scenic shots, fast moving sporting events, professional wedding photos, low light situations, and taking up close macro pictures.

Smaller cameras are good for taking medium quality photos and for trips where you don't want to lug a giant bag of camera equipment with you.

I never leave home without a camera at my side. I've actually been really into taking pictures of my meals for my new website: www.OhSoFat.com. I use a small compact digital camera ($200-$350) that I carry in a holster on my hip :)

I use an SLR camera ($600 - $8,000) to shoot for my business website: www.PoisonApple.com. It takes much clearer photographs and isn't as sensitive to motion.

Film cameras are amazing and I love the whole process of shooting with them but it's a dying art. Digital camera technology is so advanced now that it's almost not worth shooting with Film. It's just way too expensive.

If you have the time, money, and patience Film is perfect for you. If you don't have the time, money, or patience you'll need a digital camera because it's just so much faster and cheaper. I have boxes filled with rolls of film because I'm just too lazy to get them developed, lol. With a digital camera all you have to do is shove a disk into your computer and you're done.

Anyway, I wish you luck! I say start off with a small inexpensive digital camera and work your way up to an SLR film camera. It'll be a much easier learning curve.

Hope that helps!

~Mark Lim

www.PoisonApple.com

www.OhSoFat.com