Anyone still use film cameras?

jamoor · 8 May 2010 at 00:02

I was just wondering this today, does anyone still use film cameras, not necessarily here but in general, is there actually a practical use for them?

Gaffer · 8 May 2010 at 00:44

jamoor said:
I was just wondering this today, does anyone still use film cameras, not necessarily here but in general, is there actually a practical use for them?

Yes.

Film is still alive and well amongst field and monorail camera users.

I'd like to have a try myself...

Andrew

footman · 8 May 2010 at 01:49

Just about to take delivery of a Contax IIa to add to my collection of film cameras. I easily spend as much time with film as with digital.

Messiah Khan · 8 May 2010 at 07:40

My Wista 45SP doesn't have anywhere for a memory card;

footman · 8 May 2010 at 08:47

Messiah Khan said:
My Wista 45SP doesn't have anywhere for a memory card;

Would that fit in a Crumpler?

alexakasloth · 8 May 2010 at 09:09

Pentax MV user here

diverse180 · 8 May 2010 at 10:28

Still shoot a lot of film, including Polaroid.

Here's one from the collection...my 600 SE.

Apopcalyptic · 8 May 2010 at 12:11

I shoot a reasonable amount of film. I use an Olympus OM10 at present, though I'm in the market for a 35mm EOS. I also have a couple of 1920's-1930's Vest Pocket cameras that I've shot a couple of rolls of 120 with. I haven't actually developed them yet (my dark room is out of action at the mo :/), so my fridge is half full of film at the minute.

bigsharn · 8 May 2010 at 12:45

I use film, but only compacts

I've got a 1957 Lomo Smena 8m, which I am proud of the badge... "Made in USSR"

Aod · 8 May 2010 at 17:52

i still shoot film when it's convenient

i have an OM10, an OM2SP and a Yashica Electro 35 rangefinder ^_^

john_s · 8 May 2010 at 20:00

I shoot film occasionally... almost always B&W. I've got a Canon EOS5, and a couple of Olympus OM's buried at the back of a cupboard, but they've not been used for a good while.

Messiah Khan · 9 May 2010 at 18:39

footman said:
Would that fit in a Crumpler?

In a crumpler what? Looking at the specs, the size is; 180x197x105mm. Add to that space needed for lenses+lensboards, darkslides, darkcloth, tripod etc and it does take a fair bit of space. But it does all fit in a small to medium camera bag.

footman · 9 May 2010 at 18:46

Messiah Khan said:
In a crumpler what? Looking at the specs, the size is; 180x197x105mm. Add to that space needed for lenses+lensboards, darkslides, darkcloth, tripod etc and it does take a fair bit of space. But it does all fit in a small to medium camera bag.

I'm sorry, it was meant to be a joke.

VirtualAdept · 10 May 2010 at 12:24

I'm off to Exeter shortly, will be taking my 35mm EOS5... I dont like either my praktica or the Zenit that I have... and I thoroughly miss an old Olympus I had that went missing during a move.

Combat squirrel · 10 May 2010 at 12:32

Mee!

eos 650, developed my own film yesterday in dark room, love it!! So much more fun than jus wackin a memory card in a pc,lol will put some scans online later :-)

Adrianr · 10 May 2010 at 12:42

jamoor said:
I was just wondering this today, does anyone still use film cameras, not necessarily here but in general, is there actually a practical use for them?

I would argue there is no longer a 'practical' use for film anymore. Any who's shot high end digital medium format will know they offer more detail and depth than most people could possibly hope to need, and if you need the movements of say, a 5x4 plate camera, you can just hook those MF backs up. The slow demise of decent scanning equipment for 5x4 etc negatives is also reinforcing the shift. Even cameras like the 5DMKII are bringing ridiculous amounts of detail (in 35mm format) to the masses. That's just covering resolution, not to mention the massive improvements in ergonomics and handling.

So practical, no (unless you have a client that demands it). But fun, nostalgic, or just purely for the love of it? Absolutely.

bigredshark · 10 May 2010 at 13:42

The thing is a medium format film camera is going to have a resolution equivilent to somewhere near 70MP, in practical terms a top end full frame body will be very close detail wise but it'll also cost a hell of a lot more which is fine for pro's of course but for mere mortals it's worth noting. If I had more time on my hands then I'd be very tempted by a medium format setup for landscapes..

Cosimo · 10 May 2010 at 14:14

I must take the LX for an outing, it gets used very rarely these days:

footman · 10 May 2010 at 20:37

I took two film cameras( Zorki 4K and a Canon AV-1) into London today to see if I could get any interesting shots of the current political process.
I found myself outside the Cabinet Office and suddenly Hague and some other Tory were emerging and walking straight for me.

I then realised what archaic focussing there was on these bodies,really struggled, I think I got some good shots but will have to wait for processing.

I managed to get some good shots of the assembled news people and various hacks but what was really interesting was the reaction of the other (professional) photographers there.

Possibly 6 of them came up to me and there were cries of " Oh, real cameras then. God how I miss these, please let me hold the rangefinder one."

I then got talking to various film cameramen, one (famous) chap in particular with whom I had friends in common and chatted for 2 hours or more.

So, have film cameras got any practical use? Well, I struggled to use them but found them a great way to feel "included" in a crowd of professionals.

Sad really.