Help convincing parents to let me do film photography

[TarterTurtle]

Hi guys, I am in a bit of a predicament right now, I recently got a Konica Autoreflex TC from my grandfather but the shutter fires when winding the film, I posted about this earlier and people said that I had to bring it in to a professional to get it fixed. Because I am only 14 years old, it's not like I can drive myself anywhere or pay over the internet so I can't get it fixed myself. And my parents won't help me, they say that it's not worth it. So if anyone has any advice it would be appreciated. Thanks
Nathan

 

[480sparky]

Perhaps it would be better to put the camera you have on the shelf as a showpiece and look into spending your money on finding a good used film camera that does work. There's millions of 'em out there, and many can be purchased for pocket change.

We really can't help you with your unsupportive parents.

 

[TarterTurtle]

Perhaps it would be better to put the camera you have on the shelf as a showpiece and look into spending your money on finding a good used film camera that does work. There's millions of 'em out there, and many can be purchased for pocket change.

We really can't help you with your unsupportive parents.

Thanks, I will guess I can do that

 

[Derrel]

There is nothing wrong with film photography, but you need a reliable camera with a decent lens. The Konica brand was never very popular... Konica is a very hard to find brand in terms of used cameras or lenses. If you want to get into film photography I would suggest buying a Nikon. There are millions, and I mean literally millions,of Nikon f-mount cameras and f-mount lenses available on the used Market. I would keep the Konica as a memory and move forward in your film Journey shooting a different camera and lens.

 

[Overread]

Check out the local auction houses. If they are anything like the ones in the UK then there will be BOXES of film cameras and lenses that will hardly sell for anything. A lot will be cheap and cheerful consumer/entry level gear, but there will be the odd gem buried in there. Even some of the more modern film cameras released before the end still turn up in market sales. If you're lucky and look around you might even find a developer set or two appear as well if you want to try out the darkroom side of things.

Basically film got killed by digital so there's loads of film gear around at very cheap prices because the market for it has collapsed. Top end lenses might still command a decent price, but for a someone like you many of the entry level gear will be more than good.
Derrel also mentions that Nikon is a good brand to look out for; especially as they've kept their mount design the same for a very long time, so the older film cameras can take newer lenses - a thought for the future if you develop your interest and grow it.

 

[Braineack]

I have like 6 film cameras in my basement just collecting dust

 

[weepete]

Step 1 get a film camera
Step 2 take a photograph
Step 3 sell that photograph for $5,000,000

kidding of course!

But seriously, it's dissapointing that your parents seem unsupportive. There's been some really good advice above and I'm afraid I don't have anything to add other than saying don't get discouaged, find a way round it. Look in local thrift stores or 2nd hand camera shops (and try and negotiate in the latter). I'm sure you'll find a way if you persevere.

 

[Sharpshooterr]

Hi guys, I am in a bit of a predicament right now, I recently got a Konica Autoreflex TC from my grandfather but the shutter fires when winding the film, I posted about this earlier and people said that I had to bring it in to a professional to get it fixed. Because I am only 14 years old, it's not like I can drive myself anywhere or pay over the internet so I can't get it fixed myself. And my parents won't help me, they say that it's not worth it. So if anyone has any advice it would be appreciated. Thanks
Nathan

Just give me your address and I’ll go over and have “THE TALK” with them!
After that they’ll be GLAD to get you an 8X10 field camera!!!
Just kidding!
For film I use a Canon EOS 1n.
It cost me $125, probably a lot less than fixing what you have.
The EOS is not only a Pro body but I can use all my modern Canon lenses on it!
That way when you move into digital you’ll already have lenses to use!!! Good luck
SS

 

[TarterTurtle]

Thanks for all the help guys, for now I guess I better start saving thanks again,
Nathan

 

[480sparky]

I know..... tell 'em it's cheaper than a drug habit!

 

[IanG]

Put your location on your profile, someone here local to you may be able to help. Charity (thrift) shops get film cameras give to them it's worth asking them.

Something simple like a Pentax Spotmatic is usually reliable and inexpensive now, with excellent lenses. I know I can get good film SLRs for £30 ($40) or less on a regular basis.

Ian

 

[IanG]

Giving it a little more thought you need some help finding a reasonably priced reliable but good camera.

At your age I had no encouragement from my parents at alland no-one for advice, I ended up buying aRussian Zenit E after saving my pocket money. I wore it out in 2 years but it did its job and got me hooked and I had some newspaper front pages and magazine cover shots while at school.

I've always shot film, I've also used digital for many years, I still prefer film when practical but then I'm pre-dominantly a Large Format photographer, a wood and brass field camera 5x4 film.

What I'm getting to is shooting film means think a little more before pressing the shutter, is the exposure correct, what about the subject matter and composition ? After a short while you have total confidence in you equipment, technique, and ways of working. It's a discipline that gets lost with many people who have only used Digital capture. It's not remotely difficult though, two excellent books are Curt Jacobson, Developing 18th Ed it's cheap second hand and Enlarging of a similar era.

If you want to start enlarging I have a free enlarger here in theUK (for UK postage/shipping only) on another Forum, I was given it to see it went for good use. It's not the first I've given away for free but others do the same across the world.

Just keep your parents fully informed of your wheeler dealings, see if there's anyone local in the Ilford Local Darkroom scheme, I've helped a few others through this including a very severely disabled photographer - i was the only darkroom with disabled access only because no stairs

I was lucky at your age while little to no pocket money but I'd shoot macro work etc for other biology students and that helped pay for my film and paper. These days I'm definitely old enough to be your grand father but money's tight so choice of film can be important. For critical and project work I use Ilford Delta100, 200 and HP5, for non project work I shoot Fomapan 100 & 200 35mmre/120 and 5x4. 7x5 & soon 10x8, however I'd be OK using these films for all my work if I had too. Even cheaper a Freestyle EDU films, these are jsut rebadges Fomapan.

When I was you age I bought a lot of ex-Government/Military Ilford FP3 and HP3, I'd guess the difference between FP3 and FP4 was more significant than the differences in terms on final image quality compared to Fomapan 100 & 200 and FP4+.

Ian

 

[Derrel]

I bet if you asked, a forum member here would give you a film camera and lens to get you started. I don't know why I think that way, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I am right, that someone here would want to see you outfitted properly with a working 35 millimeter camera

 

[Sharpshooterr]

I'm pre-dominantly a Large Format photographer, a wood and brass field camera 5x4 film.
Ian

5x4?!?! 5x4?!?! LoL LoL
Nobody uses 5x4 anymore! That went out in the caveman days, along with ASA!!!
Today, all the COOL people use ISO and 4x5!!!!!!!!!
SS

 

[RowdyRay]

I bet if you asked, a forum member here would give you a film camera and lens to get you started. I don't know why I think that way, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I am right, that someone here would want to see you outfitted properly with a working 35 millimeter camera

I actually had that exact thought. Have a real nice Pentax K1000 with a 50mm F1.7 lens that I was going to offer up. Just wanted to stop at a local shop this weekend. Everything moves smoothly and sounds fine, but the battery is dead and wouldn't hurt to have it checked over. Didn't want give him another dud. Seems like a popular camera to start with.