Help convincing parents to let me do film photography

[star camera company]

Costs are a Big factor for a kid doing film. Home developing makes it both more nteresting (and educational) and keeps costs down. Using Caffinol shouldn’t raise any red flags at home (ingredients from grocery store) Scanning negs with the phone gets these images useable for today’s world.

 

[Derrel]

Yes with black and white or color slide film it is fairly easy to take a macro shot of a negative taped onto a window, and to digitize the image so it can be used on social media or sent via email or uploaded to the web. We have one worker here on tpf who has done this albeit with 4 X 5 inch negatives, for several years,with good results.

 

[star camera company]

..........damn......wouldn’t you all kill to be 14 again? ;-). (In 1968 when it was my turn Dad let me use his “good”camera, Voigtländer Bergheil 3.5 Heliar w/120 back).

 

[Overread]

Just a thought - do keep your parents informed, however if they or you don't want to deal online and trade or accept gifts from strangers - all very safe and sensible choices. Then do look into local camera clubs as well. You will likely be the youngest person there, but just like the forums, the are bound to be keen people there eager to help others get into the hobby. You might also get some lessons and help along the way and depending how well equipped your local scene is they might even have access to a club developing studio and such. There are lots of potential resources there as well.

Just remember to keep it all safe and if you ever feel concerned, walk away. There's utterly no shame in it.

 

[TarterTurtle]

Thank you all for the help. I definitely will keep your advice in mind. Thanks again,
Nathan

 

[Derrel]

The Nikon N90s or the newer Nikon F100 are pretty decent film cameras for the amount of money spent. They both are autofocus and as I recall can use pretty new lenses.

 

[OldManJim]

You've gotten some really good advice on here and I would add this:

Pick ONE lens, camera, and film and work them to their limits. Learn what interests you and see what equipment you need to expand into that area. For example, a 50mm lens in 35mm format is a good starting point but it isn't a great portrait or landscape tool. However, by reversing it, you con do some interesting macro shots.

Don't bet caught up in the Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) we've all fallen into.

You're embarking on a fun journey - Enjoy!

 

[IanG]

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

What's ISO and ASA ? my meter (see here) uses H&D film speeds these were supersede by BS D H&D - Hunter & Driffield were early photo-chemists who quantified film speeds.

I see the OP's now added his location so hopefully someone here can help him out. I have my sister's Pentax SLR and would happily give it away as it's a pile of ****, cheap and plastic. A Spotmatic or K1000 would be a far better bet as they are well made and solid,

Ian

 

[RowdyRay]

Made it to the camera store today. (Ice storm yesterday.) The k1000 has a clean bill of health. Turns out the battery wasn't dead, just a dirty contact. The exposure meter works as it should. Lens is very clean, no fungi, and the aperture blades aren't sticking. He said, "Someone took very good care of it." I thought so too. It's missing the eye cup, but they didn't have a replacement.

I'm willing to donate it. Think this would be a great first camera, unless someone has an objection. Here's a couple cell pics.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296590562_7f0046aa3e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296591957_cbaf4c4bfc_h.jpg

 

[IanG]

I'm willing to donate it. Think this would be a great first camera, unless someone has an objection. Here's a couple cell pics.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296590562_7f0046aa3e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296591957_cbaf4c4bfc_h.jpg

If I was the OP I'd bite your hand off to get hold of that K100. what and excellent camera to start using film with properly, It looks in superb condition. Great offer

Ian

 

[webestang64]

I'm willing to donate it. Think this would be a great first camera, unless someone has an objection. Here's a couple cell pics.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296590562_7f0046aa3e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296591957_cbaf4c4bfc_h.jpg

If I was the OP I'd bite your hand off to get hold of that K1000. what and excellent camera to start using film with properly, It looks in superb condition. Great offer

Ian

Agreed.....I still use my K1000 I got in 1980.

 

[TarterTurtle]

This is probably one of the best communities on the internet, you guys are so kind, thank you so so much
Nathan

 

[limr]

I'm willing to donate it. Think this would be a great first camera, unless someone has an objection. Here's a couple cell pics.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296590562_7f0046aa3e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49296591957_cbaf4c4bfc_h.jpg

If I was the OP I'd bite your hand off to get hold of that K1000. what and excellent camera to start using film with properly, It looks in superb condition. Great offer

Ian

Agreed.....I still use my K1000 I got in 1980.

Another vote for the K1000. Got mine in 1992 and still use it. It's my first and lifelong camera love.

@RowdyRay, kudos to you!

@TarterTurtle - this is a great camera. The lens is great, it's well-built, and it's simple to operate. Learning with manual controls and just a basic light meter will give you a really solid foundation for any future cameras you end up in your life. It's great for a starter camera, yes, but it's also the kind of camera you might want to hold onto and revisit even when you move on to different gear. As I said above, I've had mine for almost 30 years, and though I eventually aquired several different other cameras, the K1000 is still in regular use and is my go-to when I just want to shoot and not think about things too much.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Way to go Ray!

Nathan, you might enjoy taking a look at Home - The Film Photography Project for videos on everything from how to load film to all different types of film and cameras. And there's a store, and podcasts, and forum where people are usually glad to answer questions etc. Hope you have fun with it.

 

[Derrel]

I really like the first picture of that Pentax K1000 wearing a vintage Nikon strap. I have one of those camera straps... it is a classic era-appropriate strap. The K1000 retailed for $109 around 1981, back when gasoline was about $0.59 a gallon and milk was about the same price.

I really like the design ethos of the Pentax K1000, it is classic like the Volkswagen Beetle or the Porsche 911. If there were ever to be an archetypal 35 mm single-lens reflex design it would likely be the K1000.

Way to go Ray.