Beginner Film Photographer Beginner: Help!

Saelfoss

Saelfoss

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Nell
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Hello! Thought I'd start a thread to seek out some help, since I can't seem to find a thread anywhere that can help me in what I need (or I may have not looked in the right places, so sorry in advance!).

Basically, I know pretty much nothing on film photography, how to operate a 35mm camera and all the various things that come with it. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't want to learn sooner, I just didn't have the time to actually delve into it as much as I really wanted. Now that I have more free time on my hands (and income) I feel like this is the right time to dive in and learn more.

Like I've stated in my intro thread, I own around 10 misc. film cameras for collecting purposes only, which I would love to make use of now. Mainly, I would like to focus on my newly acquired Minolta Dynax 7000i with Sigma 28-200mm lens. Purchased this fine camera to actually be used, explored and experimented.. but honestly, I feel a bit intimidated by all the unfamiliar options and buttons on it. I genuinely am a beginner when it comes to photography, meaning that I have no knowledge about the basics whatsoever, since I've never studied it in my life, or had the time to.

I've tried watching some informative YouTube videos about film cameras, but they haven't helped me much, hence why I'm now here! I don't know where to begin or what to clearly ask, so I would greatly appreciate if someone could just simply explain me the basics, and then I could go from there.

- Nell

 
Welcome to the magical F+C (film + conventional).
Go to poundland and grab some film (if they still have some) and run a roll through it to see if it works, no light leaks etc.
Stick your camera in auto and shoot. Familiarise yourself as to what settings achieved good results and learn the exposure triangle.
if you've not got a manual here's one http://www.butkus.org/chinon/minolta.htm

Good luck and enjoy.
 
Didn't know Poundland sold film! Also, I need to buy some batteries for it as well. I think 2CR5 6 Volt Lithium batteries should be okay?
 
A couple of good books to learn - Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson (exposure, of course) and The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman (composition). I started by learning exposure - that will explain all those settings on the camera. However, I think I would have been better off concentrating on composition first.

Read the manual above, learn how to put it in Program Mode (ie, automatic), buy some cheap film, and take a bunch of photos, concentrating on the scene that's filling your viewfinder. Look up the rule of thirds and lead-in lines, concentrate on patterns and repetition and horizontal lines and vertical lines and diagonals. Get the film processed/scanned (ASDA is cheap for this if you have one near you that still has their photo department). Post a couple of the best in the Show Us Your Film Shots thread here - don't worry, unlike some of the other sections of TP, we don't bite om F&C. Get some feedback, do it again, realise that film is awesome. :D

(You will eventually need to know the exposure triangle - I found this simulator invaluable http://camerasim.com/apps/camera-simulator/ )
 
There's a resources "sticky" thread at the top of this sub-forum, which is worth a look through. It contains links to many other useful threads, including the one on using your first film camera. Worth a read, maybe prompt some more specific questions?

Poundland's Agfa Vista film is getting a bit harder to find, with some stores reportedly having no stock. It won't be well signposted, but look for the bit with media-related stuff like rewriteable CDs, CD cleaner, etc, then look down near the bottom for a bunch of bright red boxes.

If you can't find any in a reasonably accessible £land, you can still buy film at BOGOHP deals at most Boots. You can get Boots own, some Kodak and Fuji Superia 200 and 400. If you want black and white, suggest XP2 rather than HP5 as the former can be processed at high street stores (including some Boots) like Snappy Snaps and Max Spielmann (or some large ASDAs, where it costs £3 a roll for process and CD, done while you shop). HP5 is a "proper" black and white film that needs more specialist processing (but easier to do at home).

Hope that makes sense!

New batteries, check the seals, run a film through (on Auto if you like), get it processed, show us some results, easy peasy. Oh, and welcome to the best bit of TP...
 
Both extremely helpful, thank you so much! I wish I had more specific questions to ask, but I'll get there soon enough, once I learn some basics when it comes to film photography. I'll be reading up on the links you just posted, ChrisR.
 
...just to add your local library have plenty of books on photography.
 
Saelfoss said:
Didn't know Poundland sold film! Also, I need to buy some batteries for it as well. I think 2CR5 6 Volt Lithium batteries should be okay?
Click to expand...

I had a 7000i for a bit, never used it but I'm sure it took 4 x AA batteries in a holder like the F100
 
ahhh........there are different battery holders, so I guess it depends which holder you have

BH70S - 4 x AAA
BH70L - 4 x AA
BH70T - 1 x 6v lithium
 
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