Loving my film cameras

Mozziephotography

Mozziephotography

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Stephen
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I've been using film for the past 18 months and haved enjoyed every minute. Too many film cameras bought, some of which have failed, but love every single one of them. People buy me film instead of socks or underwear and I save on postage by sending off at least three films at a time. I'd happily cope without my digital cameras, apart from snapping runners at local events. The lastest batch of scans came back from Filmdev and I'm over the moon with the results. Not epic images, but I'm certainly pleased with the results. Love film ... a lot.
 
I like film but there are lots of things I do with my cameras that wouldn't be practical with out digital.

My mirrorless cameras allow me to focus adapted lenses that don't have enough rear focal distance for an SLR, though I suppose my 5x4 does too,

Some allow me to easily record infra-red (barely possible with film)

With digital I can attempt shots of transient events like this (A friend shooting at 60fps only had the fine spray in one shot in the middle of a sequence.):
full


Digital's instant feedback helps considerably with many challenging subjects

With the amount I shoot I can't afford for it to all be on film, though I certainly couldn't afford to shoot medium format & large format in (non stitched) digital either. I've picked up multiple film cameras in each of those for under £150 each. With a bit more work I should be able to get the cost per shot of large format below £5.
Digital backs for 5x4 have probably dropped considerably in price since I checked, but back then they were more than my house - I doubt I'll shoot enough 5x4 to come close to breaking even there!
 
I like both. There’s more variation in films and cameras so it’s never quite so much the same.

Don’t think there’s quite a digital equivalent of a 6x9 medium format pinhole.

Decided to dust off the A99. The SD card was from 2014! Only done about a 1000 shots with it in all the years I’ve had it. Ive shot more film in the same time. Daft really.
 
It's not helpful to polarise and create opposition - both are valid methods and should be used as preferred or applicable to the situation. Analogue and digital shouldn't be made to fight each other.
 
It seems to me that if film presses your buttons, then you should go for it.

Although I still have 3 film SLRs and the tools to develop, the chances of me loading and using a roll these days is vanishingly small. Perhaps someone will finally build and sell the (so far) mythical digital film cassette and I'll be able to use those old cameras. ;)
 
I do use both. With 60 years of developing and printing film behind me I find the process of film far more satisfying and far more fun. I did try to convert fully to digital at one point but missed the excitement of watching prints 'come up' in the developing dish.
I could do without digital but I wouldn't want to do without film.
 
I usually carry both my digital and film camera on trips.

And then find myself shooting more on film. Maybe its the novelty of the shooting technique that draws me in?

I do worry about losing photos due to my old used F90x and/or the film itself. Maybe I should learn to just accept that?
 
I use both but these days I'm medium format only for film, I still have 3 35mm cameras but can't see me using them again for that size of negative area I much prefer digital but for bigger I prefer film. As Toni (@ancient_mariner ) says there's no need for the two to be exclusively opposites, there's certainly room in my life for both.
 
Well I love shooting film but I'm probably like a few here who have run out of subjects to shoot o_O.....what would I do with a slr or mirrorless digi camera that could take 50,000 shots when I have a job getting through 36 exp on film :rolleyes:
 
One of my Om-3’s is used to digitise the negatives. The other is used with one of my primes when I go out and it’s raining. I shoot digital like film, no chimping. The screen is always facing inwards.
The Pentax 17 got me back in to film, I get more pleasure from shooting film. The only downside is developing multiple rolls in one go, as I did the other day. I can’t leave them sitting, got to do them all. Especially when all of the kit is all spread out on every part of the kitchen.
 
Apologies to anyone who thought that I was trying to start a "war" between the two camps, I wasn't. Just loving the experience of film and the slowness it brings to my photography. I'm usually snapping runners, returning home with well over 1,000 images to sort through. No matter how good they are, it can become tedious.

Digital image - local race

Mozzie_Pentax MV 40mm pancake_2_June 01, 2026.JPG


Holiday snap - Pentax MV 40mm pancake lens - Fuji 200

Mozzie_Pentax MV 40mm pancake_1_May 29, 2026.JPG

The second one gives me far more pleasure than the first one. Daft I suppose.
 
Mozziephotography said:
Apologies to anyone who thought that I was trying to start a "war" between the two camps,
Click to expand...
I honestly didn't see it as that, I love that people enjoy using film and I often watch some YouTube street guys who use film Leicas.
Personally I'd like to try again but lack the patience.
 
I've only recently rediscovered it.

I've had my Minolta X500 for almost 40 years, though it's had no use in the past 25, until very recently.

It was actually a chance YouTube video that convinced me that it might be worth adapting my (then one) film lens to digital. I did have it up for sale.

As it is, I tried adapting to digital and really liked it and have landed right in the middle of the two in terms of preference.

My favourite way to shoot is with vintage lenses adapted to modern mirrorless cameras.

I like the tactile, hands-on process of manually focussing a lens and composing the shot. But I love the instant results.

However, buying all those lenses has meant I've sometimes 'accidentally' ended up with more film cameras.

Oh and my original experiment trying to adadpt a Minolta lens to a Canon 5D3 was unsuccesful so I bought a Sony A7. And have recently bought a Sony A7s.

From one film camera and one film lens three years ago or so, I now have.

Cameras

  • Minolta X500 black
  • Minolta X500 chrome
  • Minolta SRT101
  • Minolta XG-M
  • Minolta 600Si Classic
  • 2 x MINOLTA Himatic G2
  • 2x Ricoh FF-3 AF
Minolta lenses

Primes
  • MDII 16mm f/2.8 (1201554)
  • Vivitar 19/3.8
  • MDIII 20mm f/2.8 (8003300)
  • MDII 24mm f/2.8 (2210712)
  • MDII 28mm f/2.8 (1173498)
  • MCII 28mm f/3.5 (1558085)
  • MDII 35mm f/1.8 (1201642)
  • MDII 45mm f/2 (1614827)
  • MDII 50mm f/1.2 (1006245)
  • MDIII 50mm f/1.4 (8208790)
  • MDIII 50mm f/1.7 (9805945)
  • MC-X 50mm f/2 (1018123)
  • AR1 55mm f/2 (1414490)
  • MCI 58mm f/1.4 (5066710)
  • MCII 85mm f/1.7 (2504250)
  • MDII 100mm f/2.5 (1215955)
  • MCI 135mm f/2.8 (1167556)
  • MDIII 135mm f/3.5 (8080639)
  • MC-X 200mm f/3.5 (5554194)
  • MCII 300mm f/4.5 (3512394)
Zooms
  • MDIII 24-35 f/3.5 (1004363)
  • MDIII 24-50 f/4 (8003594)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (52003979)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (56012150)
  • MDIII 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 (1006561)
  • MDIII 35-70 f/3.5 (1189564)
  • MDII 50-135 f/3.5 (1033140)
  • MDIII 75-150 f/4 (1029992)
  • MDIII 70-210 f/4 (1053724)
  • Panagor 80-200/3.8
  • Tamron Adaptall 80-210/3.8-4.0
 
Last edited:
Kell said:
I've only recently rediscovered it.

I've had my Minolta X500 for almost 40 years, though it's had no use in the past 25, until very recently.

It was actually a chance YouTube video that convinced me that it might be worth adapting my (then one) film lens to digital. I did have it up for sale.

As it is, I tried adapting to digital and really liked it and have landed right in the middle of the two in terms of preference.

My favourite way to shoot is with vintage lenses adapted to modern mirrorless cameras.

I like the tactile, hands-on process of manually focussing a lens and composing the shot. But I love the instant results.

However, buying all those lenses has meant I've sometimes 'accidentally' ended up with more film cameras.

Oh and my original experiment trying to adadpt a Minolta lens to a Canon 5D3 was unsuccesful so I bought a Sony A7. And have recently bought a Sony A7s.

From one film camera and one film lens three years ago or so, I now have.

Cameras

  • Minolta X500 black
  • Minolta X500 chrome
  • Minolta SRT101
  • Minolta XG-M
  • Minolta 600Si Classic
  • 2 x MINOLTA Himatic G2
  • 2x Ricoh FF-3 AF
Minolta lenses

Primes
  • MDII 16mm f/2.8 (1201554)
  • Vivitar 19/3.8
  • MDIII 20mm f/2.8 (8003300)
  • MDII 24mm f/2.8 (2210712)
  • MDII 28mm f/2.8 (1173498)
  • MCII 28mm f/3.5 (1558085)
  • MDII 35mm f/1.8 (1201642)
  • MDII 45mm f/2 (1614827)
  • MDII 50mm f/1.2 (1006245)
  • MDIII 50 f/1.4 (8208790)
  • MDIII 50 f/1.7 (9805945)
  • MC-X 50 f/2 (1018123)
  • AR1 55 f/2 (1414490)
  • MCI 58/1.4 (5066710)
  • MCII 85/1.7 (2504250)
  • MDII 100mm f/2.5 (1215955)
  • MCI 135 f/2.8 (1167556)
  • MDIII 135 f/3.5 (8080639)
  • MC-X 200mm f/3.5 (5554194)
  • MCII 300mm f/4.5 (3512394)
Zooms
  • MDIII 24-35 f/3.5 (1004363)
  • MDIII 24-50 f/4 (8003594)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (52003979)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (56012150)
  • MDIII 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 (1006561)
  • MDIII 35-70 f/3.5 (1189564)
  • MDII 50-135 f/3.5 (1033140)
  • MDIII 75-150 f/4 (1029992)
  • MDIII 70-210 f/4 (1053724)
  • Panagor 80-200/3.8
  • Tamron Adaptall 80-210/3.8-4.0
Click to expand...
It looks like your just beginning your adapted lens odyssey. I've been adapting madly for around 12 years & now have over 300 primes, over 150 zooms, at least a dozen digital cameras in a range of crop factors, over 70 film cameras using over 20 different mounts. In addition there's a handful of telescopes/microscopes & lenses that wern;t designed for photography.
On occasion I've brought cheap lenses merely because I didn't recognise the mount, yet still know of at least 10 SLR mounts I don't have any examples off yet.

My 5x4 monorail, Sony A7ii, Panasonic G5 & Pentax Q bodies are the ones I adapt to most, Typically picking a body that most nearly matches the useful coverage of the lens.

Fortunately retirement has heavily slowed my GAS - in the last couple of years I've only added around 6 standalone lenses & 6 film bodies with lenses.
 
Petrochemist said:
It looks like your just beginning your adapted lens odyssey. I've been adapting madly for around 12 years & now have over 300 primes, over 150 zooms, at least a dozen digital cameras in a range of crop factors, over 70 film cameras using over 20 different mounts. In addition there's a handful of telescopes/microscopes & lenses that wern;t designed for photography.
On occasion I've brought cheap lenses merely because I didn't recognise the mount, yet still know of at least 10 SLR mounts I don't have any examples off yet.

My 5x4 monorail, Sony A7ii, Panasonic G5 & Pentax Q bodies are the ones I adapt to most, Typically picking a body that most nearly matches the useful coverage of the lens.

Fortunately retirement has heavily slowed my GAS - in the last couple of years I've only added around 6 standalone lenses & 6 film bodies with lenses.
Click to expand...
That's amazing.

Though I have to say I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to thin it out not add more.
 
A question for those who, like myself, really like some film cameras but can't be doing with getting their fingers wet: do you believe that the "I'm Back Roll" will be delivered on time and to price?

I’m Back Roll – I'm Back digital solutions

imback.eu imback.eu
 
Kell said:
That's amazing.

Though I have to say I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to thin it out not add more.
Click to expand...
I definitely need to organise & thin my hoard too.
Reasonable storage in the house is all filled up & in a years time my youngest will be back from Uni. & will want his room back :(
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
A question for those who, like myself, really like some film cameras but can't be doing with getting their fingers wet: do you believe that the "I'm Back Roll" will be delivered on time and to price?

I’m Back Roll – I'm Back digital solutions

imback.eu imback.eu
Click to expand...
Does sound rather appealing but £400 is more than I can now spare for 35mm shooting (my A7ii manages those lenses fine).
The main appeal of film is for going to larger formats which won't work with that, and I can't see they'll be able to make a model that can fit all the 120 formats I have (645, 6x6, 6x7 6x9, 6x12...)

I vaguely remember some months/years ago seeing a review of a prototype which may not have been the same design.
Although compatibility with 'most 35mm film' models was claimed two of the three cameras they tried didn't work.
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
A question for those who, like myself, really like some film cameras but can't be doing with getting their fingers wet: do you believe that the "I'm Back Roll" will be delivered on time and to price?

I’m Back Roll – I'm Back digital solutions

imback.eu imback.eu
Click to expand...
I kind of can't wait to see if this actually works.

My biggest issue is it's APS-C.


I've often wondered if a better bet wouldn't have been some kind of firmware hack that allows for a digital split screen focus that emulates film focusing for use on mirrorless cameras.

I've got used to using focus peeking (peaking?) but it would give a much more film-like experience with a matte screen or split screen overlay.
 
Kell said:
I've only recently rediscovered it.

I've had my Minolta X500 for almost 40 years, though it's had no use in the past 25, until very recently.

It was actually a chance YouTube video that convinced me that it might be worth adapting my (then one) film lens to digital. I did have it up for sale.

As it is, I tried adapting to digital and really liked it and have landed right in the middle of the two in terms of preference.

My favourite way to shoot is with vintage lenses adapted to modern mirrorless cameras.

I like the tactile, hands-on process of manually focussing a lens and composing the shot. But I love the instant results.

However, buying all those lenses has meant I've sometimes 'accidentally' ended up with more film cameras.

Oh and my original experiment trying to adadpt a Minolta lens to a Canon 5D3 was unsuccesful so I bought a Sony A7. And have recently bought a Sony A7s.

From one film camera and one film lens three years ago or so, I now have.

Cameras

  • Minolta X500 black
  • Minolta X500 chrome
  • Minolta SRT101
  • Minolta XG-M
  • Minolta 600Si Classic
  • 2 x MINOLTA Himatic G2
  • 2x Ricoh FF-3 AF
Minolta lenses

Primes
  • MDII 16mm f/2.8 (1201554)
  • Vivitar 19/3.8
  • MDIII 20mm f/2.8 (8003300)
  • MDII 24mm f/2.8 (2210712)
  • MDII 28mm f/2.8 (1173498)
  • MCII 28mm f/3.5 (1558085)
  • MDII 35mm f/1.8 (1201642)
  • MDII 45mm f/2 (1614827)
  • MDII 50mm f/1.2 (1006245)
  • MDIII 50mm f/1.4 (8208790)
  • MDIII 50mm f/1.7 (9805945)
  • MC-X 50mm f/2 (1018123)
  • AR1 55mm f/2 (1414490)
  • MCI 58mm f/1.4 (5066710)
  • MCII 85mm f/1.7 (2504250)
  • MDII 100mm f/2.5 (1215955)
  • MCI 135mm f/2.8 (1167556)
  • MDIII 135mm f/3.5 (8080639)
  • MC-X 200mm f/3.5 (5554194)
  • MCII 300mm f/4.5 (3512394)
Zooms
  • MDIII 24-35 f/3.5 (1004363)
  • MDIII 24-50 f/4 (8003594)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (52003979)
  • MDIIIa 28-70 f/3.5-4.8 (56012150)
  • MDIII 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 (1006561)
  • MDIII 35-70 f/3.5 (1189564)
  • MDII 50-135 f/3.5 (1033140)
  • MDIII 75-150 f/4 (1029992)
  • MDIII 70-210 f/4 (1053724)
  • Panagor 80-200/3.8
  • Tamron Adaptall 80-210/3.8-4.0
Click to expand...

Petrochemist said:
It looks like your just beginning your adapted lens odyssey. I've been adapting madly for around 12 years & now have over 300 primes, over 150 zooms, at least a dozen digital cameras in a range of crop factors, over 70 film cameras using over 20 different mounts. In addition there's a handful of telescopes/microscopes & lenses that wern;t designed for photography.
On occasion I've brought cheap lenses merely because I didn't recognise the mount, yet still know of at least 10 SLR mounts I don't have any examples off yet.

My 5x4 monorail, Sony A7ii, Panasonic G5 & Pentax Q bodies are the ones I adapt to most, Typically picking a body that most nearly matches the useful coverage of the lens.

Fortunately retirement has heavily slowed my GAS - in the last couple of years I've only added around 6 standalone lenses & 6 film bodies with lenses.
Click to expand...

There is no way on this world I could have that much gear. Way, way, way too much choice for me :)
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
A question for those who, like myself, really like some film cameras but can't be doing with getting their fingers wet: do you believe that the "I'm Back Roll" will be delivered on time and to price?

I’m Back Roll – I'm Back digital solutions

imback.eu imback.eu
Click to expand...

Kell said:
I kind of can't wait to see if this actually works.

My biggest issue is it's APS-C.


I've often wondered if a better bet wouldn't have been some kind of firmware hack that allows for a digital split screen focus that emulates film focusing for use on mirrorless cameras.

I've got used to using focus peeking (peaking?) but it would give a much more film-like experience with a matte screen or split screen overlay.
Click to expand...


Petrochemist said:
Does sound rather appealing but £400 is more than I can now spare for 35mm shooting (my A7ii manages those lenses fine).
The main appeal of film is for going to larger formats which won't work with that, and I can't see they'll be able to make a model that can fit all the 120 formats I have (645, 6x6, 6x7 6x9, 6x12...)

I vaguely remember some months/years ago seeing a review of a prototype which may not have been the same design.
Although compatibility with 'most 35mm film' models was claimed two of the three cameras they tried didn't work.
Click to expand...

I think the big one here is that it's APSC so you are loosing your true focal lengths.

It certainly looks a neat little design though. But, I think a used A7 or similar would be preferable (to me) :)
 
LeeRatters said:
There is no way on this world I could have that much gear. Way, way, way too much choice for me :)
Click to expand...
In my case the bulk of the choosing is completed before going out the door & can often be mainly down to whats handy, paired with what's expected.

Last night (badger watching) it became 2 cameras with 3 lenses 2 of the lenses usable with either camera, the last only with the A7ii
 
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