- Messages
- 14
- Name
- Phil
- Edit My Images
- Yes
A few weeks ago, while sitting at the computer photoshopping some RAW DSLR images with numb buttocks from sitting so long, I finally admitted what I had suspected for a long time. I wasn't enjoying it any more.
I got into photography seriously about 25 years ago, with an OM20 my dad bought me. And here I was in 2011 sitting at a computer.
I don't print that many of my digital shots, and my shelves are full of hundreds of DVD-Roms with thousands of photos I will never have the time to trawl through. I have 2 young kids & I realised that with the time taken on the computer 'processing' my photos, I didn't actually have much time to get out there and enjoy 'photography'.
So I sold my DSLRs (must admit we have kept our family Sony Nex-5 though), dug my old camera bags with various old Olympus stuff in them out and went a bit mad on ebay returning to my youth. I will probably not keep everything because there's too much but I look forward to getting to know it all before that happens. The cost was a fraction of the amount I sold my DSLRs for. I'm now the proud owner of an OM1, OM2n, OM20 with various zuiko lenses & a crappy old Tokina lens, 2 Minolta AF SLRs (Dynax 5 & Dynax 404si, both with standard zoom lenses - I just liked the look of them and they're relatively small like the Olympus OM stuff) and an Olympus mju zoom compact which was embarrasssingly cheap, is immaculate & will probably be terrible. I also bought several colour print films & a roll of kodak black & white print film.
My first trip out loaded with film was to the local nature reserve on a gorgeous sunny day. I took the OM1 & OM2. Here's a few of the things I noticed:
1) I had totally forgotten the joy of photography. I did everything manually, used hyperfocal distances, chose my apertures carefully, used a tripod when needed. Used filters. It was fabulous.
2) The difference between quality of lenses seems to be more apparent with film. The Tokina 28mm was noticably poorer than the Zuiko 28mm. The Zuiko lenses are pin-sharp.
3) Modern print films are much better than when I last used them. Ektar 100 is gorgeous.
4) It makes a big difference who processes your films.
5) I love using a 'proper' camera with a manual focus lens, manual wind-on & a fabulous bright viewfinder (the Zuiko 50mm f1.4 is incredible to look through).
6) I love film. I love photography again.
7) I have started an album of real prints, not computer pixels!
So I have a couple of questions.
Where should I get my black & white film processed & printed for best quality results (I don't have the space for a darkroom)?
Same question for colour print film.
Which compact 35mm camera will give the best results for snapshots (the Olympus mju ii seems to be a favourite of many)?
Sorry this has been long-winded, just had to share my delight!
I got into photography seriously about 25 years ago, with an OM20 my dad bought me. And here I was in 2011 sitting at a computer.
I don't print that many of my digital shots, and my shelves are full of hundreds of DVD-Roms with thousands of photos I will never have the time to trawl through. I have 2 young kids & I realised that with the time taken on the computer 'processing' my photos, I didn't actually have much time to get out there and enjoy 'photography'.
So I sold my DSLRs (must admit we have kept our family Sony Nex-5 though), dug my old camera bags with various old Olympus stuff in them out and went a bit mad on ebay returning to my youth. I will probably not keep everything because there's too much but I look forward to getting to know it all before that happens. The cost was a fraction of the amount I sold my DSLRs for. I'm now the proud owner of an OM1, OM2n, OM20 with various zuiko lenses & a crappy old Tokina lens, 2 Minolta AF SLRs (Dynax 5 & Dynax 404si, both with standard zoom lenses - I just liked the look of them and they're relatively small like the Olympus OM stuff) and an Olympus mju zoom compact which was embarrasssingly cheap, is immaculate & will probably be terrible. I also bought several colour print films & a roll of kodak black & white print film.
My first trip out loaded with film was to the local nature reserve on a gorgeous sunny day. I took the OM1 & OM2. Here's a few of the things I noticed:
1) I had totally forgotten the joy of photography. I did everything manually, used hyperfocal distances, chose my apertures carefully, used a tripod when needed. Used filters. It was fabulous.
2) The difference between quality of lenses seems to be more apparent with film. The Tokina 28mm was noticably poorer than the Zuiko 28mm. The Zuiko lenses are pin-sharp.
3) Modern print films are much better than when I last used them. Ektar 100 is gorgeous.
4) It makes a big difference who processes your films.
5) I love using a 'proper' camera with a manual focus lens, manual wind-on & a fabulous bright viewfinder (the Zuiko 50mm f1.4 is incredible to look through).
6) I love film. I love photography again.
7) I have started an album of real prints, not computer pixels!
So I have a couple of questions.
Where should I get my black & white film processed & printed for best quality results (I don't have the space for a darkroom)?
Same question for colour print film.
Which compact 35mm camera will give the best results for snapshots (the Olympus mju ii seems to be a favourite of many)?
Sorry this has been long-winded, just had to share my delight!