Want to try some portrait work

[jemdna]

Hey everyone

Just as a laugh (e.g don't get the business police from other sections of this forum to bash me on the head) I wish to try some portrait style photos using my 35mm gear.

Now for me, the unknown is a big factor, with digital you rattle a shot off, check how lighting is etc and fire away... film you take the shot and go... oh yea next...

Where do i start - Any advice on particuller camera/flash/lens combos that might be better suited than what I have?

Please - No stupid suggestions - Want to keep budget fairly low cheers

Bry

 

[Kev M]

Why not forget lighting if you haven't got any and shoot natural light (not my thing but some folk rave about it)?

Have you got a light meter? Or any lights? Have you got a digital camera you can use as a Polaroid to check the lights?

 

[Jakska]

The MTL 5 B would be fine for portraits (apart from the mirror slap scaring the subject!!!) so no need to buy a new body unless you're not happy setting up on manual and I'd recommend a 80mm or 135mm lens (for M42 the Zeiss Sonnar 135 3.5 is meant to be really good, as well as the Pentacon 135 3.5) depending on how close you can/want to get to the subject. I don't know much about flash as I've always stuck with available light.

 

[AliB]

Set it all up using digital (that's what Polaroid was used for before digital, instant feedback) then just take the finished shots on film.

 

[jemdna]

My partner has a Fuji compact digital camera which I can use as a reference for setup As for lights I currently have natural only

Time to have a ganders around for some new lenses, on that note if Im going for fairly "moody" style photos, which film is great for portraits?

Bry

 

[david357]

As Ali says above, use a digital camera to check settings, then when you're happy, transfer the settings to the film cameras. In the past the only option available was to check the image on a polaroid back, but polaroid backs were only available at considerable cost for expensive film cameras.
Never stopped anyone from taking correctly exposed (and focussed) pictures though!
Good luck.

 

[Ambermile]

Well, knowing that you don't actually have a digital camera you can *practically* use as a "meter" I'd be telling you to look for a light meter and something big and white to use as a reflector for any natural light on your subject. Then a decent lens, the faster the better really in this case so maybe even a 135 f/2.8 if you can.


If you struggle give me a shout and you can have some loaners