Photos
Here are some photos I took with a fixed lens Pentax SLR manual film camera. Some of my shots came out badly or not at all, because I was doing something wrong with the winding or the loading of the film.
Lots of fun taking the pictures, but there are some things I found limiting when using this camera.
- No white balance.
- Fixed ISO (film sensitivity).
- Minimal exposure feedback.
- No shot feedback.
- More things to go wrong (film mechanism).
- High overheads (film, processing).
- High stakes shooting.
- Low resolution images (splodgy, low detail).
- Low dynamic range (high contrast, no subtle mid-values).
- Stylised results.
But I am still considering getting a camera like this.
+ Fantastic viewfinder.
+ Cheapest way to a fully manual SLR.
+ Good feel.
+ Comparatively small and light, easy to use in public.
+ Lower risk of theft/damage (low-stress ownership).
+ No bullshit. Shoot, wind, repeat.
+ Nice price model: Cheap camera, Pay as you go photography.
Verdict: More fun than a DSLR, worse photos.
Sorry about the loading on these.
posted by Fred Stidston @ 4:39 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I like the vans (first one) and the single-person photos most. I laughed at the motor-biker-looking guy (last one) making a silly face.
On a random note once I tried filming a few seconds of crowds etc. in public for a uni film but I had to stop because a street-living person objected.
Interestingly, I find a lot of the downsides you list quite appealing, though not always appropriate. Fewer things to worry about (ISO/WB) and no feedback mean you focus on the photo, not the mechanism and trying to get that perfect shot with endless repetition. I like serendipity sometimes :)
And stylised results (a product of the low and fixed properties) can be fun too. Wouldn't shoot entirely in manual, but it's good for a change.
My AGFA shots: http://flickr.com/photos/jwheare/sets/72157594500103830/
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