OT - Way OT - camera question

[Ysabel Kid]

Okay, way WAY OT...

Are 35mm flim cameras worth anything nowadays? I have an old Minolta XG-1 35mm camera with a telescopic zoom lens that has been sitting around gathering dust for ages. Does anyone actually use film cameras anymore?

[20cows]

Some.

I wish I'd had one last night to take a pic of the cannon fire. Dang digital cameras take the pic when they're good and ready, not a moment before (it's usually waaay after the boom ).

[Alan Wood]

I can relate to the take the picture when they want to part about digicams. Actually bought a 35 a few years ago over just that point.

Film unfortunately is turning into an artist proposition. You might look on ebay though.

[FF1063]

I'm still using my Olympus OM2n, well now my wife is using it while she's taking a graphics design course. I hope to get it back.
Just three lenses, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm macro.

[J Miller]

I can't answer you about the value of the camera and it's accessories, I don't pay attention to things like that.

I do use film on occasion just for the reason 20cows stated. They are too slow and way too computerized with sensors and programing to take immediate pictures.

Finding film isn't that hard if you know where to look. I like to use 100 speed film for everything. Very small grain structure so you can blow the pic up a lot without loosing clarity. But since about 5 years ago or so you cannot find it here. People have become so lazy and digital / computer oriented the stores just don't stock good film any more.

You have to go to a real camera store to get it.

Joe

[El Chivo]

I was just out yesterday taking a few frames of 120 with my Mamiya C220. I hate the delay of digital cameras, and the quality isn't there unless you pay thousands. Great for putting things on Ebay and the internet, though.

If you don't have a camera store nearby, try B&H Photo online or Calumet (based in Chicago).

[madman4570]

Get a cannon A590(aquires focus extremely fast) Can be had around $139

The delay, referred to as shutter lag, is largely due to the camera acquiring focus. The delay can be minimized greatly just by prefocusing - holding the shutter halfway down to acquire focus, then pushing it the rest of the way down when you're ready to shoot.

Cameras vary on how much they are affected by shutter lag. In general, the less expensive cameras have more shutter lag. DSLR's are less affected by shutter lag than point and shoots.

Considering the Cannon A590 is fairly inexpensive and you can stick a 8 Gig SDHC in it and can have a great little unit actually a sutto camcorder.How can you beat taking a small video clip of that KABOOM(with Video/Audio movie and sound)viewed on your big screen when you get home.
Or---
When viewing on computer what you took---------
If you have the video displayed on a PC, you can pause it, hit your Prt Scr key, then open a Word doc and do Edit--> Paste and it'll show up there, or paste it into MS Paint and save the image that way.
Myself-----
I will never go back to a non-digital! let alone how well they work with our Computers!

[Hobie]

Film doesn't record feet as well as digital though....

[olyinaz]

Yes, film SLRs are worth something but not much. The lenses often more if they were really good in their day. Check eBay for the going rate and consider selling it there.

Regarding fireworks, I have taken very nice (in my opinion) pictures of fireworks with digital cameras but only with a digital camera that is a digital SLR or a point-and-shoot digital that has a setting for fireworks. In both cases you can get GREAT fireworks pics if you work at it. A simple example from a few years back:





All of the major brand DSLRs are good now and they usually have a model that's priced about $500 new. If you shop on eBay you'll do even better.

Best,
Oly

[Hankster]

Depends on your camera. I've shot cannonfire with mine, and got good results... you DO know you can switch a digital to "manual mode" pre-focus, and fire at the instant you WANT too... or, in auto, press enough for the camera to measure and focus, and HOLD that setting, till you trigger the shutter...takes out the "lag"....you need to "learn digital"... similar to old film cameras, but DIFFERENT! Like Windows 3.1 vs Windows 7!!! Digital will do almost anything the old ones did, and THEN some, IF you learn/know HOW!! I'll never go back.... and sorry to say, Those older Minolta's don't bring a lot anymore.... unless you find someone who wants to play with it for a specific reason.. they are like "old computers".... old tech, and obsolete!

Olyinaz.... cool shots!! I did stuff like those with my OLD Canon S30!!! (just shows it can be done! ) That was a good old camera....I use a Canon SX20-IS now....the one "just below" the DSLR line... a VERY good buy for those wanting DSLR type capability.. but low on bucks! Telephoto to 565mm!!! that's 20X optical zoom!! Night shots are pretty good... outdoor video works pretty good, but I use a regular Video Cam now for that stuff..

[J Miller]

I've got a Canon D60 DSLR that cost well over $2,000 new. My brother bought it and then later upgraded to a newer version and sent me this one. It's a great camera for stills and internet shots.
I take 99% of my forum pics with it. The other 1% is taken with my wifes Canon Power Shot A510.
My D60 has a horrid shutter lag in certain instances. If I want to take an action pic with it I'm SOL. The computerized controls on that thing are not user friendly to me. I know about the pre-focus, I use it all the time. But even doing that does not help with moving objects.

I went from roll film Point and Shoots to a Kodak 110 Point and Shoot to a Pentax IQZoom735 35mm P&S to a Canon Rebel 2000 35mm SLR. I don't know any of them well except the Point and shoots. I can do things with the Pentax IQZoom735 that I can't do with the D-60.

About the only SLR I can do fairly well with is my Canon AE-1. I got it after all the rest. Almost zero electronics except for automatic light meter I think.
That one is easy to set to manual and work with. The Rebel 2000 and D60 are nightmares.

Those of you who understand the controls on these things have my respect and envy.

Joe

[olyinaz]

Hankster: That 20x Canon you've got is a very nice machine!

J Miller: What you're talking about is "focus lock" vs. "shutter lag". Sometimes the focus sensors in a DSLR get dirty and start getting fussy (later film autofocus cameras could run into the same problem) and sometimes one has their focus settings not set optimally. If you take your D60 in to a camera shop and tell them that it seems to struggle trying to get a focus lock they can probably help (provided it's a real camera shop and not one of those joints staffed by the clueless who know nothing about cameras).

The Canon AE-1 is actually pretty sophisticated! I loved that camera and traded mine in for the similar but slightly upmarket Canon A-1 back in the 80's. Really outstanding SLR film cameras.

Cheers,
Oly

[J Miller]

Oly,

Thanks for the clue. I do have a real camera shop here in Spfld. I don't know if they work on digitals but they do great work on film cameras. I'll have them check it out.
It drives me nuts sometimes trying to take a pic and have to wait while the camera hunts for a focus.

I plan on having my AE-1 buried with me. It's my favorite. I've got more accessories for it than either of the others. Including a powder winder unit. I can burn through a 36 exposure roll of film faster than the D-60 can make 36 images.

Joe