film camera.

Hi. I have something to write about today. About my first experience with film cameras.

I can say that it’s actually even annoying. I doubt we’ll become friends. There are so many things you need: batteries, film, developing, digitizing… And all of that just for 24 or 36 photos.

Nevertheless, I started, and I will finish! I was given three film cameras: a Canon Prima 70F, a Nikon F60 and an F80. These are cameras that belonged to deceased relatives.

First, I tried the small, cute Canon. I ordered film and batteries. I took the first shots, and I don’t even remember what they were. TOO DIFFICULT! It was last summer. Then I found the timer and took a couple of selfies. After that, I rewound the film without finishing it.

Since this was my first contact with film cameras, I think I can be forgiven. I tried to get the end of the film back out so I could continue taking photos. It turned out to be a horrible trap. THE MAIN THING IS THAT I ENJOY IT. I DONT.

At that time, I didn’t know what to photograph at home, so I left this camera for later. And then the day came when I wanted to take the film with me on a walk to Lake Verdon.

But here’s the thing: the batteries died, and I didn’t capture anything. What a disappointment! Then I got annoyed and decided it was better not to touch this thing at all. Maybe the camera wasn’t working properly. Well, let it sit in the basement, right? Let’s leave the Canon. I’m just curious how quickly its batteries will run out on the prima.

We went to visit aunt Stephane. And she decided to give me two film Nikons’ that had belonged to her parents! thanks for her, now i’m puzzled.

I went to a photo shop to buy film and batteries. Spent 40€. And yes! The camera works perfectly. So now I have a loaded camera with a 24-exposure black-and-white film. And 24 color photos.

And what am I going to photograph? I should do a series of self-portraits wearing a wide-brimmed hat and black silk gloves, with a vintage atmosphere.

I’ve already taken the first shot. Carnations, as a test. Yes, just carnations. In memory of the previous owners.

I’m going to think about the second shot.

This feels more serious and more interesting for me, because I don’t have that many attempts. this allow me to better focus my ideas. the Nikon F80 seems like a proper working thing. And I feel something special.

I remembered a couple of times when I was photographed with small film cameras like the Canon Prima. There were times when photographers often invited me to take photos. And now I understand what that was: work! the Nikon is different. It’s an SLR camera.

gpt:

“The Nikon F80, or N80, is a very successful 35mm film SLR released in 2000. It was positioned somewhere between the amateur F65/F75 models and the more professional F100. It’s one of those film cameras that, in terms of handling, feels almost like a digital SLR.”

So I think the photos will look like photos taken with an SLR camera. we cant know. We’ll see in another year or so, when I finally decide to go and have my future shots digitized.

And, of course, I would like to be present during the process of developing the photos in a special studio. That’s one of my plans for the future, so I can experience and get closer to photo culture.

By the way, one more fact. My first camera and my current everyday camera is a Sony Cyber-shot HX99. It also originally belonged to someone else, to a French grand-père. it also ended up with me as a gift. It’s so strange to realize that I have cameras that belonged to people who are no longer here. As for the Sony xh-99, I can say that it’s very fragile and temperamental. I’ve already sent it to support three times.

it’s so symbolic.

The conclusion is this: I don’t really want to give objects too much of a soul, of course, but the camera feels like a pet.

thank you, bye.