Going back to Basics

[SwissJon]

Having fallen in love with my hobby, I've decided to go back to basics.. I've a lovely Sony A55V that works an absolute treat, but I do feel somewhat that I'm cheating a little.

So I was out looking through the 2nd hand shop in the high street.. After a speedlight when I spotted a Minolta Dynax 5xi on sale with a zoomxi 28-105 lens on it for less than i could sell the lens for, so I grabbed it.. I'm not really sure what I've bought, but I've been wanting to play with film for a while now, I like the idea that it might teach me to think before pressing the button.. I know this camera is as close to fully automated as you can get, but I'm hoping that it's going to teach me to get it right in the box.. And since the lenses are fully interchangeable with the older lenses I have in my camera bag, I don't think I've done too badly here.

And anyway, for the Swiss equivalent of US$20 (£12).. I can't really see myself complaining if I only use it every now and again!

Now.. Does anyone know what this thing called "film" is that they mention I need to put in the back, and where to I put the memory card?

[theosus]

I have a canon ftb if you REALLY want to get back to basics. Its fully manual. My sister and I used to get frustrated at the time it took or parents to line up a shot and fiddle with the aperature, focus and shutter speed to make sure everything was exposed right. Of course its all metal, so its twice the weight of my canon t1i. Take pictures AND develop the biceps....

[Jonbar18]

Originally Posted by theosus

I have a canon ftb if you REALLY want to get back to basics. Its fully manual. My sister and I used to get frustrated at the time it took or parents to line up a shot and fiddle with the aperature, focus and shutter speed to make sure everything was exposed right. Of course its all metal, so its twice the weight of my canon t1i. Take pictures AND develop the biceps....

I dug up an old Russian camera and a 300mmish lens from the early 70's at my dads. It was more manual then manual. After setting everything up, you then had to 'open' the lens by winding something. It was pure metal, and probably weighed 10lbs, and really hurt you arm holding it up for a minute setting up the shot. But damn film is fun

[Jim Bryant]

Way back in 2000 and still shooting film, while working for the local newspaper, I once dug out my 20-year-old manual Canon F-1's for the general assignments I covered. I had one with a 20mm, another with a 36mm, third had a 85mm and the fourth was equipped with a 135mm. The only time I used the T-90's or F1N's was when I needed a motor drive to capture the peak action of sports. The rest of the time, I just shot one frame at a time. It was good going back to the basics. Made me think about framing, light and it forced me to take my time to capture the "decisive moment" one frame at a time, instead of relying on the motor drive.

Even now, I sometimes, take my MKII's off high speed motor and use single frame. I like to challenge myself.

[SwissJon]

You know, all this discussion about old camera's makes me remember something..

My grandad died about 15 years ago, I knew nothing of photography back then, and while cleaning out his study, we came accross an old camera.. My dad looked at me and asked if I wanted it.. Not knowing anything, never having heard of the brand and being a student only interested in things that would attract the opposite sex, I said no.. So my Dad sent it off to the Charity shop.

I've since learned what a Leica is.

[milosh]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I've since learned what a Leica is.

Oops!!

P.S. Leica is some ancient brand that no one uses any more.