So, is it worth it?

Well, that is the wrong question. I cannot tell for anyone else but myself.

For me, it did help to slow down and to simplify the shooting. The information you have to work with is much less than my modern cameras. There is no Pre or Post view either. Therefore there is a good deal of judgement. How do you want your highlights? your darks?

There is no IBIS either,

First and foremost, I am very happy that my cameras are in working condition, so the test was successful. If I want to, I can use them.

But it is a bit about rituals, also about the suspense, if you wish, of what is going to be on the film and, of course about holding it in your hand.

Then, I guess like loading a Compact Disc or tuning a radio with the knob, there is a more mechanical feel. Some people talks about “simplicity” but I do not believe a camera as such is “simple” I think we can understand better how is it working. Or at least we believe so. Whether we do, is another thing.

What is, however, is more involved and makes you feel more of a part of it, an actor and not an spectator. You used to tell your computer to boot DOS, and WIN, so you were telling it what to do. Now it does by itself. It is convenient, but not satisfactory.

I will definitely do it again

Slowing Down

And slow down you will. It is not only about the loading of film and about being conscious of how much film you’ve got left.

Not even about setting the camera. I have gone to analog lenses a few years, back, at the beginning of the Pandemic. basically because they appeal to me and are much cheaper than modern motorised AF lenses. But let’s not derail… more.

Back in the day of the pinnacle of Analog Photography you would bring the can of film for development and you could have the prints in your hand within an hour. For (the equivalent of) about 10 €. Nowadays, things are … less quick. It has taken me 10 days to get my prints back.

And the print quality, well, it could be better.

anyway, let’s finally “fast” forward to where we where. I saw the Agfa 400 black and white film in a supermarket, as they have a printing section. on that regard, I must admit things haven’t changed all that much. it’s a bit more sterile, as everything has. So I will admit to my purchase being less impulsive. Anyway, I went for black and white because it was cheaper and all this exercise had a reason.

I have a bunch of cameras I got when buying vintage lenses. They amount to a few Konica T, a T3 and a Pentax P30. that being, by far, the most modern one.

Some are a bit damaged, but I wanted to find out if they were usable. And I thought the most expedite way to check would be to just put a roll of film through them.

And Voilá, both the Pentax P30 and the Konica T3 are in working order. Light meter, shutter timer and no light leaks. (yey!)

Snow on the balcony tiles

Roll and wind

It has been about 20 years I loaded a camera with film for the last time. In fact I could actually tell you when was it: We had a summer course about historical architecture and we got an assignment of which I do not recall the specifics but, we ended going " target="_blank">there to take a look at some structural damage. I know, since then, some work has happened to the building. I would not assume it has any relation with our report.

Anyway, that was 20 odd years ago and, while I don’t remember the camera, it was a (then) modern point and shoot, where you would place the film inside and it had a motorised winding mechanism. Which was fancy. Back in the late 90s, the whining of tiny electro motors was a sign of modernity.

Even those modernity standards were a little out of my depth, as what I was mainly using was a Canon from the early 80s. “I was using” as in, it belonged to my father.

Since I got my first digital camera, a sony cybershot, film photography was very much out. I remember the last developments I paid for came about 6 € (of 2002 ish) which apparently is just under 10 € today.

Fast forward to today, after I swore multiple times not to go back to film… well…

Let’s stop the tape a bit before, rewind a little.

I could say, I am into “retro” technology, but that would be slightly inaccurate and a very short blog entry. I do like the convenience and reliability of some, now “obsolete” technology. We have a world of convenience at our finger tips, but not only it is often sterile but also, unsatisfactory and open ended.

Let me waffle, I mean, explain.

Take music. Sure you can get a subscription, for which you need a smart phone, an account for it, an account for the subscription, a payment app… then you get streamed lowish quality music you cannot choose.

Or you pop in a cd, or a cassette or, if you’re fancy, a DCC or possibly a beloved minidisc. You need physical things, but there is no strings attached. it’s uncomplicated, it doesn’t need an internet connection it is just pressing a couple of buttons.

The preparing part is, of course longer but then again it becomes a ritual. Open the jewel case, the tray, the noises of the drive reading the ToC…

And that is what it can be extrapolated to shooting film. There is quite a ritual there, a slow down.

And sometimes, that is the point of it all, to slow down and enjoy it.

Selfie with a Konica T3