[Michail_P]

Film is just another medium. The cost of it is pushing me be more conservative and balanced with my shots. Thus the difference in results. I imagine that before digital, this wasn’t the way of thinking , so most of us now have an old family album with candid everyday photos. I do believe in the “film look” but whether you make the leap for analog or digital is really a matter of perspective. We are always curious about the “new”. In 1999, 2021 or 2078, doesn’t matter. Analog love will certainly be a matter of availability for some years. Maybe it’s gonna spread more, maybe it’s just a trend to be gone in a few years. Who knows...

[Huss]

Film feels so complex, tactile and artistic compared to digital. I wonder though if that impression is coloured by my unfamiliarity with film

There's the element of unpredictability, and less face it, imperfection, that makes it so attractive.

I find digital boring and too easy. Todays smartphones have such good cameras built into them that they have almost killed off 'real' digital photography.

[tuco]

... but funds are tight and I can't afford another obsession.

In the last year, film prices have increased a lot. And I suspect that lab development costs will only increase as well. I'd recommend that you continue to use your current film camera for a while to see if the expense of using film is something that you can both afford and will be a long-term thing.

[Cerebum]

In the last year, film prices have increased a lot. And I suspect that lab development costs will only increase as well. I'd recommend you continue to use your current film camera for a while to see if the expense of using film is something that you can both afford and will be a long-term thing.

That's pretty much where I am today. I have no chance of home developing for a host of reasons, so it will always cost at both sides of the process, and I just don't have much money. I have learned a lot from shooting film, not least to slow down and think lol. It has been a great experience and I will do it again, depending on the results lol but I love my KP too much to go full analogue

[andrewd]

I have had good experience with AG photolab in the UK.

[andrewd]

So. Is it worth buying a newer camera?

The correct number of cameras to own is N+1, where N is the number of cameras you currently own.

There are some great bargains at the moment for some particular 35mm SLRs, whereas others are overhyped and over valued. It is uncertain how long the bargain cameras will remain overlooked since film cameras seem to be on an upward trajectory. The value of 35mm point and shoots has gone absolutely crazy.

If you are after a great camera for not much money, The P30 is on the bargain list. You can get a nice one for the price of a few films. I recommend the P30T which has a plastic film back which mitigates the need for foam light seals that will cost about £30 to get replaced, or a tedious DIY job. Be patient on ebay and wait for one from a camera shop or a user who has recently tested the camera. Avoid sellers that are selling ‘for a friend’ or are unsure if the camera is working. I paid £40 for mine.

[RedRuff]

I use AG Photolab. Their turnaround times can be next-day via web transfer which is really convenient, and the scans come out fine:

[Huss]

That's pretty much where I am today. I have no chance of home developing for a host of reasons, so it will always cost at both sides of the process, and I just don't have much money. I have learned a lot from shooting film, not least to slow down and think lol. It has been a great experience and I will do it again, depending on the results lol but I love my KP too much to go full analogue

Not sure what your home dev situation is, but I do it w/o a darkroom. I use a changing bag where you put the film onto the reel and then into the tank. Then develop in daylight using Cinestill DF96 Monobath.
Very simple, easy and just one bottle for everything (that you re-use up to 16 times). Makes B&W processing very cheap. Scan w ur digicam or even your phone...

[Kevin B123]

And, can anyone recommend a good lab in the UK

Another +one for AG labs, DS colour and also Peak imaging, although they are a bit pricey. AG offer good scans at a decent price.

[TwoUptons]

If your S1a is in good shape, it will be a wonderful way to experience film.
To my mind, it has some of the best ergonomics of any camera, and I'm a big fan of the "secret" 1/1000 shutter speed.

That said, if you want to explore other lens mounts, you'll need something else... but if screw mount is enough, you'll do OK.
But you will need a meter of some flavor (I use my phone and an app)

-Eric

[DWS1]

Film feels so complex, tactile and artistic compared to digital. I wonder though if that impression is coloured by my unfamiliarity with film

That's probably the case.

[LesDMess]

I have read about pushing and pulling, reciprocity failure, film emulsions and filter colours already. ..... I'm doomed aren't I!

I forgot to attach an image I captured of the Hoover Dam on Kodak Ektar 100 using the practically unlimited aperture priority autoexposure of the Pentax LX. This one lasting about 45minutes.



I have tested many color negative films on exposures lasting many hours long and have not encountered any reciprocity failures. None of the Kodak literatures on their films list compensation times for these particularly long exposures and state to test it yourself anyway. So I did . . .

[Aaron28]

I forgot to attach an image I captured of the Hoover Dam on Kodak Ektar 100 using the practically unlimited aperture priority autoexposure of the Pentax LX.

glad ya thought of it......smashing capture!!! that's so far out being a 45 minute auto exposure! amazing.........have ya tried that long on auto with any other body?

[LesDMess]

glad ya thought of it......smashing capture!!! that's so far out being a 45 minute auto exposure! amazing.........have ya tried that long on auto with any other body?

I've tried quite a number of bodies across all brands - past and present using film or digital, and only the Pentax LX can do this.

[Aaron28]

I've tried quite a number of bodies across all brands - past and present using film or digital, and only the Pentax LX can do this.

no kidding.....man thats so neat the LX does that and you have tried a good variety for the like