Category: film photography

Like-minded film photography groups do exist!

Check out…

Analogue Group of the Royal Photographic Society	For RPS members – with membership qualification a worthy challenge for film photographers	website
London Film Photography	A web based group who informally meet up in London at defined locations/dates	website

downtechinglondon aims to feature photographers who are not only currently shooting film for their best work but also contributing to the creative development of the genre.

downtechinglondon seeks feedback on photographers who are in this field.

To kick off, please goggle photography by Victoria Will Photography. Using vintage cameras such as a Graflex 4×5 with photographic plates, her images of film celebs are remarkable.

This writer shoots film. For a selection of some images, please click here

If you are really keen, you may wish to process your own films. The AP Magazine had a great darkroom review in an 11 March 2017 film photography article. This included details on London darkrooms for hire

London Darkroom	website
Photofusion Photography Centre	website
Rapideye	website
Ilford Ilford promote a community of darkrooms and teachers on their website	website

If you need advice on a second hand film camera, the best place to start is the original manual. You may get lucky and be able to obtain it with the camera. If not you can often find a copy on websites such as www.camera.manualsonline.com. Manual copies are sometimes free or for a small fee. Either way, it is a great investment.

Searching on YouTube for your particular camera model is often likely to find great videos showing you how to use your camera including interesting tips.

Also, the store where you purchase your kit is likely to have knowledgeable staff who can help set you up with your camera.

For general film photography advice there is information on the web, for example, USA Andrew Ortwein – www.guidetofilmphotography.com

There remain some highly experienced film kit repairers in the UK. These are often ex technicians of camera brands who are working from their own small workshops using specialist tools and rare parts from their company past.

The Photographic Collectors Club of Great Britain – www.pccgb.net has many of these technicians as members.

downtechinglondon will seek user experiences and report in the future. Many of these repairers have limited capacity, but often they are the genuine experts and are worth contacting.

 

Film Camera and Lens repairers with stores in London:

Aperture off Oxford Street East	website
Leica Store Mayfair (note Leica kit only)	website

Many older 35mm film cameras and film medium format cameras do not have a light metering system. This should not put you off, as using a separate light meter can be very rewarding. It slows you down, inviting you to think harder about your creative choices. Accurate spot metering can in particular enable you to expose correctly one isolated element within your exposure even when the situation is very demanding and would confuse many modern camera exposure systems.

Modern new hand meters with spot metering can be pricey, however many second hand classic meters at modest prices are out there. For example, there is nice range to be found at Mr Cad, Pimlico – www.mrcad.co.uk

Mobile phone light metering apps are approving all the time, however these are not really in the downteching spirit!

But…..Don’t be afraid to also trust your own judgement without any metering. If you know a ISO/Shutter/Aperture reading of a pavement or back of your hand in mid day shade and bright sunlight, this can go a long way for you to estimate any daytime situation.

If shooting without flash at night time, with room or street lighting, try a 1/30 sec shutter speed at f2.8 using 400 ISO film and experiment around this.

For those wishing to master exposure in a most manual way, www.fredparker.com provides exposure value charts which then allow you to choose stutter speed and aperture combinations for any lighting situation.

London labs offering on site processing

Aperture off Oxford Street East	website
Metro Imaging Great Sutton Street	website
Photofusion Photography Centre Brixton	website

Several websites including the excellent Ilford service offer mail order processing. 

In recent years, film processing disappeared in high street stores. Commercial film processing equipment needs a certain volume of work to make it commercially viable. In particular, the set up of chemicals and relatively specialist operator knowledge makes film labs in high street branches unviable. Several high street stores continue to offer a film developing service where films are sent to their own or third party off-site labs. downtechinglondon will seek user experiences and report in the future.

 

The last 10 years has seen some films disappear as manufacturers trim ranges. This writer particularly mourns the loss of Fujifilm Neopan 400 Black and White film!

The good news is that, many types and formats still continue. In fact, there has been recent examples of new initiatives.

Colour film is still well supported by Fujifilm. Perhaps this is partly due to continued strong Japanese market interest in film.

Even Kodak hasn’t given up, with niche parts the original company saved under new ownerships. Apparently, Hollywood did not want to lose film for movie making, hence Kodak still film remained commercial and survived. Kodak (Alaris) are said to be due to reintroduce Ektachrome slide, so the journey continues.

Ilford continue to prosper and support black and white film. They nearly folded a few years ago but were bold enough to totally relook at their operation including price rises to survive. It turned out that the market didn’t want to lose them and under new investment ownership, this relatively modest company can see a strong future including a new factory.

Another example of film product turnaround concerns Ferrania. In an excellent book, The Revenge of Analog by David Sax 2016, Sax describes how enthusiasts Nicola Baldini and Marco Pagni took on sections of closed and abandoned factories and equipment to reignite a film brand. A high risk and extremely difficult task due to the toxic and specialist nature of film production.

Rolls of Film can still be found on the high street. Larger Boots stores have a handful including the odd medium format roll. The new Jessops stores have some limited rolls although you have to ask, as they may not be displayed. Snappy Snaps usually have some on display, although again selection is limited.

Generally, film availability on the high street is currently potluck although it can get you out of an unexpected situation.

London Film stockist with fuller ranges

Mr Cad Pimlico	website
The Photographers Gallery Bookshop Nr Oxford Circus	website
Wex Photo Video Whitechapel	website
Also, brands e.g. Ilford and Fujifilm offer mail order via their websites	website

There are many low cost second hand cameras for sale. Many even function!

There is however, a limited number of models with remain sought after and thus hold their resale values.

They tend to be ex Pro or semi Pro models with excellent build quality and can still deliver outstanding results. The best examples have been previously owned by non-Pros eg the cameras are not heavily worn due to constant daily use. The cameras are also predominately mechanical, as electrical component repair or replacements are often rare or non-existent.

some examples

Nikon FM3A, Nikon FM2N	Amongst the best of a long line of Nikon film cameras. Timeless designs which function superbly and also look hip on the shoulder. Note, when considering lenses, don’t overlook the often under appreciated (and competitively priced) fast 50mm fixed lenses. These where often included in camera bundles and thus were made in high quantities – hence value and availability. There are typically however of exceptional optical quality.
Leica M6, M2, M3, M4	The ultimate build quality and iconic designs of these cameras means that your purchase is a secure investment. Be careful to purchase from a good source to avoid initial servicing. Don’t be put off by the earlier models (M2,M3,M4) which do not have a light meter – they have the potential to max your creativity and enjoyment.
Rollei 35	An ultra compact 35mm capable of SLR quality images. In the past pros often used them as kit bag backups. German Sonnar examples are deemed the best, with their f2.8 lens. Battery replacements for the Rollei 35SE are increasingly difficult to obtain (try smallbattery.company.org) although the camera fully functions (ex exposure meter) without its’ battery.
Rolleifex	A light and compact iconic medium format camera. It is becoming much cherished and sought after.
Rolleicord	The non-pro version of the Rolleiflex which is priced approx 30% of its’ pro brother. This can still deliver excellent images, although the shutter and aperture camera settings are a little fiddly to use.
Mamiya 711	Outstanding outdoor medium format camera. Now becoming difficult to find. Guess owners are hanging on to them!
Hasselblad 500 series	The iconic glamour king. More studio than outdoor, as the operating process can be challenging. The experience and image rewards can however be remarkable from this most beautiful kit. Ensure that the film back light seal is in good order. These can be replaced.