I'm considering buying a film SLR but I need some advice?

Question

So this would be my first camera... I was looking into buying a second hand Olympus OM10, but I'm not sure if its worth it.
The cost of film and development and film for starters, but then also I know pretty much nothing about camera's.
Is this a good camera for a beginner? What would you recommend if not? Is it worth it to buy a film SLR?
I'm 17 and don't want to spend all my savings...

Answer 1

Film is not good for a beginner. With film you take your 36 shots then send the film away to be processed. At best it is hours at worst several days before you see your photos. The mistakes you make cost you money. With digital you see the results immediately and mistakes are free and you learn from them immediately.



If you still decide to go film then the OM10 is an excellent camera and you should get one with a 50mm Zuiko lens for under £$25. It has fully automatic exposure so if you want manual control you need the manual adapter that plugs in the front.

fhotoace highlights a "problem" with Olympus OM lenses not being compatible with current digital. He is correct BUT it carries an advantage for the film photographer that the lenses are very cheap on the used market BECAUSE they cannot be used on current digital models.

Answer 2

Hi SpaceGh0st



I have to disagree with the folks who suggest buying a DSLR (and even worse a point and shoot digital) as oppose to a 35mm SLR to start. While Digital is cheaper per shot, there is really no such thing as a student DSLR. All DSLR's on the market are overly complicated for the student photographer. They all have a million settings that the student photographer needn't be concerned with and will inevitably get distracted by right out of the gate, causing them to miss key points in the basics of photography as they end up learning more about timely auto features of a specific, soon-to-be-obsolete digital camera.



On the other hand, the OM10 is a really bad choice as a first SLR and I wonder why you came to the conclusion that you should buy this model. It too is loaded with timely auto features and is not a proper student camera.



What I recommend is buying a proper student camera that is 100% manual and has ZERO auto features. While the cost of film will slow your learning pace, it will also force you to read and be careful so as to predict your results as oppose to learning by trial and error alone which is how most people learn on digital cameras.



Look out for a Nikon FM, Pentax K1000, Canon FTb or if you like Olympus the OM-1. All these cameras are well-made, reliable vintage film cameras that are fully manual. You should buy them at REPUTABLE CAMERA SHOPS like KEH.com. NEVER buy your first used/vintage film camera from a thrift shop, Craigslist, eBay or the like which is what I suspect you are doing. Why? Because these are old cameras that are often sold by people who don't know or care if they work correctly and most of the time, when not cared for, they do not. Buy from KEH.com and you spend a little more money (still far less than a DSLR) and you get a 6 month warranty with your camera.



Or you can buy a NEW student 35mm SLR such as the Nikon FM10 or Vivitar V3800. I recommend BHPhoto.com or FreestylePhoto.biz for that.



Also, buy a basic photography guide or take a class on basic film photography at school.



Here is a great website where you can learn about film photography:



http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/



As to if it's worth it or not and not spending all your savings, well that is all up to you. If you think you might be developing a passion for photography, this, in my opinion is the BEST direction to go. Even if you go digital later, you'll have a much more solid foundation by learning with film first. As for your savings, well the nature of life is that you have to keep making money in order to sustain your hobbies and interests. Digital or film photography is expensive and costly by nature. Some will tell you that one is cheaper than the other but it's all a matter of what you're into and how you do it. If you plan on spending no more than $100 or $1000 on this hobby, that is not going to happen because there will always be other items you'll need or want to buy in order to keep your work moving alone. So getting a job, maybe even at a camera shop, would be the thing to do. It's time to start making money and spending it on something that could turn out to be an investment for you. Or maybe it's not. But like I said, that's up to you!



METAL AND MANUAL

FILM FOREVER

Answer 3

If you know nothing about cameras, get a compact digital camera, also known as a point-and-shoot. Alternatively, how good is your cell phone? Some of the newer models can compete with some compact cameras. With no experience at all, you really should not be considering an SLR of any kind, film or digital. It's a big expense. It's complicated. It's all too easy to change a setting, not know what you did, not know how to undo it, and have ruined pictures. And then you think that there's something wrong with your camera. Seriously, learn something about photography before you drop large on a camera that will overwhelm you.



I'm going to get lots of thumbs down on this comment, but nobody should consider starting out with a film camera. The LCD on the back of a digital camera is the best learning tool to come down the pike in decades. If you use it properly or, better still, have a good teacher to help you, you can quickly learn the ins and outs of photography. As you said, the ongoing cost of film and developing, combined with the fact that you'll have to scan your images to digital if you want to share them widely, makes film just plain silly.

Answer 4

I use film and digital SLRs. Digital is practical and easy. Film is challenging and fun. The OM10 did sometimes have issues with shutters. Also, unless it has the manual accessory, you cannot use it in fully manual mode, only aperture priority. For these reasons, it's neither my favourite 35mm film SLR of it's era (I use a Pentax ME Super), nor my favourite Olympus (I use Olympus Trip 35 and Olympus XA2 35mm film zone focus cameras).



A VERY common issue with 35mm film cameras of this vintage are perished light seals, including the mirror pad. The light seals can be replaced - even at home quite easily by an amateur - but be aware that it probably needs a bit of tender loving care and servicing.



What do you want to produce? If you are happy with commercial prints, then that's fine. If you want to digitalise your images to share online, then a commercial photo lab can supply you with CDs along with negs and prints, but they are usually fairly low resolution. If you were to really want to get into film, then a half decent film scanner is a must. If you can find a local independent processor that is happy to develop your films cheaply, without prints - then you can scan the negatives yourself. You may however (as I did), find yourself drawn to developing your own film. To self-develop film does not need a dark room - just a developer tank, jugs, chemicals - and a film changing bag. Beware though - it's rewarding and addictive. Most people start, or even stick with true (not C-41) B/W film for home developing, but C-41 colour chemical kits are available.



As for film - if you are in the UK, visit local Poundland branches. Most of them sell AgfaPhoto Vista Plus 35mm film for a quid a roll. It's super value. If it's 36 exposure, even more so.



Why bother with film? It might not be for you. However, if you look on the Flickr photo sharing website, you'll find dozens of thriving community groups dedicated to film. It's fun.

Answer 5

Don't buy a film camera. If you really want one they will be given away. Although a good digital camera will not be cheap it will be the most economical in the long run as pics are free and you can take hundreds and delete as you wish.