The Heel Press - 35mm photography

Group - 35mm photography

Pictures

Description

Founded by: Jeff Burchett
For those of us who still prefer filmgrain on our photos

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6 Members

danielle marie lesperance
	Gold
6,655 points

James
	Noble Orange
10,244 points

Jeff Burchett
	Bronze
128 points

omfardo
	Bronze
901 points

Sam Coons
	Elite Blue
33,062 points

Zeb Andrews
	Noble Orange
28,498 points

Joinable by anyone.

Group Comments (8)

Jeff Burchett
	Bronze
128 points

on 07/31/07 at 08:11 AM

Pat,

I don't know about the two specific cameras you're referencing, but Minoltas are typically good. For the price of these cameras, I'd certainly expect a great deal. What sort of photography do you want to do with it? Are you going to be using the AF a lot? So much of a camera's quality is in the lens you put on it.

Welcome to the group!

-Jeff

pat

on 07/29/07 at 07:26 PM

I love film photography and I'm looking to get a great film camera. Does anybody know anything about the Minolta Maxxum 9 or 7? I've seen a couple on ebay and the reviews seem to be good. I have a couple of digital...the Nikon d50 and a Canon A630, but there is something to be said for shooting a roll of film and see what you get.

danielle marie lesperance
	Gold
6,655 points

on 07/24/07 at 06:12 PM

hello all! i am *very* new to heel press, still trying to get the hang of things around here...

i'm surprised there's only 4 members in this group!

i do love film, but i can't say which format is my favourite. digital shooting has that instant gratificatin, which is great because i am very impatient :) i shoot mostly digital, but i play around with a lot of film based toy cameras:

35mm - lomo supersampler, lca+, smena 8M, zero pinhole

120mm - holga, lubitel 2 (TLR), kodak duaflex iv (TLR)

126mm - kodak instamatic 100

Jeff Burchett
	Bronze
128 points

on 07/19/07 at 06:58 AM

Mike -

I agree with you 100%. I would even argue that smaller format, like 4x6 looks immeasurably better on a film camera. Digital cameras create a record, but reducing truly fluid, smooth lines to a matrix of squares inevitably takes something of the organic look out of it.

I think you also hit the nail on the head that digital photography is the creation of a successful multi-company marketing blitz. While it may be easier and slightly more convenient to take passable, ok pictures using a digital camera, it's much more difficult to take excellent ones.

I'm happy enough to take quick snaps with my PowerShot, but anything that's more than a record goes through the N2020.

-Jeff

Mike Stacey

on 07/18/07 at 09:12 PM

Actually, digital cameras do not even come near large format film cameras and even medium format in terms of both image quality and as a creative tool. If you want to print larger than 20 inches, which most landscape photographers do then digital falls by the wayside. The movements offered by LF cameras allow a huge degree of creativity which is not offered by digital and the old feeling that the more frames one shoots increases the likelihood of capturing the best shot, is simply a myth. Taking photos with LF is more like painting. It takes up to 15 minutes to set the camera up, measure the light, compose and shoot and this more contemplative approach results in better final results. Until digitial camreas incorporate movements and can offer the same resolution at the same price, I'll be ignoring the marketing hype and sticking with my wood and leather LF camera.

Jeff Burchett
	Bronze
128 points

on 07/09/07 at 12:08 PM

Sam

I shoot 99% of the time with a Nikon N2020, but also use a Nikon FM10 on occasion. I've used Canon AE-1s, and I agree completely with you that many older cameras produce more stylized photos. I use digital exclusively at work (Nikon D70). I agree that the ease and flexibility of digital are great, I just like the end-product of film better.

I think that it's just a matter of time before I break down and buy a digital SLR (right now, I only own a digicam and it's great for shooting parties, and funny, moderately compromising situations) due to the unavailability of film and processing, but I'm going to hold off as long as I can.

-Jeff

Sam Coons
	Elite Blue
33,062 points

on 07/09/07 at 11:10 AM

i'm actually a big fan of both formats. i think digital has some advantages in terms of the number of frames you can shoot without worrying about the cost of film or the development process, but i think there is still something really impressive about using traditional film.

jeff - what kind of 35mm camera are you shooting with. i've used an old minolta srt-101 that i love - i think the classics produce some of the most stylized images. have you done any work with digital?

Jeff Burchett
	Bronze
128 points

on 07/09/07 at 09:31 AM

Anyone still prefer 35mm photography to digital? While I'll admit some of the improvements made to digital cameras in the past couple years are striking, there's something in the more organic nature of a 35mm camera that draws me in. If anyone wants to talk shop on film photography, cameras, etc., let's make this the place to do it!