NBR - New old camera day

[Humbug]

I've got my dad's old Olympus OM-1 now, I've yet to use it, need to get some film.

Anyone used one of these before and had good results? And any tips on shooting film? I've only ever shot digi. =/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/Moonlitfire/Photography/om1.jpg

[trail star]

yeah i've got one i use from time to time!

it gives superb results if you use it properly! :)

Tips on shooting film... um don't waste millions of shots on one thing and have fun!

you'll only learn by going out and shooting

[biking_cam]

I just started shooting and developing film this year. My friend has that exact camera. All 35mm cameras (new or old) will give you nice results, but remember, it's the photographer not the camera

[.243racer]

but remember, it's the photographer not the camera

words to live by.

[the Master Plan Dan]

but remember, it's the photographer not the camera

Really, I swear Canon, Pentex, and all the other major camera companies will tell you different so that you buy their product.

Got in a huge argument because a buddy said that he could take better pictures if he had a better camera.

Feel so bad for those people!

[M_Dub]

No matter how advanced your camera you still need to be responsible for getting it to the right place at the right time and pointing it in the right direction to get the photo you want

[fenge]

Why your camera does not matter (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm)

Sounds like a few people on this board could benifit from reading that.

[Wayne P]

Camera doesn't matter, but a good lens sure does.

[Jah]

I've got an OM1, my dad used one for 20 years. Great camera, lots of great lenses for it. My only complaint the new Olympus Digi SLRs are not compatible with OM lenses. The OM was one of the first "compact" body SLR's avail...made it great for taking up Everest, etc. Their lenses are really good as Olympus is actively involved in medical imaging. Hard to find cool things like motor drive and such but lenses are plenty. Nice thing about the OM1, the battery is only for the light meter so it's fully mechanical. When it comes to astrononmy the OM1 mounts to a telecope with ease so a lot of hobby guys are using them.

[the Master Plan Dan]

Holy I really like the Ansel Adams Stuff and it is not that expensive.

Dan

[Humbug]

This one has got to be about 25-30 years old and it's in great condition and from what I can see is mechanically fine.

It definatly feels very well made, the is a nice amount of mass to it, the lense focus ring is extremely smooth and progressive, I can't wait to take some pictures with it.

[olly]

man I loooooorved my old OM-10, kinda makes me feel like getting it out again....

[Urban Rider]

to an extend camera does matter sometimes.... You can't say that a cell phone camera will take jsut as good of a photo than a regular digital camera ect.. So in some extreme cases camera does matter.

[darce_b]

yes i have an om-1!! that camera is beast it can survive atomic blasts.

film tips: 1)dont screw up when rolling or developing your film
2) dont screw it up in the dark room cause that sucks
3) steal as many rolls from your school photo class as possible because spending money sucks
4) don't forget to set the iso cause pushing takes a long time
5) *this is the serious one* be prepared to go thru LOTS of rolls in a single photo shoot. Bracketing is always good because its much more difficlut to compensate for under/overexposure in the darkroom. Trail Star is right, don't waste millions of shots on the same thing or just screwing around, but at the same time dont take just one shot of a particular thing. I've been told that for every 50 crappy shots u take, you will get 1 or 2 really good ones so bring plenty of film with u

[AllShockedUp]

Camera doesn't matter, but a good lens sure does.

I was unaware of the development of a lens that composes the shot for you.

[StuKen]

yes i have an om-1!! that camera is beast it can survive atomic blasts.

film tips: 1)dont screw up when rolling or developing your film
2) dont screw it up in the dark room cause that sucks
3) steal as many rolls from your school photo class as possible because spending money sucks
4) don't forget to set the iso cause pushing takes a long time
5) *this is the serious one* be prepared to go thru LOTS of rolls in a single photo shoot. Bracketing is always good because its much more difficlut to compensate for under/overexposure in the darkroom. Trail Star is right, don't waste millions of shots on the same thing or just screwing around, but at the same time dont take just one shot of a particular thing. I've been told that for every 50 crappy shots u take, you will get 1 or 2 really good ones so bring plenty of film with u

Bracketing is a waste of film and time, for 99% of photography. I'd rather know how to properly expose my negs.

[S-Dawg]

yes, becuase know matter what, ur gonna get perfect exposure everytime and your light meter on a 30 year old camera will never be off. not to mention, changing ur apperature and dof, as well as ur shutter, wont make the feel of the picture different at all. so yes when shooting film. just take one picture of each subject and move on, especially when ur not used to the camera and are just learning. you wouldnt want to waste film

[darce_b]

I'd rather know how to properly expose my negs.

this has nothing to do with how well YOU know how to expose your negatives. the guy says hes new at film photography. there are tons of elements in shooting film to consider that dont matter nearly as much when shooting digital because of the simple fact that you can't correct it simply in photoshop. sure you can compensate for a slightly off negative by burning or dodging, but the guy is NEW at film photography. dont tell the guy not to bracket just because you clearly have more experience than he does. it takes time to learn how to make a good exposure and bracketing is part of that learning curve so he can figure out which exopsures work and which dont

[Humbug]

Cheers for the advice guys.

I'm busy until the weekend so I'm not going to be able to pick up any film until then.

I've gotta do some reading about film, like I said its a new world to me.

[scottvelez]

I am going to disagree with what seems to be one of the major points of the thread. I say camera body DOES matter in photography.

I can take shots with 1/500th flash sync that you just can't get with a 1/125th flash sync. I've taken well exposed quick shots with automatic metering that I couldn't have gotten ready for with a manual exposure camera. Some digital cameras are completely unusable above 400 ISO or have shutter delays that make them impractical. Expensive, well spec'd camera bodies don't usually have these issues and they allow much more flexibility in what you can shoot.... so I believe camera bodies DO matter.
Also, don't forget some cheap cameras are not weather sealed and they will turn to rust within weeks of a small spring rain shower.

Now, having said that, expensive gear doesn't automatically MAKE you a better photographer!!!
My grandmother with $6000 of gear will still take shitty photos of the pink pelican on her front lawn. In fact, they will probably turn out worse than they do with her $69.95 point and shoot.

[fenge]

I think what most of us are saying is that when it comes to good photography, a good photographer goes a lot farther than a good camera (lenses included!). If sports photography or journalism is your thing, there's no question that a fast lens or a 1/500th sync will net you a picture that you can't get with your cellphone camera, no matter how great of a picture-taker you are.

If someone sucks at photography now, they're probably still going to suck even after they pick up that shiny new body/lens/flash. Better off working on an important aspect of photography than waiting to afford the latest greatest gear. It's not going to make them a better photographer, and people will take them even less seriously.

[Wayne P]

I was unaware of the development of a lens that composes the shot for you.

Don't be such a brat, better quality lens = better quality photos. Can't figure this stuff out huh?

Bracketing is a great way to having a higher percentage in getting a usable shot. Learning how to properly develop negs is secondary when you have a shitty group of shots taken on it.

Here's my latest aquisitions from my father-in-law. I'm not sure if I want to sell the Minolta now because it takes the best photos compared to the oher cameras I own (well the lens is very sharp anyway).