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Posts Tagged ‘film’

Film Fridays: 20 film cameras worth buying right now

28 Mar
The Canon T90 is just one of the 20 film cameras worth buying right now. Check out Analog Gems – part 1 and Analog Gems – part 2 to view them all.
Photo: Dan Bracaglia

Happy Film Friday! In the spirit of celebrating all things analog, we felt today was the perfect time to take another look at our two popular film camera buying guides. These guides are chock full of cameras that are easy to find on the secondhand market in good working order, and many of them were included as staff and reader favorites. So if you’re a first-time camera buyer or simply looking to add to your collection, there’s probably a camera in there for you.

Analog Gems – part 1: 10 film cameras worth buying

Analog Gems – part 2: 10 more film cameras worth buying

Do note: the price of one or two cameras has jumped a good bit since initial publication (we’re looking at you Olympus Stylus Epic). That’s not to say we wouldn’t still recommend these cameras, just be aware of price inflation!

About Film Fridays: We recently launched an analog forum and in a continuing effort to promote the fun of the medium, we’ll be sharing film-related content on Fridays.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Film Fridays: Pentax MX – a nuts and bolts review

20 Mar
Photo: 35mmc.com

The Pentax MX is a gem of a film SLR: super compact, well-built and fully-mechanical in operation – batteries are only required to power the light meter. Better yet, they’re easy to find in working order, without breaking the bank. Our pals over at 35mmc.com dive deep into the nuts and bolts of this classic camera.

Read: Pentax MX nuts and bolts review

About Film Fridays: We recently launched an analog forum and in a continuing effort to promote the fun of the medium, we’ll be sharing film-related content on Fridays, including articles from our friends at 35mmc.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Film Fridays: Thinking about spending a stack of cash on a film camera? Read this first!

14 Mar

We recently launched an analog forum and in a continuing effort to promote the fun of the medium, we’ll be sharing an article from our film friends over at 35mmc on Fridays. This week’s article addresses the ever-inflating second-hand film camera market and the realities of what you get for your hard-earned cash. So don’t drop $ 300 on an Olympus MJU II before reading this first!

Thinking about spending a stack of cash on a film camera? Read this!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon ES-2 film adapter sample gallery

07 Mar

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We used Nikon’s ES-2 film adapter to scan a variety of old films, including Kodak Tri-X and T400 CN, Fujifilm Neopan, Superia and Acros, and even Agfa Ultra. How well did it work? You can see the full resolution images in our sample gallery.

Want to see the ES-2 in action? Watch this video from DPReview TV to see how it works.

View sample gallery

Watch our video about the Nikon ES-2

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DPReview TV: Scan film negatives with the Nikon ES-2

04 Mar

Nikon’s ES-2 film digitizing adapter promises to be an easy way of scanning slides and negatives. We tested it with a bunch of different film stocks and discovered that it works pretty well!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.
  • Introduction
  • What's included?
  • The scanning process
  • Sample images
  • Who's it for?

Sample gallery from this episode

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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Opinion: Film photography has found its feet again

04 Mar
Photo: Hamish Gill

Film photography is not what it used to be. It’s changed – or more, it’s evolved. For the better, too. But I bet there are a lot of people who haven’t even noticed!

Photography just seems to be one of those pastimes that has the potential to get under people’s skin. There are so many ways to take part that it’s no wonder we find ourselves in camps, adopting one or a couple of methodologies, approaches, processes or even brands, and taking ownership of them as if they belong to us.

In doing so though, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of forgetting that our approaches and whims are just a product of our own choices, and therefore simply right for us. Instead, it appears to me that a large majority of photographers get into the habit of thinking they have made the ‘best’ choices and that everyone else who doesn’t follow suit is somehow wrong, deficient or missing out.

Film photography in 2020 is what it is – not because of a battle with digital, but because of how it has integrated with and into it

Unfortunately, in our world of social media and websites and forums and blogs and YouTube and ‘influencers’, it feels a little bit like the views and opinions held by the majority can leave little room for the views and opinions held by everyone else.

So what’s all this got to do with my opening gambit?

Well, it’s my view that because of all this, many photographers who have committed wholly to digital photography might not have noticed a real change in the film photography landscape.

The pixl-latr is a product I launched on Kickstarter as a low cost and effective solution for digitizing negatives.
Photo: Joe Handley

Now, please don’t think I’m about to start waffling on about growth in film sales and increased interest in more traditional photography mediums as a whole. It is true that there has been quite significant growth, but to my mind, the growth is at least in part a byproduct of a change in attitudes toward film photography. Attitudes that I have seen perpetuated through some of the hundreds of thousands of words I’ve published by the many photographers who have written for my website, 35mmc.

It’s true that I still see the occasional ‘film vs. digital – which is better?’ YouTube video pop up, but it has long been my view that these conversations are behind the curve. It actually strikes me that this argument is dead, and this seems to be an opinion shared by an increasing amount of people. Not because one side won or lost, but because the sides have joined forces.

Film photography in 2020 is what it is – not because of a battle with digital, but because of how it has integrated with and into it. Digital has changed film photography for the better, and I feel quite strongly that the opposite is true too.

The FIlmomat is an updated automatic film processor, launching soon!
Photo: Lukas Fritz

To begin with, the simple way people are using digital cameras and the advancements in both software and hardware for the digitization of film are examples of how the technology has advanced in favor or supporting film photography. But digital has also helped democratize film photography. The barriers to entry are less, and not just when it comes to amateur-level kit.

Film photography has influenced digital technology too. As most readers here will be aware, some of the bigger brands have taken inspiration from film cameras. Fujifilm is probably the most notable with their retro-aesthetic digital cameras and built-in film simulations. The way film looks, or at least the way people think film looks has – for better or worse – influenced digital photographic styles.

The ways photographers approach image creation seems to have been cross-fertilized between the worlds of film and digital

And that’s all even before we consider people’s workflows and attitudes toward creating images. The creative ways photographers approach image creation as a whole seems to have been cross-fertilized between the worlds of film and digital. So for example, in the last few years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the use of ‘vintage’ lenses – something that I’m pretty certain is attributable to an increase in photographers seeking something of a more film-era-like ‘feel’ to their work. And then there’s how digital workflows such as the use of Lightroom has for some people sped up or aided in the process of using film and other traditional mediums as a starting point to a final image.

The Cameradactyl OG is an affordable 3D-printed 4×5 camera.
by John Whitmore

In short, film and digital workflows, technologies and creative approaches have merged. The narratives around which is ‘better’ have – for many at least – fallen by the wayside. The questions of how they can be combined for the benefit of an increased range of possibility and potential have come to the surface instead.

But, while all this is true, there’s no drama in a draw – neither side won the battle, so the story has had few attention-grabbing headlines. There’s less of an angle to hang opinion off in the gray area. Nuanced opinions, fence-sitting and happy mediums don’t get clicks, views, upvotes, likes or shares so readily.

Film and digital workflows, technologies and creative approaches have merged

I had to pose a combative opening gambit just to get a lot of you to read this article, I’m sure. But really, I didn’t want to… well, if I’m honest, I sort of did, because I quite enjoy the argument. But my argument is not one of trying to convince people to think one way or another about how to create or take part in photography. I prefer instead to try and highlight the fact that the arguments themselves are often quite pointless.

In short, there is no one true path! In fact, one of the most beautiful things about photography is in the wealth of choices it provides us with.

Which is ultimately why film photography has found its feet again. Not as I say because it’s won any battles, but instead, that for all the objective differences and subjective reasons why people might choose to shoot it; despite what the majority might think and say about it, it’s still an option that’s available to people. And moreover, in 2020 it’s an option that quite readily fits into our modern digital world if and when required or desired.


Hamish Gill is the publisher of 35mmc.com and a moderator in our Film Photography forum.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nik Collection 2.5 update adds new color film emulations and Affinity Photo support

27 Feb

DxO has released an update for its Nik Collection 2.5 standalone app and plugin, bringing with it new film stock emulations and updated support.

Nik Collection 2.5, which DxO is teasing as the ‘Legendary Color Films Revival,’ brings along five new film stock emulations: Agfa Precisa 100, Fuji FP100C, Fuji Instax, Fuji Provia 400X and Lomo RedScale 100. In addition to the new film stocks, the update also adds support for the latest version of Serif’s Affinity Photo editing program, which we covered earlier today.

The 2.5 update works with Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Lightroom Classic CC, DxO PhotoLab 2 Essential Edition, Affinity Photo 1.8 and as a standlone app. It’s available for free to all current owners and is available to purchase for $ 149. The collection includes Analog Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Dfine, HDR Efex Pro, Viveza, Silver Efex Pro, Sharpener Pro and DxO PhotoLab.


Author’s note: The unaffiliated coupon code ‘GET-15-NOW’ should get you 15-percent off the collection, based on a pop-up that was shown to me on the DxO website while looking at the details of this update.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lomography releases Simple Use Camera preloaded with LomoChrome Metropolis film

20 Feb

Lomography’s latest Simple Use Camera, the LomoChrome Metropolis, is now available to purchase from the company’s online store. The camera is loaded with Lomography’s LomoChrome Metropolis ISO 100-400 film, operates off a single AA battery and features a built-in flash. The Simple Use Camera is reloadable, as well.

According to Lomography, its Simple Use Camera loaded with LomoChrome Metropolis film can be used to capture ‘grungy shots with muted colors and distinctive shadows.’ The camera includes three Color Gel flash filters (yellow, magenta and cyan), a built-in frame counter, direct optical viewfinder, 31mm F9 lens and 1/120 shutter speed.

In addition to the LomoChrome Metropolis ISO 100 – 400 film, the Simple Use Camera is also available with Black & White ISO 400, LomoChrome Purple ISO 400 and Color Negative ISO 400 film. The camera is available from Lomography now for $ 22.90 each.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm warns its customers to avoid sending undeveloped film through new airport scanners

19 Feb

Fujifilm has joined Kodak Alaris in warning its customers to avoid sending film through new scanners being deployed by the TSA in many airports throughout the United States. The advisory is brief and simply states, ‘Those machines may [be] more damaging to unprocessed film and Instax film than previous generations of scanners.’

The solution is simple: photographers are encouraged to pack their film products in a carry-on bag and to request a hand inspection of the items.

This is similar to the warning Kodak Alaris published in late January; the company received clarification from the TSA, which said that its screeners are trained to inspect film by hand. As well, the TSA has put warning signs near X-ray machines that may damage undeveloped film. The film should be packed in a clear plastic bag and removed from the carry-on luggage at the security checkpoint.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Negative Supply launches its new Film Carrier 120 on Kickstarter

13 Feb

Negative Supply has announced a new version of its Film Carrier designed for medium format film. The Film Carrier 120 can be used to scan an entire roll of 120 film in less than two minutes, the company claims on its Kickstarter campaign. The new model follows Negative Supply’s previously launched Film Carrier MK1 for 35mm film.

The Film Carrier 120 features silicone drive rollers and a hinge mechanism to advance the film and then hold it flat in place. The film mask is magnetically locked and spring-loaded; the film is advanced using a simple wheel. The enclosure is made from CNC machined aluminum with a black anodized hardcoat finish.

Negative Supply cites a number of features offered by its Film Carrier 120, including ‘near-zero distortion’ when camera scanning film, full 120 frame scanning, rapid scanning speeds and a design that is safe for the emulsion. The Film Carrier 120 can be used with the Pro Mount MK2, which is an attachment that widens and weighs down the film carrier for increased stability and leveling. The mount also has an anti-static medium format brush for removing dust.

Film Carrier 120 has exceeded its Kickstarter funding goal of $ 35k with around $ 107k in funds and 27 days remaining. Negative Supply is offering an early bird version of its Film Carrier 120 for pledges of at least $ 379 USD. The company expects to start shipping the early bird units to backers in June 2020.


Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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