For the past several years, I have done this one thing at the end of the year, and it has been responsible for my improvement more than anything else.
The year 2020 has been, for a majority of people, an absolutely bizarre year that few (no one?) would want to relive. For this film photographer, here are the best things from 2020: the best expensive gear, cheap gear, inspirations, etc.
If 2020 has somehow given you an appreciation of tactile experiences and a slower pace of life, you might want to consider periodically leaving your digital camera at home in in the new year and start capturing the world on film instead. Here are a few good reasons why.
As the film photography world is hurdling forward, increasing in popularity seemingly day by day, the hunt for an affordable medium format camera is getting more and more difficult. This may be the last great option for 645 film photography.
For film photographers, digitizing negatives (and slides!) is a crucial part of the process. For many, myself included, finding an affordable option that does a good job is a challenge.
There's something unique and appealing about shooting panoramic format. The most popular camera for it is the Hasselblad X-Pan, which goes for several thousand dollars these days. Do we finally have an affordable alternative?
For film photographers looking to getting into medium format, often the first considerations made are 645 cameras. The Mamiya 645 and the Pentax 645 are two of the most popular models.
Without doubt, there is a sub-culture of photographers who adore Lego. Count Benjamin Bezine among them. Bezine has used Lego, a Raspberry Pi personal computer, and an integrated LED to create an automated film to digital, erm... contraption, scanner.
There are lots of film cameras you can try, but if you're feeling adventurous, why not make your own pinhole camera? It's not as hard as you may think, and you may have what you need lying around.
Who doesn't love instant film? Who doesn't love shooting medium format? Using a high quality medium format camera to shoot polaroids is getting the best of both worlds.
Arguably the favorite characteristic of film for many film photographers is the way film responds to light when under- or over-exposed. Portra 160 is no different. Ironically, the results really surprised me.
As with everything else, there’s a right a tool for every job. For a photographer, the decision between film and digital is sometimes simple, sometimes less so.
Medium format film cameras are a rarer sight than ever, and taking portraits on them can be an experience. These portraits, however, are taken on one of the most expensive film cameras you can get your hands on.
For some, the “magic” of film, medium format especially, or the benefit of full frame digital is all hype. Is it really just hype or can you tell a difference?
In a world where digital photography is ever-present, film photography often takes a back seat. But this analog medium actually has some crucial lessons to teach all of us, if only we're willing to listen.
I love film photography; there's a special quality that analogue photos have that digital could possibly never match. However, I never shoot with my film camera anymore. Why not?
As a film photographer, the need for camera repair and restoration is not a new one. Watch as someone goes through the step by step process they went through to obtain the camera, details the camera's history, and the restoration of the camera.
Photography has existed for long enough now that there are some bizarre relics of the craft. This, however, might be one of the most unusual.
Many of you will have seen images taken with the famous Kodak Aerochrome film, or more likely in today's photography, you will have seen a digital homage to its created aesthetic. But how did this film come to be, and why was it originally used?
The Contax T2 was a luxury compact rangefinder released in 1991, combing excellent image quality and controls that have since made it a desirable option for film aficionados. Contax no longer exists and T2s now sell for thousands of dollars. Why do they cost so much and are they worth the investment?
I would have sworn that "affordable" and "medium format" were mutually exclusive. I would have been wrong.
Though it was introduced 50 years ago, the Mamiya RB67 is still one of the most beloved cameras out there, widely sought after by many film photographers. What makes this camera so special? This great video follows a photographer as he shoots with it for the first time.
Edward Hopper’s paintings are renowned for their use of light, color, and composition. As photographers, what can we take from his work?
For film photographers, there are few (possibly no) other topics that are as truly misunderstood or overhyped than the topic of "overexposure."
It’s about the time of year where many people are looking for gift ideas. This list outlines multiple options for a film photographer at multiple price points.
If you’re at all like me and you shoot film primarily and shoot digital only occasionally, the Sony a7 series cameras are a terrific system to consider.
The ingenious details that went into the purely mechanical design of early SLR cameras are incredible, and this in-depth video gives you a remarkable insight into how the light metering system functioned inside the legendary Canon F-1.
Street photography has been a staple genre of our craft since the camera's inception, and some of the most iconic images — and photographers — in history, were made on the street. Here's how you can emulate one of the greats.
Whether you’re a film photographer who also shoots digital or a film photographer exclusively, a life after film is on my mind and should be on yours as well.
What photographer hasn't thought about getting into medium format photography? This comparison provides some useful side-by-side work for you to make your own comparisons.
The Mamiya RZ67 has something approaching legendary status in the world of medium format film photography, but it’s not to everyone’s taste, as this short video makes clear. Would you buy one?
For photographers looking to get into scanning their own film, the Epson V600 is the perfect first flatbed scanner.
For those shooting and scanning 35mm, scanning can be slow and painful. That is, until now.
Who would have thought to pair Instax film with a vintage medium format camera? I couldn’t stop myself from shooting it if I tried.
Large format photography is a vastly different way of shooting compared to 35mm or even medium format, but its results can be well worth the extra work. This awesome video follows the process of shooting 8x10 polaroids of strangers.
Ever thought shooting a wedding on film? Curious about what it takes or what goes into it?
When it comes to budget film stocks, there is no shortage of options. This guide offers a blinded comparison of 9 options widely available in most of the United States.
With the popularity of film photography getting traction, it’s time you get caught up. Let’s talk about your film options.
The TLR camera has long gone the way of the dinosaur, replaced by SLRs, but you can still find used TLRs for purchase, with Rolleiflex models generally being the most sought after. This fun video follows a street photographer as he shoots with a Rolleiflex 2.8F TLR camera.
Instant film cameras have seen a resurgence in the past few years, with their blend of instant, tactile satisfaction and nostalgia making them appealing for photographers and casual users alike. The SQ1 is the latest entry into the series, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.
With the popularity of film photography getting traction, it’s time you get caught up. Let’s talk about your film options.
When it comes to picking up your first medium format camera, the sheer number of options can be quite daunting. Moreover, the different types of options (SLR, TLR, and rangefinder) can cover uncharted territory.
For every modern film photographer and every digital photographer who occasionally shoots film, having scans of your images is a must-have. The question remains, however, which method of scanning is best?
Large format photography is a very different way of approaching the process of creating images, but it can reward you with images absolutely bursting with detail. Adding in a technique like focus stacking can bring out all the more detail, and this great video explores that process.
The Contax 645 AF is a relatively small and lightweight medium format film camera dating from the late 1990s. It’s a camera that will largely appeal to analog photographers looking to benefit from the greater resolution of 120 film, while still retaining many of the advantages of a 35mm SLR in terms of speed and mobility.
With film getting more and more popular, it’s about time we cover some of the details. Let’s start by talking about your different options for formats and cameras.
Every film photographer who digitizes their negatives at home has come across the same issue: which negative conversion software is the best?
Getting untracked photos of the Milky Way is significantly easier than you may think for both digital and film. The approach for film is much different than digital but still attainable with the right approach.
Back in the era of film photography, you based a lot of your work and creative style around your choice of film stock, which could make a huge difference in the final look of your images. If you are interested in using film for landscape photography, be sure to check out this great video that shows what it is like shooting with one of the most famous landscape films ever, one that was the stock of choice for many shooters.
Photography can be an expensive business, and for those shooting film, while they might occasionally save some money on camera bodies, the process of digitizing images can present some financial hurdles. Just how good can a film scanner be when it only costs $60? This short video from Negative Feedback finds out.
