Hello gentlemen, I'm back + I gotta shoot some film

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Hello there fellaz, been sometime ain't it. Hadta disappear under a pile of work, a few computer games, and some Jack Daniel's too..

anyway, guess for the time being I am out of that pile... (because of a big chunk of work that was hanging on my head like a double bladed sword has been dealt with, atleast for the time being)

howz life been at your side?

As for me, nothing much going on except a total drop of all plans of getting that 5D Mk2 based DSLR kit, a month or two of brooding on that decision, and then deciding on taking a plunge into the shrinking world of Film SLRs. And because I am on a budget, I am looking to grab some used gear.

As a result, I started scanning the nearby camera stores for used cameras and lenses... There are quite many camera bodies available, but unfortunately not so many good lenses....

There's this lovely Nikon F5 that I have my eye on, but it is quite expensive...
There are some euqivalent canon cameras too, but the lens selection on canon EF side is even lesser than the Nikkor AF side. There are quite a lot of Canon FD stuff, but because it has no future I am not gonna take a plunge into it. Am looking to get a pro-grade film SLR body with GOOD AF performance (F5/F6 or EOS1n, EOS 3 class). A top class film body will last me many more ages than a similarly priced lower end DLSR body would I guess..

Am also looking to take a trip to Akihabara, the mecca of all things electronic, where I had earlier seen a shop with a good selection of lenses. Should be able to get a few good deals there.

As for the films that I am gonna shoot, its gonna be ISO100 B&W film for the starting phase of learning, maybe some ISO400 or ISO800 B&W if I get a chance of some action photography, and then some Velvia (ISO50) slides for vividly colored landscapes.

PS. Aryan da, call Jukebox for some gyaan on Flim fundaaz and good film cameras.....

[KrishnenduKes]

Topic Approved

You can try out the Canon 1D. Brilliant cam. Loved it when I used it. Pro cam. Also try using the 400ASA B&W instead of the 100. Velvia is not bad.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Topic Approved

You can try out the Canon 1D. Brilliant cam. Loved it when I used it. Pro cam. Also try using the 400ASA B&W instead of the 100. Velvia is not bad.
The 1D is a digital cam, I am looking for a Film SLR. Maybe you're referring to the EOS-1v which is the Pro Film SLR that canon still makes and sells (as a competitor to the Nikon F6), but that is way too costly(both new and used). Its predecessors, the EOS-1n and the EOS-3 are more suitable candidates, if I can get my hands on some good EF primes that is.

ASA 400 B&W film might be a tad too fast for day outdoors (primary lens will be an 1.4/50). Also, read some good reviews about the Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros film, and also the Kodak T-MAX 100 and 400 films.

However, this is still maybe a fortnight or more away, because that is approximately the timeframe in which I am planning the trip to the electronic gadget capital of the world.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Nice to hear that someone among us will hve a film SLR. My father still loves those specially their simple and natural colors with simple operation.

I would suggest you to take the Nikon / Pentax route if you want to go for film since you can always use the same lenses on a Nikon/Pentax DSLR and both of them have some beautiful primes (but cheap since they are old)...

It was too bad on Canon's part they ditched the FD mount...

[KrishnenduKes]

The 1D is a digital cam, I am looking for a Film SLR. Maybe you're referring to the EOS-1v which is the Pro Film SLR that canon still makes and sells (as a competitor to the Nikon F6), but that is way too costly(both new and used). Its predecessors, the EOS-1n and the EOS-3 are more suitable candidates, if I can get my hands on some good EF primes that is.

ASA 400 B&W film might be a tad too fast for day outdoors (primary lens will be an 1.4/50). Also, read some good reviews about the Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros film, and also the Kodak T-MAX 100 and 400 films.


Yes, sorry, my mistake. I did mean the EOS 1V. They are available for 1400 USD. If you are in Delhi, I can let you use my EOS 5. Have used it for 11 years without problems.

I talked about the 400ASA coz I like the contrast in it.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

If you are in Delhi, I can let you use my EOS 5. Have used it for 11 years without problems.

I talked about the 400ASA coz I like the contrast in it.
I am currently in Japan, and will be here for five more months. And there are a few EOS 5 cameras available too, and I hear that they are infact pretty darn good too.
Lets see what I end up with.

Also, for the ASA400 B&W film, who is the manufacturer? kodak or Fuji? or someone else?

[KrishnenduKes]

also, for the asa400 b&w film, who is the manufacturer? Kodak or fuji? Or someone else?

...Ilford.

[powerslave]

Wow, putting down USD1400 for a 1v ? You get used 1d(and 1Ds) mkII for around (or less than) that nowadays.

I like film, but spending so much on it?! You have to be an addict.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Wow, putting down USD1400 for a 1v ? You get used 1d(and 1Ds) mkII for around (or less than) that nowadays.

I like film, but spending so much on it?! You have to be an addict.No way in Hell am I ever gonna be able to drop that much dough on a camera - I am looking for used stuff, which is quite plentiful, and given the digital age, the Film SLR's, even the one generation old pro bodies are a steal. not the EOS1v though, it being a current model is quite expensive still.

Am planning to get the stuff next Saturday or Sunday. Lets see what happens.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Alright I am in a dilemma again

there is this clearance sale at one of the local comp/digicam/etc/etc/etc stores, and there are some good deals to be had there on DLSR's which is making me think about getting one....

Nikon D80 at 50000 yen brand new. down from 70k.
Canon 50D at 120000 yen brand new, down from 150000. both of these are bodies only.

there was another D300 deal at 150000 yen I think, though do not really remember whether it was a body only deal or a body+lens deal. might be a kit as it was down from 230000 yen.

Such deals for brand new in packaging stuff deals might not be available again. So I am tempted, even if it might mean stretching the budget which I had set at 120000 MAX earlier. (this was including lenses)

the D80 is a decently old camera, and its specifications are not so much to my liking, as things have advanced significantly in the digital world since then.

thoughts/brickbats????

[Vicky]

Alright I am in a dilemma again

there is this clearance sale at one of the local comp/digicam/etc/etc/etc stores, and there are some good deals to be had there on DLSR's which is making me think about getting one....

Nikon D80 at 50000 yen brand new. down from 70k.
Canon 50D at 120000 yen brand new, down from 150000. both of these are bodies only.

there was another D300 deal at 150000 yen I think, though do not really remember whether it was a body only deal or a body+lens deal. might be a kit as it was down from 230000 yen.

Such deals for brand new in packaging stuff deals might not be available again. So I am tempted, even if it might mean stretching the budget which I had set at 120000 MAX earlier. (this was including lenses)

the D80 is a decently old camera, and its specifications are not so much to my liking, as things have advanced significantly in the digital world since then.

thoughts/brickbats????

The yen is currently around 100 per USD (roughly).. that makes your deal prices like this..

ITEM - YOUR DEAL PRICE - BH PHOTO REGULAR PRICE
D80 - 500 - 580
50D - 1200 - 1195
D300- 1500 - 1700

so, apart from the D300, I don't really see a 'deal' anywhere else:(

As for the D80, I'd gladly pay an extra $100 and take the canon 450D anyday:)

[Psycho_McCrazy]

The yen is currently around 100 per USD (roughly).. that makes your deal prices like this..

ITEM - YOUR DEAL PRICE - BH PHOTO REGULAR PRICE
D80 - 500 - 580
50D - 1200 - 1195
D300- 1500 - 1700

so, apart from the D300, I don't really see a 'deal' anywhere else:(

As for the D80, I'd gladly pay an extra $100 and take the canon 450D anyday:)

with the US prices and the Japan prices having little parity, i do have to deal with the Japanese original prices of the cameras and the deal prices, but i do believe that the D300 is the only deal, that is if I remember the price correctly..... D80 is to old a camera to actually consider..　

I gotta go to that store once more in the morning and check out the actual D300 - whether it was just the cam or a kit.... in case it is a kit it is a pretty sweet deal and I gotta take it... (damn, thats the VODKA talking)

seeya tomorrow after the second trip to the cam store.

[powerslave]

BTW d80 is in no way 'too old to consider'.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

yeah, D80 has very respectable specs and has some features seen only on costlier models like the Pentaprism viewfinder and DOF preview button...

unfortunately, someone else picked up that D300 deal before I got back to the store..
anyway, the store is gonna have its clearance sale for a few more days and i'll return later too. Maybe they'll have some offers on the lenses too in the final days of the sale. as of now lenses are still being sold at base prices - no discounts.
Else it is off to Akihbara to get stuff.

[nelson_sanjoy]

How abt the D90 ? Its said to have the best sensor in APSC category till date even bettering D300 .According to experts its ISO performance is way better than its competitors.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

How abt the D90 ? Its said to have the best sensor in APSC category till date even bettering D300 .According to experts its ISO performance is way better than its competitors.

D90 is a good camera, and a worthy upgrade to the D80, but it wasn't available body only - and also wasn't a deal.

And the D300 is the best Nikon APS-C sensor, it hasn't been bested by the 90. The D90 while sharing the same silicon has perhaps a cheaper AA filter that robs it of the per pixel sharpness of the D300, as evident by the dpreview detail review of the 90. High ISO I guess they are neck to neck, with maybe the in-cam JPG's slightly better on the D90 because of newer processing horsepower and algos. withing engineering tolerances in all circumstances IMO.


DPREVIEW STATEMENT:
This is a comparison that does show something interesting, however. The processing settings from the D90 and D300 can be swapped between cameras, suggesting the output intent is the same. Yet, for all the similarities in publically announced sensor specifications and consistent color rendering, there are clear differences in per-pixel-sharpness and contrast. Both are shot with the same lens but no amount of re-shooting could get the D90 to match the D300's output.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/page29.asp page shows the JPG mode benefit of the D300


Unfortunately, for those people hoping that the D90 would effectively be a half-price D300, the RAW results appear consistent with those from the JPEGs. Although the underlying silicon is likely to be closely related, it's not necessarily safe to assume that it shares the D300's multi-channel read-out, or downstream processing componentry (Nikon's Expeed branding doesn't refer to a specific processor). Most importantly, there is nothing to suggest that the D90 shares the same low-pass filter assembly (which can be more expensive than the sensor itself and would be an obvious place to reduce costs for a camera in this price-bracket), which would explain the difference in per-pixel-sharpness we see here.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/page33.asp shows that its not that the camera software has been crippled, it is the hardware itself, because RAW results are also on the same lines as the JPG
/END DPREVIEW STATEMENT

On both these pages, you can look at the third crop from the top for the horizontal lines on the front coin, and also the second crop from the bottom for the texture detail on the tree. The first crop from the top showing the crest is also clearly superior on the D300. (this DPreview comparo uses the same lens and settings for these comparative photographs)

[Xavier]

Speaking about the comparison between the D90 & the D300, I liked Ken Rockwell's review of the D90

Here's the link D90 - Review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm)

And here's an excerpt from the review

The more I use the D90, the more I like it. Compared to the old D300, the D90 offers the same or better image quality, with many new features, in a lighter plastic package with the same vivid and accurate 3" LCD and a much improved rear multi selector for faster handling. The D90 also has better ergonomics than the D300 and D3, so it's easier to get where you want in the menus faster.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Speaking about the comparison between the D90 & the D300, I liked Ken Rockwell's review of the D90

Here's the link D90 - Review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm)

And here's an excerpt from the review

The more I use the D90, the more I like it. Compared to the old D300, the D90 offers the same or better image quality, with many new features, in a lighter plastic package with the same vivid and accurate 3" LCD and a much improved rear multi selector for faster handling. The D90 also has better ergonomics than the D300 and D3, so it's easier to get where you want in the menus faster.
Well don't get me wrong here, I do read and enjoy Rockwell's site, and more often than not get a kick out of it, trust me, I do.

But I limit the data I get from there. Some irrefutable data like his experience with LOTS of nikons, and the lens compatibility tables and what nots aside, I take all of what he writes with a not a pinch but a BIG pile of salt. I mean this guy was all for the DX format in the earlier days of the DSLR world ranting and raving about why DX was good and why no manufacturer would ever go back to full frame.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/dx.htm
read slightly down the page where he is berating all the larger sensors.
Then a few years down the line he was so much for the full frames that god forbid if anyone mentioned the smaller formats
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/full-frame-advantage.htm

he sometimes rants about how the press releases of the various corporations are just bullsh** to get the upgraders swipe their cards, and berates other sites for publishing the press releases, then for the D90 review, effectively copy-pastes the nikon release about ease of use, best image quality and what not.

for technical evaluations, I would trust someone with more experience in the field of camera testing and evaluation. and the dpreview article suits well.

I'll admit it, I am a pixel peeper, and sharpness does matter to me at the pixel level also, but if I go looking for the D300, it will be because of the 51 point AF system with insane tracking capability, the rugged metal body, the faster continuous frame rates, and the generally advanced level of capabilities that it would provide.

[Xavier]

Well don't get me wrong here, I do read and enjoy Rockwell's site, and more often than not get a kick out of it, trust me, I do.

But I limit the data I get from there. Some irrefutable data like his experience with LOTS of nikons, and the lens compatibility tables and what nots aside, I take all of what he writes with a not a pinch but a BIG pile of salt. I mean this guy was all for the DX format in the earlier days of the DSLR world ranting and raving about why DX was good and why no manufacturer would ever go back to full frame.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/dx.htm
read slightly down the page where he is berating all the larger sensors.
Then a few years down the line he was so much for the full frames that god forbid if anyone mentioned the smaller formats
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/full-frame-advantage.htm

he sometimes rants about how the press releases of the various corporations are just bullsh** to get the upgraders swipe their cards, and berates other sites for publishing the press releases, then for the D90 review, effectively copy-pastes the nikon release about ease of use, best image quality and what not.

for technical evaluations, I would trust someone with more experience in the field of camera testing and evaluation. and the dpreview article suits well.

I'll admit it, I am a pixel peeper, and sharpness does matter to me at the pixel level also, but if I go looking for the D300, it will be because of the 51 point AF system with insane tracking capability, the rugged metal body, the faster continuous frame rates, and the generally advanced level of capabilities that it would provide.


That was a wonderful read! Really! :D And yes, I do agree about the metal body and the superior AF system of the D300, and also the fact that since it's a slightly older body, you'll get better deals on it. Hope you get your hands on it! :)

[Psycho_McCrazy]

lets see what I eventually end up with though...
gotta revisit that clearance sale to see for any other killer deals (missed the D300 deal actually - its a big satday night vodka hangover long sleep late to get to the store someone else took it before me story), but lets see what I end up with. Most probably it will be a used film camera and some lenses from my upcoming trip to Akihabara/Tokyo on the next weekend - there is a photography equipment expo and me and a friend are planning a trip there...
Will post photos of all expensive lenses and cameras and stuff if I can. :D

[KrishnenduKes]

Interesting discussion there. If you guys wish that the thread be renamed to something more relevant, do let me know! :)

[Psycho_McCrazy]

nah its fine...
let this thread be my return thread.
gotta go to the store with the clearance sale tomorrow again. lets see if any more deals have surfaced. Otherwise, next weekend is a trip to Akihabara...

[KrishnenduKes]

All this discussion about film and Velvia has got me urging to go and open my cupboard and take out my EOS5 once again.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

All this discussion about film and Velvia has got me urging to go and open my cupboard and take out my EOS5 once again.hehhhe
we should rename you to 5 Da, for the EOS5 and the EOS5D :p

when are ya getting the 5D2 btw :p

In all probability will letya all know tomorrow or day after what i get

[KrishnenduKes]

hehhhe
we should rename you to 5 Da, for the EOS5 and the EOS5D :p

when are ya getting the 5D2 btw :p

In all probability will letya all know tomorrow or day after what i get

This is to let you and everybody know that I am NOT getting the 5D mkII. There seems to be a bug in it. It stopped shooting in the middle of a shoot. Happened twice. The person concerned is trying to get it replaced entirely. There have been several cases apparently.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Gentlemen, it is offical now. I am a Nikonian

The trip to Akihabara did not yield any result, there simply wasn't a good collection of stuff available at the shop that I had scouted there earlier.

One thing however struck my mind. The Nikkor AF 50/1.4 D was dirt cheap compared to its earlier price. I had also seen the same at one of the Local Hamamatsu stores. So I did not buy anything at Akihabara, but today, I got one. Now, to Hijack a friend's Nikon DSLR and take some test shots. Will go tomorrow to buy a film body from a camera shop here at Hamamatsu that has a pretty darn good used stuff availability.

The Photo Imaging expo was pretty darn good. All the stuff of Nikon, Canon, Oly, Pentax, Sigma, Panasonic, Sony was on display. Sony and Canon has also set up their tele lenses at one side of their stalls and were allowing users to get a first hand experience. The view of a Canon EF 300/2.8 IS or the 400/2.8 IS with a 5D2 mounted is awesome, and what's awesomer is the view from the viewfinder of these 5D2. The AF performance of these is killer. The exhibition halls weren't super brightly lit, but the speed of the autofocus was instantaneous. Also, the Canon Image Stabilized Binoculars were on display. Seeing the IS work with your own eyes is an once in a lifetime experience. One of those (or the Nikon VR ones) is now on my wishlist.

[powerslave]

So what did you buy?

[Psycho_McCrazy]

as stated above, got the Nikkor 50/1.4 lens. Will get a camera body and another lens today.

[powerslave]

Oh, I was wondering where you mentioned a cam body. What's the plan?

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Oh, I was wondering where you mentioned a cam body. What's the plan?
The plan has been executed, and now I am the proud owner of a Nikon F5 body and another AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 D lens in addition to the 50/1.4 prime i got earlier.

Time to learn the tricks of the trade of the camera, and then load up one of the two rolls of film that I got.

[powerslave]

Nice. Can you tell us the final cost breakdown?

[KrishnenduKes]

Congrats Psycho on getting the primes and the F5. I think the 5 was released about a decade ago. Supposed to be an awesome piece of machinery with 15fps of thereabouts.

Do scan some of your photographs and share with us please. We would be glad to see them.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Congrats Psycho on getting the primes and the F5. I think the 5 was released about a decade ago. Supposed to be an awesome piece of machinery with 15fps of thereabouts.

Do scan some of your photographs and share with us please. We would be glad to see them.
Thanks :)
the F5 is an legendary nikon Film SLR. (goes to 8fps only though - and that with the optional Ni-MH battery. with the 8 AA batteries as I have it, its 7.4 fps - but I am never gonna use that much (unless I have a windfall of a few thousand rolls of film)

and of-course I am gonna share the scans, the shop where i got the cam and lens has film development and scanning facilities for color film, but not for B&W. am looking for more options on that, will ask some colleagues here, they ought to know - or at least can help me look for some place.

will take this week to learn the camera controls, and then will load the film roll(simple ISO100 Fujifilm basic color print film) in the weekend, take it out along with my digicam, scout for shots, take preview shots with the digicam to judge exposure and then shoot with the F5 (first few rolls I wanna get used to the metering and all - before I move to the unforgiving for exposure error slide films)

@powerslave: All prices in Japanese Yen: 27800 AF50/1.4D new (10% of this price points added to my card, can use at 1 point to the yen later at that shop), 43920 F5 Camera body used (orig price 315000 yen :cool::eek:, however, this is a discontinued product now, and is available used at low prices, but it is a the rolls royce and hummer of 35mm film cameras in one single package), 30420 AF20/2.8D used lens in perfect condition (orig new price 52000+ yen saw at the other shop where i got the 50/1.4). Pretty darn good deal, with 6 months shop warranty on the used cam body and the 20mm lens.

[KrishnenduKes]

Thanks :)

will take this week to learn the camera controls, and then will load the film roll(simple ISO100 Fujifilm basic color print film) in the weekend, take it out along with my digicam, scout for shots, take preview shots with the digicam to judge exposure and then shoot with the F5 (first few rolls I wanna get used to the metering and all - before I move to the unforgiving for exposure error slide films)


These cameras have tremendous metering. You will not go very wrong with TP rolls. And newer (tech wise) TP rolls easily support upto -2/3ev and upto +1/2ev errors. Hence as long as you are not overexposing, you would not go too wrong. Unless you have never shot on silver nitrate before. In that case it is better to do with more forgiving film before than go wrong with TP.

Fuji! Yes, nice choice. I would prefer Fuji over Kodak anyday, even for TPs. But then again, depends on what you are looking for.

And when you are scanning your rolls, do find out what they are scanning with. It is important to know your scanner. I like the Nikon scanners. They are arguable some of the best in the business

[Psycho_McCrazy]

These cameras have tremendous metering. You will not go very wrong with TP rolls. And newer (tech wise) TP rolls easily support upto -2/3ev and upto +1/2ev errors. Hence as long as you are not overexposing, you would not go too wrong. Unless you have never shot on silver nitrate before. In that case it is better to do with more forgiving film before than go wrong with TP.
My film experience is effectively zero (print film in a Yashica point and shoot a few eons ago won't count I guess), which is why first I am going for a few rolls of print film, and B&W before taking the plunge for that roll of velvia.

anyway, here's my stuff:

the 50/1.4
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6024/p1030610d.jpg

The Nikon SLR kit (as yet)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5250/p1030631o.jpg

the F5 with the 20/2.8 mounted - different views
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7336/p1030617x.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7863/p1030625.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6861/p1030626.jpg

[KrishnenduKes]

Wanted to ask if the prism can be lifted out to look into; the way one could do with the F2, F3, etc...

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Wanted to ask if the prism can be lifted out to look into; the way one could do with the F2, F3, etc...yups, the F5 was the last pro nikon with an interchangeable prism and interchangeable focusing screens.

the prisms of newer nikons cannot be changed, but dunno for sure about the focusing screens. In better canons they can be changed from the front - from inside the lens mount, dunno about new nikons.

EDIT.: Just read on nikon D3's spec page that is does have interchangeable focusing screens feature.

[powerslave]

Nice deal. Looks like an awesome setup. I wish I could afford film. Let's see some of them kickass photos.

[KrishnenduKes]

EDIT.: Just read on nikon D3's spec page that is does have interchangeable focusing screens feature.

Thanks.

Interchangeable focussing screens is a pretty common feature on most pro to semi-pro DSLR cams.

Nice deal. Looks like an awesome setup. I wish I could afford film. Let's see some of them kickass photos.

Afford!!! Come to India, I will buy you -ve film US$6 for a box of 5 films of 36 exposures. And developping will cost you half a dollar per film!!!

Of course, TPs and good B/W will cost you more.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Lock & Load
that means that the film and batteries are loaded into the camera and I'm heading out to shoot some :D

[powerslave]

Sweet. See you after a whole load of 36 exposures. ( A few more if you know how.. :D)

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Sweet. See you after a whole load of 36 exposures. ( A few more if you know how.. :D)
well I did put the camera in the mode where it does not automatically rewind film after hitting 36 exposures, but baaki sab camera ki marzi hai!!!

as yet have taken 16 shots with film, and it is now too dreary outside to take any more.

[KrishnenduKes]

Sweet. See you after a whole load of 36 exposures. ( A few more if you know how.. :D)

These cameras will take 36 only and NO MORE! They have the film detecting sensors, the numbers, the ASA rating and all that. Even the loading of the film to the first shot (or last according to your cam settings) is automatic.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

the F5 actually has a custom function that does not stop the camera at the counted 36 snaps but i guess keeps taking snaps till its encounters the end of roll.
I have kept it that way (and that infact is the default setting of that custom func.)(options are disabled, 35 and 36 snaps)

also, I seem to have found a studio that'll scan B&W for me.
and also, I found a store stocking Ilford Delta film too.

[powerslave]

Well, its got something to do with loading the film in dark. My dad used to do this and get 3 (or 4?) more exposures from a 36exp roll. I don't know how to do it, but he used to. I think he used to sit under a blanket and turn out the lights and then change the roll or something.

[KrishnenduKes]

Well, its got something to do with loading the film in dark. My dad used to do this and get 3 (or 4?) more exposures from a 36exp roll. I don't know how to do it, but he used to. I think he used to sit under a blanket and turn out the lights and then change the roll or something.

I used to load my rolls manually in the OM2 SLR and that ways I used to get upto 39 shots with a roll of film. But in automatic loading film cameras, like in the EOS1 or the EOS5 or the EOS3, I just put the cartridge into the cam and the gears advanced the film leader automatically to either shot1 or shot36 according to the custom settings.

Psycho says that he can override the sensor detector function in the F5. Lets see how many he can get.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

The initial loading of the film is automatic, as in after closing the film door and pressing the shutter release, it automatically brings it to frame #1.
The custom function is supposed to not stop film advance at 36. lets see what it does.

reference: custom fn.#12 at this page
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/NikonF5Manual/index8.htm

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Incoming:

Dance at Hamamatsu Festival
F5, Fujicolor 100, AF Nikkor 50/1.4D, f2.8, 1/320
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3496345179_53da25e823_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3496345179/)

Crazy DOF effects
F5, Fujicolor 100, AF Nikkor 50/1.4D, f2, 1/1000 (IIRC)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3496347789_5d00cff667_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3496347789/)

The tracks go so far, but I am caged
F5, Fujicolor 100, AF Nikkor 20/2.8D, f5.6, 1/400
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3496347189_361766d613_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3496347189/)

The Castle in Wideangle
F5, Fujicolor 100, AF Nikkor 20/2.8D, f5.6, 1/200 (Exp Comp +0.3 to compensate for the meter thrown off by the overcast gray-white sky)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3497166932_c83b3dd7ed_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3497166932/)
Comparable widest shots from my digicam is here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3411363706/) at equivalent focal length of 35mm.

More shots at my flickr photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/) (first 19 images are film)

All the film shots were shots in Aperture Priority mode, most of them Matrix Metering. Will add the lens, aperture and shutter speed info to all these photos later on flickr.

shooting with the SLR was a wonderful experience.
The AWESOME large full frame viewfinder is a breeze to use.
The instantaneous shutter response is great to have for shots like the first one posted above. The killer AF performance also makes it easy.
The Full Frame sensor and fast lenses are necessary for the depth of field effects (2nd shot).
The 20mm wide lenses are necessary for the the landscape shots and stretching decent sized rail tracks to LONG lengths :d.

The colors achieved have me mesmerised. haven't seen this rich reds and yellows from my digicam.
More images can be expected soon as when I dropped this film for processing, picked up an roll of Fujifilm Superia Venus 400 print film and have already shot 20 frames of an festival procession. (shot as dusk, so will see how this one turns out. Have used mostly larger apertures.)

The scanning was done on the developing machine itself I think, and leaves a lot to be desired. The resolution of the scans is only 2MP, whereas I am pretty sure that the film has way more information than that. I think that even the basic ISO100 print film is good for 10-12MP of crisp details. Also, all of the photographs were slightly cropped and/or misaligned while scanning. The film that I have has the photographs exactly as I framed them in the VF, but there is cropping on almost all of the photograph scans. Will try another shop next time to see how that goes.

I gotta find a better scanning service, or gotta find someone with a film scanner.

PS> the camera took 36 shots and said end, but did not auto-rewind. I guess that the autoloading to the first frame is what kills it. There is space worth atleast two more shots between the first shot and the completely exposed area (the part that is already out of the spool when loading it to the camera and matching the leader to the marked spot)

[KrishnenduKes]

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info. The DOF in the 2nd, or rather the lack of it, reminds me of the better days in the past. And the railway tracks have left me quite meserised. Though you can easily crop out the top third of the photograph.

Yes, I do feel that the scanner leaves a LOT to be desired. Looking at the colours on my screen, it does not look like a Fuji. It looks more like Kodachrome! Other than the second shot on the above post. I have to look at the prints to be sure. I prefer Fuji Velvia any day to Kodachrome. Though the choice is purely personal.

Did you choose 400 film with the express purpose of shooting in low light?

Ps; As I had said, the camera would take 36 only.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Dunno about the specific scanner used, but I think it was some Fuji Corp Film development machine and scanner.

As for the look of the colors, I am happy with the rich greens and yellows. I haven't gotten any prints yet, but will get selected prints later.

Yups, got the 400 speed film because I was going to be shooting at dusk.
when there were moderately lighted areas, I was able to get f2.8 and 1/100 approx. But the real benefit was in significant dark shots where because of the equipment and the faster film I was able to pull off f/1.4 and 1/50, which should give me blur(long exposure cam shake) free shots.

[KrishnenduKes]

Dunno about the specific scanner used, but I think it was some Fuji Corp Film development machine and scanner.


Try scanning them with someone who has a Nikon scanner, there are a few pro ones which are really good. Maybe you should get one yourself.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

Yups, I have read about the Nikon Film Scanners. They are standalone equipment, very high quality. Cost a thousand dollars and more, so there are limiting factors to getting one for myself.

Will however look if someone has one and try to use it to see the results.
Does anyone back home in India own one, as in someone known to you?

[Psycho_McCrazy]

I am now done with the second roll of film (Fujifilm Superia 400 color print film)

got 37 shots :D :D, but there was a double shot in between so it still balances out at 36.

have uploaded 34 of the 36 shots to flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/

here are some of the better ones for preview:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3640627481_e54cb954c8_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3640627481/) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3640617335_7035755c6f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3640617335/) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3641428134_0e25f67233_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3641428134/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3641431170_5697b64e98_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3641431170/) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3640624533_d568ebd265_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3640624533/) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3641434078_aef9518fa8_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3641434078/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3640621883_909e388377_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychomccrazy/3640621883/)

Have also posted the bokeh and portrait shots in their respective threads...

Next up: Black and White, Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 roll is loaded....

[KrishnenduKes]

Thanks for the updates. Pretty well scanned I must say. And for someone who is shooting with just his 2nd roll of film, I must say that you have learnt very fast. Some shots are worth of mentioning as very well done indeed!

[Psycho_McCrazy]

while this is my second roll, I have been shooting for a long time.... though it has been with point and shoots mostly. And once again, having a responsive SLR with a killer AF system and a fast lens totally opens up new avenues. Am totally in love with the 100% coverage 0.7x magnification full 35mm frame viewfinder. I don't think i'd be able to adjust to DX/Crop finders.....

And the scanning definitely is better this time around. While the image resolution of the JPG is the same, 2MP approx, the alignment of film and all are way better than before. This time I went to a separate place, a camera store/processing services chain as opposed to a standalone studio.