From the ground up: Film SLR 101
Sun, Dec 14, 2008
I know some of you wont be going anywhere this holiday. So instead of sulking alone at home why not try out film photography. Its a bit of a hassle but hey, its a new skill to brag to your mates. To those of you who have always wanted to try out film photography, well now is your chance. First up you’ll need a film SLR and film. Im using a nikon F80, easily bought for around 40 quid. You can get a fully manual SLR in excellent condition for less than 10 quid as well. I got mine from someone special i know (tersipu-sipu sebentar). Anyway.. Below are step by step guides on how to insert film into your camera.
1. Im using Ilford Black and White film, HP5 at ISO 400. You can use any brand of film really. It retails around 3 quid per roll, having 36 exposures/images on 1 roll. Some rolls might also have 24 exposures.
2. This is the film roll outside of its container. Please click Read More for the rest of the guide…
3. Open the film SLR back by pressing a small hatch at the side of the body.
4. Now on the roll there’s a small protruding part from your camera which fits to a notch inside the SLR. See the empty part of the SLR on the left? Thats where it goes.
5. Pull the film across the shutter curtain. The weird shape on the film is called a film leader. Hold on your nearly done. Wipe that sweat of your forehead…Easy there bro..easy..
6. Making sure that the film is flat across the shutter curtain, slide it all the way till it reaches the other side of the camera.
7. The film leader should reach a cylinder with notches that can hook on the small square holes on the film.
8. Hook it up bro…
9. Hold the film cartridge and ensure film is properly positioned with no slack.
10. Then gently close the camera back until the camera back snaps closed. Film automatically advances to the first frame
11. Number one indicates the film is in its first exposure.
12. Set your ISO dial to 400 according to the film speed. Then change the dial back to either PSAM. So, done, now your ready for your first film roll. Everything else is exactly like a DSLR, well everything except the LCD screen on the back. Enjoi mates. Owh and happy holidays as well ; )
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May 6th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Nice written tutorial. Not because of I’m part of LENSA but I refer to it as I just got my first film camera! Haha
December 9th, 2009 at 4:46 AM
sometimes i felt it is more easy to load film into Diana Mini compared to Canon EOS 300…