Tips With Film

[Origami]

Well, on the off chance someone feels like approving this post....

I recently got an old, beat up Pentax Super Me. While I've played with Digital SLR cameras, I've never actually used a decent film camera. Anyone got any tips for manipulating film to obtain specific effects?
I think I'll be getting some old filters and flashes for it as well, more fun for me since I love old stuff. x3

[Steve Jobs]

What do you mean by "tips for manipulating film to obtain specific effects?"
There are many things you can achieve on film via special techniques, even if many of them are one-click actions on Photoshop today.
Film still holds its advantages over digital in its own ways. And there are many; too many to elaborate.

I don't know exactly where you'd like to head on this thread, but you could start off looking up Ansel Adams and see his works for a bit of inspiration.

[Magenta]

Okay so I honestly don't know how much you know about film SLRs already but I recently just took out my mum's for a test run after like 15 years of it not being in use so...

First, I don't tend do to any effects with the camera but I do have one tip with winding film for you seeing as film photography (unless you're processing and developing yourself like I do) can be an expensive hobby.

When you're putting film into the camera, most cameras will direct you to put it in and fire off two or three basically blank shots on the lead to make sure it's winding the film. Instead, learn to manually wind the film in and you'll actually manage to get anywhere between two to four more shots on your roll of film. 'Cause of how expensive it is to develop, having the extra shots is nice because you get more out of one roll of film.

I do this frequently and so a roll of 36 exposure film has gotten 39 instead when I last went and shot a roll.

Also, if it's "beat up" (not entirely sure what you mean by that) make sure your shutter and the mirror both work properly. I use a fully manual Canon FTB and what used to happen was the shutter would stick and parts of your shot would come out white or black depending. My camera would be a little older than yours but it's still worth checking because there's a little bit of what I call "fuzzy stuff" in the body that keeps the shutter from sticking and sometimes in old cameras, it gets worn down.

Oh and make sure the battery for your light meter works. I'm not familiar with Pentax but most cameras need a battery for the light meter which is basically how you're going judge whether or not a shot will work. Mine didn't have a working battery and they don't make the batteries anymore so that's the only con of my film SLR.

Right, well, not sure if any of that would help or if you already knew it but there you go.

[Origami]

What do you mean by "tips for manipulating film to obtain specific effects?"
There are many things you can achieve on film via special techniques, even if many of them are one-click actions on Photoshop today.
Film still holds its advantages over digital in its own ways. And there are many; too many to elaborate.

I don't know exactly where you'd like to head on this thread, but you could start off looking up Ansel Adams and see his works for a bit of inspiration.

Sorry, I didn't elaborate. I wasn't referring to post processing, I'm more than capable of attaining anything I want in that stage. Playing with film I kind of want to find a way to create various "feels" without Photoshopping them later. If that makes sense.
Okay so I honestly don't know how much you know about film SLRs already but I recently just took out my mum's for a test run after like 15 years of it not being in use so...

First, I don't tend do to any effects with the camera but I do have one tip with winding film for you seeing as film photography (unless you're processing and developing yourself like I do) can be an expensive hobby.

When you're putting film into the camera, most cameras will direct you to put it in and fire off two or three basically blank shots on the lead to make sure it's winding the film. Instead, learn to manually wind the film in and you'll actually manage to get anywhere between two to four more shots on your roll of film. 'Cause of how expensive it is to develop, having the extra shots is nice because you get more out of one roll of film.

I do this frequently and so a roll of 36 exposure film has gotten 39 instead when I last went and shot a roll.

Also, if it's "beat up" (not entirely sure what you mean by that) make sure your shutter and the mirror both work properly. I use a fully manual Canon FTB and what used to happen was the shutter would stick and parts of your shot would come out white or black depending. My camera would be a little older than yours but it's still worth checking because there's a little bit of what I call "fuzzy stuff" in the body that keeps the shutter from sticking and sometimes in old cameras, it gets worn down.

Oh and make sure the battery for your light meter works. I'm not familiar with Pentax but most cameras need a battery for the light meter which is basically how you're going judge whether or not a shot will work. Mine didn't have a working battery and they don't make the batteries anymore so that's the only con of my film SLR.

Right, well, not sure if any of that would help or if you already knew it but there you go.

Actually, this DOES help. I'm very inexperienced with film and wouldn't have had the winding tip cross my mind at all.
So far everything appears to be in working order. I haven't gotten a chance to take it out and test it quite yet, but I should this weekend and I'll let you know about how it goes. As far as "beat up" it's mostly just scratched and chips in the outer shell, but I do believe the film rewind crank is broken, or just ungodly jammed.

[unknownuser]

How much do you know about digital SLRs- or have you only shot in Auto mode?
Really, with a film SLR basic things you need to know are aperture (speaking of lthat, which lens came with your camera?) , shutter speed, iso, and how the camera operates. Once you've got that down, you can move on to some more creative things like composition, lighting effects, etc. The best way to learn these things- head to the library, thrift store, or garage sale and pick up a photography book- they're like wine, the older, the better. ;)

[Steve Jobs]

Oh and make sure the battery for your light meter works. I'm not familiar with Pentax but most cameras need a battery for the light meter which is basically how you're going judge whether or not a shot will work. Mine didn't have a working battery and they don't make the batteries anymore so that's the only con of my film SLR.

Right, well, not sure if any of that would help or if you already knew it but there you go.

My point to add in - you could invest in a separate light meter instead.
Light meters built into cameras record and meter reflected light rays (measuring light that reflects off your subject) rather than incident light rays, which are more accurate. It's costly and unless you seriously know what you're after however..