Cheep Film Users Anonymous

[PatrickONeill]

ok, I may not be anonymous here, but I have to admit a problem;

I can't stop shooting cheep film from the dollarstore. The local "99¢ Only" sells rolls of "Memories" 200 C-41 24 exposure film for a buck each. Its made in Japan, so its pretty much Superia 200. Anyways, If I'm low on film and i need to get some film soon. Ordering fresh film online would take too long and the local stores don't stock a good variety of film and no way am I paying $11 for a roll of Portra400. I just hop into the 99¢ Only Store and for $10.71, I have 260 shots of color film. and with the local CVS offering processing for $1.88 a roll... its so cheep, I can shoot at Winograndian proportions and still not worry about costs.

and some samples.... pardon the wonky colors & distortion, I'm cheep and I'm using a digital slr as a copy camera with and oooold light table. Are you noticing a trend? 😀


R021_F07 by lightcapturestudio, on Flickr


R022_F19 by lightcapturestudio, on Flickr

 

[_larky]

You Sir, have just inspired me to start shooting film again. No joke, my story for those interested people...

I can no longer use chemicals due to health matters, so I cannot shoot B&W. Yes, I'd send it away but that costs a fortune. I thought about colour, but my scanner is dead so I'd have to buy a new scanner and I can't find one that can compete with a modern digital for less than a squillion quid. So I was decided. And heartbroken. I have 50 odd rolls of film lying around.

Now I see the light, buy a cheap (or make one) lightbox, use my D200 to shoot the negs, and invert in Photoshop. I guess that's the trick here? PAtrick, would you mind taking a photo of your rig.

Those shots are great. I really like them. I'm going to buy a Bessa tomorrow, anyone suggest a shop in the UK, maybe London?

 

[The Standard Deviant]

What's wrong with the X100? ; )

 

[PatrickONeill]

You Sir, have just inspired me to start shooting film again. No joke, my story for those interested people...

I can no longer use chemicals due to health matters, so I cannot shoot B&W. Yes, I'd send it away but that costs a fortune. I thought about colour, but my scanner is dead so I'd have to buy a new scanner and I can't find one that can compete with a modern digital for less than a squillion quid. So I was decided. And heartbroken. I have 50 odd rolls of film lying around.

Now I see the light, buy a cheap (or make one) lightbox, use my D200 to shoot the negs, and invert in Photoshop. I guess that's the trick here? PAtrick, would you mind taking a photo of your rig.

Those shots are great. I really like them. I'm going to buy a Bessa tomorrow, anyone suggest a shop in the UK, maybe London?

Thats awesome to hear that you want to go back to film! I'll post up my workflow to a new thread with time willing tomorrow. 😀

What's wrong with the X100? ; )

there is nothing wrong with the X100 😉

 

[_larky]

The X100 is wonderful, nothing wrong at all. But I miss winding the shutter on.

I'll keep my eyes open, thanks for sharing.

 

[dmr]

I still shoot film, and yes, I grab it cheap when and where I can.

Film selection has been diminishing lately, but if you look around you can still find bargains.

I shoot mostly plain vanilla Fuji 200 and if I can find it for under $2 a roll I'll grab a bunch. Usually it's various sale prices lately at supermarkets and drug stores.

 

[_larky]

I'm hunting around for a film camera to suit my needs, and struggling miserably. 🙁 I want an RF, good viewfinder. I'm struggling to locate one apart from a new Bessa (they cost tons) and some M gear (can't afford the lenses). I'd like a Canonet III or something similar.

Than I'm gonna raid Poundland 🙂

 

[dmr]

I'd like a Canonet III or something similar.

You can get those on Ebay if you're feeling lucky! 🙂

 

[_larky]

Last time I bought form eHell the thing turned up in bits, it rattled. 🙂

 

[_larky]

So how do you take these shots? I tested doing it on a lightbox, then inverting in Photoshop, it looked like tat. I was thinking I could buy a £30 cheapy cheap scanner, which would keep the cheap theme going 🙂

 

[PatrickONeill]

So how do you take these shots? I tested doing it on a lightbox, then inverting in Photoshop, it looked like tat. I was thinking I could buy a £30 cheapy cheap scanner, which would keep the cheap theme going 🙂

I'm going to write up a tutorial as soon as I get my next batch of film developed. which, since its the first, will be this monday. 🙂

it took me a while to get good color, and it still is, I have a few more experiments I need to try.

 

[_larky]

Sweet, I'm a very excited boy. It gives me an excuse to buy an M2 🙂 That's not cheap I know!

 

[_larky]

I got this working! I don't have a macro, so am using the X100 and cropping out. I also don't have a lightbox, so I use my iPhone screen and set it to pure white. You can see the pixels, but who cares, this is a test! I love this, I really need a film camera. 🙂

Test image:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5686251185_e088ba6a38_z.jpg

 

[olleorama]

there is cheap B&W film too!

 

[PatrickONeill]

there is cheap B&W film too!

what is the film? =)

 

[robklurfield]

arista 100 edu 4X5. the streak was the result of doing the tortilla method inside out. oops. if I learn to process this stuff right, how to focus, set a decent exposure and compose for LF, I'll be all set. Miles to go yet. rather challenging now.

broken crown graphic, fungus-infected optar 135/4.5, non-working RF, screwed up focus rack yoke, but look there's a readable image here. hurray. cause for optimism that I can actually make pictures with this setup even with the camera needing work and the shooter even more.

 

[olleorama]

what is the film? =)

Shanghai GP3. I have also used ERA PSS, both in 35mm and 4x5". It is better than shanghai, but alas, is no longer made. Never tried the lucky brand, some like it, some don't.