Penny Pinching? Is it Possible?

[brians]

I'd just like to say hello and say that this forum is great! It's got a lot of info, repair tips, excellent photographers showing off their work, and just a lot of awesome stuff you can't really find anywhere else on the web.

So I've been recently dragged into the camera collecting hobby/addiction (whatever you prefer to call it), and I am wondering if there are any ways to save money! I never realized how expensive of a hobby this is, and although I've been getting things in the cheaper range (Zorki-4, FED-2, Yashica Electro GSN), it's starting to add up. I have never used an RF camera before, but after seeing several photos of a friend who owns an older Nikon, I just kind of fell in love.

I'm wondering what film would be best to use for a budget-conscious college student which has overall good results and good composition, and also, any other tips I can know about RFs?

Thanks!

 

[BJ Bignell]

Consider getting a bulk-loader and some cassettes, and buy 100' rolls of Tri-X, HP5, or whatever it is you like to use. Standard b&w films are pretty cheap this way.

Learning to develop film at home might save some money, too.

BJ

 

[FrankS]

Yep, what BJ said.

Something else to consider: you may think you are being thrifty by spending just a few bucks on cheapy, used cameras. If you buy enough of them however, you could have bought a really decent used camera instead. I know if I COULD liquidate all my "bargain" cameras, I could afford to buy a used Leica with the proceeds.

 

[dmr]

I'm wondering what film would be best to use for a budget-conscious college student which has overall good results and good composition, and also, any other tips I can know about RFs?

Well, I'm a former starving college student, so maybe I can help. 🙂

You didn't say if you were more interested in color or B&W film. Back in those days I shot mostly B&W because it was much cheaper. Actually, it wasn't the film that was so expensive, it was the processing, actually the printing of color, that killed the pocketbook. Even these days, processing costs more than the film. If I thought I could actually save that much by doing it myself, I would.

If you want to do color, I suggest you just look around and get a major brand film when it's on sale or you have coupons, etc. I tried a house brand film earlier this year and I'm kicking myself for it. 🙁 I can always seem to find Fuji 200 color for $1 and change in the 4-5 packs and usually Fuji 400 for less than $2 a roll. Film prices vary quite a bit. Wally World/Sams is often the cheapest, but not always.

For processing, I'll very seldom order prints. Most labs, even Walgreens now, will do a DO or a DO/CD. Out of a roll, I usually find only a few at most that I really want to keep, so I'll print only the ones I want.

As for other tips, shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. That's what real cameras are for! 🙂

 

[iggers]

What he said :>

What he said :>

Ouch! That hits close to home.

Yep, what BJ said.

Something else to consider: you may think you are being thrifty by spending just a few bucks on cheapy, used cameras. If you buy enough of them however, you could have bought a really decent used camera instead. I know if I COULD liquidate all my "bargain" cameras, I could afford to buy a used Leica with the proceeds.

 

[rover]

Heck, that is exactly what I did to get my M6, I sold all my "little" stuff and got one "big" stuff. I guess the point is to not necessarily pass on a bargain, but be mindful of where you want to be in the future and build towards that.

 

[brians]

Yep, what BJ said.

Something else to consider: you may think you are being thrifty by spending just a few bucks on cheapy, used cameras. If you buy enough of them however, you could have bought a really decent used camera instead. I know if I COULD liquidate all my "bargain" cameras, I could afford to buy a used Leica with the proceeds.

That's a great tip Frank. I am constantly starting to scrap together bits of money to get old soviet cameras (LEICA COPIES) rather than the real thing! I was about to spend 60 bucks (shipped) on a FED-2 & FED-3 package on the bay. The details were a bit shady, but.... with packages from Russia coming in 2-3 weeks, I felt a bit compelled to take it.

dmr436, thanks for that great tip. I am wondering how to get into film processing so I can get some negatives out of my film rolls. I am wondering what the processes behind that is. I'm alright with going to the photolab to get things printed out, but I guess it's paying more than I should to get 3 prints that I really liked out of a roll of 36 frames.

BJ, I noticed that some places (like Costco) don't develop bulk films, but I have read a little bit on it, and I thank you for the suggestion. I totally agree that $29.95 for a 100ft roll compared to $64 bucks for an equivalent of that in prerolled film canisters is a better bargain.

greyhound, thanks for your advice again, I'll go check that film out as well as the bulk film.

So, I know this is off topic, but, say you're in my place, and you're getting a whole bunch of these budget cameras, Feds, Zorkis, Zenit (SLR) old Yashicas, old Pentaxes (SLR). I would love to own a nice Leica, but what would you recommend in terms of a "medium" budget camera?

Thanks guys.

 

[RML]

BJ, I noticed that some places (like Costco) don't develop bulk films, but I have read a little bit on it, and I thank you for the suggestion. I totally agree that $29.95 for a 100ft roll compared to $64 bucks for an equivalent of that in prerolled film canisters is a better bargain.

The point is to develop the film yourself! 🙂 It's actually not difficult at all and many here on RFF will be able to set you on the right path.

So, I know this is off topic, but, say you're in my place, and you're getting a whole bunch of these budget cameras, Feds, Zorkis, Zenit (SLR) old Yashicas, old Pentaxes (SLR). I would love to own a nice Leica, but what would you recommend in terms of a "medium" budget camera?

IMO the Russian are pretty good deals as budget cameras!
If you want something more modern, with a warranty, and electronic metering than go for a Bessa R. Check http://www.cameraquest.com for muuuuuch more info on the Voigtlander range of cameras.

 

[Skinny McGee]

The other thing is If you are looking to save money you are definitly hanging out with wrong crowd. we will have you working some street corner some where for you next camera. Saying the typical pimp talk" Come on everybodies doing it once the pain goes away you'll like it".

 

[GeneW]

Heck, that is exactly what I did to get my M6, I sold all my "little" stuff and got one "big" stuff.

That's a great principle! My problem is that once I got there, I'd start buying bits of "little" stuff again, so I might as well stick with "little" stuff 😀

Gene

 

[rover]

That's a great principle! My problem is that once I got there, I'd start buying bits of "little" stuff again, so I might as well stick with "little" stuff 😀

Gene

Yeah, somehow my M3 showed up after the M6. It doesn't stop, never.

 

[back alley]

"what would you recommend in terms of a "medium" budget camera?"

consider the canons, a nice p or 7.
great cameras, in the same league as a leica, but way less money.
for 2 to 3 hundred you could get either, add a good lens and your laughing.

joe

 

[FrankS]

For "medium" gear, a Bessa RF is good value if you are looking for new, and if you are looking for vintage/classic gear then I can suggest a Contax (which is really a "top shelf" product but available for about 1/3 of Leica costs), or the already mentioned Canon P.