Experimenting with film cameras

During class, we took out a Mamiya RB67 and were shown how to load it with film and the basic features. We then took the camera, along with a tripod and light meter, outside to use as a group. 

We set up a (simple) scene, adjusted the focus, held the light meter towards the subjects and then adjusted the ISO and aperture (f stop). We then took a few photos in hope that at least one would come out okay.

We took our film to the darkroom, mixed each solution needed, left the photos to develop for the correct amount of time at the right temperature, etc. We did everything we thought was right. We hung the photos up to dry and eagerly waited for them to develop. But they didn't - well, we could make out shapes and some features, but the photos were almost completely black! We still don't know what we did wrong, but we assume it was in the developing process as the we could make out a photo, but it just hadn't developed. Maybe the temperature was wrong, maybe we didn't leave them in the solutions long enough.. we don't know, but at least we can (attempt to) learn from our mistakes! 

At this point, I already knew I wouldn't be using a film camera. I find them too laborious and expensive to develop. I appreciate anyone who does use film cameras, as I don't have as much patience at they do, and the images captured by film cameras generally tend to be seen as more 'special' because of the time and effort it takes to take the photo and then develop them. 

However, I like to be able to take lots of quick photos and look back at them straight away. If I've done something wrong, I will know straight away and can adjust my mistake. Also, it makes very little sense for me to use a film camera when photographing a young child. As I've mentioned before, it's very hard to keep my nephew still - he isn't keen on having his photo taken, let alone being told to sit still. Besides, I don't want to pester him for the sake of my project - I want all my photos to be captured naturally. So, for these main reasons, I shall stick to my Canon DSLR. However, it was fun to play with the older cameras!