Shooting Film with a vintage Kodak

[bend the light]

Hi,

I picked up an old Kodak Retinette 1B camera, and stuck a roll of Kodak Colourplus 200 film in it.

I haven't a clue how to use it, all the adjustments are on various rings on the lens...very interesting!

My question...is it worth the bother of having the film sent off for developing, or will a quick develop and print at a supermarket be ok just to see what happens?
Do they do anything different when developing film in the "proper" labs, or is it much the same?

It's only fun, so I'm not that bothered, just wondering.

[Alex1994]

Try the supermarket. Usually the prints they get you are perfectly acceptable (standard does vary however, you get both extremes of the scale in terms of quality).

They both use the same machines, which develop the film, scan it and print it via inkjet. The difference is in the manipulation of the scanned image, which at the pro lab may be more skilled. However, both of them may be doing things that you don't agree with. Usually they tend to saturate a lot, customers like that. Whether you like it is another matter.

For the quickness and convenience however, stick with the supermarket. For more important films perhaps send it off to a lab.

Shooting film with old manual cameras taught me photography (and continues to teach me a lot more now that I've moved on to monochrome).

[bend the light]

Thanks, Alex. Yes, I think I'm going to just get it processed. Then I have a friend with a good negative scanner, so I'll scan them there to see how they go.

If all is well, I will maybe shoot more film. I have to decide on everything with the Aperture, Speed, etc. from the ground up...it's making me think a lot more...

Cheers

[Alex1994]

The thing with the supermarket is that they will give you a full set of prints for a negligible extra cost, which makes it well worth. That way, if you happen to get a good photo, you just pop it straight into a picture frame.

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by Alex1994

The thing with the supermarket is that they will give you a full set of prints for a negligible extra cost, which makes it well worth. That way, if you happen to get a good photo, you just pop it straight into a picture frame.

True. Have a set of prints, and the negatives for scanning and into PS if necessary.

Cheers

[wwwphil]

Have you thought about developing your own film? developing black and white only requires a few pieces of equipment, small developing tank, dark bag, always lots on e bay, everything else required you can make do and mend with household items. Lots of tutorials on You Tube to learn process. Its easy enough to learn and most fun I've had with my clothes on for years.

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by wwwphil

Have you thought about developing your own film? developing black and white only requires a few pieces of equipment, small developing tank, dark bag, always lots on e bay, everything else required you can make do and mend with household items. Lots of tutorials on You Tube to learn process. Its easy enough to learn and most fun I've had with my clothes on for years.

Well, I'll see how I get on with this roll, first.

I have a good friend who's been doing photography for many manyyears...he would probably shpow me the ropes...bet he's still got all the kit, too.

Sounds like fun...It might get my 5 year old daughter's interest, too...she likes things like that.

[Fixer]

It can take a lot of time up, I used to do my own b/w years ago, that’s were my user name came from, if you get the chance to see how its done give it some time.

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by Fixer

It can take a lot of time up, I used to do my own b/w years ago, that’s were my user name came from, if you get the chance to see how its done give it some time.

Sure will...I am interested. But I have "expense" issues with my hobby at the moment...at least with digital I have everything already. For other ventures, I have to start spending again which is not a real option at the moment.
But I will surely have a go, possibly with my friend with the know how.

[Alex1994]

If you did do your own B&W (I do it as well, great fun. If you can find a darkroom in your local area you can also do your own optical prints, which is hugely satisfying). The startup cost may around £100 if you buy all the kit and chemicals new, but all of them bar developer will last for ages and developer is very cheap anyway. A more upmarket camera would also make a difference. I must say I find the entire process great fun and very rewarding when you get it all right.