3 ms·

At this point, I think the magic is in black and white and the darkroom (not that I have much of the wherewithal to do it these days). C-41 or E-6 color means y

At this point, I think the magic is in black and white and the darkroom (not that I have much of the wherewithal to do it these days). C-41 or E-6 color means you still need someone to develop and then scan them which just seems like digital with extra steps. I worked in a photo lab in the waning days of film and really enjoyed shooting it when I had access to all that equipment, but it just isn't the same since I've moved on. Whatever people decide to do, I agree with you about skipping disposables and getting something vintage. There are a lot of gems out there - your Electro is certainly one of them, though I'd probably look at a lot of the Olympus point and shoots, though pricing seems to reflect the fact that they were quite good and are becoming a bit scarce; it seems like we're long past the point where the mainstream has unloaded all their 35mm gear for cheap.

kjkjadksj 2y ago
If you are self developing black and white you ought to do your own prints too with an enlarger. Its like another chance to expose the shot and play with all that is involved there.
- silverquiet 2y ago
  I perhaps should have elaborated; the magic is seeing the print emerge in the developer bath. Developing panchromatic black and white film is more of a straight up technical exercise since it has to be done in total darkness. Also, doing your own color develop and print is certainly possible, but much more complicated than black and white and has the same issue with requiring total darkness.
wrboyce 2y ago
I mostly agree with you, I do my own B&W dev and use a mail-in lab for my C41/E6 but I have invested in a dedicated negative scanner and do my own digitisation. For me it was another part of the “creative process” and I wanted to control it.
ryukoposting 2y ago
I mainly shoot black-and-white. I find the development process really interesting, and mastering the creation of a perfect negative has proven to be really challenging. There are so many variables - film stocks, metering, filter compensation, choices of chemicals, temperatures, times, agitation, etc. I'd love to be able to do my own prints, but I simply don't have a room suitable for darkroom printing. I think that's the situation for a lot of folks. It's rare for apartment dwellers (like me) to have that kind of space at their disposal.

kjkjadksj 2y ago

If you are self developing black and white you ought to do your own prints too with an enlarger. Its like another chance to expose the shot and play with all that is involved there.

silverquiet 2y ago
I perhaps should have elaborated; the magic is seeing the print emerge in the developer bath. Developing panchromatic black and white film is more of a straight up technical exercise since it has to be done in total darkness. Also, doing your own color develop and print is certainly possible, but much more complicated than black and white and has the same issue with requiring total darkness.

wrboyce 2y ago

I mostly agree with you, I do my own B&W dev and use a mail-in lab for my C41/E6 but I have invested in a dedicated negative scanner and do my own digitisation. For me it was another part of the “creative process” and I wanted to control it.

ryukoposting 2y ago

I mainly shoot black-and-white. I find the development process really interesting, and mastering the creation of a perfect negative has proven to be really challenging. There are so many variables - film stocks, metering, filter compensation, choices of chemicals, temperatures, times, agitation, etc. I'd love to be able to do my own prints, but I simply don't have a room suitable for darkroom printing. I think that's the situation for a lot of folks. It's rare for apartment dwellers (like me) to have that kind of space at their disposal.