I am in much better shape for 35mm photography than I am for medium-format. I actually do have a real film scanner for 35mm. What I have is a Wolverine F2D, Version 6.00. When it was made, the latest version of Windows was Windows 7, but it works great with my Windows 10. It's so compact that it would be tempting to think of it as a toy, but believe me, it isn't one. It's very well made, and has a resolution of 1800dpi.
The photo above was scanned this morning, using the Wolverine. The original shot was from October, 1975. It was shot in front of a mirror, using a Pentax Spotmatic with a 50mm, f1.4 lens. The film was Tri-x, shot at ASA 400 and undoubtedly developed in D-76 at normal strength. If I can get quality this good, even shooting into a mirror, there is absolutely no reason, except for grab shots and convenience, for me to shoot digital.
Here are a few more examples of film negatives scanned to digital:
So, I think you can see in which direction my thoughts are heading. If I have a decent scanner, photo editing software, and a computer, all I need to do analog photography in the 35mm format is film developing chemicals, a rubberized-cloth changing bag, some daylight developing tanks and reels, and a decent 35mm camera. I have to make a trip to my local camera store for the chemicals, but I have the changing bag, and tanks and reels (Paterson System 4, my favorite). Most of this is due to some judicious thrift-store shopping. But wait--I sold my 35mm cameras! Ah, read on!
I was recently in a thrift store (not unusual), and saw two camera bags in the glass case at the counter. Naturally, I asked the nice lady to let me see what was in them. It turned out that there were two Canon 35mm SLRs, an AE-1 Program and an EOS Rebel 2000. The AE-1 was in pristine condition, in an ever-ready ("never-ready") case that was not even scuffed, and included a Canon FD 28mm, f2.8 lens. The AE-1 was one of the first (and best) SLRs to have auto-exposure capability. It was also built like a tank, and they'll never make cameras that way again A true vintage classic.
The other camera, the EOS Rebel 2000, was a little more recent. You immediately notice that it weighs considerably less than the AE-1. It came with a Canon 28-80mm zoom lens. This camera is capable not only of auto-exposure, but also of autofocus. Both cameras have internal programs built in for various picture-taking scenarios.
They wanted $25 for each camera. In other words, what had been about $1000 worth of photo equipment back in the day, was now available to me for $50. Of course, I bought both of them.
I was more interested in the pristine AE-1, more the type of camera I was used to back in the '70s. (I had owned an auto-exposure Chinon that worked with my automatic screw-mount lenses.) The only problem was, I couldn't get the shutter of the AE-1 to work. At first I thought it was jammed, but it turned out that it just needed a fresh battery. Once I put one in (A544), everything worked perfectly.
There were no batteries in the EOS. Once I put in a couple of CR2s, everything worked just fine. The proof, of course, is in the picture-taking.
I am now ready to begin the adventure of getting back into film photography. I'll let you know how it goes.
(to be continued)
Text and images Copyright © 2021 by Donald C. Traxler aka Donald Jacobson Traxler.
