2 Shoot your first roll of film
SNAPSHOT
- Understand your camera
- Shoot your first roll of film
GET READY
Mechanical cameras have dials and knobs, they use springs and gears to operate.
Electronic cameras have an LED screen and need batteries to operate.
The mechanical and electronic 35mm cameras are both 35mm SLR cameras. SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex.
USE Your camera’s instructional manual
There are many different brands and models of 35mm film cameras. The best way to know your camera is to refer to the instructional manual for the exact make and model. The manual is easy to find even if you have an old camera. Yup, GOOGLE IT.
The illustrations below will help you identify all the different parts of your camera, if you can’t find them on your camera….refer to your user manual.
ACTIVITY
- Do you have a mechanical or an electronic camera?
- Identify the parts of your camera using the illustrations above.
- Did you find your camera’s instructional manual?
GET SET
Loading film
This is an important step and easy to mess up, especially if you have a mechanical camera. Pay attention to the video below. The key here is to make sure the rewind knob is turning clockwise every time you advance the film. There are Youtube videos for almost every SLR camera out there showing how to load film. Go ahead and google the type you have.
Below are videos we made for you to guide you on how to load and unload film for both mechanical and electronic cameras.
Loading a mechanical 35mm SLR camera
Unloading a mechanical 35mm SLR camera
Loading an electronic 35mm SLR camera
Unloading an electronic 35mm SLR camera
GO
Follow these steps to start taking pictures today!!
Use the following settings outdoors in sunlight, keeping the sun on your back.
Quick Start for mechanical cameras
- Insert a roll of B&W film ISO 400 into the camera (double check that it is loaded correctly).
- Set your camera ISO to 400.
- Set your shutter speed to 125.
- Set your aperture to F11.
- Point your camera at your subject, with the sun behind you.
- Focus on the main subject and shoot.
- Continue taking pictures until you come to the end of the roll.
- You are at the end of the roll when you can’t advance the film anymore.
- Do not open your camera yet.
- Rewind the film back into the light-safe film cassette before opening the back of your camera by pushing the rewinding button, a small button at the bottom of the camera, and then turning the rewind knob clockwise until you feel the film released.
- Open the camera and take the film out by gently pulling up on the rewind knob.
If you open the back of the camera at any point before you come to the end of the roll or before rewinding you will expose the film to light and ruin it. This is the second most frequently made mistake when you start using a film camera. Please …. don’t let this be you.
Quick start for electronic cameras:
- Insert a roll of B&W ISO 400 speed film in your camera.
- Use the A (Auto) or P (program) mode and start tak