Shooting Film with a vintage Kodak
 

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.

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).

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

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

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. :)

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. :)

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.

Thanks, Alex. I find digital photography rewarding - it's great to get an image or print that I like, and that others like, too. Job well done, in that case.
I think I may like doing processing and developing, too, for the satisfaction of "creation" of something...using my own hands, as it were.

I will definitely be looking into it. :)

There is nothing more satisfying in photography than to open a developing tank and viewing the negatives of shots you took earlier that day. Phil

You could even just develop the film, no darkroom needed this will only set you back a few ponds! Only a tank and chemicals are needed then take or scan a picture of your negative and do all the PP in photo shop, if you look at my gallery I did this with a 30 year old negative I had of my niece.

Bear in mind colour is considerably more complicated than B&W (like saying it's harder than brewing a cup of tea) but for the first time B&W is recommended, far fewer chemicals needed and not so tight temp control.

I will do. I will get this colour film developed by the shop, and if THAT works out, mighht get some B&W...will be fun!

I love developing my own b/w film. Sometimes I find it more interesting that actually shooting, but I'm a process type of person and a perfectionist. I'm in the process of buying the things I need at home because I've been doing it all at university. Everyone used to come to me to get advice on how to print their images when they're using the enlarger because I'm pretty much had it down. At the moment I'm just developing the negatives and scanning them. Not as much fun at all.

I would like to get it sorted, but I haven't even finished the roll of film in the Kodak! I got so sidetracked just lately, I haven't had it out...

...I will finish the roll this weekend and get it processed, then see what we have. If it's good, I might build up my film shooting. :)

Cheers

Whilst it's no doubt a classic camera, I don't think this really ranks as a vintage model. The 1B wasn't made before the 1959, so it's hardly even older than me!
My own Kodak lens (an Anastigmat probably from the 1930s) got tried out for the first time earlier this month - also providing some fun, even though I cheated & used it with digital, though I did at least use bellows.
(I don't have the original camera - or even know what it would have been used on.)
I do plan to try out more old fashioned photography this summer, using an M42 Zenit that I picked up for £5 with an unused B&W film. Later I might even try out blending my own processing chemicals (A book I got recently has a collection of alternative recipes) & I fancy printing directly onto a tee shirt... But I guess I'm just a mad chemist.
Hope you have fun going back to basics:)

Ah, 1959 makes it a bit older than me, so a classic will do. It's a lovely looking camera, though, all shiny, and it's very clean!

Whether it (or I) take good pictures is a different matter...better get the roll finished and see what i got! I will share here when I do. :)

I have seen some rely good results developing black and white film in a mixture of coffee and vitamin c tablets.

My dad had a Retinette. I guess it was that and the box brownie before it that got me interested in photography. The Kodak is a nice camera.

Yes, I quite like it, but I have to confess...I haven't got the file developed yet! :eek:

I must do it soon...I might get the bug for film. :)

If you are interested in developing "yourself", get in touch with the local colleges/techs/uni's as they will undoubtedly have photography courses running which include developing, so they have the kit. Either speak nicely to them about using their equipment, or hand the roll over for a teaching session.
Looking forward to seeing some images.
Debbi

Thanks for the idea. I may have a friend who has the gear, too...I will get back to it!

Thanks

The way I found a darkroom was with Ilford's great search facility. Go to their B&W photo site, Ilfordphoto.com, hit 'photo community' --> 'Darkrooms', type in your postcode and a radius (I'd suggest 50 miles, you are in Yorkshire after all :P). http://www.valeofyorkdarkrooms.co.uk/ This lot are fairly close to Barnsley.