One of my great loves in life is my Zenit E camera.
A fully manual Russian camera from the 1950s, I picked it up for a song (almost literally – I think it and all its accompanying lenses and paraphernalia set me back the grand total of Ā£10) at a car boot sale about six or seven years ago.
I haven’t taken it out for a spin for far too long, as film is expensive and I always seem to be shooting for quick results instead of experimenting these days. But I did find these few photos scanned in from the last roll of film I put through her. They have a quality I’ve never yet been able to replicate in Photoshop.
Finding these has made me want to plan a trip to the seaside with my film and digital cameras side by side. The Zenit taught me more about light and camera settings than any course could, because you take time and you think more when you’re working with film. You can’t look at the results instantly and processing film is bloody expensive these days, so you find yourself instinctively taking more time over each shot. I love it – there’s nothing quite like it.
Do you shoot film?
I have the same camera! The light meter is broken though so I have a handheld meter too. It was my grandad’s but stopped using film after my HNC.
I wish I’d known we were so similar when we actually lived in the same county, Kerry! I really want to use film more – it’s good for me not to be able to see the results instantly, I think š
Yeay for film! I have the Zenit B which is similar but without the light meter and I love it. I’m guessing as you spent in Ā£ that you’re in the UK – so get yourself to Ooundland, they have Ā£1 agfa vista film at the moment and its pretty good, I buy it in bulk haha.
So glad I found your blog through the August Break š
Hey Rhianne! Ooh that’s the best tip I’ve had in ages – guess where I shall be heading first thing Saturday morning?! Just been nosing at your blog and it’s gorgeous – added to my reader š (I always think that’s the best part of August Break – finding gorgeous new blogs and likeminded people to follow!) Followed you on Instagram too – I’m duckingfabulous and also inkdropsbox š x
You’re absolutely right about learning more about camera settings and proper lighting through shooting film. I’ve learned more from my old Mamiya than from my DSLR. I love shooting film and I love how it makes you more conscious of what you’re trying to achieve.
You’ve got a lovely blog by the way š
Thank you Kristien! Just been nosing at yours – it’s gorgeous! Added to my reader š Lovely to meet you x