FILM ESSENTIALS
welcome to
part 1
Intro: 35mm
Part 1 - Intro: 35mm
Hello and welcome to 35mm Film Essentials.
I created this course to do a deep dive on my essential 35mm kit and compare all the 35mm cameras I use in my personal and professional life. We'll get into my favorite parts of each camera, why I'd pick one one over the other, which one I'd take on a wedding vs. which one I'd grab for a honeymoon and everything in between. Then we'll move beyond the screen and I'll bring you along on a neighborhood walk where I shoot the same photo with each camera so you can see side-by-side comparisons of each 35mm camera - all to help you find the perfect 35mm investment for you.
Let's dive in.
part 2
My Top Five 35mm Cameras
Part 2 - My Top Five 35mm Cameras
Let me introduce you to my favorite lineup of 35mm cameras.
From $10 garage sale finds to top-of-the-line investments, there's something to love about each of these 35mm cuties.
First up: the Canon AF35mII
What makes this camera unique: priced around the $10-$20 mark, this fully automatic camera operates like a refillable disposable camera. It packs a punch with its automatic rewind, flash, self-timer and glass lens features, and it's a great example of what you can get at a cheap price point.
Why I have it in my kit: it's a nice automatic point and shoot for it's price, especially if you're just starting out and saving for something at a higher price point.
My favorite ways to use this camera: this is the camera I brought along when I started shooting flash at weddings, it can make for a cute pal on a wedding day if you want to add something special to mostly digital galleries. It's also great for roadtrips or backpacking if you don't want to worry about toting around something expensive.
Next in line: the Contax t3
What makes this camera unique: on the market at $3,000, this camera is small but mighty. It's a fully automatic point and shoot that's made of metal, and I love that the build quality is amazing, lens is beautiful and crisp, its shots are consistently in focus almost every since time. It also has aperture priority that you can set manually which is a huge win.
Why I have it in my kit: I'm obsessed with the fact that I can put this cutie in my pocket and get the same if not better quality photos than with a really big camera, and the manual aperture setting is so special for shooting landscape or close up photos. I also love that this camera has a a little green p for program so you can shoot in auto - I do this 90% of the time on a wedding day and it never disappoints me.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I love using this camera at the end of a wedding day on the dance floor, the flash photos just amaze me. This was also my go-to on my honeymoon. It fit in fanny pack and all of the photos are so crisp and beautiful.
Okay let's meet: the Canon FTb
What makes this camera unique: you can score this camera with a lens for less than $300, making it a great manual 35mm camera at a lower price point. It's similar to the popular Canon AE-1 but it's an older model so it's a little cheaper.
Why I have it in my kit: it allows for interchangeable lenses - this a great option for when I want to change out between 28mm and 50mm lenses for more variety in my work.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I love using this guy to capture that gritty, nostalgia feeling of manual film. It's a wonderful beginners camera if you want to shoot 35mm manually and get to know all the mechanics.
Next up: the Leica M6 TTL (0.85x viewfinder)
What makes this camera unique: with camera bodies starting $3,000 and lenses as an additional add on, this rangefinder camera is on the higher end pricewise. It's an all metal, German-made camera with a quiet shutter and a built-in light meter, it's definitely designed to go a lot slower for someone who wants to be intentional and be forced to shoot more mindfully.
Why I have it in my kit: this is my go-to camera when I want to slow down and be really intentional with my images, plus it's so unbelievably crisp.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I love using this camera to invite presence, it's a perfect companion when I'm taking a walk with Cole, or going really slow and taking my time to be present in a shoot. She's also a special companion piece for taking on trips.
And the big booty Judy: the Canon 1V
What makes this camera unique: with a body priced around an affordable $1,000 price point, this SLR camera is similar to Mark 4 body I use for all of my digital work. It takes all of my L series lenses, it's so crisp, it includes aperture priority and shutter priority and it goes up for 1/8000 of a second.
Why I have it in my kit: this camera is my workhorse for all of my professional work. It's the camera that made it possible for me to transition my business into film only - I could use lenses I already have and keep up with fast-paced moments, even allowing me to shoot up to 7 frames per second!
My favorite ways to use this camera: she's my right-hand gal at wedding, and I love that this camera can stay at a lower aperture shooting in bright light to still allow for correct exposure. My go-to lens with this guy 24-70mm lens, but I do keep it mainly at 35mm for consistency with other film shots.
Now let's take these ladies on a neighborhood walk.
part 3
Live Shoot- Neighborhood Walk
Part 3- Live Shoot- Neighborhood Walk
Time to put on a jacket and take these 35mm gals on a walk.
Keep in mind, all of the comparisons of these photos are RAW scans. I didn't put any edits on them so our comparisons can be super accurate with colors and different personalities of each camera.
In all of these comparisons, we are seeing consistencies in higher price point cameras. The Canon AF35mII and Canon FTb tend to have a harder time, and with the lenses they have, we can see them being on the lower end of the spectrum quality wise. But those higher price point cameras are wildly consistent, giving you the freedom to prioritize feel, features, scenarios where you'd want to use the cameras.
Just some things to consider when investing in your gear!
part 4
Closing: 35mm
Part 4 - Closing: 35mm
Unload the film, then she's ready to go to the lab!
If you're interested in how I develop and scan, my whole editing process and post processing on film, I have a Scanning & Processing 35mm and 120 film course where I give you all the deets and show you my whole process.
All in all, just remember that the lens you have either within your camera or on the body is what will determine the image quality. And the body will determine functionality, features that will make that camera unique.
With these comparisons in hand, I'm stoked for you to determine which 35mm camera is best for you!
part 5
Intro: Medium Format
Part 5 - Intro: Medium Format
Welcome to medium format film essentials.
I created this course to do a deep dive on my essential kit and compare all the medium format cameras I use in my personal and professional life. Just like with the 35mm film essentials, I'll get into my favorite parts of each camera, and when I'd pick one one over the other. The main difference between 35mm cameras and medium format cameras is that medium format cameras take 120 film, which is way larger than a 35mm negative. Medium format cameras can give you better image quality, and depending on which camera you use, you can have a different size photo for your images (but we'll get into this next).
Then we'll move beyond the screen and I'll bring you along on a couple's shoot where I shoot the same photo with each camera so you can see side-by-side comparisons of each medium camera - all to help you decide if you're ready daring enough to try out this wildly rewarding format.
Let's dive in to what makes these cameras unique.
part 6
My Top Four Medium Format Cameras
Part 6 - My Top Four Medium Format Cameras
Let me introduce you to my favorite lineup of medium format cameras.
Beyond just producing bigger, higher quality images, I love that most medium format cameras are modular that you can build and take apart to create your dream camera. They're adaptable and high quality, and these are my top four in my kit!
First up: the Holga 120 CGFM
What makes this camera unique: priced around $50, this is a fun plastic camera that is funny, simple and amazing. There's a dial on the front you can adjust to differentiate distances, there's a trigger on the top for lighting and it includes interchangeable frame sizes for you to shoot 6x6 or 6x4.5 images (which can give you more negatives on your roll). Note, I got the CGFM version so the lens is glass instead of plastic, which makes this a better image quality camera.
Why I have it in my kit: I absolutely love using the flash on this camera, and I love the gorgeous vignette you get on it's images. It's a fun way to delivery a different type of image to your clients, and it's a perfect starter camera if you're interested in getting into 120 film.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I bring it to every single wedding, and I'm always shocked by the results this baby delivers. This is the camera I pick up if I want to have some fun and get artsy fartsy.
Next in line: the Fujifilm GA645i pro
What makes this camera unique: this medium format point and shoot is fully automatic and priced just under $1,000. It's pretty skinny and low profile, and it provides great compatibility for a medium format camera. It has a great quality lens and surprisingly strong pop up flash, making her v cute.
Why I have it in my kit: I take this anywhere I want to enjoy the image quality of 120 without having to worry about metering externally or carrying around a really big camera. Fun fact: the viewfinder in this camera is set up so you see a vertical image when you're shooting horizontally, and you see a landscape image when you hold vertically - it's something to get used to, but ultimately is something I like that makes this camera unique.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I love using this camera for wedding- especially at night, I love love love the flash on this camera. Honestly it's a my go-to automatic camera, a perfect for late night dance parties, neighborhood walks and everything in between.
Okay let's meet: the Hasselblad 500cm
What makes this camera unique: don't be intimidated by this one, it's a modular beauty with a waist-level viewfinder (that you can choose to swap out), and it's unique in the way you can change the back, crank, and frame size to adjust it to be your perfect medium format camera. Just note it doesn't have a light meter, so you do have to meter your light externally!
Why I have it in my kit: I love that this camera is small, it feels like a travel size medium format camera. It allows me to slow down and be really intentional with the camera I'm shooting.
My favorite ways to use this camera: I love using this gal for portraits and for slower, more intentional shots or landscapes. I took it everywhere on our honeymoon & every single image out of this thing just completely blew me away.
External Light Meter: I use the Luna Pro light meter, for $70 this external light meter does the job it needs to but there are definitely better ones out on the market!
Next up: the Pentax 67
What makes this camera unique: this one is a beast, but it's my favorite of all time. It's another modular camera so you're able to build it out how you want (I added an extra wooden handle and the classic viewfinder). My go-to viewfinder has a built in light meter, which makes it feel like a double-XL Leica from in our 35mm comparison. The shutter is so loud and beautiful, it really makes you commit to it, and that's why I love her. We love commitment!
Why I have it in my kit: this camera allows me to work faster and feel confident shooting medium format (in a way that feels similar to 35mm) and I love that I can change out the things I find most important in this camera to build it to how I want it to be. I love that she has a 6x7 frame - larger than all my other cameras, and these babies are always my favorite images.
My favorite ways to use this camera: this is my go-to camera for portrait sessions, and I'll bring it on wedding days too if I have space - its' always the star of the show. And I love pairing her with my 75mm lens!
Now let's take these beauties on a little road trip out east.
part 7
Live Shoot: Couple Session
Part 7 - Live Shoot: Couple Session
Let's go for a drive and take these babies out into the wild!
Keep in mind, all of the comparisons of these photos are RAW scans. I didn't put any edits on them after I scanned, so our comparisons can be super accurate with colors and different personalities of each camera.
In all of these comparisons, you’ll see these images come through in different sizes with their own unique personalities. The Holga120 CGFM creates square 6x6 images, characterized by a blurred vignette. The Fujifilm GA645i pro is the smallest of the bunch, with 6x4.5 images – they’re small but mighty, still providing a crisp, movie-like result for a point and shoot. The Hasselblad 500cm is another 6x6 – I’m a sucker for the beautifully metered and crisp square images this camera produces. And the Pentax 67 creates the largest images of the pack with 6x7 frames. I’m obsessed with the quality of the Pentax 67 – you can zoom in so far and still see such a clear image because of the size, which gives you so much freedom to create and crop them any way you want in post.
Medium format is the end all, be all. Even the $50 Holga and the Fuji point and shoot deliver quality, large images – but in comparison to the Hasselblad and the Pentax you’ll see there’s a more of an automatic feel and graininess in those cheaper price point cameras, whereas the more modular options give you more autonomy, definition and range in your editing process.
Just some things to consider when investing in your next medium format camera!
part 8
Closing
Part 8 - Closing
Unload your film, then she's ready off to the lab!
If you're interested in how I develop and scan, my whole editing process and post processing on film, I do have Scanning & Processing 35mm and 120 Film course on where I give you all the technical details and show you my whole post-process.
All in all, just remember from the comparisons of the live shoot, that unique sizes of medium format cameras each provide their own capabilities for editing in post and framing your shots.
With these comparisons in hand, I'm stoked for you to determine which medium format camera is best for you.