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Q TIM, VIA EMAIL
I’ve picked up an old SLR. What can I do with it?
A
Firstly, you should pat yourself on the back: pre-digital cameras (at least, the good ones) are retaining far more value than GaGu ever thought they would, so you’ve probably bagged yourself a bargain there. Second, ask yourself just how into photography you are.
The reason for this question is that you could just use that camera as it was intended. The film revival is in full swing: Analogue Wonderland will sell you 24 exposures of new stock 35mm film for under a fiver, so there’s no reason not to experiment with a few rolls and see what you get.
Take it one step further and set up your own little darkroom in the shed – the same company will sell you a whole developing kit, with chemicals, for £90.
You’ll need the right adapter, and perhaps the willingness to go without modern conveniences like autofocus
If, like many of Guru’s readers, you’re from a time when digital cameras were commonplace, you may be unwilling to give up the pixel. That’s fine too, because the lens on that camera might just be the most interesting thing about it. It’s not hard to convince vintage glass to work with modern camera bodies. You’ll just need the right adapter, and perhaps the willingness to go without modern conveniences like autofocus.