How to Load a 35mm Film Camera
In today's fast-paced digital world, taking a step back to use a 35mm film camera can feel like a refreshing throwback. There's something magical about the process of shooting with film that digital cameras can't quite replicate. If you're embracing the art of analog photography, and want to dive into the world of 35mm film cameras, buckle up (and maybe grab a cup of coffee) as we dive into the intricacies of loading a 35mm film camera.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before embarking on this analog journey, make sure you have all your gear ready. You'll need your 35mm film camera, a roll of 35mm film, and if you want to be quite professional, a light-proof changing bag or a darkroom.
Step 2: Prepare Your Film
Find a calm and well-lit area to prepare your film. Take out the roll of film from its packaging, being careful not to expose it to light.
Step 3: Set ISO, Shutter Speed, & Open the Camera Back (~16 seconds)
a) ISO (~8 seconds)
Setting the ISO on your film camera is super easy. If the film you have is 400 ISO (should say on the packaging), use the small dial (with all the fancy numbers on it) to change it to match your film’s ISO. On my camera (Minolta SRT-201), I have to pull the dial/knob up and then if I turn it, I can see different ISOs cycle through. Simply select whatever ISO your film says it is, then push the knob back down.
b) Shutter Speed (~3 seconds)
For beginners, I recommend setting this to somewhere around 1/125th of a second. I’ve found this will get you good crisp images most of the time. Simply move the knob counterclockwise or clockwise to adjust the shutter speed. Shutter speed determines how long the shutter is open and exposing the film to the light. For faster moving objects like the flap of a bee’s wings, use a faster shutter speed. This reduces blurriness, allowing you to capture the details on the bee's wings. If you want to capture the stars in the night sky, a cool time lapse, or if it’s a little dark out, use a longer shutter speed. This will increase the amount of light let in and hitting the film. But, be careful with longer exposures! If the camera moves while the shutter is open and film is being exposed, the image will be blurry. This is why tripods are usually used for longer exposures. Longer exposures open the door for some really cool photos like those from Alexey Titarenko.
c) Opening the Camera Back (~5 seconds)
Most 35mm film cameras have a latch or button that releases the back of the camera. Press the button or slide the latch to open the camera back. On my cameras, I pull up on the rewinding knob which has a folding lever (don’t pull using the latch, but use your thumb and index finger on either side and pull up using your thumb and index joint as leverage), the back of the camera should then pop open. If you encounter any resistance, take a deep breath and try not to resort to using a hammer (no matter how tempting it may be).
Step 4: Load the Film (~20 seconds)
Inside the camera, you'll see the film chamber with the rewind key and the take-up spool on the opposite (right) side. Place the roll of film on the left side and pull out a few inches of film. Then thread the film tip into the slot on the take-up spool (on the right side of the camera). Rotate the spool slightly to secure the film in place.
Step 5: Advance the Film (~2 seconds)
Once the film is securely loaded onto the take-up spool, close the camera back and wind the film advance lever. Each time you advance the lever, you’ll need to click the expose button (button that takes the picture). MAKE SURE, WHEN YOU ADVANCE THE LEVER, THE REWIND KNOB TURNS TOO. Otherwise you'll just be exposing the same film frame over and over , and you won’t have any pictures of your vacation, dogs, friends, etc. Keep winding until the film counter shows "1". Now you're all set to capture your first frame!
Step 6: Practice Patience
In the hustle of digital photography, it's easy to forget the beauty of patience. With a 35mm film camera, each frame is a precious moment captured in time. Take your time, frame your shot thoughtfully, and enjoy the process.
Bonus Tips:
I already mentioned this, but since it’s important I’ll say it again: Double-check the rewind knob to ensure the film is properly loaded: when you take a shot and then use the lever to advance the film to the next unexposed portion, make sure the knob that has the unused film on it turns while you’re advancing the film using the lever. If the knob doesn’t rotate, you may need to open it up again and make sure it is fed onto the take-up spool securely (but be sure to not expose the film to light if you don’t want to lose any shots).
If you're new to film photography, consider starting with a lower ISO film to experiment with different lighting conditions. I started with 400 ISO and had good luck except when it starts getting dark out, that’s when you’d want to try a higher ISO film.
Keep track of how many shots you've taken to avoid accidentally opening the camera mid-roll (some cameras have a window on them displaying how many shots have been taken).
And there you have it – a crash course in loading a 35mm film camera. Embrace the quirks and charms of analog photography, and you might find yourself falling in love with the art all over again. Whether you're a seasoned film enthusiast or a curious newbie, there's something undeniably special about shooting with a 35mm film camera. So go ahead, load up that film, hit the streets, and capture moments that will last a lifetime.
