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Anonymous
Do you think there's any point getting into film photography now?

I've been given an old Vivitar XV2 for free, with a bunch of lenses and filters, I'll try it out for a reel or two, but I'm wondering, what's my best option?

Stick with my current digital camera.
Chuck the body and get a new film K-mount body.
Chuck the body and get a new digital K-mount body (if there are any, haven't looked).
Stick with the Vivitar.
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>> Anonymous
It depends; everyone's got a different opinion and each has it's advantages; i'd recommend you go out and play with both and decide what you want to use for which.

I use a digital for my people photos and quick shots and photos for a magazine and newspapers, because that's what they prefer, but I still get a ton of satisfaction from setting my old SLR on manual, setting everything by hand and developing some slides.

The moods and different lighting that I can get the different f-stops and different settings on my regular SLR are amazing. I can take the same photo both on slide and digital, but they both seem to come out differently.

I find this more appealing.. others are the exact opposite and say to go digital because it's easier and doesn't cost you any processing.

I'd say keep both; don't throw anything away (unless it's taking absolutely horrid photos). You never know. Just my humble opinion :)
>> Anonymous
I love the look of a good BW print on photographic paper, but it's not easy. I stiil take out my old film camera sometimes, and shoot a few rolls of BW film. Developing them yourself is part of the attraction. It's messy and slow, but sometimes they turn out just perfectly. If I didn't already have the equipment and experience though, I would never start now. It's a long learning process, and one roll or two will teach you nothing.
>> Anonymous
Strange that this just popped up, I've not been really motivated photography-wise for a while.

--sidetrack

Just today I was reminiscing about my old EOS 300 that is long since gone, so I picked one up online for cheap and a couple of rolls of Ilford C41 (B&W film that can be colour processed).

The best thing is 4 of my 5 Canon lenses are EF and will work with it as well as the 580EX. It gets delivered tomorrow at work and I can tell you it's been a while since I felt this enthused about anything photographic.

Unfortunately I don't have the print facilities of old but it's a start and has totally re-ignited my interest.

--sidetrack


--OP

>> Anonymous
>>35793
I pretty much agree with>>35801. As long as film is produced, it's not too late to get into it. I'd also suggest getting into b&w as well, I know a few things that give you more satisfaction than this. It is a bit difficult in the beginning, but not as much as it seems to be.

As for the options you mentioned, do you have any experience with manual SLRs? If not, definitely give it a try, shoot a few rolls and see how you like it. If you do like it, or you already are familiar with SLR/manual photography concepts, you might want to get a new Pentax film body. The XV-2 (aka Cosina CS-2) only have Av (aperture priority) mode, which limits what you can do.

There are a few digital K-mount bodies, but unless you want to invest a huge amount of money in a pro dSLR which you expect to pay back for itself (i.e. work with it), it's not worth it. No "consumer level" dSLR will give you quality you'd expect, and it'll get obsoleted with a newer model in 2 years at best. Stick with the point&shot for casual stuff, and enjoy the film capabilities for photography.