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Best periodical for film users


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Now that I have my Leica R6.2 I am looking for a suitable magazine where I can re-learn 35mm photography technique etc., after 15 years of digital. I am keen but only casual photographer so am looking for something which is not too "deep" a read.

I am in the UK.......any suggestions?

Richard

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You could look for old photography periodicals, for example LFI. I have a complete set of LFI from the first issue to the late 90's (and a few later issues) and there is a treasure trove of film information in there. Visits to second hand stores, tip shops etc can pay dividends with many good sources practically or literally given away.

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Amateur Photography 10th Feb cover states " Black & White Film Essentials - Part 1 of major guide etc..."

On the other hand, rather than periodicals there are many books such as the very highly regarded 'Basic Photography' by Michael Langford (Focal Press) that will provide a single source for all the information you might need.  

 

When taking the plunge into the 'R' world and wanting to learn more about the Leica R and lenses, I found (and still find) Jonathan Eastland's 'Leica R Compendium' (Hove Books) very useful.

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Hi Richard

 

I look forward to seeing your photos in the Film thread. It is also a terrific group with lots of knowledgeable people so questions are welcome. 

 

The answer to your question depends on what you mean by "35mm photography technique". Is it home film development? Compositional techniques (though they're obviously not very different from digital photography)? Gear questions?

 

I think back issues of LFI is a good suggestion, there's a lot there. You can also join the LHSA which gives you access to the entire back catalogue of the Viewfinder magazine which goes back to 1968 or thereabouts. It's a terrific publication that has followed Leica a little bit more from the outside than LFI has (my own opinion, I hasten to add). For other magazines I'd look for those which focus on the art of photography rather than the technique and gear. I learn a lot by watching what other photographers have photographed. 

 

For online resources there are several fora which are, in my opinion, particularly good apart from LUF for film photography, such as rangefinderforum, photo.net, photrio (formerly APUG and DPUG). When (haha) you decide to go medium format then the latter two are particularly good.

 

Hope it helps.

br

Philip

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Philip, I think it is just that I am finding the switch back to film quite difficult after all the automation of digital. It seems to me that such things as no auto focus, no inability to change ISO per shot, then needing to wait to use the rest of the film to see if the shot worked all combine to put the image making back in the hands of the photographer instead of quick fire several options then photoshop. In fact the entire workflow right from setting up the shot to final result is totally different.  I have taken Keith's advice and sourced a copy of the latest edition of Michael Langford's book as inspiration. It should not be a problem once I have switched mindset because I did all my own processing etc for many years. I still carry my reliable little Leica C digital for different shots.

Richard

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Hi, Richard.

Keep at it. The very same difficulties you mention will soon become the pleasures you associate with film, all because they engage your brain. You may also find that a return to film helps you shoot better digital.

 

Have fun, and post your creations.

Eoin

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Richard thanks, as I mentioned I wasn't sure what you meant by "35mm photography technique".

 

But if you wanted autofocus why did you get a Leica R? There are lots of other SLRs with autofocus that work really well and the best of the best - like the EOS 1V, Nikon F6/F100 - can be had for very reasonable money these days. Even with lenses they will give Leica, even R, a run for the money quite easily. As for the inability to change ISO, well yes that may be perceived as a limitation, but in most situations one can without too many ill effects just change the aperture a bit. And the fact that it takes a bit of time to see the pictures is, in my experience, a good thing because it adds a useful "filter". It often happens to me that shots I thought at the time of taking them would be great turn out to be rubbish, and vice versa. 

 

Anyway, I wish you good luck with switching the mindset and hope to see you in the film thread mentioned earlier.

Philip

 

 

Philip, I think it is just that I am finding the switch back to film quite difficult after all the automation of digital. It seems to me that such things as no auto focus, no inability to change ISO per shot, then needing to wait to use the rest of the film to see if the shot worked all combine to put the image making back in the hands of the photographer instead of quick fire several options then photoshop. In fact the entire workflow right from setting up the shot to final result is totally different.  I have taken Keith's advice and sourced a copy of the latest edition of Michael Langford's book as inspiration. It should not be a problem once I have switched mindset because I did all my own processing etc for many years. I still carry my reliable little Leica C digital for different shots.

Richard

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There's a growing corps of younger, millennial-age photographers who are embracing film and analog photography in general. I believe you will find a lot of interesting and informative information, with a modern twist, from some of these online e-zines and blogs:

 

Emulsive.org

35mmc.com

Japan Camera Hunter

Let's Explore

 

Two contemporary podcasts that I particularly enjoy, that are quite broad in their focus but do on occasion have in-depth interviews with photographers, publishers, film-manufacturers and others in the photographic field are:

 

Sunny 16

Classic Camera Revival

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Photoklassik The German Magazine For Analog Photography 

Picked this up in the airport in Frankfurt a couple of years ago, really liked it. I don't speak or read German but I could sort of muddle my way through. As far as I know, there is no online or English version. Still worth a look-see

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You could also do a lot worse than to browse Magnum's resource of photographers: https://pro.magnumphotos.com/CS.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL535XVA&POPUPIID=2S5RYDY46NPD&POPUPPN=61#/CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL535XVA&POPUPIID=2S5RYDY46NPD&POPUPPN=61&FRM=SubHeaderFrame:MAGO31_13

 

There are no technical tips on how to use your camera, but looking through a lot of the photographs of the great photographers who have belonged (and those that still do belong) to this agency will give you (at least it does me) a great sense of how a photographer can make a shot given a situation and an attuned eye. There are often hundreds of photos presented from a particular photographer covering a project (eg Dennis Stock, Martine Franck). And, looking carefully, you can often work out ("deconstruct") how a photographer has made the shot eg 35mm lens, 400ISO B&W film, natural light...

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Picking up on Phil's post, I'd recommend Magnum Contact Sheets by Kristen Lubben. Although not a periodical, many of the photographs in the 500-odd pages were shot using film, not through choice between film or digital, but on availability, ie digital had not been invented.

 

I flick through the many pages, pick a photographer and try to learn from how they worked the scene, taking maybe 15, 20 or more shots and ending up picking one from the many for publication. Also interesting to see how they crop (in post processing) enabling us to learn how we ourselves might avoid cropping by using our feet. (I'm not a fan of zoom lenses; makes the photographer lazy I believe).

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Photoklassik The German Magazine For Analog Photography 

Picked this up in the airport in Frankfurt a couple of years ago, really liked it. I don't speak or read German but I could sort of muddle my way through. As far as I know, there is no online or English version. Still worth a look-see

 

 

 

I have a subscription from the first issue on "Photoklassik". They tried a kickstarter campaign for an English version (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/974395388/photoklassik-magazine-international-edition?token=c1f67295) but sadly it was unsuccessful.

Another subscription I have (digital) is to the French Magazine "Réponses Photo". In every issue there is a section of a few pages about analog photography.

When there's something of interest I buy a digital issue of "Amateur Photographer".

 

Many information is available on YouTube. One of my favorite channels I follow is "Nicos Photography Show". Also like "Negative Feedback" from time to time.

 

Best

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Thanks for these Youtube tips. I hadn't heard of them before.

 

I have a subscription from the first issue on "Photoklassik". They tried a kickstarter campaign for an English version (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/974395388/photoklassik-magazine-international-edition?token=c1f67295) but sadly it was unsuccessful.

Another subscription I have (digital) is to the French Magazine "Réponses Photo". In every issue there is a section of a few pages about analog photography.

When there's something of interest I buy a digital issue of "Amateur Photographer".

 

Many information is available on YouTube. One of my favorite channels I follow is "Nicos Photography Show". Also like "Negative Feedback" from time to time.

 

Best

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Another YouTube Channel explaining Photography is "The Science of Photography". Have not yet viewed all content, but very useful for starters and can serve as a fresh-up.

 

And very recently I discovered next channel by coincidence (my attention was drawn about Instant Photography): "Kyle McDougall". Interesting information about over and underexpose Kodak Portra film. The next film to be tested would be Fuji Pro. 

 

Hope this may be of use.

 

Best

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