Photography- Using old Cameras

[December27JJB]

I have this old camera from my now-deceased grandfather:

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/collection/pentax-km.jpg

I am still trying to figure how to use it. I can't find the manual, although I know it is somewhere around here. MIL has an old camera similar to this and she always takes beautiful pictures. I thought I'd give my camera a try...when I was 'rewinding' the film manually I tore it, ugh. The next time I see her, I am going to ask MIL to show me how to use it.

I've been spoiled using digital cameras. But I do know these old cameras do provide beautiful pictures that the digital camera cannot. Are any of you using an old camera? Do you have tips on using them?

[kemaji]

I use a Minolta x700 which isn't terribly old, but mine is pre-autofocus. I really like using it even though I still have a lot to learn. The one thing about digital vs. 35mm that I miss is the instant gratfication of digital photography.

Something that I did since I didn't get a manual when I got the camera was to download it off the Internet. If you can't find your copy, you might try searching for it.

When I take pictures, I try to keep a record of how I take the shots, so I can compare what does what to the final product. I also like to take more than one of the same shot since it is a learning experience for me and I don't really know what I am doing.

ETA: That does get expensive, especially when I use slide film (my dad gave me some slide film recently) but I think it is worth it.

[Ummm]

i also have an old minolta srt101 (made in the 60's?) and i haven't used it for a while as now i have a digital camera. i bought that 2nd hand, and downloaded the manual online. it's totally manual and very heavy!!

[Brandles]

I have an old 126 camera from my Grandma. It's nothing fancy...but the pictures come out square! :)

[December27JJB]

Aw, I just took couple of pictures of DD with the camera and they all came out unfocused? What am I doing wrong? :(

[camberne]

HOW FUNNY!!! The camera that I first learned photography with was a Pentax K1000. I love that yours has a KM instead of the 1000!

You do know that you have to manually focus the lens, right? Your camera is not an auto-focus or the *shudder* focus-free type.

[December27JJB]

camberne

Yes, I did focus manually. From the lenses it looked clear so I started snapping. Any advice? :(

[emschwar]

I have an OLD roleflex camera my dad gave me. One of those old "you look down the top to see out the lens" cameras. Takes FANTASTIC pictures. But it takes 120 film, which is a pain to find, and a pain to process. Love the pictures though.