CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I found out this evening an AE-1 and an EOS Rebel G are randomly coming my way with some lenses for the FD mount. I last used a roll of film in the 90s. Should I be more excited about the AE-1 and a FD 50mm f/1.4 or the Rebel where all my EF lenses will mount? Or, is there likely to be no excitement at all?

I've been scanning old negatives off and on over the weekends since back around the past holidays. A lot of memory lane travel, but too a lot of 'boy I could have done that better' observations. Of a couple thousand scanned images, there's only a few that approach my expectations of my current work. I can't go back in time and assess whether it was the equipment, lack of technique / technical know-how, lack of dedication or some combination of these and / or other factors...I've got to think my EF lenses are going to produce cleaner, richer pictures than the Vivitar zoom I was using primarily on a T50 back in the day ...

I really don't know what to expect...

With the wealth of experience and I'm sure people currently using one / both these bodies even today, what are your thoughts?

thanks.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Do know AE-1 was a great camera. Getting the lenses may be a double blessing in that you might be able to use them on a DX camera. As far as film, most likely will have to use speciality store on line. Been told film is making a little comeback but dont know if this is true. If you do use, enjoy the experience and let us know the outcome.

sixshooter Loc: constitution state

I still love shooting film! For work of course everything is and needs to be digital..But for pleasure I love my 50 year old Pentax..Maybe it's because thats how I learned? Theres something comforting in actually having to think through each shot and waiting to see the image.

Enjoy your new babies.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I still use film, and have both the T90 and the AE-1 with the FD mount; I use them regularly, and they still cut the mustard ! Don't be put off by the digital specialists ! Enjoy what was an excellent camera ...

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

The resolving power of the film is good, digital exceeds it in exposure range. Photographic paper limited the range of tones that could be printed - and still does- encapsulated inks in a six to eight ink printer have a much larger tonal range than photo paper and are archival. The biggest loss of the film era was Kodachrome for projected images. Nothing has ever replaced it.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I sold my AE1, A1, and T 90 years ago along with all my FD lenses.
I have not shot film in 12 years or so and don't think I ever will but I did hold on to one Eos 1n film body because all my current EF L lenses work on it.
Still doubt I'll ever drag it out though.

Frosty Loc: Minnesota

I used film until about November of last year when I finally bought a Canon G 12.

I really like film. My favorite camera is a Pentax MX. It is small and uses tiny button batteries and if they went dead you could still take pictures, as it was mechanical. I also have a Canon A-1 which I recently had cleaned lubricated and adjusted and a Canon T2. The latter because of auto focus.

As sixshooter said, It is fun and challenging to use film and have to really think about what you are doing.

Bullfighter

I still have 3-4 film cameras, including the AE-1. But my favorites are my Leica M-2 and my Rollei TLR 35E3. The only place to get 120 roll film is on line, as is the only places to get it processed, like The Darkroom. Getting flashbulbs for the Rolleiflash is another story, though. Those are getting scarce.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

B&H Photo in New York has a lot of 35MM film in stock. Both color and black and white.

Rich Maher Loc: Sonoma County, CA

You can get 35mm and 120mm at B&H. The Darkroom is very reasonable. Currently shooting with a Leica R8 and a Mamiya 625 1000s.

eloi11 Loc: Glasgow, Scotland

My first decent kit was the AE-1 with a 1.4 lens - still have it with a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 zoom and other bits and pieces. Brilliant in its day and still capable of taking great shots - last ones I took were around two years ago. Never had the heart to part with it. Not used the Rebel so can't comment.

Just watch out for possible squeaky shutter which was quite prevelant on ageing. Good luck!

ggttc Loc: TN

Still have my old AE-1...still a great camera...but rarely gets used.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I had a Rebel film camera that I took the lens off for my new (to me) digital EOS XS. I have several rolls of film that I held on to, but will never use. They are yours if you want them. I have 3 rolls Fuji 400 (24 exposure); 4 Kodak 400 (24 exposure); 2 Kodak 800 (24 exposure); and 4 Kodak 200 (24 exposure).

Rich Maher Loc: Sonoma County, CA

How much?

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

How old is the film ,if it was not stored in the fridge . Or the frezzer in moisture proof bags . It is more than likely toast now.