Why every photographer NEEDS to shoot on film - Canon F1

[@WakeUpMatt]

Thanks for watching!! What’s your experience been shooting on film?

[@JoeYatesAlaskanFilms]

Just purchased the Canon F-1n! Are you still shooting with your film camera?

[@WakeUpMatt]

@@JoeYatesAlaskanFilms Niiiice! Let me know how it goes. I'm still shooting on it, yes. Just bought a few rolls of portra 400!

[@Kwright304]

Hey just for the record, the spray and pray is absolutely a technique that you can actually get very good at if your relationship with your camera is very intimate, if you’re super aware of your settings at any moment and have the quick controls at your fingertips and your autofocus settings dialed in the way you want them, it’s something we all should be good at at the professional level. But you’re absolutely right that the level of thought film makes you go through is absolutely beneficial to anyone shooting digital with any professional aspirations. Also it’s super fun

[@davejw1950]

Welcome to the world of film. The Canon new f-1 is a great camera. Bought mine in 1982 and used it up till 2005 when I bought my first digital. I love the new digital single lens reflexes but the simple match needle of the Canon and the ability to have a camera which can operate without a battery (years of shooting film can give a photographer the ability to estimate the aperture necessary for the film and lighting) is a big plus when out in the wilds.

[@shawsr7]

Thank you for your expertise. I bought an Canon A-1 through an estate sale. Your video makes me feel good about the purchase.

[@nickname1812]

Grew up with film 1960/70s and still have the kit in a bag. Tempted to go out again....but big thing to take from this video is even if you shoot digital - now and again try to limit to one or two shots. It really does train your eye.

[@DrJRaven]

Don’t think about it, do it, it’s absolutely fantastic.

[@roiloubia4483]

Just a gem of a camera. I own the same one, a F1 New, and several others (canon AE1, A1, FTB-QL, Three T9O), all of them calibrated and giving me same meter readings in different light conditions.. they are just fantastic cameras..they never failed me, and I am using them all..good choice you made there, and excellent shots..Bravo..let's keep film alive..

[@WakeUpMatt]

That’s awesome! So glad to hear. And yes, been absolutely loving the F1 New and can’t wait to share more content from and about it!

[@Kwright304]

I just bought a mint condition all black AE-1 and I’m obsessed with it.

[@roiloubia4483]

@@Kwright304 Excellent camera, take great care of this gem.. Did you CAL'ed it? Love it as well as the Canon FD lenses..Enjoy your photography.

[@robdixon5016]

I have shot on film for 45 years now. Love it and I also shoot digital with my D4s and D3500, I love both and use my F series cameras for film in 35mm. Also My 645N for medium format.

[@jorymil]

Shooting with a manual camera like the F-1 is a really nice sensory experience. There's a nice sort of resistance and feedback in the focusing ring, as opposed to the fairly loose and plastic-feeling ring of new AF lenses. Same with the aperture ring: when you're wide open, you know it. You can still do the "spray-and-pray" thing with bracketing and so forth, but you have to advance the film yourself, so you can't go too fast. And of course, there's no gallery mode, so there's less potential distraction. You stay in the moment.

[@WakeUpMatt]

Heck yeah, so true!!🤘🏼

[@nopeoplecorp]

The Canon AE-1 provided the best photography experiences from the late eighties to 2006, when I made beautiful photographs of a young woman in her early twenties who now has six children. The kids are not mine but the privilege of authoring her best full body portraits most definitely is. Looking to replace my AE-1 with an upgrade soon.

[@briansture4353]

I have two Olympus film cameras in near perfect condition about 50 years old. OM1 and OM10 the latter with a mechanical shutter setting dial. I mainly use these for astronomy photos and then digital enhance the image after developing. The OM1 is perfect for photographing star wheels around the poles Film enhances the colours of the star trails beautifully. As films have improved considerably over the past 50 years. The advantage of a film camera is you can change the film type which makes the camera very versatile. Different companies films change the colour science of the photo. All from one camera. The OM1 was the first camera to record the Mini Skirt worn by Jean Shrimpton at the Australian Melbourne cup. David Baily and Jean Shrimpton travelled from England to Australia for the shoot as they felt the Australians would be more acceptable to the new short skirt dress worn by Jean. Needless to say it was a hot shoot that reverberated around the world. But it also made the compact 35mm OM1 camera famous as it was soon adopted by press photographers for street photography in NY due to it's size and ease of use. I believe this design for this style of camera was originally produced by Zeiss before WW2. All 35mm cameras made today are based on this design. It fits nicely in your hands being easy to operate having interchangeable lenses.

[@Shigeshajo]

I used to own this absolute beauty of this camera. But i just recently sold it due to some financial problem and a ridiculous price of film here in Thailand. The canon F1 old is a very good camera and I really love it but the only cons is its very heavy! My neck always sore after finished shooting😅

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Interesting! Cool video and camera. Thank you for sharing it.✌️

[@WakeUpMatt]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!🙏🏼

[@Hondo-i7w]

The great thing about film cameras over digital & mirrorless is film forces you to actually learn photography. You get to learn the relationship between apertures and shutter speeds, iso. Digital is more of a cheat since the camera is really doing just about everything for you and you get to make corrections on the spot. That part is really the best part of Digital is seeing results instantly. Real photography is more like playing chess you have to plan for different shots on the go. You have to have an idea as to what you want.

[@DrJRaven]

I own 5 Canon F1, F1n, 7 F1 New. And they are absolutely fantastic.

[@jameslong1540]

i believe there were 3 version of the Canon F-1 -- F-1, F-1n, and F-1N?

[@thomasthiele3948]

Yes, the original F-1 (old) was introduced in 1970/71, there was a slight midification in 1976 (F-1n) and a totally new Version in 1981 called New F-1, sold until 1991, when the EOS system was on its run since four years. As the video shows, the author is using a 1.4/50mm lens not a 1.2/50mm.

[@teleaddict23]

That camera is actually the New F1 produced from 1981. The better version IMO.

[@WakeUpMatt]

Oh nice! Good to know!

[@eggs-benny]

Great video, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Kwright304]

That’s a great deal for that lens alone dude.

[@SchwarzPoet]

With analog photography, the image, the composition such as image structure, depth of field, light and shadow are more important to you than the technology of the camera itself while you are taking pictures. Unlike with digital photography, you don't have to worry about an infinite number of setting options in the menu, image noise in poor lighting conditions, batteries that are too weak or anything else, or which images you keep and which you delete during and after the shoot. In short, with analog photography, the images and their creation and quality are more important to you than the camera itself, which often has an effect on the expressiveness of the images themselves.

[@roiloubia4483]

Great camera, great lens, great conpositions..perfect. Enjoy this gem of a setup. How were you determining the exposure? Thank you.

[@WakeUpMatt]

Thanks so much! The light meter actually still works inside the camera 😊

[@michaelbuckley8986]

Just after getting hold of one like this recently.Thanks for sharing👍

[@josypete]

Great video, Matt. I got a Canon F-1 a year ago and am still learning this camera. one question - when you take off the prism and do waist level viewing.... you lose the light meter, right? I get nervous without the light meter. Thanks in advance.

[@WakeUpMatt]

Thanks so much!! I just recently sold the F-1 for a new film camera (new video coming soon!!) and I honestly can't remember. I don't think the light meter is seen though. A great app, although you have to pay for it, is called "Photo Light & Exposure Meter" and it's really useful to dial in exposure. It's helped me a ton, because I still get a bit nervous without the in-camera one too!

[@dynamotv]

I got hooked on film a few months ago and my first reaction to seeing the photos was "Wait. That actually worked?" It was from a Minolta SRT 101 that was totally mechanical with the only thing powered being the light meter. I echo all your points. It makes you a better photographer because you are spending money each step of the way. It comes out to a dollar a shot so you gotta make them count. It also makes photography incredibly fun. Digital is great for the quality you get but it's so close to shooting with a cell phone these days. Film is just more fun and special IMHO.

[@WakeUpMatt]

That’s so awesome! Couldn’t agree more!🙌🏼

[@map3384]

I purchased an F1New in 1986 after using a AE1P for three years. I have two now. One with the AE finder and the other with the FN finder. It’s a rugged professional camera which is so simple to use an amateur will find joy in it. Just a beautiful metering system. I purchased a Z6 some time ago and it’s everything I expected out of a digital mirrorless camera. It’s too easy. I leave it on auto asa, on 200 Shutter speed and what I can only call computer automated stop down since I only use vintage Nikon manual focusing glass. It takes perfect pictures all the time and I’m pretty sure the camera is doing all the work. Film is self expression and photographer dependent. I’m sure I could give my Z6 to a monkey and he could take great shots.

[@flowermaze___]

Nice video, what a place to live! I'd be interested as i'm sure others would be, in an in depth look at the F1 (New) and your take!

[@WakeUpMatt]

Thanks so much! I’ll make another video for sure!🤙🏼

[@flowermaze___]

@@WakeUpMatt Great stuff, keen to see it!

[@joemoss8106]

This video is a homerun. Digital has its place but to be called a true photographer, IMO, you must use film. You hit the nail on the head when you said using a film camera forces the photographer to be "intentional". Every click of the shutter matters. I was always taught to "get it right on the negative" when using film. Digital photography is the opposite; there will be a software product that will salvage a horrible image. Film is 100% authentic.

[@Obama___]

How much should I pay for one with and what’s the difference from the new and old ones? How do I know if it’s new or old?

[@WakeUpMatt]

I would look for the Canon New F1. You should be able to get it with a 50mm lens for $250-$400 on ebay This is the best answer from woodlandserenade_2 on reddit: "F1 - no film reminder on film door, all metal advance lever, self timer / lens stop down lever on front face, metering up to ASA 2000 possible, mechanical shutter - timed from 1/2000 to 1 second F1n - film reminder on door, plastic tipped advance lever, self timer / lens stop down lever on front face, metering up to ASA 3200 possible, shorter film advance stroke, slightly brighter viewfinder New F1 - Visually much different - battery 'bump' on the front of the camera, no self timer lever, chrome lens stop-down button to the left of lens mount, matte black finish, hot shoe as standard, electronic shutter times exposures from 1/60 up to 8 seconds, mechanical shutter from 1/90 to 1/2000 sec, aperture-priority autoexposure with the AE finder N (most common prism), meters from ASA 6 to 6400, 4LR44 battery (still produced today)"

[@on_philm]

Hey Matt, have you done some more film photography since last year? If so, how was it and could you give us an update on your film journey? Wish you all the best :)

[@WakeUpMatt]

YES!! Thanks for the reminder. I'll be putting out a few videos in the New Year for sure!!

[@benoitcaron1993]

Very nice video :) I received mine but I don"t understand something, maybe you can help me.When I turn the Iris focus ring on my Canon nFD 50mm f1,4 or 28mm f/2 the iris doesn't change...

[@WakeUpMatt]

Yeah, that also worried me a bit too! If I remember correctly, the iris changes when you press the shutter. You can test it out when there’s no film in the camera :)

[@benoitcaron1993]

@@WakeUpMatt actually we need to push the two buttons located to the right to the lens and then turn the iris to make a preview of the aperture :)

[@WakeUpMatt]

@@benoitcaron1993 thank you!! I knew I was missing something! This is why I love the KZbin community!😄

[@benoitcaron1993]

@@WakeUpMatt Best community ever hehe Sorry one button actually, the big button on the right of the lens, on the camera but this button is only on the F1 which was released in 1971 and the one from 1976. You just push it on the left when you want to have a preview of your aperture :)

[@Eliehbk]

Just picked up one on eBay for 300 usd with the 50mm f1.4, but marked with Lake Placid 1980 Olympics. I think many would not like it, but being from NY, I feel like I’m holding a piece of history :) enjoy your camera

[@WakeUpMatt]

Nice! I think that’s an awesome addition to the camera!

[@Eliehbk]

@@WakeUpMatt me too. Apparently some were issued to photographers at the Olympics there. It’s also a place I spend some time each year. Happy shooting.

[@WakeUpMatt]

@@Eliehbk that's way too cool! Thanks and you too!!

[@AniaB]

the shots turned out great! did u show all the frames you shot on that roll? 36 seems like such a big number when you are trying to go thru them preciously in one day :P

[@WakeUpMatt]

Thanks! Are you watching KZbin videos now?!! I showed most of the photos I took. There were a bunch that were out of focus 😄 36 was actually a lot for the one hike

[@AniaB]

@@WakeUpMatt hehe only the ones @stalman sends my way 🥰

[@briansolomon2969]

I shoot film for various reasons. First, I inherited my mother's camera when she passed, so there is a lot of sentimental value in it for me. Second, with a wife and three kids, I just can't afford a digital camera. Third, the idea of downloading a picture and doing "post processing" on a computer just doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me (my job forces me to work on a computer daily, all day). And finally, I know there are menus on digital cameras and I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about learning something that sounds like work for a hobby of mine.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

If it works flawlessly, that F1, for $400, with a lens, is a damn good deal...

[@WakeUpMatt]

I was pretty stoked on it!

[@xBryan]

that tree was crazy.. hehe

[@WakeUpMatt]

Yeah, Banyan trees are awesome!

[@bobmorr2892]

Been there done that. Not wasting my money no more.

[@WakeUpMatt]

🤘

[@nickfanzo]

Folks should worry less on their art supplies and more on their photographs. There needs to be a lot more editing these days. Too much sharing and social media.

[@johnscarloshowC172]

You think professional pilots trained in jets? Nope. Clapped out training aircraft from the 50s/ 60s. Being a professional photographer should be the same. Just for fun? Do what you want.

[@TomVlahos]

You stole it.....

[@WakeUpMatt]

Stole what?

[@michnygaard]

Have used two F-1 in 50 yrs. It's not intended to be used without mounted head. You can easy ruin the camera

[@Sur_Reel]

Are you talking about the removable view finder?

[@thomasthiele3948]

Its no problem to take pics with the viewfinder removed, neither old F-1 or New F-1. But you have to do the metering before removing the prism.