black and white pictures

[WiiWii]

hi all!
I want a new hobby and thought that taking pictures might be my thing

So since I have no idea what to do and mostly what kind of camera i should get do you think you kind souls could give me some advice?

I live in Sweden so maybe not point to UK shops but please say models of cameras etc.

:worthy:

 

[mank!]

olympus om10, will cost you about 10 uk pounds on ebay and they're solid semi-pro cameras 8)

 

[nath]

If you're thinking of going digital, it's worth spending lots of time here. There's loads of good reviews, a glossary of terms and lots of other handy bits and bobs.

 

[WiiWii]

Thanks for the replies!
Thing is since I have nill experience with taking pictures I think I will just start with an old camera (I'll look for the Olympus camera). I feel spending money on a digital one is for ppl that atleast have taken a few rolls of film

 

[mank!]

if you're new to photography, digital is probably easier.

 

[WiiWii]

Then maybe i should look at digital cameras, but was under the impression that you had to pay a fair deal of money to get a digital camera that took pictures in black and white (i got a fetisch for it dont ask me why). Or am I way out on thin ice here?

 

[Clown]

What's the difference between a camera taking a picture in black and white, and using imaging software to change it yourself? Clever editing is maybe half a skill you want to learn if you want to do photography, although some people might say it was cheating.

 

[WiiWii]

What's the difference between a camera taking a picture in black and white, and using imaging software to change it yourself? Clever editing is maybe half a skill you want to learn if you want to do photography, although some people might say it was cheating.

Basic reason, I have no clue how to do it But maybe thats easier then getting a camera to take pictures in black and white?

 

[TdC]

If you're starting out in photography as a new hobby, in these times I'd advise you to indeed go digital. Not only is a digital camera a handy thing to have, but you'll also be using it for your hobby too, so it certainly won't be sitting idle in a cupboard somewhere.

I'd go digital because you will have "instant gratification" with your pictures, because you won't have to wait for anything like getting your film developed, or having prints made (only to see that they weren't what you expected ).

Ie you point, and click. If the picture isn't to your liking, you can do it again, and again, as much as you can fit in the memory card. This doesn't mean that taking good pictures is easy, indeed not, but the route from what you can see with your own eyes to a picture in your computer or printed out on paper is very short.

A digicam also won't break your bank, so getting one "just to see" of you'll like making pictures won't make you a pauper, though really good cameras can cost quite a bit.

As you want to take pictures in B&W, perhaps it's a good idea to get a camera that has that option, rather than having to do it later. Ofc, as the other people in this thread have mentioned, having a (basic) set of image manipulation skills is a handy thing to have, and once you've gotten through the basics I'm sure that you will find yourself using them more and more: for example I recently made a label with some text on it from a picture of myself and my girlfriend to stick on a bottle of wine to congratulate some friends of ours on their intention to get married.

The website Nath mentions is very good for checking out decent opinions of a huge amount of cameras, but you'll also be wise to ask around and perhaps check if there are any (free) amature photography courses being given somewhere near you. Not to join up (though I'm sure the people would like you to), but to ask questions and get them to tell you what kinds of (digital) cameras they would recommend.

 

[nath]

Also, if you did go digital, I'd be amazed if you could buy one (assuming it didn't come out of a christmas cracker) that didn't have the option to flick to black and white mode.

 

[Ch3tan]

It is very satisfying developing your own b&w pictures. If you have the chance to join a club or course that allows you to do this, then go for it. You will need a 35mm non-digital slr. Great way to learn about photography, and you can still buy a compact digital till you can afford or feel you want a proper digital camera.

 

[Tom]

Just a couple of images from the cheapo Holga I bought a few months back:

I have more, but unfortunately I haven't had them scannned to a CD yet - I only have the slides. I'm waiting to build up a decent collection of slides before I get them all scanned in bulk.

Plenty of light leakage and the distance focus is terrible, but I rather like the results. Not bad for a few quid and a bit of a muck around!

There are some more of my piccies here, on a range of cameras:

http://www.harphampix.com/v2/folder.php?id=120

 

[Calaen]

Nice pics I love the top one.

 

[Ch3tan]

I have a Holga!

Ran out of film for it though, and haven't been arsed to get some more.

Used it to take quite a few pics in New York a few years ago, was fun just pointing and clicking.

 

[Tom]

You should buy some from Ebay Ch3tan, theres loads of it around. I got 5 rolls of Velvia for about £15. They're in the egg carton in the fridge

Jessops is quite cheap for developing, takes more than a week though. I'm thinking of borrowing some developing kit and doing it myself.

 

[Ch3tan]

I'd also need time and effort to go and take pics Tom, although I suppose I'd be quite happy carrying a cheap holga with me everywhere rather than an expensive digi cam.

 

[leggy]

There are some more of my piccies here, on a range of cameras:

http://www.harphampix.com/v2/folder.php?id=120

Some nice photos there Tom.

I wish I was able to carry a camera around with me. Unforunately motorways and inner city brum aren't nice to look at.

 

[milou]

For more Holga goodness, try: http://www.toycamera.com/. My fave: http://www.toycamera.com/profiles/P...llery.cfm?Name=Alan Thoburn&thisTable=charva3