When I got my first-ever Christmas bonus last year, one of the first things I bought was a film camera. In the spirit of preparing for a new decade, I figured it was time for me to find more creative new year’s resolutions—which, in my case, was finding a different way to document moments with my friends and family.
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After hours of hanging around film camera fora, I settled on a Canon Demi EE17. It was a half-frame 35mm camera, meaning it lets me shoot twice as many photos from a roll of film. As soon as I got my hands on a few rolls, I took my camera everywhere—from staycations with my family to a visit to my alma mater.
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While I was getting in touch with friends and making plans to meet up soon, I stocked up on as many film rolls as my budget would allow—until the pandemic hit. Suddenly, I had so much film stock and nowhere to be.
Quarantine in film
For the first few weeks of quarantine, my film camera would sit untouched on my bookshelf. Aside from the fact that I was still holding out hope that the pandemic would blow over soon, I wasn’t willing to use up the film I’d brought home with me.
When the lockdown stretched on for months, and I’d come to terms with not being able to meet up with my friends for a long time, I decided to pick up film photography again and use it to try and document my time at home—like the view from my workspace or from the doorway.
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While I initially turned to quarantine film photography to start making use of my film stock, it turns out taking photos of the things I encountered during quarantine had a number of benefits for my mental health.
“The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature,” a review of over a hundred studies on the connection of art and public health, notes that having a creative form of self-expression goes a long way.
Photography, in particular, has encouraged people to reframe the world around them and construct a positive outlook on self-worth and identity.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that taking one photo a day promotes mindfulness—from looking for something positive in a day to looking for an angle or light sources while shooting.
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While my current set-up doesn’t leave a lot of room for me to discover new things every day, it has encouraged me to pay closer attention to the things I used to overlook.
Using my film camera on the rare occasions that I leave the house hasn’t just helped me look back at all the things I miss from all the places I used to regularly visit, it’s encouraged me to focus on the time I get to spend outside my house.
It’s almost a year since I first got my hands on my camera, and while it still feels sad that I won’t get to use my camera at family reunions anytime soon, taking up film photography has encouraged me to re-evaluate the things I considered special.
How to get started
Whether you’re looking for a new creative outlet or a way to develop photography skills, you can always find ways to get started on film photography during quarantine. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Cameras
Aside from knowing where to look for a camera, it also helps to keep an eye out for any potential problems you might encounter with your purchase—especially since most film cameras on the market are likely used.
While most sellers will indicate issues with their cameras, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Before you say yes to the camera, it helps to ask if there are sample photos available or if taking a test shot is possible.
Vintage Camera Market
Just as the name suggests, Vintage Camera Market is a public Facebook group where you can find older film camera models—whether it’s for personal use or for display purposes. If you’re on a budget and you want to get experimental with your shots, it also carries expired Kodak and Fujifilm rolls.
The Analog Cartel
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Looking for toy film cameras or Fujifilm Instax cameras? The Analog Cartel is your best bet. The Las Piñas-based film store also has a selection of film scanners and Polaroid cameras on deck—all you have to do is check out its #avail35c Instagram tag.
Lomomanila Marketplace
If you’re in the market for lenses and speedlights to go with your camera, Lomomanila Market place is the Facebook group you need to visit. It also carries a selection of films and disposable film cameras at budget-friendly prices.
Film
Now that you have a camera, it’s time to figure out the kind of film stock you want to use. One option is color negative film, which yields true-to-life skin tones and realistic color saturation. There’s also black and white film, a recommended film stock for beginners since it provides more control over the look of your photos.
Filmm Store
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Filmm Store has a wide selection of fresh Fujifilm and Kodak rolls priced between P310 to P370 and disposable cameras priced at P700. All you have to do is check its #availablefilmm tag and fill out an order form to place an order.
HappySnaps*
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Another source of fresh film rolls is HappySnaps, where you can get bundles of Kodak and Fujifilm stock priced at around P999. It also sells cameras, which are sold on a “first come, first served” basis.
The Online Warehouse
Lab Box – 2 Module Kit
Php 11,500 Only.
Photo CTTOPosted by The Online Warehouse on Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Aside from carrying a selection of black and white films, The Online Warehouse has film developing kits and chemicals for people who have the space and the time to transform their space into a film developing station.
Developing services
You’ve stocked up on a camera and film, you’ve taken your photos, now it’s time for you to see what they look like. Fortunately, there isn’t a shortage of film developing labs around the country—the best part is that most of them can send you digital copies of your photos within a week.
Sunny16 Lab
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Sunny16 Lab is a Quezon City-based film and digital processing lab, which offers a variety of developing options. Aside from developing and scanning disposable cameras and 35mm film, it also has service options for 120, 110 and Advantix film formats.
Film Avenue
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Another Quezon City-based film processing lab is Film Avenue. The online shop currently focuses on developing 35mm color negative film. It offers add-ons like push processing, scanning with borders and half-frame scanning.
SouthLab
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SouthLab prides itself on being the “fastest film processing lab” in the country. It’s based in Laguna, but don’t let that discourage you—it offers developing and scanning services for black & white and color negative film stock in areas around Metro Manila.
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