A year ago I read the story of Aussie entrepreneur Madi Stefanis and her 35mm Co brand film camera and the idea of going back to film seemed romantic but tough to consider when we live in a world of digital photos by the minute. But earlier this year, I went all in and tested the 35mm Co camera on a family trip to the USA.
Several months later I popped into my local Camera House and dropped off three rolls of film, a day later the photos appeared in a dropbox for me and the physical prints are ready to collect.
Honestly, the results are better than I expected and disappointing all at the same time.
“The Reloader” is a little over $100 at JB HiFi and to be frank, I think there are similar if not the same products at some stores for far less, but I’ll back the Aussie on this one and support 35mm Co.
I purchased some 200ISO film, and tried to be a bit restrictive on just how many photos I took.
We were stressed after going through airport security, worried the film would be wiped, but it turns out that only happens on higher ISO film.
My first learning having looked at the photos relates to the first photo you take. Make it a test shot – because on all three films I had a half exposed shot like this:
The second learning, on looking at the photos is that Film photography is hard, and on a cheap simple camera don’t expect it to be “point and shoot”. Frankly, without shutter speed settings, F stop variations and ISO control, you’re at the mercy of the film you choose. Thus, Night photography on a 200ISO film was a stupid idea.
But that’s why I’m writing this.
YOU can learn from my mistakes.
Us the 35mm Co camera in the daytime, or in great light. Keep it simple and hold it steady. Because frankly the memories I’ve taken from these shots are sensational.
Best of all, I put my phone away, got off social media, and just enjoyed the trip. These photos will help those memories last a lifetime.
I’ve seen some pretty negative reviews of these kinds of cameras, all of them from young people who’ve never known anything but “open the camera app and take a photo”. Photography is hard, I reckon this does a great job.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
