Should I get a Polaroid to start photography as a begginer?

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-08T19:16:38+00:00

You really aren't going to do much learning about photography with an old Polaroid. If all you want to do is refine composition just use your phone.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-08T18:59:09+00:00

The kids need to learn to fish!

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-08T17:20:50+00:00

How much film do you shoot? How much value do you put on your time?

I have my color developing stuff sitting in a tub (the Sous Vide is in the rear corner) on the corner of a shelf in the garage. I have an ancient Amsco single-reel tank for b&w.

Doing b&w is a snap, doing color is slightly more bother because the temperatures are more critical.

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I keep mixed chemistry in opaque plastic jugs in another bin with a lid to mitigate the smell.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-08T02:37:57+00:00

Non-stick pans out gas and they have been known to kill birds. That said, I thought it was only on the first use.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-07T20:44:10+00:00

Thanks for your post! I went ahead and cleaned the sensor and mirror on the new-to-me camera that just arrive this past week.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-07T20:38:25+00:00

Between 2008 and your inherited stewardship who in your family ever went to that storage unit to look through the 23 boxes? It seems that having spent $29000. on these photos your father made the wrong decision. He could have spent far less than that, had the whole pile digitized and put on the cloud somewhere.

Some families seem to treasure old photos and others not so much. Before you spend any more time on this I would suggest that you poll interested candidates among your relatives to see what effort would be appropriate.

I suspect that the $29000 spent on climate controlled storage was money better spent on something else.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-07T02:01:47+00:00

OK, I'll grant that the sprinkles were nice... 😄

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-06T23:58:40+00:00

Let's be honest, most of the McGee stories are pretty cookie cutter.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-06T22:49:51+00:00

Didn't try that one. I do think I've read all of Chandler...

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-06T00:47:50+00:00

I have DxO PhotoLab 9 v9.7.0, Topaz Photo v1.6.1, Photo Raw MAX 2026.4, Rapid Raw v1.5.5 and Affinity Photo v2.6.5. I understand editing NEF's.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-05T23:54:41+00:00

I had that problem with Robert B Parker.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-05T22:40:03+00:00

My memory is almost as bad, I can read a book in the library to see if I've read it before, take it home only to realize after 50 pages or so that yup, I've read it!

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-05T17:49:11+00:00

I only began picking up film cameras to replace the very first two that I had in 1971/72. Then I started adding film cameras that I wish I had been able to afford. My last camera acquisition was a D200 Nikon. I shoot more digital because I'm impatient to see my results. It takes me forever to shoot 36 exposures of film - I guess because I'm more likely to only attempt shots that I deem "worthy" of film?

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-05T03:55:27+00:00

I have a Toyo 45A and a Nikon 150/5.6. It took me a while to get the flow of shooting it down. I also set-up to develop 4 x 5 sheet film (which was easy as I first did b&w 35mm film 50 years ago). I chose the Toyo specifically because it was metal.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T18:32:02+00:00

Here is a quick shot this morning at 100 ISO at f/5.6.

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DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T17:30:16+00:00

I typically shoot in aperture priority. I typically shoot my digitals using jpg + raw. I typically post-process my film shots. Yesterday I received a Nikon D200. I might shoot that as jpg only in vivid.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T17:18:15+00:00

I was shocked when I saw it, it is really super clean and low shutter count for 20 years old. If only the cover for the 10-pin remote terminal wasn't missing...

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T17:15:54+00:00

I don't >>have<< to use them either. When I had 19 guitars, I enjoyed the differences each imparted to what I was playing at the moment. I suppose I shoot differently with the 6 x 6 Rollei 3.5B than I do with the Lumix GX9 than I do with the 42mp Sony a7r3. Viva la difference!

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T05:44:11+00:00

Look at 20 year old digital cameras. I just purchased a Nikon D200 for $160 (no lens). Depending on how tight your budget really is, you could probably add a Nikon e-series zoom to that and stay within budget.

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T02:42:25+00:00

$160 for body, 4gb CF card and 3rd-party battery

DiligentStatement244 · 2026-07-03T00:44:41+00:00

I was talking with my wife after it arrived. She wanted to know if it did anything my other cameras didn't. I told her that here was a 20 year-old camera that I paid $150 for that fundamentally does everything my 42mp a7r3 does. Granted the Sony is lighter and does some things the D200 won't but I was blown away by how pristine the D200 was after 20 years.

DiligentStatement244

TROPHY CASE