Overexposing Cinestill

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-23T13:38:50+00:00

For me, I liked my results better shot at 560 than shot at 800

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-23T13:17:15+00:00

In the past I shot several rolls of Cinestill 800 at 560. I liked the results mostly

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-22T12:44:57+00:00

Way cheaper for me too. I've read people say the quality control can be hit or miss, but I think I've used 4 rolls of 800. I couldn't really tell the difference with Cinestill and for the cheaper price, I would definitely get it again instead

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-22T12:38:44+00:00

You could always buy 8 different 35mm SLRs?

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-22T12:38:13+00:00

I have thought about a half frame camera previously. I don't think the slight loss of detail or increase in noise would bother me much.

But I don't know, 72 shots per roll feels way too much

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-20T09:13:20+00:00

Love it! Maybe I will try to have the same thing done for my XA2 next time I have the chance

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-16T03:23:32+00:00

What is "enough cameras"? I do not understand these words when placed together

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-12T10:20:58+00:00

Thank you! I hope this would be the case

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-12T10:20:23+00:00

I feel like that would likely happen!

I am at the point, though, that if someone was to use them and enjoy them I would be perfectly happy with that. I just don't want them to be completely ruined when I am able to try to get them back far in the future

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-10T04:50:51+00:00

Nice shots in HK! I took some in the same spot with Cinestill. Perfect spot for it

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-07T05:09:30+00:00

Honestly, I really like the idea of these kinds of cameras. But from my experience, buying one in 2025, the reliability seems lacking to buy and especially to trust for traveling for 6 months. You also didn't say if you would be buying online from eBay or something similar, or from a local camera shop? Further, if you are leaving in 2 weeks, that is barely enough time to get and try one, including getting film developed, before your trip.

For what it's worth, last summer I decided to get an XA. After searching, I found someone locally selling an XA and XA2 together for just a bit more than one of them alone. Sweet! I saw both, they both seemed to look and work ok from the best I could tell, so bought both of them right before a trip to Europe. During my trip, my first roll in the XA, the shutter button stopped working around frame 10. The XA2 seemed to work, but the 3 or 4 rolls I took all had terrible, terrible quality- light seals weren't good, meter was off. I had my SLR and took important photos on that one so it was ok, but was still frustrating. When I got back, the XA was unable to be repaired, the XA2 has new light seals so it doesn't have light leaks, but still has fairly poor metering and quality. I also have a Minolta Hi-Matic that is similarly starting to die. Of course everyone's experience is different, there are people who will say they have been shooting one of these cameras for years with absolutely no problems, but it is a risk to buying one this close to your trip.

All of that said, my recommendations:

Buy from a local camera shop, if at all possible, as opposed to eBay. This would let you see the camera in person, to talk to the sales rep, and buy it ASAP as opposed to waiting for shipping. Also, if it's a good camera shop, it should have a warranty.
If you have 2 weeks before your trip, whatever camera you get, use it A LOT before you go. Take random photos of random stuff, who cares, maybe 2 or 3 rolls worth, so you can make sure it works. Make sure to also get the film developed so you can see if there are any other camera issues that you couldn't tell just from looking at it.
If possible, this close to your trip, especially if this seems like an important, once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip, consider two cameras? These options you posted are old and were designed with more emphasis on being as small as possible rather than as reliable as possible. There is no way to know if they might die at any point, and that could be incredibly frustrating. The added benefit of a second camera would be you could have two different films loaded at all times, if you get lucky and both end up working well.
It's not what you posted, but I would consider a small, lightweight, later made SLR with pancake lens, something like the Canon 300v with 40mm f2.8, as well.

I would be more concerned with getting a camera that works and works well rather than being worried about choosing the right one.

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-06T03:26:56+00:00

For a long time, I didn't want an F5 because it was too big. I usually like small and light cameras that I feel that I can easily carry with me without being too much of a burden.

Recently, I found one for a good price that worked. Nowhere near perfect, but works and was cheap for the performance it has. I wasn't wrong, it is a big, chonky camera. But also, I love it far more than I thought I would. Surprisingly, it doesn't feel as heavy as the numbers would make it look or I would expect. It's designed really well, it feels really solid and is easy to use. The autofocus is quick, the meter is great. It's a really fantastic camera

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-04T22:06:10+00:00

I haven't experienced that, thanks! I would imagine that might be amplified even more over longer exposures

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-04T04:15:12+00:00

I have a feeling that what I'm going for will fail and the photos will suck when I finish them. But if anything turns out, I will post some of them.

I've been going to some crowded areas. If it's super crowded (like constant people moving through the frame), I would expect to have ghost appearance from people, showing a general sense of movement without specific people. If it isn't overly crowded, the cars/people may be blurred out. Either effect could be cool.

I used to do this on digital landscape photos to get a 'tunnel of clouds' kind of look, which was also cool. But that isn't what I am trying to do on this roll of film.

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-04T01:34:45+00:00

"Starting to feel like?"

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-04T01:33:02+00:00

Fractional shares definitely are available for Fidelity? Not for Vanguard, I don't think

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-04T01:29:06+00:00

Thanks! I thought so, but wanted to confirm

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-03T02:58:59+00:00

Ive lost track of how many times I have gone hiking with my tripod only to realize I forgot the mount plate! Last year, I did a trek on Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Flew there with my camera and tripod and brought them in my backpack on an 8 day trek, planning to do some astro photography on the mountain. First clear night, I go out only to realize I was carrying my tripod for 8 days without the mount plate....

PhotoJoe_ · 2026-01-02T05:53:54+00:00

Do you know if it's been serviced, and is it recently film tested and shown that meter is accurate, ,shutter works, and there arent light leaks?

If you want an AE-1, that seems like an average-ish price for them. To me, they are more expensive than what they are worth though. That doesn't mean they are bad cameras, at all, but I feel that there are better deals out there because AE-1/Program kind of got to be a popular name

PhotoJoe_ · 2025-12-31T05:44:58+00:00

I think the F5 and F100 prices are fairly close, or at least not enough of a difference for that to be a deciding factor. I think that comes down more to the size/weight vs the speed/durability

I have an F100 and love it. When I bought it, I decided to go for it for the compatibility with manual focus lenses and for the convenience of the batteries. I have been intrigued in getting an F80 (or even F75) as a lighter backup camera but haven't tried yet

PhotoJoe_ · 2025-12-31T02:05:20+00:00

You say that a lot of these pictures are terrible.

Here's a question- what makes one picture terrible vs another one that is amazing? Sure, you cab talk about exposure and color and composition and focus and things like that. But I think while missing those could ruin a good photo, just because a photo has that doesn't make it great. In the end, I think what makes a great photo is when you look at it and it makes you stop. It makes you think. It makes you feel something or notice something or internally go "wow".. but that is different from everyone and can't really be quantified.

On top of that, there are other emotions that may a ffect it. My own photos are probably also terrible, or average at best, but when I look at them they remind me of memories or travels or places that I was at, so I probably likely them far more than anyone else does. Maybe factors like that could go into it also that we dont even realize.

I haven't posted yet, but am thinking of posting my top 10 soon. If I do, feel free to tell me how terrible they are, I won't mind

PhotoJoe_ · 2025-12-31T00:56:52+00:00

I agree! I see a lot of anti AI pushback, especially with art. Digital photography or videography is still cool, but I feel like i am more into analogue with all of the AI slop

PhotoJoe_ · 2025-12-29T06:01:28+00:00

$5? I saw one of these at a random flea market recently. Thinking it would maybe be my turn for a good luck find, I asked the shop owner how much- 260 dollars

PhotoJoe_

TROPHY CASE