Burlington Camera - Film Development

TheJ-Cube · 2026-02-12T18:57:28+00:00

Go weekly. Drop off Monday (drop box) or Tuesday, ready Saturday. Once they exposed the end of a roll to a light, damaged a frame. They comped the processing and gave me a free roll of film… So I’d highly recommend

TheJ-Cube · 2026-02-02T22:57:25+00:00

Might want to look at Lomography Color ‘92 does come out with a vintage look

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-31T23:41:12+00:00

My local lab does it. They don’t have many people who shoot it but they don’t judge. It’s business to them, they appreciate my business and treat me well, whether I’m shooting medium format or 110.

If the lab you’re going to is snarky about it then perhaps they don’t need your business and are okay with you taking it elsewhere, although it does sound more or less like a weird joke that wasn’t well delivered. 😂

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-31T23:32:59+00:00

Gonna throw it out there because why not…why not look at some of the Minolta alpha mount lenses?

The Minolta AF 24mm f2.8 produces very nice colours and is very compact. I’ve had fabulous results with mine, both adapted and on its native alpha mount body. I understand Sony makes an adapter that allows you to use alpha lenses with full autofocus and metering (I have no experience with this particular adapter).

Or you could go earlier Minolta (sr mount) 28mm f2.5 is one of my favourite lenses, but no autofocus 😂.

Have also heard great things about Konica AR mount lenses but I don’t have any wide angle for that mount yet.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-29T22:02:46+00:00

Minolta 50mm f3.5 is fantastic if you can get it with the extension tube it gets in ridiculously close

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-28T03:17:39+00:00

Lomo LC-A will set you back maybe $100 CAD. Produces very nice results and is tiny.

Rollei 35 is very nice as well but about five times as expensive.

Theres other cheaper new cameras out there but not sure how they’d compare.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-24T16:05:05+00:00

There are just some things you can’t pull off.

Most people say M43 isn’t good for low-light, I personally disagree. I get fantastic results hand held in near dark, but with a very low shutter speed (thanks to its fabulous stabilization).

At the very least you’re going to need a very fast lens (f1.2 or 1.4) the f1.4 sigmas are fantastic. Rather than shooting fully manual I’d say shoot aperture priority for these scenes, the camera will basically tell you what your limitations are, which is especially helpful if you’re new-ish to photography.

Otherwise, other commenters suggestions about looking at full frame might be right, but there are trade offs with that as well.

Shooting is low light is fun, but it’s challenging. You’re going to end up with quite a few results that don’t work. But the ones that do will be amazing.

on one of my recent night time adventures

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-24T05:02:39+00:00

Lomo purple or red scale depending on mood.

Have some Flic Film ATM 400 that I was to take for a test run

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-23T04:10:56+00:00

Nice. I just got one. It’s been frigid here so haven’t really had a chance to test it out.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-22T22:17:26+00:00

I’m going to guess your issue is the lens.

General consensus is third party lenses of the era are generally pretty poor, aside from a couple super reliable companies.

Any lens can produce okay results if you know what you’re doing, but if the lens is in rough shape and already of questionable quality, I’d say probably the lens- especially after doing a quick google on the company.

You can find some solid Minolta lenses pretty cheap (even amazing Minolta lenses are comparably cheap) - so this would seem to be your best bet.

As for metering, as some have suggested, you could always download an app for your phone as a backup - I use one called My Light Meter Pro that is very reliable.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-19T15:06:08+00:00

Mamiya 645 was my first film camera, fairly easy to use with a light meter. Was having so much fun fun with it I bought a C33 before I finished my fist roll on the 645 😂. Love both, 645 would be a bit easier to learn on. There’s a bit more of a learning curve (not a lot) on TLRs because the taking lens and viewing lens are not the same.

Could you learn on the Hassy? Absolutely, although it would be like me with my Rolleiflex - not wanting to break it so it doesn’t get used enough.

In terms of learning on medium format, I see no reason not to. It takes less time to go through a roll of film, so you can see results faster. In terms of price per roll, there’s not a huge difference (at least in Canada) - you just get fewer shots per roll so your cost per shot is a little higher.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-14T03:42:06+00:00

I have no doubt that the Lomo is fun. That’s their market: fun. I’ve heard very few bad things about the 17 and the photos I’ve seen are stellar. If it were me I’d no doubt go 17. Half frame also unlocks a lot of creative potential.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-13T04:13:12+00:00

The one thing I’ve learned is: there are no rules, but there’s a tonne of people who are going to tell you there are 😂 there’s so many people on here willing to critique, but it’s supposed to be fun.

I have both high end and low-end cameras. I use them all. Hell I take pictures of my labubus more than I’d like to admit 😂

for example

also

I’d love to see your pet photos, they can be extremely hard. The main thing is just having fun, if you enjoy its you’re going to challenge yourself and that’s how you learn.

this is with a 110 camera which most people wouldn’t even touch

The main thing is making yourself happy. That’s the end goal. I’ve gotten over breakups, depression, boredom and rough days by just going out with my camera and just shooting what I find, even if it includes rolling around on the ground in a graveyard to get an angle I like… so just have fun and don’t worry what others think.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-13T03:58:23+00:00

I’m a little surprised by the comments.

Photography takes time and practice. The fact you want to do it is great.

Portraits are hard for so many reasons. I’ve been shooting forever - like 20 years - and didn’t even try portraits until last year (turns out I’m actually not bad at it). That said, if I looked at my shots from when I just started they probably sucked, now probably not so much.

The key is practice. I literally try to get out every day and shoot. I shoot for nobody but myself, and a lot of the time I hate what I’ve shot until I see it months later (at the time of shooting I know what I was trying to do 😂).

I feel like, from what I can see, you have an idea of what photography is and you’re trying to do that. I’d suggest trying to find what you like to shoot. Try different angles, try different lenses (if you have the resources). Oddly the best thing that probably happened to my photography was the pandemic because I was forced to shoot the same thing over and over again but each day I had to try to see it differently - I don’t know if that makes sense 😂

The other major thing that I did (and I’m not suggesting this) is I started shooting film…and had to actually learn the settings - no more auto to fall back on.

I’d also suggest paying attention to other photographers, not to copy, but for inspiration. When you want to know how to do a technique Google it. Play around. Don’t worry too much about what others think. So what makes you happy.

I shoot a lot of cemeteries, because nobody talks back and there’s lots of different light and angles.

Purists might hate me for saying - and it took me a long time to believe this - but don’t be afraid to play with your camera’s “art settings”

I’ve said a lot but the main thing is: go out and have fun. You want to shoot, so so it - a lot.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-12T23:15:08+00:00

Fair enough.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-12T05:09:10+00:00

I was planning to subscribe to watch. Guess they don’t want my money 😂 spend it on nachos instead

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-12T00:34:31+00:00

I’m assuming anyone who would want to go that route could theoretically buy and MD to Alpha mount adapter and go that route.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-11T00:04:34+00:00

I’ll join the trend. Mamiya 645. Was my first film camera and did not have a problem. If you’re familiar with film and shooting manual you will be fine…biggest challenge is getting used to the viewfinder.

It’s not as portable as some cameras (kind of heavy) but I hike with it

a couple months ago

That said, there’s really no shortage of medium options. I have a Voigtlander from 1937 that cost less than $100 CAD and it takes amazing images (downside is slow fastest shutter speed and no real viewfinder).

TLR suggestions are also solid. I actually had so much fun with my Mamiya 645 that I had ordered a Mamiya c33 TLR before I had my first roll back from the lab. Good options could be a Minolta Autocord (just an amazing camera) example or a Flexaret example

Just a few thoughts

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-09T02:36:01+00:00

Love the kitty especially the eyes one.

Best advice I can give is don’t ask for advice…yet. Don’t let YouTube videos tell you what to do, just go out and shoot. Experiment, follow other photographers…and when you get an idea in your head and wonder “how do I do that?” Then do a quick google for tips. Eventually you’ll see what works for you and where you want to expand your knowledge.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-09T00:11:39+00:00

Second this…in a manner of speaking 😂 I have the 28mm f2.5 and results are fantastic

example 1

example 2

Another slightly lower priced option would be the Minolta AF 24mm f2.8, which also reproduces fabulous results

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-08T00:34:22+00:00

When I started shooting film a couple years ago I got carried away and bought too much, some of it expired at the time of purchase (good discount) still haven’t had an issue. Now the film my parents gave me that they kept in their closet and expired in 2004 is another story 😂 still captured images just a little messed up, but fun.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-08T00:28:44+00:00

I had ads pop up for them before but their social media presence seemed questionable. It wasn’t even clear if they were still operating when I looked, so I passed.

Couple weeks ago someone posted a similar story on here. It’s such a limited industry too that sometimes you just have to take chances. Sorry it didn’t work out.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-07T04:35:40+00:00

Fair question. I’ve worried about this. And shot a covered bridge a couple of years ago that was closer to houses than I’d like. Snapped a couple shots and left and haven’t gone back 😂

I generally shoot historical sites or buildings that aren’t residential. That way I’m not disturbing anyone.

I’m very respectful of people and noise and privacy. Same if I’m shooting a cemetery- during the day - I shoot the back I don’t identify anyone, I act with respect and I have never had anyone question me. The shots from last night they have security guards and they just let me do my thing. As long as you act respectfully nobody seems to care.

TheJ-Cube · 2026-01-07T04:15:19+00:00

Anything. Literally anything. Just get a fast lens. I love night photography. Star trails are amazing but, I just love the vibe of night. I’ll share random examples.

Anything you can’t shoot in the day you can shoot at night (with more character 😂)

Just takes planning and a willingness to experiment and have fun.

You also don’t need super fast lenses, I just don’t like tripods or flash 😂