Despite the instant gratification that digital imaging technology offers, many people are still clinging to the merits of the 35 mm film cameras and what these can deliver.  Professional photographers generally advance two reasons why they choose film over digital photography.  These two are the feel and look of the images rendered by film, characteristics most evident in movies.  The differences are most noticeable in motion pictures that are traditionally film-based compared to video footages broadcasted over television.  Film-based movies have more life, with the images and characters they deliver as living, breathing beings.  Movie buffs would describe these as film having the soul which is absent in a digital image rendering.  More depth could also be found in film because this medium captures more action, more light and much more richness than the digital-based output.

Seasoned photographers likewise describe this film advantage as the style or feel that can’t be found in digital images.  Highlights are better held in pictures taken for instance by 35mm digital cameras.  These highlights could be used to emphasize a main subject or express some subtle emphasis on a secondary subject, something which could not be done with digital photography.  Color play also comes in when using slide film wherein the red colors come out particularly better than in digital. Every other color likewise tends to be more vibrant and deeper when captured on slide film than when taken with a digital camera.

Loading your SRT camera with a fresh roll of 35mm film is a simple matter. If you’re new to the camera, however, you should take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the process in detail.

Get in the habit of never opening the camera back unless you are absolutely sure there is no loaded film inside. If you open the back while film is outside of the metal cassette, the film will be ruined. To check, flip up the crank handle on the rewind knob. Carefully turn the crank in a clockwise direction. If the handle spins freely, there is no film loaded in the camera, or the film has been safely rewound inside it’s protective cartridge.

If the handle won’t turn, there is loaded film in the camera. You will need to rewind the film so you can safely open the back. Turn the camera upside down and press down on the clutch button. You’ll find the clutch located inside a small triangular shaped recess in the bottom. Press it down until it clicks and remains depressed. Return the camera to the upright position, then crank the film clockwise until the handle spins freely.

Now you can open the back. Grasp the rewind knob and pull upward in a slow, steady motion. As you pull the knob upward, you will hear a metallic click and the back will spring open. Swing the back fully open. If there is an exposed cassette in the camera, pull up on the same rewind knob and lift the cassette out.