I do have a “film camera” in the loft somewhere; a Canon A1, I think.

No idea why I’ve still got it, and I’m not a “Canon user” anyway.

I gave up using film not long after getting a Nikon D70s, ooooh, no idea how long ago, to be honest.

But, a bit like digital music vs. vinyl, film hasn’t actually gone away. Some people never left it.

So, a strange thing occurred:

My first ever SLR camera was a Zenit-B that I bought secondhand from my biology teacher at school in 1979. A couple of years later, he gave me the chance to upgrade to a Zenit TTL, and had the antiquated Zenit B back in part exchange. This was a huge leap forward; a much better camera, and it actually had a light meter inside it.

As unusual as it may be, I’ve always remained friends with this fella, as a kid and then as an adult (me, not him!).

Last year, he asked me if I’d like my camera back!

The original Zenit B? Yes please!

So about 41 years after I last used it, I got it back; and it was exactly how I last saw it. I think.

Obviously I was going to try it; it just had to be done.

After all, I still have the entire set of prints from the first film that I shot with it in 1979, so a bit of nostalgia wouldn’t go amiss.

Kodak Ektar 100, 36 frames, eighteen quid. Hmm.

Apparently, its the “world’s finest grain”; it says so on the box.

Loaded.

I’m having to use another small camera as a light meter to calibrate each exposure, and then after a few days, I realised that I’d actually forgotten what I’d taken. And you can’t review these!

About 3 months later, the film’s finished, so I need to get it processed.

I could’ve had a cheaper service, but decided to get a set of small prints plus scans.

Twenty five quid.

Plus postage four quid (because its too fat for the gauge!)

Yes, you may be adding this up too; total £47.

For 36 photos.

They better be good; at least a few of them!

Today, the scans arrived electronically; I guess the prints and negatives will arrive soon.

I am actually surprised that I got the exposure right, all the way through really. So the old Zenit must be firing the shutter accurately still.

But the image quality is, quite frankly, absolutely dire.

I don’t know whether this is inferior 1970’s Soviet glass, or whether some of the problem lays with the film and processing.

Either way; my curiosity is satisfied, and I won’t be spending another £47 anytime soon.

I’m really pleased that I did this; it was a real novelty, but, boy, have things changed!

Anyhow; check this out:

1979 Selfie vs. 2022 Selfie

Same me; same camera