In 2024 I picked up a couple of entry level 35mm SLR autofocus film cameras from friends and gave them a test run with their own introductory blog. You can read the one for this camera via the link below. I had planned on using them side by side to see how they compare, and then got sidetracked by a squirrel. Well, the day finally arrived to do this fun look at my cheap entry level cameras and compare them to my semi pro Nikon F801S.
I say "day" but it soon turned into a project.
I had planned on doing a swift review accompanied by the same photos taken with each camera and I had to take a step to one side and re-think this project. It was too much, too quick and my brain can't handle that intensity. I decided to give each camera it's own blog and not just shoot a roll of HP5, but also a roll of ColorPlus in each one and it would take me until summer to finish it. With this in mind I set out in mid March to start my project with my Canon EOS 300, a gift from a dear friend who figured I would use it and enjoy it.
The Canon EOS300 is a camera all Canon DSLR users will be able to pick up and use straight away. The layout is virtually the same with the command dial on the top left and LCD screen on the top right. I'm not a Canon DSLR user, but it didn't take me long to figure out the things I needed to use. Two CR2 batteries go in the comfy hand grip and loading the film is easy.
Slot the cassette in on the left, pull the leader over to the red mark on the right and close the back. Switch the camera on and it does its party trick. It winds out all the film and rewinds it gradually as you take each shot. This ensures you wont lose any shots of you accidentally pop the back open. The unused film will of course be instantly exposed, as would happen with any other camera, but at least you will have something thanks to this feature.
I loaded a roll of Ilford HP5+400 into my Canon EOS 300 and headed into town on a sunny spring day to visit my favourite classroom, Mesnes Park, to take a couple of shots that I would replicate with each camera. They would be my control set for a direct comparison, the rest of the roll was just happy snapping around various local landmarks.
I only took a few shots in the park as I wandered around on this fine sunny day. I was pulling double duty and shooting my Frugal Film Project offerings for March and switched between cameras as I made my way around the park and onwards into town. The second half of my walk was all about my Canon EOS 300.
Being a creature of habit I shot my roll of HP5 in AV mode, which is "Canon speak" for Aperture Priority. Given the bright sunshine and lack of clouds I was happy to shoot at f/11 and let the camera choose the shutter speed. It's something a beginner could do right away and then give manual a try after gaining a little confidence.
It's a very easy camera to get along with, autofocus is fast and quiet, the zoom range on the 28-90mm lens is comfortable to use and it only takes 1/4 of a turn on the zoom ring to go from one extreme to the other. Add it's light weight and ergonomics and you have a camera a beginner would swear was never 35 years old. It looks and feels modern and it inspired me. It didn't take me long to finish my roll of film and I headed home for a well earned cuppa.
I developed my film in Bellini Euro HC 1+31 dilution B for 5 minutes at 20 celcius and soon had it hanging to dry in my bathroom. I digitised my film with my Nikon D700, Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 macro lens, K&F Tripod, Valoi 35mm film holder, Pixl-Latr and A5 size led light pad. I processed the RAW files with Affinity Photo 2.
This is always the time when anyone, beginner or pro will look at their photos and say something along the lines of "I say, they're jolly nice". The big players in the hey day of film really went all in with electronics and it shows in my photos. I didn't have to do much to them and I got the roll processed in the space of one evening. Happy days!
Here's a few photos from my roll of Ilford HP5+400 shot with my Canon EOS300 for part one of this Cheap Camera Shootout. I have placed them and more in an album on Flickr you can visit using the link below. I hope you enjoy them.
Canon EOS300 - Ilford HP5+ 400
Canon EOS 300 - first blog
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