Shooting Film Again 🎞️📸

Shooting Film Again: First Time with My New (Vintage) Canon AE-1 🎞️📸

📍 Location: Rooftop in Winchester, VA

🎥 Film: Kodak Ultramax 400

📷 Camera: Canon AE-1

There’s something magical about diving back into film photography and feeling the weight of a classic camera in your hands, hearing the satisfying click of the shutter, and knowing each shot means something. I recently purchased a vintage Canon AE-1, and today was my first time using it and loading it up with Kodak Ultramax 400 film, ready to embrace the nostalgia and unpredictability of shooting in analog.

Winchester’s rooftops were the perfect setting for this first roll. The golden light spilling over the city, textured brick walls, and historic charm offered endless inspiration. With every frame, I found myself slowing down and carefully adjusting focus, considering composition, and trusting that the film would capture what I couldn’t fully predict.

Why Kodak Ultramax 400?

It’s a versatile film with great color reproduction, perfect for both sunny rooftop shots and shaded corners. The 400 ISO gave me enough flexibility to shoot in the variable light of the late afternoon.

Tips for First-Time Film Users or Those Getting Back into Film (Like Me!):

1. Meter Carefully: The Canon AE-1’s built-in light meter is your best friend. Half-press the shutter and make sure the exposure needle is in the right spot!

2. Take Your Time: Unlike digital, every shot costs a frame, so make it count.

3. Don’t Stress Perfection: Film photography is about the unexpected. Sometimes imperfections become your favorite shots.

Now the waiting game begins, developing the roll and seeing how the shots turn out! There’s no instant gratification here, but that’s part of the charm. If you’ve been thinking about picking up a film camera, do it!

Have you ever used the Canon AE-1 or Kodak Ultramax 400? Let me know your favorite tips for shooting film!

#FilmPhotography #CanonAE1 #KodakUltramax400 #VintageCamera #firstpost

Old Town
6/8 Edited to

... Read moreFilm photography has seen a resurgence in recent years, capturing the attention of both seasoned photographers and newcomers. The Canon AE-1 camera, celebrated for its reliability and versatility, offers a unique gateway into this captivating medium. When using Kodak Ultramax 400 film, photographers can take advantage of its superb color rendition and versatility in various lighting conditions, making it ideal for rooftop scenes and natural light photography. As you venture into film, understanding the basics of exposure and the importance of light meters becomes crucial. The AE-1 is equipped with a user-friendly metering system that simplifies this process. Experimenting with different shooting conditions and compositions can lead to unexpected yet delightful outcomes, a hallmark of film photography. Don't forget the collaborative nature of the community! Platforms and forums dedicated to film photography allow you to share your experiences, learn from others, and explore trending techniques. Networking with fellow enthusiasts can provide invaluable insights and encouragement. Whether you're capturing urban landscapes or intimate portraits, each roll of film presents an opportunity to document and celebrate the world around you, offering a tactile and nostalgic experience that's hard to replicate digitally. So grab your Canon AE-1, head out with Kodak Ultramax 400, and enjoy the journey back to the roots of photography!

13 comments

Captain Lemon8's images
Captain Lemon8

Love this post💛 Can’t wait to see more of your daily moments🤩

See more(1)
Dani ✨'s images
Dani ✨

I have this camera too! I love it

Related posts

If LeBron James shooting coach
Nahhh the plot twist at he end was crazy🤣🏀 #viral #basketball #nba #lebronjames #braxtonpicou
Braxton Picou

Braxton Picou

1355 likes

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a necklace and pink bow accessories, winks at the camera. The image is overlaid with the title text: 'How to survive a school shooting from a survivor'.
A street scene featuring buildings and the Big Ben clock tower in the background. Overlay text advises knowing school layouts, classrooms, and exits for survival during an emergency.
The London Eye Ferris wheel stands against a sunset sky. Overlay text suggests staying quiet, locking doors, and turning off lights to avoid detection by a shooter.
How to survive a school shooting from a survivor
#saftytips
Lemon8er

Lemon8er

1179 likes

The image shows a car interior with a camera, smartphone, and earbuds, overlaid with text asking "HOW TO MAKE MONEY TAKING PHOTO OF YOUR FEET."
A person's feet with white nail polish are shown with text outlining steps to choose platforms like FeetFinder and FunWithFeet, and to ensure feet are clean and well-groomed.
The image features a person's feet with white nail polish and jeans, accompanied by text detailing steps to learn photography basics and set prices for photos.
HOW TO MAKE MONEY PHOTO SHOOTING YOUR FEET🐾💰🤑
Money flows when you snap feet pics-easy cash, no hassle! Who knew your toes could turn into a goldmine? Ready to step up your income? #MoneyTips #Lemon8Diary #photo #louisvuitton #lemon8creator
Moneymindsabi

Moneymindsabi

193 likes

🍋shooting range fun 🤍
Ashleevictoriaa

Ashleevictoriaa

10 likes

Shooting on film
A photoshoot i did a while back. Thrifted the suit, shoes, and tie. I also used one of the photos from the set on my song title “ain’t got time.” - John “Juice” Harris on all streaming platforms.
juicy.

juicy.

7 likes

A woman with blonde hair and tattoos stands on a basketball court, wearing a black and red striped jersey with 'JORDAN 23' and black shorts. She holds a basketball in her left hand, posing outdoors.
Shooting hoops
#fyp
Bri

Bri

10 likes

Shooting a Chevy Chevelle SS
Today I got to shoot this 1972 Chevy Chevelle SS in Wylie TX at Ironhorse Classics! This is a very nice build with a LS engine, Wilwood Brakes, QA1 suspension, and a full custom interior! This is done in a beautiful red with the white stripe! #chevy #chevyss #chevychevelle
Gray

Gray

37 likes

FILM PICS
I mistakenly bought a camera that uses advantix/aps film off of eBay when I was searching for 35mm camera; and it turned out to be a happy accident. although it's more expensive, I love shooting aps film. every roll of aps film I've bought is expired because the film isn't manufactur
Kianakalaii

Kianakalaii

7 likes

Shooting star
BunBun: I’m a shooting star BunBun loves these stacking cups so much she sleeps next to them all the time. The stacking cups are from #amazon and it’s listed in our bio. #petsoflemon8 #pets #bunny #rabbits
BunstoppableBun

BunstoppableBun

47 likes

1st Time Shooting Hockey Pucks At Pro Hockey Life
#nhl #hockey #streethockey #ballhockey #icehockey @CameraManDaniel🇨🇦 @brad
Ashley Rennehan 🇨🇦

Ashley Rennehan 🇨🇦

4 likes

First year shooting film
#PhotoDump #film #photography #art #photo
Meatcrayon

Meatcrayon

1 like

Shooting AR-15
Fun at the range #guns
Bullets4Bucks

Bullets4Bucks

74 likes

new hello kitty film camera!
i love the design on this camera so much, the hello kitty strawberry milk collection has a chokehold over me i love that sanrio came out with a vintage tech line it was literally made for me!! I just finished shooting a roll of film on this camera and im so excited to see how the photos turn out
sunny

sunny

1989 likes

Lil Range Day Shooting
truckrpj. Paul G7 OG

truckrpj. Paul G7 OG

99 likes

A hand holds a silver and black Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo instant camera on a soft, light-colored background. The image has a text overlay that reads 'Tips for Taking Pics with Instant Film'.
📷 Tips for Taking Pics with Instant Film
Tips for Taking Pics with Instant Film 🌸 If you’re shooting with a Polaroid, keep the film in the fridge. When it’s time to take pictures, take the film out and let it get to room temperature 🌸 Keep your subject close & shoot in the daylight 🌸If you’re shooting in low light, use the fl
ally | cottagecore desk setup

ally | cottagecore desk setup

10 likes

Police Shooting Again? $$$
“Seconds to Decide: AI, Policing, and the Battle for Truth in America’s Split-Second Justice System” https://govia.app/seconds-to-decide-ai-policing-and-the-battle-for-truth-in-americas-split-second-justice-system/
GoViaHighlightAHero

GoViaHighlightAHero

0 likes

Titanic Behind the scenes shooting omg
#gettoknowme #behindthescenes #titanic #movies #titanicsubmarine
Olson

Olson

7 likes

A person with dark, wavy hair and bangs showcases a 'shooting star' makeup look. They have white eyeliner with a star design, freckles, nose and lip piercings, and dark red nail polish. They wear star earrings, a star necklace, and a colorful patchwork top.
Shooting Star Makeup
Did a new makeup look I saw on Pinterest today! #makeup #queer #autisticadult #stars #outfit
Lo👁️Lo

Lo👁️Lo

62 likes

Calling in sick and tired.. again
There’s been another mass shooting. I’m not doing business as usual today. If you need a reason to pause, this is mine. #oneissueonebill #NotBusinessAsUsual #PauseWithPurpose #MiniStrike #Today
Jbharrisbooks

Jbharrisbooks

96 likes

Shooting at Bellagio Fountains Las Vegas
June 8th, 2025 a shooting involving multiple Las Vegas content creators left two dead in front of the Bellagio Fountains. YouTube streamer Finny Da Legend and a female companion, lost their lives when attacked by an unidentified man believed to be Sin City Manny Wise over reported “social media bee
VegasStarfish

VegasStarfish

54 likes

Finished shooting a film in New Mexico
I snuck into the cast trailer for this video, but I was actually flown here for a day as a phantom tech. Phantom camera is a super high-speed (slow motion) camera that’s used on movies like Inception. #setlife #movie #filmset #cinematography #photography #camera #cameras
Willis Chung

Willis Chung

1 like

A kitchen counter with a bag of coffee, a small blue box, a glass, and a tumbler, illustrating the setup for filming a user-generated content video.
A collage showing a person holding a small blue bottle and glass, product shots of the bottle on a marble surface, and water being poured, demonstrating filming product visuals.
A person holding a small black microphone to their mouth, recording a voice-over or script for a video, with a plant visible in the background.
Film a sponsored UGC video with me! 💸✨
How I filmed my $150 UGC video with Apothekary: 1. Find a place to film and shoot a bunch of product shots: I always recommend shooting somewhere with natural lighting + clean your camera lens before you start. I also recommend getting more product shots then you need - having a variety will hel
Erin Leeper

Erin Leeper

79 likes

Shooting Star: travel edition
There is nothing like watching planes at night with your husband. We love traveling and we love aircraft! #planes #aviation #nightsky #lemon8diarychallenge #Lemon8 #Lemon8Diary #lemon8travel
Jazmyn W

Jazmyn W

7 likes

See more