Analog Therapy: Fujifilm 400 – Canon T80 – AC 50mm f/1.8.

Normally my nerdery Random Neural Firings come in single file allowing me to describe my nonsense in one or two blog posts.

This time not so much.

A number of unrelated events ended up crashing into each other unexpectedly. For a number of reasons. Mainly time. Where I usually get out and about fairly frequently a little thing called “the hawk” has delayed my usual shenanigans. This cause what would have been a couple analog therapy galavants into one. Which actually worked out well and made for a nonsense comparison I had not considered previously.

Still there? Good. Here we go with part 1, Fujifilm 400 Analog Therapy.

Had been having a lot of fun with the solid as a rock Canon EOS A2 recently. Though I know inanimate objects have no feelings I felt a little bad for another Canon SLR odd duck that I rather like. The Canon T80.

While it is widely disparaged, I rather like it. And I fully admit that finding a new old stock with as new protectors still affixed played a part in this.

I am a sucker for new old stock. I will ignore the dings about its looks. I rather like the way it looks and it was very of the time. These are the valid demerits in my opinion (w/ buts).

Focus tech was not ready for prime time.
- There is a reason it was a one and done.
- But… While slow, once you learn how to play along with its shortcomings (does AF much better on a tilts when struggling) and with a little patience it is quite accurate. Worst case a flick of the switch and you can manual focus with the little wheel at the front of the lens.
Technically no manual mode or Aperture and Shutter priority modes.
- An immediate no go for many.
- But… Once you learn the modes all is not bad. I typically shoot aperture priority. With that I shoot mostly wide open if possible and will stop down only to avoid an over exposure. If you choose the graphic with one person highlighted that is what the camera will do automatically without forgetting sometimes as I do. Choose the mode with several people connected and that works for groups. Choose the motion graphic mode and that shoots at the highest shutter possible. Easy to work with.

As far as upshots.

Once the controls and modes are understood it is an easy camera to use.
AE has been rock solid.
I rather like the very 80s design aesthetic. It strays from the slick, shiny, and/or cheap feeling design of its contemporaries and has a nice grip and texture, making it easy to hold on to. Also does without the rather loud graphics that seemed popular at the time.
Good lenses. Given the humble lens specs I was not expecting a lot but as I found out in an earlier side by side with this camera system it holds its own well.

For that reason, I decided to do another Analog Therapy post with the T80. Speaking of that earlier comparison…

…we can consider the post to come later as a bit of a rematch. Although it will be of the this and that instead of the this vs. that variety.

For film, I chose an old, familiar, and inexpensive Fujifilm 400. Developed at home with Cinestill CS41 at home as usual. The pics are nothing Earth shattering. These are some pics taken locally alongside the Hexar so expect to see more of the same captured with the other camera in following posts.