Returning to Film Photography After 20 Years
After nearly two decades away from film photography, I’ve finally made my return—and it feels like coming home.
It all started with a visit to the KEH Camera website. They are located in Smyrna, GA, a place I’ve always appreciated for its deep inventory and trusted grading system. While browsing their selection of vintage gear, I found myself drawn to a Canon Canonet 28—a compact rangefinder from the early 1970s with simple controls, a sharp 40mm f/2.8 lens, and a reputation for reliability. I ordered it for pick up and headed out. The moment I held it, nostalgia hit hard, and I knew I had to shoot film again.
The Joy of Shooting Again
Holding the Canonet brought back muscle memories I didn’t realize I still had: manually advancing the film, estimating exposure using the Sunny 16 Rule, and hearing that satisfying click of the shutter. I loaded up with Kodak Portra 160, known for its fine grain, neutral tones, and beautiful skin rendering, and later tried Fujifilm 200, a consumer film with vibrant colors and a slightly nostalgic look.
Developing at Home
To complete the process, I decided to develop the film myself—something I hadn’t done since the early 2000’s. I picked up the Cinestill CS41 Liquid Development Kit, which makes processing C-41 color film at home both accessible and consistent. The results were far better than I expected, with accurate colors and clean negatives.
Temperature control is critical in color film development, so I also invested in the Cinestill TCS-1000 “Temperature Control System.” It’s a sleek, easy-to-use immersion circulator that keeps my chemistry at a precise 102°F, making home development much less stressful and much more repeatable.
Product Summary
- Canon Canonet 28: A fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder with manual zone focusing and automatic exposure. Compact, quiet, and capable of stunning images.
- Kodak Portra 160: Professional color negative film with soft, neutral tones, exceptional for portraits and everyday shooting.
- Fujifilm 200: Affordable, punchy consumer-grade film with warmer tones and a nostalgic vibe.
- Cinestill CS41 Liquid Kit: A modern C-41 color development kit that works at standard home-processing temps with reliable results.
- Cinestill TCS-1000: A lab-grade immersion circulator that simplifies precise temp control for film development.
Returning to film photography has reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. There’s something grounding about the slower process, the hands-on development, and the anticipation of seeing your scans. It’s not about chasing perfection—it’s about presence, patience, and rediscovering the craft.
