How to achieve vintage style SLR pictures on a modern DSLR?
As title implies, I have a Nikon D3200 and wish to take pictures with that vintage 80's look to them that was seen in the early Canon AE-1 or A-1 SLR cameras. I would like to know if there's an option in the settings of my DSLR I can tweak to achieve this or is Photoshop my only option? And if so what exactly do I need to do in Photoshop to make my pictures look old and vintage?
Reasons: I really love the look of the vintage 80's SLR cameras produced. I would like to replicate these settings to give my pictures a warmer nostalgic look.
Added (1). Here's an example picture taken on a Canon A-1
http://www.pbase.com/image/64657328
A photo editing program is the only way you are going to achieve this. I can recommend "Smart Photo Editor" this is a great program for this and not too dear. Worth checking out!
About applying any sort of effect in camera: DON'T DO IT!
Imagine if you just happen to take the best photo you ever took - surely you would want to have it in all its glory, right? People so often regret having only a b&w (or other effect, including "vintage") photo, and ask how to turn it back into colour, which of course is impossible to do.
Always set your camera to biggest size, best quality (and to color).
That way, you start with the best possible photo as your original.
Then you make a copy and edit it to your heart's content.
You have much better control over any editing on your computer, even something as simple as b&w will look MUCH better when it was processed properly instead of in camera.
You can do all sorts of things to it PLUS you get to keep your original.
Another reason for always keeping the original is that your tastes will most likely change and keep changing. In a year from now, you may adore grunge, then have a b&w phase, etc. Keeping an original means you can keep playing with it, no matter what your current preference is.
Nostalgic looks can easily be produced in most imaging software packages. Photoshop is one of them, and Photoshop Elements at reasonable price will do all you need, but look also at PaintShop Pro. When you bought your computer there may already have been an imaging package installed.