Askel
Member
Well, it's not really a question that i expect to get answers on. It's more of a philosophical question where I guess only I know the answer.
I love shooting with film. I like the handywork and the feeling of a manual rangefinder. And I love the smell of darkroom in the morning
But I'm not good at it. I have only a few keepers per roll of film, and it's expensive. When it comes to digital I have very few shots that I throw away. I'm much better at shooting digital than analog. When I go out shooting I'm always having trouble deciding what camera to use. I try to use the Bessa as much as possible. But most of the time the E-P1 ends up in my hand. I've been thinking of selling my film-gear and buy lenses to my E-P1 insted. Cause in the end it really is the pictures that matter, not the gear. But another part of me doesn't wanna sell the gear. I do love standing in a darkroom and see the image slowly appear on the paper.
What to do? That is the question.
I love shooting with film. I like the handywork and the feeling of a manual rangefinder. And I love the smell of darkroom in the morning
But I'm not good at it. I have only a few keepers per roll of film, and it's expensive. When it comes to digital I have very few shots that I throw away. I'm much better at shooting digital than analog. When I go out shooting I'm always having trouble deciding what camera to use. I try to use the Bessa as much as possible. But most of the time the E-P1 ends up in my hand. I've been thinking of selling my film-gear and buy lenses to my E-P1 insted. Cause in the end it really is the pictures that matter, not the gear. But another part of me doesn't wanna sell the gear. I do love standing in a darkroom and see the image slowly appear on the paper.
What to do? That is the question.
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Can't see that there is too much of a problem. You like film and processing so do it - the cost can't be all that much if you develop and print your own. You like digital so do it. Unless you have an issue over the amount of time taken up with both I don't see either a conflict or a problem.
Now if there is a financial implication of not being able to buy more digital lenses unless you sell the film outfit, I would say think very carefully. What extra lenses are you after and what do you want them for? Do you just like the possibility of doing something 'a bit more' or is there a real need? Before I buy I always ask how much I would use the extra lens and would it justify it's purchase price? Extra lenses have to be carried around. Extra lenses have to be swapped with the one already on the camera - to me it's all a bit of a fag. The objective is to take pictures, and you seem to be doing just that now.
If I were you, and I am not, I would hang on a bit longer and think again in a week or so.
jesse
Now if there is a financial implication of not being able to buy more digital lenses unless you sell the film outfit, I would say think very carefully. What extra lenses are you after and what do you want them for? Do you just like the possibility of doing something 'a bit more' or is there a real need? Before I buy I always ask how much I would use the extra lens and would it justify it's purchase price? Extra lenses have to be carried around. Extra lenses have to be swapped with the one already on the camera - to me it's all a bit of a fag. The objective is to take pictures, and you seem to be doing just that now.
If I were you, and I am not, I would hang on a bit longer and think again in a week or so.
jesse
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Consider a larger film format, and take different kinds of pictures with film and digi.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
dave lackey
Veteran
Well, it's not really a question that i expect to get answers on. It's more of a philosophical question where I guess only I know the answer.
I love shooting with film. I like the handywork and the feeling of a manual rangefinder. And I love the smell of darkroom in the morning
But I'm not good at it. I have only a few keepers per roll of film, and it's expensive. When it comes to digital I have very few shots that I throw away. I'm much better at shooting digital than analog. When I go out shooting I'm always having trouble deciding what camera to use. I try to use the Bessa as much as possible. But most of the time the E-P1 ends up in my hand. I've been thinking of selling my film-gear and buy lenses to my E-P1 insted. Cause in the end it really is the pictures that matter, not the gear. But another part of me doesn't wanna sell the gear. I do love standing in a darkroom and see the image slowly appear on the paper.
What to do? That is the question.
Wait a minute...it seems the heart of the OT is "a few keepers per roll" whereas the OP rarely deletes any digital images.
Well, it can only be the person behind the lens. Are you shooting digital on auto? Film on manual? AF digital/MF on the Bessa? Are we really comparing apples with apples?
A film camera and a digital camera only differ after the image is taken. So, why do you think you have only a few keepers with a film camera?
Believe me, it has nothing to do with film.
Last edited:
Askel
Member
Wait a minute...it seems the heart of the OT is "a few keepers per roll" whereas the OP rarely deletes any digital images.
Well, it can only be the person behind the lens. Are you shooting digital on auto? Film on auto? Or either one on manual? Are we really comparing apples with apples?
A film camera and a digital camera only differ after the image is taken. So, why do you think you have only a few keepers with a film camera?
I shoot with aperture-priority 99% of the time, both with digital and with film. On the digital I use auto-focus though. And maybe that's one of the issues I have. I'm slow at manual focus. Often the moment has passed when I've focused. And I'm used to get quite close when I take portraits for example. But with the Bessa I can't get any closer than 0.7-1 meters.
I think this, and the fact that I don't have a darkroom or a scanner at the moment makes me questioning whether to use film or not.
But I'll try to follow Roger Hicks advise and try to take different kinds of photos.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, you will have to figure out where and why you act differently. There are enough differences - handling, lenses, and psychology. Don't underestimate the latter, not being able to chimp and the higher cost per shot are additional stress factors when shooting film. Old film shooters trained that away early in their photographic beginnings - building up the same level of self-confidence when going from digital to film might be harder (or at least more frustrating), as it does not progress in parallel to growing better, but after it.
Neare
Well-known
This just screams at me that you work better with SLR type cameras than you do with rangefinders. Nothing to do with using film or not.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The E-P1 is not quite a SLR. But given the price of film SLRs these days, it would not be expensive to test whether its SLR'ness is the deciding factor.
Neare
Well-known
??? It's focusing is exactly like an SLR (minus the VF in place of a screen)
You're right that it's not an exact 'SLR' but the focusing principle remains the same and that is very different from RF's.
You're right that it's not an exact 'SLR' but the focusing principle remains the same and that is very different from RF's.
Askel
Member
I think you just hit the nail here. When I've been using SLR:s (both manual and AF-types) I havn't been having these issues. I love rangefinders for their compactness. But maybe it's not for me. Maybe I'm better of with an SLR instead.
dave lackey
Veteran
Certainly I think, your mind is made up. However, my first RF was a beautiful S3 2000. I missed more STILL shots than I could believe. The rangefinder patch/focusing was easy for my eyes to screw up on wide apertures. The DOF was so shallow, I couldn't quite get the hang of it, especially with kids. The photos that WERE keepers were magnificent. But, my keeper ratio was not good.
Moved to the M3 and unless I forget to set the exposure (easy to do when you have a digital Nikon with you at the same time), my keeper ratio is very high.
RF and moving kids, etc. Forget it. That's hard to learn. But do-able.
But, if you honestly want to stick with RF. Ditch the SLR for awhile. A long while and just shoot the RF. There is a long learning curve for some. For me, it also took changing cameras.
Edit: I am now adding a Leica R4, yes, an SLR... but that is for a specific reason not related to focusing/keepers, etc. In the near future, I hope to get another Nikon RF because it was such an enjoyable experience. My learning for an RF was longer than even I expected but after two years, I am quite happy with the results and have no problem with picking up any RF camera, especially the beautiful Nikons, and using them immediately.
Last edited:
dave lackey
Veteran
Or... you can still shoot Leica SLR's. A number of RFF members here use them and love them. I have an R4 and wish I could afford an R8 or R9. The glass is cheap and very good. One member here just bought an R5 plus a 28mm and a 90mm, both Leica glass....for a total of less money than buying an M6 body alone. Caveat...it is NOT auto focus.
Caveat...it is NOT auto focus.
dave lackey
Veteran
Definitely doable! Just need to zone focus and stop down the lens. This shot was taken with 28mm lens on my Zeiss Ikon. Probably at f8
Ed Zachary, Jon!
I think tips like this and a solo bonding time with an RF, and the OP would be good to go. Is it right brain v left brain? Or what?
Not even sure if I have a brain left anymore...
Last edited:
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
You've got me beat..
bhop73
Well-known
Do you use a viewfinder on your EP1? I find that any time I use a camera that doesn't have a viewfinder and I have to compose on the LCD I end up with pics that I don't like... maybe you're an LCD kinda guy.
Last edited:
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Read that statement again.
Something is missing in it which film excels at, namely the process.
If it's *really* the pictures that matters to you (who cares what others think), then by all means, go all digital, I would.
But you indicated that you like the process also (especially darkroom work), so you have to look at it as a sum of experience.
As for the result, you *will* get better at it if you keep on. The deciding factor is how diligent you are at gathering feedback, and spending the time and resource to see good prints up close.
It's not magic or some hidden talent. Just keeping heaps of notes, controlling parameters, and patience.
Neare
Well-known
Ohh I didn't see this, thanks Shadowfox for pointing it out.
Askel, this is not true at all. Look at this
http://www.japanexposures.com/2011/02/10/not-a-bad-picture-on-show/
and read the comments on this at the bottom of the page, some great wisdom.
Askel
Member
Yes, I do use the viewfinder as much as possible. I'm really not an LCD kinda guy
I love my E-P1 but the fact that it doesn't have a built-in viewfinder is a major minus to me. I've never liked to compose a photo with the LCD-screen.Askel
Member
You're acctually right. The process do matter. And I think it's kinda meditative to work in a darkroom. But I've decided to sell the equipment. I've bought it used and can sell it at almost the same price (I hope)
I'll buy a cheeper analog camera to begin with and save the money for film and photopaper. I really don't need that expensive equipment. To bad I didn't realise that before I bought it though.
Neare
Well-known
Askel still, use equipment you enjoy and love