The ultimate Poll: Digital and/or Film?

[fuwen]

For me still almost 100% on films on Contax C/Ys and ZMs.

 

[eric rose]

Eric,
The poll is about usage preferences and not about quality of images or about keepers. I am interested in trends at RFF. So far, a small minority is using 100% digital.

Of course you are correct. I was merely making a suggestion. Currently I shoot 90% digital. Not because it's my preference, because it's demanded in todays professional world. My preference is film.

 

[jsrockit]

95% digital.

 

[zauhar]

I have only become excited about taking pictures again because I have 1) gone back to film, and 2) started using a rangefinder. Why didn't I get one of these years ago? I just didn't know any better. ;-(

Although I find a real attraction to capturing images on a physical medium, I am still relying on the scanned images. So, I could see myself using a digital camera in the future, but only if it replicates the experience of a film camera with simple controls and a real viewfinder - no menus, no ****ing LCD screen, interchangeable lenses, etc. So far I don't think that is truly available.

Randy

 

[alistair.o]

At the moment all film and loving it (though I'm getting 'ear ache' about the film in the freezer and fridge)

Al

 

[LeicaTom]

If my M8 comes back from Leica again and I'm NOT satisfied, I'll be selling it and going BACK TO FILM FULL TIME via Leica M6!!!!!

Tom

 

[jsrockit]

How can any digital doohickey replace the experience?

For me, the M8 did a good job.

 

[igi]

I'm so healthy🙂

 

[raid]

I expected that the majority of RFF members now have a balanced use of film and digital cameras, but I was wrong. Film still rules.

 

[NickTrop]

1. Street photography and "Always have on my camera" - film. Specifically: 1. Olympus XA, 2. Yashica T3, 3. Minolta Himatic AF. I choose film most of the time because it's "Full Frame in Your Pocket". Small sensor digitals - regardless of cost/class/category, are incapable of selective focus or control over DOF. This is a critical element of photography to me and a digital compact camera deal breaker...

2. High volume snap shots - digital. For when I "just don't care" and think I'm going to take a lot of pictures, family snaps, b-day parties... etc. - Digital. For this it's the Fuji Finepix F20. A fine camera in every regard except (see 1, above...)

3. Infrared - Digital. An infrared modified digicam is winner over film hands down.

4. Ultra wide-angle - Film. Digital alternatives are too expensive. For this I use a Pentax K mount SLR and a 19/3.5 Vivitar as a dedicated ultra wide angle camera/lens combo.

5. Low/ambient light - Digital. Nikon D5000/35 f1.8 replaces rangefinders for this purpose. It's just better in low light. Great camera overall...

6. Zoom - Digital. - And an "old" Panasonic Lumix FZ1v2 super zoom fits the bill here.

7. Fun... Film. Just love the old Fuji Compact Deluxe fixed lens rangefinder I have. Love using it, love holding it, love shooting it.

 

[t.s.k.]

For me, the M8 did a good job.

The film experience extends way beyond the point of exposure.

Think processing, the smell of fixer (!), timers, light table, contact sheets, loupes, archive sleeves, changing bags et al.

Good or bad, this is the experience that digital can't replace.

 

[Keith]

I expected that the majority of RFF members now have a balanced use of film and digital cameras, but I was wrong. Film still rules.

Except that polls like complaint threads tend to attract the radicals ... and film shooters tend to be attracted to anything that may convince the world that digital has failed!

M Mount digital bodies have a lot to answer for ... and that includes all those nasty little micro four thirds thingies that you can get adapters for! 😛

 

[Nikon Bob]

Mostly digital, won't bother with why as it doesn't matter.

Bob

 

[tgon]

Mixed mediums at this point. Still need the digital for everyday use.

 

[L David Tomei]

I voted for Digital because I have little choice given the fact that I no longer have much of an option. If I still lived in NYC, I would be shooting film.

If the poll asked which I prefer, digital or film, I would vote to return to film. However, I want to make photographic images and I don't have much choice regarding the tools that I have available.

 

[lynnb]

Welcome to the digital fold with your EP-2, Raid. For snaps of kids I find digital is useful as removal of the psychological cost barrier per photo makes it easier to just fire away when things are moving rapidly. But after years of using DSLRs and digicams I am finding it very satisfying to bounce back to film with point-and-shoots like the Trip and Mju II and my old Nikon SLRs for personal work. And more frequently nowadays I am preferring the look of film. So I ticked the balance of both box - I'm probably shooting 60/40 digital to film at present.

BTW I'd recommend Lightroom or Aperture now you'll be taking more digital (if you don't have one of those already) - makes life a lot easier.

 

[robbeiflex]

For my own hobby photography I was approaching over 80% film for the last few months, but with the birth of my daughter last week it quickly went back to 50:50 so that I could quickly send photos to family members around the world. So I think I am and will stay in the healthy mix category for some time. 🙂

Cheers,
Rob

 

[EliasK]

100% film for me. I have a DSLR but don't use it anymore.

 

[jsrockit]

The film experience extends way beyond the point of exposure.

Think processing, the smell of fixer (!), timers, light table, contact sheets, loupes, archive sleeves, changing bags et al.

Good or bad, this is the experience that digital can't replace.

I know what you are saying, but I look at all of that as a con not a pro. I did it for many, many years (B&W, C-41, Cibachromes, 4x5, "alternative" processes) ... and I'm done with it. None of that stuff is fun to me anymore (and questionable in its healthiness and environmental impact). I actually prefer using lightroom which I actually find fun. This is just my opinion.

 

[j j]

Doesn't matter to me whether it is 100% film, 100% digital or somewhere in between, it's all picture taking and all a healthy mix.