Thinking of Going all Film. Am I crazy?

[Creagerj]

The title says it all really. Ever since I picked up an M2 and a Nikon film scanner I don't shoot digital anymore. Most of the time my D200 just collects dust. I've got a great kit too. Granted a D200 body can't be worth much now, but my glass is all prime glass, 4 AF and two AIS tele lenses. I think I could get some more awesome film gear for all of that, and plenty of film. Granted I could just ditch my D200 and get a good Nikon film body, but I don't really like the newer style SLRs, they are too bulky. I'd rather have an F3 and some more glass for my M2 and CL. Maybe a Hexar AF to boot (I just picked up a stylus epic, I'm hooked on P&S).

On another note, I can't really see myself shooting on a deadline for any reason, which would be the main advantage to digital. It seems like a strange thing to do though. All this time I wanted a digital SLR, now that I have one I never use it. I guess I was just born to love film.

So I guess what I'm wondering is has anyone else here cut the digital umbilical to go all film? How has it worked out for you? Do you miss it or kick yourself for getting rid of your digital gear, or did you do it and never look back.

 

[parasko]

I am the same Joe.

In fact, I am just about to sell my M9 as I have only used it 6-7 times since purchased last year. I just love slide film + my M7 and 35 'Cron combo too much...but I only take photos for pleasure, not for money.

 

[Pablito]

I only take photos for pleasure, not for money.

then you can do anything you like!

 

[dovi]

Variety is nice

Variety is nice

I bounce back and forth all the time and find it extremely hard to let go of any equipment.
Ill go Film for months and suddenly go digital and love it. It's all good...

The title says it all really. Ever since I picked up an M2 and a Nikon film scanner I don't shoot digital anymore. Most of the time my D200 just collects dust. I've got a great kit too. Granted a D200 body can't be worth much now, but my glass is all prime glass, 4 AF and two AIS tele lenses. I think I could get some more awesome film gear for all of that, and plenty of film. Granted I could just ditch my D200 and get a good Nikon film body, but I don't really like the newer style SLRs, they are too bulky. I'd rather have an F3 and some more glass for my M2 and CL. Maybe a Hexar AF to boot (I just picked up a stylus epic, I'm hooked on P&S).

On another note, I can't really see myself shooting on a deadline for any reason, which would be the main advantage to digital. It seems like a strange thing to do though. All this time I wanted a digital SLR, now that I have one I never use it. I guess I was just born to love film.

So I guess what I'm wondering is has anyone else here cut the digital umbilical to go all film? How has it worked out for you? Do you miss it or kick yourself for getting rid of your digital gear, or did you do it and never look back.

 

[Creagerj]

I am the same Joe.

In fact, I am just about to sell my M9 as I have only used it 6-7 times since purchased last year. I just love slide film + my M7 and 35 'Cron combo too much...but I only take photos for pleasure, not for money.

I very rarely take photos for money. Some people seem a little confused if I say i want to shoot film.

 

[cambolt]

I too have almost accidentally gone all film recently. But I don't think I would seriously consider selling my d40, since it is great for snaps or eBay shots. But also if I decide to do some colour stuff, I would pick this since it would give me better results than supermarket scans. DSLRs are probably the most versatile sort of camera so they are always good to have around.

 

[barnwulf]

I have almost cut the umbilical all the way through. I shoot almost all film but I may use my D300 for color since it takes me forever to finish a roll of color film. My D300 hasn't been used for over a year. Not sure why I am keeping it. I sold my D700. I love my Leicas and film. Jim

 

[Tim Gray]

I stopped shooting digital for the most part in 2007. While I wouldn't mind having an M9, it's not in the cards anytime soon. I'm happy with film.

 

[Colin Corneau]

If you shoot for pleasure, you're not under work/deadline pressure, and you really enjoy film (for whatever reasons)...then you have your answer right there.

Your path is your own. Go with it.

 

[Herjulfr]

You're not crazy. I was thinking about doing the same thing : selling all the canon stuff to get a Zeiss ikon.

Now, I've been scanning negatives and slides during all this rainy week-end, i'm less tempted 🙂

 

[literiter]

I am crazy and except for occasionally using my G11 for internet stuff I'm all film.

So you could be crazy, but that's OK.

 

[andredossantos]

I shoot both film and digital but fully admit I get more pleasure out of shooting film. And just to be clear so as not to incite a "Digital vs. Film" grudge match thread, film is not better than digital, it's just different. Anyway, I think it has to do with the tactility. Hell, I even enjoy scanning!

Back to the point, if you enjoy shooting film, shoot it! If anything, it's only going to get more expensive and harder/more of a pain to source the necessary materials. Get your fill while it's still relatively easy and cheap to do.

As for selling off your kit, do it! You can always buy it back later.

 

[ErnestoJL]

My cameras are all film with just one exception: a little Canon A580 which is used mostly to document any camera repair job I start.
From time to time, I use it also to take family pictures, mostly under my wife´s request and specially since june 3 when my grandaughter was born.
All other photo activity is film based (as long as film exists) what makes most people to think I´m kind of insane.
BTW, i do not make any money with my pictures nor I expect it to be.
Crazy? surely not (at least we´re many).
Cheers
Ernesto

 

[setyotomo]

digital will be around next year, your d200 will be priced much lower next year.

film maybe still around next year , your film leica/nikon wil be priced almost the same also.

so,if you don't need it why keep your digital? enjoy film photography while its still here. And maybe build a darkroom & scan from print. If next year or two kodak, ilford, and fuji decided to stop film production, so we move to digital. maybe the sensor will get better. no problem.

cheers

 

[anerjee]

digital will be around next year, your d200 will be priced much lower next year.

film maybe still around next year , your film leica/nikon wil be priced almost the same also.

so,if you don't need it why keep your digital? enjoy film photography while its still here. And maybe build a darkroom & scan from print. If next year or two kodak, ilford, and fuji decided to stop film production, so we move to digital. maybe the sensor will get better. no problem.

cheers

I agree -- I seem to have gone almost 100% film because I am scared film may become too expensive or difficult to procure and process in a few years time.

 

[Tim Gray]

I agree -- I seem to have gone almost 100% film because I am scared film may become too expensive or difficult to procure and process in a few years time.

That's what I decided a couple years ago. I was going to buy some nice film cameras and shoot the hell out of film while it was still around.

 

[shadowfox]

digital will be around next year, your d200 will be priced much lower next year.

film maybe still around next year , your film leica/nikon wil be priced almost the same also.

so,if you don't need it why keep your digital? enjoy film photography while its still here. And maybe build a darkroom & scan from print. If next year or two kodak, ilford, and fuji decided to stop film production, so we move to digital. maybe the sensor will get better. no problem.

cheers

Setyo,

Kodak, Ilford and Fuji won't stop producing film in the next year or two. 🙂 There are still quite a few of us film users in the world, and the number may be growing.

Joe,
Using film exclusively doesn't mean you have to sell your digital kit. Your D200 will be useful for certain times when film is just not convenient or expedient enough.

Just get an F100 (or F3) and keep using your Nikon lenses with film.

 

[BobYIL]

Keep them all, but get an F3 for you have some Nikon glass. It will cost you around $200 but you will enjoy all options. Let time show you where you'll land on at the end (maybe you will never need to think about it..)

 

[Creagerj]

I shoot both film and digital but fully admit I get more pleasure out of shooting film. And just to be clear so as not to incite a "Digital vs. Film" grudge match thread, film is not better than digital, it's just different. Anyway, I think it has to do with the tactility. Hell, I even enjoy scanning!

Back to the point, if you enjoy shooting film, shoot it! If anything, it's only going to get more expensive and harder/more of a pain to source the necessary materials. Get your fill while it's still relatively easy and cheap to do.

As for selling off your kit, do it! You can always buy it back later.

I like this and have to agree with it. There is a lot of stuff I want to try film wise and almost nothing that I want to do with my digital gear and Nikon glass (sorry Nikon, I still love you though). I'd love a hexar AF as a carry around camera, once I tried a Nikon 35ti I knew I loved high in P&S. I also enjoy scanning. I just love waiting to see how your pictures turned out. Plus there is something so much more tangible about film. Thanks for telling me what I wanted to hear.

digital will be around next year, your d200 will be priced much lower next year.

film maybe still around next year , your film leica/nikon wil be priced almost the same also.

so,if you don't need it why keep your digital? enjoy film photography while its still here. And maybe build a darkroom & scan from print. If next year or two kodak, ilford, and fuji decided to stop film production, so we move to digital. maybe the sensor will get better. no problem.

cheers

You are right. Its only becoming less valuable. I've got a darkroom setup, but I'm more of a C-41 and scan guy now. I like color print film a lot. As much as I love printing I would much rather use a dedicated 35mm film scanner and color film because I am generally very busy working around 50 hours a week. After standing all day its pretty hard to be in the mood for making prints. That's an hours long affair after all.

Keep them all, but get an F3 for you have some Nikon glass. It will cost you around $200 but you will enjoy all options. Let time show you where you'll land on at the end (maybe you will never need to think about it..)

I had an F3 and I always have missed it. I think if I were to go back I trade some of what I have now for an F3 and a 35mm AIS lens. Personally like RFs and high end P&S now. I find the only real advantage to having an SLR is closeup and tele work, and I don't do either of those.

 

[nex100]

I just made the same decision 2 days ago!