Why do I prefer film?

[jpa66]

First of all, this is NOT an anti-digital rant. It's simply an attempt to understand why I choose film over digital, and perhaps other people feel this way as well.

After reading the Head Bartender's newest forum thread about closed camera stores, I got to thinking about the ones that I missed, which lead me to thinking about the film that I missed, which lead me to thinking about Why in god's name do I still shoot film?

I finally realized that I simply enjoy the look of film, the process of taking a photograph with film, and the process of developing it ( both the negatives and the actual photograph ).

I actually bought a dslr ( Nikon D70 ) around the time that it came out, and used it exclusively for about two years. After that, the novelty seemed to wear off, and I started missing the types of images that I got with film. I also missed the process. I quit using my dslr about two years ago, and gave it away last year ( to my father-in-law ). I don't miss it in the least.

BUT ( the reason that I'm posting this ) I started to realize that one of the reasons that I love film so much is because I detest change. I hate it. I've been using film, and have been excited about it, since I was a little kid back in the early '70's. My grandmother gave me my first camera ( a plastic 127 cheapie from Sears or Kmart ). I love the entire process of film photography.

When digital came around I was intrigued and fell under its spell for a short while, but realized that my true love was film. I suppose that what I'm trying to say is that, while I prefer the look of film to digital personally, part of it may well be that I'm so emotionally involved with film photography that I'll probably never be a complete digital convert.

While I still feel that I can be objective and explain to myself why I choose film over digital, I wonder how much of my opinion is truly objective, and how much is based upon my emotional connection to film. In the end, I don't really care, though - why waste time trying to figure something out? When it's right, it's right.

Jan

 

[codester80]

Jan, I think you've said what is the heart of all us film users.

 

[shadowfox]

... And you've said it so perfectly that we don't even hear a peep from people who think the opposite way 😀 😀

 

[Reddot9]

It really doesn't matter, i.e., film or digital. Its what you prefer and what counts is the image.

 

[noimmunity]

Another vote for process.

Another vote for process.

F the process of developing it ( both the negatives and the actual photograph ). ... I also missed the process.

Another vote for process. 😎

OT, it is also the main reason why I also really like digital.

Two very different processes, two different kinds of joy.

 

[Nikon Bob]

... And you've said it so perfectly that we don't even hear a peep from people who think the opposite way 😀 😀

Well said for sure. I don't think you will hear much from the "other" side because at this point in time nobody should care what medium you use so long as you are happy with it.

Bob

 

[traveler_101]

I finally realized that I simply enjoy the look of film, the process of taking a photograph with film, and the process of developing it ( both the negatives and the actual photograph ). . . .

I quit using my dslr about two years ago, and gave it away last year ( to my father-in-law ). I don't miss it in the least. . . .

BUT ( the reason that I'm posting this ) I started to realize that one of the reasons that I love film so much is because I detest change. I hate it. . . .

When digital came around I was intrigued and fell under its spell for a short while, but realized that my true love was film. I suppose that what I'm trying to say is that, while I prefer the look of film to digital personally, part of it may well be that I'm so emotionally involved with film photography that I'll probably never be a complete digital convert.

Thanks for the posting, Jan.

I was never under digital's spell but went to it after a long hiatus from photography because I thought there was no other choice. The DSLR's completely automatic and highly technical character made me despair and wish for a return to the "old days."

In the last year I have picked up film again--now in more serious way than back in the 70s and 80s when I had a Canon SLR with a 50m lens--and I absolutely LOVE the look or rather looks of the images compared to digital. At this point I am scanning negatives so it is not a pure technology, but a kind of hybrid.

The point for me is that film is a medium that leaves its distinctive imprint on the image. Digital is about "sharpness" and then "hyper-sharpness."

I am really looking forward to the next stage of developing my own and learning how to manipulate developing agents and film types.

Right now I am really into it.

 

[shadowfox]

Well said for sure. I don't think you will hear much from the "other" side because at this point in time nobody should care what medium you use so long as you are happy with it.

Bob

Sure, Bob.
If you say so.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Sure, Bob.
If you say so.

Same back at you Will.

Bob

 

[muf]

I like photographs. When I shoot in digital, I keep the pictures on my pc. When I shoot film, I have to develop and print them. But I really like photographs. There is something real about them. Family one's especially. Much more real than looking at a digital image on a monitor or tv screen. Photo's are just something I grew up with that I associate with photography. Very few people that are soley digital print their pictures. That's a fact! They simply hoard them on a hard drive. I really don't get that. I also prefer the look that my film pictures have. Whenever I have printed my digital pictures, they look a little lifeless. Flat. Can't really explain it. But like the OP. I just prefer film.

It's refreshing to read that the recent Spielberg film, Warhorse, was shot entirely in film. One review I read stated that the picture "never looked so lustrous". I enjoyed reading that, as I 'get it'.

Paul

 

[santino]

different look, still a better archival grade, totally different workflow (I can touch the film, it's alive😉), uniqueness of the picture (be it negative or print - at least a lith print), less expensive rfs and my strange feeling, that every time when I get a good digital shot I speak to myself "damn, why didn't I take the shot on film".

 

[santino]

It's refreshing to read that the recent Spielberg film, Warhorse, was shot entirely in film...
Paul

As far as I know, most of the high budget movies are being shot on film and then get digitalized, edited and transfered back to film or a digital source.

 

[dubs64]

Help!!!.....go to film or stay with digital?....Help!!!

Help!!!.....go to film or stay with digital?....Help!!!

Just got my 2nd dslr,its a D7000, but you know what? I'm daily looking on eBay for a film rangefinder.... there's just something about shooting with film..but at same time wondering if I do decide to buy a film camera how long will I be able to shoot it? How long will film be available? Where to go to have them developed?

 

[shadowfox]

Just got my 2nd dslr,its a D7000, but you know what? I'm daily looking on eBay for a film rangefinder.... there's just something about shooting with film..but at same time wondering if I do decide to buy a film camera how long will I be able to shoot it? How long will film be available? Where to go to have them developed?

You do know that there are still *a lot* of people shooting film camera with film in it, yes? 🙂

If you tell us where you live, I bet someone here would be able to tell you where to buy film locally.

 

[muf]

I don't think film will disappear any time soon. There are still plenty of people out there shooting with it. It has a different look to digital and many people like the variety. Of course, the digital takeover is ever continuing and as each new innovation appears, the demise of film is pushed. Look at that new technology that is being worked on. You take a (digital) picture and find the main subject is out of focus. It gives you the ability to go back in and re-select the focus point and your picture is focused correctly! That sort of technology is something that will eradicate many lost images and provides a reliability that film can not match.

I believe film has a future for a good number years at least. After that, it will be harder to process your films, but someone out there will recognise a business opportunity...

Paul

 

[Oldskewl808]

Thanks for the posting, Jan.

I was never under digital's spell but went to it after a long hiatus from photography because I thought there was no other choice. The DSLR's completely automatic and highly technical character made me despair and wish for a return to the "old days."

In the last year I have picked up film again--now in more serious way than back in the 70s and 80s when I had a Canon SLR with a 50m lens--and I absolutely LOVE the look or rather looks of the images compared to digital. At this point I am scanning negatives so it is not a pure technology, but a kind of hybrid.

The point for me is that film is a medium that leaves its distinctive imprint on the image. Digital is about "sharpness" and then "hyper-sharpness."

I am really looking forward to the next stage of developing my own and learning how to manipulate developing agents and film types.

Right now I am really into it.

I am wondering about the Sharpness thing though. I just found a great deal on a X100 and picked it up to see what all the fuss is about. Took it out for a couple shoots and I noticed something about the shots in Photobucket editor. When I edit photos taken with my Hexanon equipped 35mm cameras the "sharpness" edit function will make them actually look blurry because they are sharper than what that edit function can provide. When I use the same sharpness edit function with the shots from the X100 it will make them sharper! why is this? May just be a Photobucket thing, but so far I was happy with how my film photos were working in it.
I just cant seem to pry my self away from film though. The simple act of picking the film type, and loading it. The mystery and anticipation of how the shots came out. I even like the feel of advancing the film, it's like cocking a gun for the next shot.
Of course the main thing for me is the images themselves. I just cannot see the depth, contrast, character, beauty, and 3D rendering that I get with film. The digital shots just seem to look so sterile.

 

[Alowisney]

Just got my 2nd dslr,its a D7000, but you know what? I'm daily looking on eBay for a film rangefinder.... there's just something about shooting with film..but at same time wondering if I do decide to buy a film camera how long will I be able to shoot it? How long will film be available? Where to go to have them developed?

You can check here for places to develop your film. As for buying it, you can still find color film just about anywhere, but black and white is a little harder to find. I just go to my local camera shop or order online for black and white.

 

[emasterphoto]

Of course the main thing for me is the images themselves. I just cannot see the depth, contrast, character, beauty, and 3D rendering that I get with film. The digital shots just seem to look so sterile.

This has nothing to do with the media, but your approach to it. Your digital shots are sterile because you're not investing enough of yourself into making them otherwise. Basing an opinion on digital (or film if coming from the opposite side) on a few half-hearted trial shoots isn't very fair to the media.

 

[Oldskewl808]

This has nothing to do with the media, but your approach to it. Your digital shots are sterile because you're not investing enough of yourself into making them otherwise. Basing an opinion on digital (or film if coming from the opposite side) on a few half-hearted trial shoots isn't very fair to the media.

Maybe your right, because I don't feel like I get into "the zone" when I shoot digital.

 

[jpa66]

This has nothing to do with the media, but your approach to it. Your digital shots are sterile because you're not investing enough of yourself into making them otherwise. Basing an opinion on digital (or film if coming from the opposite side) on a few half-hearted trial shoots isn't very fair to the media.

I've taken many shots with my dslr ( when I had it ) that I really liked, but I felt that something was missing. For me, it was the relationship and history that I have with film that lead me back to it, and away from digital. This leads to the point that I was trying to make: I prefer film for many reasons, but probably the most powerful reason is my emotional connection to the entire process. I can't distance myself from that, nor do I want to.