digital b&w will never look like film...

I enjoy the process of printing B&W film in my darkroom. And I like the results. But that's me. I don't care if people like digital B&W. Some people like McDonald's, too, but you'll never catch me there.
 
I have a 1957 Photography Annual, about 95 percent of the photos are B&W and many have massive grain. Even those shot with medium format. Film has sure improved so much since that time. I mean, I don't mind some grain but some of these looked like they were enlarged onto 60 grit sandpaper.
So even today's B&W doesn't look like film if you go back 50 odd years.


Yeah, I know the reproduction in a magazine could be partly to blame.
 
On a more serious note I do think it will take digital a while to shake off its identity crisis ... it's the new kid in town and it's trying to be everything for everyone at the moment. Should I be colour ... should I be black and white ... should I add some grain or just go as I am?

As much as Leica irks me I think the Monochrom was a significant move for photography ... it's taken away part of the indecision of shooting digital. Now they need to make an M10 that produces files that can't be desaturated! :D
 
That most of the film v digital threads are started by digital shooters defending their medium ... is not something I've noticed!

What I have noticed is film shooters and analog printers diving into threads related purely to a digital subject to tell everyone how superior film is ... then leaving, having contributed zilch!

There was a thread the other day about digital inkjet printers/printing that had a useful visit by someone telling us we should be printing with light! (yawn)
 
I still shoot film cameras because I like my cameras. That, of course, is a personal preference based on emotion and little else. Nothing against digital or those whose personal preference is to use it for anything they desire. Without computers and digital we would not have this forum to bandy about the question in the first place.
 
I agree with OP, things have got a little negative around here lately. Film look or digital look both have merit to me. I am 75% film currently and other 25% is digital on my M9 and I like both of them for what they are and for the fact that I have the choice. I really like the clean look of digital as well because sometimes that look is the best for what I am shooting. But I certainly don't think I would defend either film or digital to justify my decision. Me thinks though doth protest to much.
 
When we shot b&w instead of color it was because of the increased latitude of b&w over color, or becsuse of the requirements of the pub we were shooting for. With all of those resons gone why would we do it now? I don't understand why digi shooters convert to B&W without all that latitude.
 
raytoei@gmail.com said:
+1

Many of the modern cameras have settings trying to imitate film-types, I don't think such envy is going away anytime soon.

raytoei
Click to expand...

I don't think it is a case of envy, just manufacturers trying to make the transition to digital a little easier for former film users. I think if that is the case it is a little misguided and just wasted on some. Digital is what it is and so is film. I personally don't care who uses film and/or thinks it is superior. You use what you want to and just get on with the grunt.

Bob
 
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