A holiday from film ...

[Keith]

... and it's nearly over!

Sometimes the routine of developing and scanning gets on top of me and I just have to stop, which often means I won't take a photo for several weeks and often a couple of months. When I sensed this mood happening again I made the decision to get a DP2M in the hope that it would keep me shooting ... because the only alternative is my D700 and I've never enjoyed using that camera casually. I think I'm now ready to start shooting some film again and logically the OM-1 beckons ... it's a camera that immediately puts me back in touch with analog photography ... small, simple, very tactile and highly competent.

This particular hiatus has been different though ... I've learned to embrace digital and see it as a personal alternative if film ever did go arse up and it took an unusual/quirky little beast like the DP2M to make me genuinely feel this way. In a different world, if it came to the crunch, I could live with this as my only camera.

 

[ChrisN]

Keith - have you ever thought about an M9? Or would that be too big and heavy?

I'm asking this because I'm in a similar situation. Since learning how to shoot and process the M9 files to my satisfaction I've felt very little need to shoot film. This will probably pass, so I haven't done anything drastic yet!

 

[michaelwj]

Keith - have you ever thought about an M9? Or would that be too big and heavy?

Chris makes a good point...

 

[Keith]

Keith - have you ever thought about an M9? Or would that be too big and heavy?

I'm asking this because I'm in a similar situation. Since learning how to shoot and process the M9 files to my satisfaction I've felt very little need to shoot film. This will probably pass, so I haven't done anything drastic yet!

I've thought about that Chris because I know it's worked for you and with M9 prices definitely coming down they are an attractive camera. The RD-1 I aquired never really worked out and I think that is largely the crop factor because over all you can't fault the camera's output. I am a very precise framer though and the rangefinder thing has always bothered me a little in this department.

The current crop of Fujis and the Sony RX cameras have zero appeal for me.

 

[GaryLH]

For me when I feel like shooting film, I tend to reach for a medium format folder like a Bessa iii or Voitlander Perkeo. I am ok w/ developing.. But I tend to get lazy about scanning now that I don't have a full darkroom any longer.

I know how u feel about being in the mood though. When I use one of my folders, talk about back to basics 😀. It makes the dp Merrill's feel like grease lightning in comparison when I go back.

Gary

 

[xyz3450]

May I ask what the unappealing aspects of the Fujis are for you? Will you keep shooting the DP2M? - Martin

 

[Contarama]

I got tired of shooting/processing film and got worried about it's future prospects so I sold my F2. Big mistake. I dislike the viewfinder in my DSLR and it's bulkiness and so now I am really frustrated when making pictures.

 

[Classique]

For me, I started off with DSLR and film was my way of forcing myself to slow down and to actually make images. But as you have said, developing and scanning sometimes can get a bit too much in a way and digital seems so convenient.

As a result, now days I always carry a film camera and a digital camera so I have the choice of using either for whatever I have planned or unplanned for that day.

BTW DP2M is indeed a digital that seems to cross the boundary between film and digital. The 3 color layer of foveon (pretty similar to color film layout) seems to present the scene more realistically than any other digital I've used. Not realistic in a representation of reality in itself but the image just looks so real. Like you, I think it can be my only camera and I'll be happy.

You should also try strobes with dp2m. Due to its leaf shutter, I find that I can get more creative images with strobes that no other digital I have can.

 

[Maiku]

Keith,

Just stick with the Sigma. Your photos look great. Why worry about another film camera or digital. Just use what you have.

Maiku

 

[Keith]

Keith,

Just stick with the Sigma. Your photos look great. Why worry about another film camera or digital. Just use what you have.

Maiku

Where did I suggest I was thinking about another camera ... I must have missed that! 😀

You're right about the Sigma ... it's a gem of a camera and has given me my best digital results to date IMO.

 

[Keith]

May I ask what the unappealing aspects of the Fujis are for you? Will you keep shooting the DP2M? - Martin

I think it's the constant hype around these latest cameras that puts me off them more than their form or function. The DPM has created it's own following by offering something entirely different and it was pretty well left up to buyers to discover this for themselves.

 

[mugent]

If I was going to take a break from film, Sigma would be my first choice. I used to have a Sigma SD15 which I loved, a Sigma SD14, which I wasn't quite so keen on, but the modern Sigmas are fantastic. Even a non-Merrill one would do me.

 

[Highway 61]

I think it's the constant hype around these latest cameras that puts me off them more than their form or function.

Well said...

I'm like you re. my D700. Highly capable camera with no major flaws (but for that pesky pop-up flash I'd like Nikon would never ever had fit on any camera) but without anything really attractive, either.

And that ridiculous bulky handgrip... 🙄

Yet this is clearly the last Nikon DSLR on which all my nice AI-S 1980's primes will work well thanks to the FF sensor having 12MP only. So, no other choice...

 

[tsiklonaut]

I think it's the constant hype around these latest cameras that puts me off them more than their form or function. The DPM has created it's own following by offering something entirely different and it was pretty well left up to buyers to discover this for themselves.

The same reason I went for Sigma, the best digital "option" to stay away from the consumerist masses. I'm sick of megapixel numbers, tech-race & overhyping by the large manufacturers, and complete hype-based digital information overflow in the internet - dpreviewing etc that are probably mostly sponsored off by the large digital hardware or software manufacturers. A world mentally consuming itself.

Analog is like a domain of tranquility and meditation in comparison - a small shrine where you can hide and find peace and calmness. Makes me apreciate my Pentax 67 (I never got along well with 35mm film) that's as old as I am - amazing to think it still lives up and even surpasses some if not most of high-end digital cameras today, and it costs what - 300$. But it's the difference you see from the film that divides from the rest of 99% "another-digital-image-from-my-lunch" world. I'm lazy too and naturally would like to shoot digital and grow on a belly, but lately I just force myself to shoot more film and in retrospect it always brings a lot of joy once I put those negs and positives through my drumscanner.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Sigma DP2 like no other digital camera but nothing compares to what juice I get for my soul from P67 - I can change the sensor from B&W to infrared, color neg to E6. Sigma I use for documenting and it's small enough to carry along in the pocket to use as documenting and sometimes it's also filling a niche where P67 is too lardy or slow to use - i.e. quick shoots of street people where's big loss factor in the later selection or would be waste of film. All the thought-through art shots I leave to P67. I found they compliment each other superbly in this way, the best of both worlds.

Some film shots from my last holiday:

Wind's Painting by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Dreaming - On the Ocean by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Lombokian herder by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Gamelan man by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Tanjung Aan beach by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Jungle river by tsiklonaut, on Flickr











Auratic Textures II by tsiklonaut, on Flickr
​

No Photoshopping or digital faking, software simulating or emulating effects to get those images. Just scans and basic adjustments.

Just my 2c.

Margus

 

[anjoca76]

Those are stunning images!

 

[mugent]

Margus - Your work is so good, I find it almost annoying 🙂

 

[Keith]

Margus - Your work is so good, I find it almost annoying 🙂

You may want to stay away from the 'post your foveon images' thread! 😀

 

[thegman]

Margus, 'Wind's Painting', 'Dreaming', and 'Tanjung Aan Beach' are totally outstanding.

Wind's Painting in particular, it's hard to imagine a better landscape photograph, just strikingly good.

 

[Keith]

Keith - have you ever thought about an M9? Or would that be too big and heavy?

I'm asking this because I'm in a similar situation. Since learning how to shoot and process the M9 files to my satisfaction I've felt very little need to shoot film. This will probably pass, so I haven't done anything drastic yet!

Well I guess you have a lovely purpose built darkroom just waiting for your return ... whenever that may be? 😀

 

[Keith]

The same reason I went for Sigma, the best digital "option" to stay away from the consumerist masses. I'm sick of megapixel numbers, tech-race & overhyping by the large manufacturers, and complete hype-based digital information overflow in the internet - dpreviewing etc that are probably mostly sponsored off by the large digital hardware or software manufacturers. A world mentally consuming itself.

Analog is like a domain of tranquility and meditation in comparison - a small shrine where you can hide and find peace and calmness. Makes me apreciate my Pentax 67 (I never got along well with 35mm film) that's as old as I am - amazing to think it still lives up and even surpasses some if not most of high-end digital cameras today, and it costs what - 300$. But it's the difference you see from the film that divides from the rest of 99% "another-digital-image-from-my-lunch" world. I'm lazy too and naturally would like to shoot digital and grow on a belly, but lately I just force myself to shoot more film and in retrospect it always brings a lot of joy once I put those negs and positives through my drumscanner.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Sigma DP2 like no other digital camera but nothing compares to what juice I get for my soul from P67 - I can change the sensor from B&W to infrared, color neg to E6. Sigma I use for documenting and it's small enough to carry along in the pocket to use as documenting and sometimes it's also filling a niche where P67 is too lardy or slow to use - i.e. quick shoots of street people where's big loss factor in the later selection or would be waste of film. All the thought-through art shots I leave to P67. I found they compliment each other superbly in this way, the best of both worlds.

Margus

And ... you've reminded me that I have a P67ii lurking in the cupboard! 🙂