An inconvenient truth: environmental perspective film vs digital

[Roel]

Well today I finally saw Al Gore's movie 'an inconvient truth'. Must say it really got to me. It's not that I will never ride a car on fossil fuel anymore, but it really made me think and I will have look at what I can do to change some of my habbits.

It made me wonder how environmetally unfriendly shooting on film is versus digital? It will not make me sell my Leica and Rolleiflex but I find it interesting to know. My guess would be that digital will be somewhat less unfriendly but I might be wrong. (If digital cameras will be replaced at the rate cell phones are ....)

What do you think?

 

[Michiel]

I certainly do not have the skills and data necessary to calculate the estimated impact of every aspect of analog and digital photography to add anything other than speculation to a discussion like this.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Oh wait...you weren't joking?

Sorry

 

[dmr]

If we really wish to be environmentally conscientious, there are far more things we can do of greater significance than to discuss and debate film vs. digital.

(Why does this same thread appear to pop up on just about every board I sign on to?)

 

[colyn]

I think Al Gore is full of crap....

 

[FrankS]

We can each have our opinions but I don't think that any of us has the knowlege/facts/wherewithall to reach a wholly INFORMED opinion. I fear this will end up in a film vs. digital (unsolvable/pointless) debate.

 

[colyn]

If we really wish to be environmentally conscientious, there are far more things we can do of greater significance than to discuss and debate film vs. digital.

(Why does this same thread appear to pop up on just about every board I sign on to?)

That's because the digital people think we film users should bow to them..

 

[eric]

It made me wonder how environmetally unfriendly shooting on film is versus digital?

Me guess you haven't thrown out any computer parts recently. That stuff doesn't go anywhere. And the pollution that chip makers create when making chips are very bad.

 

[Silva Lining]

A lot of parameters to be considered - I would imagine the fact that the the lifecycle of a digital camera itself is much shorter than that for a film camera would need to be calcuated and considered. I would wager that this has more impact on the environment when you consider the pollutants and materials need to manufacture the camera and the lack of 'recyclability' , the plastic, electronics using rare earth metals etc etc.

At least, one day, some one can melt my M3 down and turn it into, well, something else metal!

 

[Michiel]

Me guess you haven't thrown out any computer parts recently. That stuff doesn't go anywhere. And the pollution that chip makers create when making chips are very bad.

Yes, but the chemicals involved with making film, processing it and making the prints are very bad as well

Honoustly, we could just as well be discussing quantum physics. We don't know. Why pretend?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

but it really made me think and I will have look at what I can do to change some of my habbits.

Great; they're already mutating.

Given how often people throw away their "old" digital cameras when the "latest and greatest" arrives later that same year, I couldn't assess the impact either.

I know methane is a biggie in big numbers, so I do my best to digest my food properly.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I think Al Gore is full of crap....

:breathing in: ahhhhhh! That crisp, healing air down in Delay country. Mmm-mmm-mmm!

 

[mpt600]

Can I just say that I couldn't care less? I mean, I really couldn't.

Just waiting for someone to say "carbon footprint". What is the carbon footprint of your M8? Really? The carbon foorprint of my M7 is much higher/lower/exactly the same. What is the carbon footprint of your shoes? Mine are size 11. Yes, but they're leather, my size 8's are vinyl, therefore the carbon footprint of my footprint is much higher/lower/exactly the same as yours. I win!!! well done!! I've saved the planet et cetera et cetera...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Can I just say that I couldn't care less? I mean, I really couldn't.

I believe you can; you just did. Not that others care any more or any less.

Imagine having a conversation at a bar, and some delightful bloke says random stuff. Delightful bloke. Everybody can say anything.

Since we're going on tangents, can I ask who brushed their teeth today? I mean, really brushed their teeth?

 

[varjag]

There are enrvironmental issues around the whole lifecycle of semiconductor products. Manufacturing can impact environment, with acids they use to etch silicon wafers, arsenide compounds, etc. And recycling is the whole different can of worms.

 

[pedro.m.reis]

Dont know what pollutes more.
I do know what i can do:
- I recycle everything i can;
- I have 100% low consuption light at home;
- I drive a economic car;
- I will teach my daughter to respect the enviroment.

That i do, and we all could do. Its better than waste time trying to find out if silver halide pollutes more than computers or not.

 

[colyn]

in Delay country. Mmm-mmm-mmm!

Most Texans (myself included) don't claim him as their own..

 

[dazedgonebye]

Stop exhaling! All of you!

I need the carbon credits so I can use my camera!

 

[FrankS]

I teach the next generation to care about the environment, and show them Al Gore's film.

 

[Michiel]

[...]

Since we're going on tangents, can I ask who brushed their teeth today? I mean, really brushed their teeth?

I did, thoroughly. It improved local environment, because most people don't like coffee breath.

The carbon footprint I cannot determine, but it did make my breath nice and minty.