And another reason I use film

[marke]

I really don't think that Al's post was a big deal. That post of his is a reality for many photographers, both professional and amateur. Not all, but many...otherwise bringing it up wouldn't cause such a stir. Personally, I find many of Al's remarks quite humorous, often adding life to what might be an otherwise dull day on the forum.

Now it's thls other post of Al's that REALLY had me laughing my silly head off! 😛

Or perhaps it's your brain getting zapped with the electromagnetic waves of your digicam that makes you guys so sure that Digital Rules as you chant the mantra "Film Is DEAD!" over and over and over...

 

[Ronald_H]

In the end it's just all means to an end.

I shoot digital because I can (and will) shoot off 2000 frames if needs be. If one (and only one) of them yields a good photo. I'm happy. Digital also looks better in most situations than 35mm. Wail and gnash your teeth, I might not be a pro with 50 years experience, but I'm not stupid.

I also use film. Because I like manual cameras, no matter how well I can handle my dSLR and its zillion functions. And because film is more forgiving in hi-contrast situations. And because nothing looks like Tri-X.

And if tomorrow some kind of 'wonder glasses' appear with built in hi-res 2000fps camera with unlimited storage, sure as hell, I'll use that too.

The most basic and fundamantal reason I bought a Leica and started doing my own development is understanding why people would defend such old fashioned cameras and such a labourous process. Yes, I enjoy it too, but it is a hell of lot easier to pull 2000 images of a CF card! And does my M with a 'cron and slide film in it really deliver better picture quality than let's say a Nikon D70?

Means to an end people. If we get some fun thrown into the bargain, all the better.

 

[emraphoto]

amen ron, amen.

ps. strange but those "glasses" have crossed my mind a few times too

 

[photogdave]

And does my M with a 'cron and slide film in it really deliver better picture quality than let's say a Nikon D70?

I do believe it does. That's why after getting my M4 and 50mm Summicron I kept going with the system, while my D70 is gathering dust in the closet.
Of course I'm not right and you're not wrong. 🙂

 

[Ronald_H]

I do believe it does. That's why after getting my M4 and 50mm Summicron I kept going with the system, while my D70 is gathering dust in the closet.
Of course I'm not right and you're not wrong. 🙂

My D200 doesn't see all that much use either anymore (sold the D70 😀). In contrast my Nikon FM and Leica M2 see a lot of use. More satisfying.

BUT, maybe you can help me here: If I scan my old negs on my new scanner (Nikon Coolscan V) they look great. Ditto for my old slides. Some of them look downright fantastic, I never knew they were that good!

New negatives scan great as well, either C41 from the lab or my own B/W.

BUT, my newer slides (E-6, Fuji Sensia, Agfa Precisa CT) are disappointing. I just can't get the resolution & sharpness I get from my old slides. And that was department store stuff. I use much, MUCH better glass than 10 years back (think plastic Minolta kit lens to a DR Summicron) , and my skills have improved quite considerably. But still I just can't get really satisfying results from E-6 these days. The only reason I can think of is that processing isn't up to the standards of 10 years ago. I really cannot figure it out.

Btw, I scan my E-6 unmounted, like my other film.

 

[photogdave]

My D200 doesn't see all that much use either anymore (sold the D70 😀). In contrast my Nikon FM and Leica M2 see a lot of use. More satisfying.

BUT, maybe you can help me here: If I scan my old negs on my new scanner (Nikon Coolscan V) they look great. Ditto for my old slides. Some of them look downright fantastic, I never knew they were that good!

New negatives scan great as well, either C41 from the lab or my own B/W.

BUT, my newer slides (E-6, Fuji Sensia, Agfa Precisa CT) are disappointing. I just can't get the resolution & sharpness I get from my old slides. And that was department store stuff. I use much, MUCH better glass than 10 years back (think plastic Minolta kit lens to a DR Summicron) , and my skills have improved quite considerably. But still I just can't get really satisfying results from E-6 these days. The only reason I can think of is that processing isn't up to the standards of 10 years ago. I really cannot figure it out.

Btw, I scan my E-6 unmounted, like my other film.

All I can think is that Sensia is not great film. I recently shot some rolls of 200 and 400 and was pretty disappointed so I went back to Provia and Velvia 100F. I've never even heard of Agfa Precisa CT.
So maybe your "old" slides were higher quality film? Give Fuji Provia, Velvia or Astia a try. Kodak E100VS is also quite nice!

 

[Ronald_H]

All I can think is that Sensia is not great film. I recently shot some rolls of 200 and 400 and was pretty disappointed so I went back to Provia and Velvia 100F. I've never even heard of Agfa Precisa CT.
So maybe your "old" slides were higher quality film? Give Fuji Provia, Velvia or Astia a try. Kodak E100VS is also quite nice!

I got that Precisa CT from a camera fair. It was old, original Agfa stock, not quite expired yet. Worst film I have ever used 🙁 But hey, it was cheap and it taught me a lot about good metering with my manual cameras. I don't have a clue what the department store stuff was (their B/W was Ilford and very good). Alas, as you might expect, they don't sell E-6 and B/W anymore.

From Fuji you expect good quality, even if it is cheap. Superia print film is very cheap, but still perfectly ok. So what would you recommend for neutral, yet very sharp slides? That's what I was looking for when I bought my first 'new' rolls of E-6. All the stuff you mention I can order with one mouse click (ok, maybe two).

 

[photogdave]

I got that Precisa CT from a camera fair. It was old, original Agfa stock, not quite expired yet. Worst film I have ever used 🙁 But hey, it was cheap and it taught me a lot about good metering with my manual cameras. I don't have a clue what the department store stuff was (their B/W was Ilford and very good). Alas, as you might expect, they don't sell E-6 and B/W anymore.

From Fuji you expect good quality, even if it is cheap. Superia print film is very cheap, but still perfectly ok. So what would you recommend for neutral, yet very sharp slides? That's what I was looking for when I bought my first 'new' rolls of E-6. All the stuff you mention I can order with one mouse click (ok, maybe two).

Sensia is not bad quality when you project it, but for some reason it doesn't scan well. Also it could be that we happen to have similar taste and just plain don't like it, while others may think it's great!
For neutral, sharp slides try Provia 100F first.