Contemplating the unthinkable for me

[FrankS]

That's right. Buying a digital camera.

Fuji xe2 to be specific.

I'm still conflicted though.

😉

I won't be giving up on b+w film and wet printing though.

 

[daveleo]

Buy a used one.
If you can't live with it, sell it and write it off as one of life's adventures.
Don't spend too much time agonizing over this.

 

[Keith]

It's a slippery slope IMO Frank. But I like your choice! 🙂

 

[Bob Michaels]

FrankS: you are contemplating / thinking / being conflicted / worrying about your rep all to much.

 

[Keith]

FrankS: you are contemplating / thinking / being conflicted / worrying about your rep all to much.

That's true. There appears to be a certain amount of guilt involved when a fairly committed film shooter decides to get a digital camera. You realise that you will probably shoot less film as a consequence and that can play on your mind IMO.

I'm fairly comfortable with digital these days because I really struggle with time for developing and scanning as I'm sure many do. Occasionally though I do miss the process a lot!

 

[Ranchu]

It's not going to look any different than any other digital camera.

 

[goamules]

A horseman has a car. You'll enjoy it, and it will teach you things you cannot learn from a film camera, and vice versa.

 

[Keith]

It's not going to look any different than any other digital camera.

To a point IMO. My D700, Sigma Merrills and M240 all produce noticeably different outputs courtesy of their different sensors. Their files are totally different to work with in post ... each has it's own strengths and weaknesses.

 

[NeeZee]

Bought an X-E1 as my first digital camera about 6 months ago. I like the camera but I'm not using it much. Shooting a lot of film with my IIIf at the moment, though 🙂.

That said, I really think the image quality from the X-E1 is great and it's a fine camera to use as well (although the EVF is hard to use in some bright lighting conditions). Lowlight performance is lightyears ahead of anything you could achieve with film (if you really need it is a different question).

Just try it and see if you like it!

 

[ruby.monkey]

Get the X-T1 instead. It's worth the extra cost for the viewfinder and full set of dials and levers.

Then grab an X100T as your everyday camera.

 

[FrankS]

Get the X-T1 instead. It's worth the extra cost for the viewfinder and full set of dials and levers.

Then grab an X100T as your everyday camera.

This suggestion is 3x as expensive! Not happening.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Get any one of the X100 cameras used, they are as close to the Leica feel as you will get in a digital at prices that are affordable.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...

Fuji xe2 to be specific.....

The only manufacturer who is capable of making sensor which doesn't produce something extremely sharp, but flat and boring, yet camera is still functional and not priced for rich, but stupid is Fuji...Film!

 

[Eric T]

Frank,
The Fujis are great. But also consider the Sony A7 as well since the price is now below $1000. It took me a while to warm up to the Sony A7r but now i use it frequently. Good for legacy glass except for lenses with focal lengths below 28mm.
Eric

 

[Godfrey]

Eh? Why is it unthinkable?
Buy the camera and make photographs. It will be fun.

G

 

[Keith]

A second hand DPM wouldn't be a bad choice either IMO. There's a bit of a learning process involved in getting the best out of the little Merrills and you may enjoy that!

The results are quite similar to MF or LF film IMO.

 

[FrankS]

Hi Godfrey. I've been a long time film booster and digital holdout. I guess this is finally a digital camera that seems right (and affordable-ish.) No doubt the Leica digital Ms feel right too, but too dear.

Peace

 

[FrankS]

Thanks for your contributions, Keith! It's important to me that a digital camera is close to traditional film cameras in haptics, and not feel/operate like a computer.

 

[Daniel Teoli Jr.]

Buy a used one.
If you can't live with it, sell it and write it off as one of life's adventures.
Don't spend too much time agonizing over this.

OP, why is it unthinkable? Are you a slave to ego or are you serious about getting the shot?

Yes, used X-E1's are the way I go. Mine get destroyed all the time.

http://photohostsnapshots.tumblr.com/image/113429026918

 

[Keith]

Thanks for your contributions, Keith! It's important to me that a digital camera is close to traditional film cameras in haptics, and not feel/operate like a computer.

That describes the Merrills quite well! 😀