film or digital and age

[sreed2006]

I am 59. My vote was for "predominantly film" though it was a coin toss.

With digital, I take more pictures, faster. With film, I take my time. I spend much more time taking pictures with film, so it works out about the same number of frames each.

I use digital when I want instant feedback or to get something posted quickly and easily to the web. Film gets used when I am feeling artistic, or want more of a challenge. Then there are the times I use digital to make sure everything will get exposed properly, and switch over to film to get the real shot.

So my heart is really with film.

 

[FrankS]

My favourite response is, "Don't touch that button!"

 

[jsrockit]

I like photography... it's all good.

 

[batey_1020]

24 and just went 100% film. probably 90% B&W

Very interested in the results considering the amount of "film is dead topics" on the forums.

 

[unixrevolution]

I am 29, and I'm probably 70% or so film. Digitals are for snapshots and documentation, Film is for making art, though I do admit there are times a DSLR is extremely handy.

When it comes to serious photo-making, though, my view cameras are the weapon of choice.

 

[loquax ludens]

So far, "predominantly film" is ahead of digital in every age bracket. It's early yet, but still that surprises me.

 

[Adanac]

That result doesn't surprise me one bit. This is a rangefinder camera forum after all, and there are far more film rangefinders out there than digital Ms. Apparently a goodly number of film rangefinders are still working.

Then again, surely the digital respondents include plenty of non-rangefinder cameras. Or do they?

 

[Paddy C]

36 and have not shot film in the last 10 months. It was 10 months ago that I bought my first digital camera.

To be honest I don't think I will be shooting film again although I have all of my MF gear still.

 

[sreed2006]

My favourite response is, "Don't touch that button!"

Yeah - I get that a lot.

 

[loquax ludens]

That result doesn't surprise me one bit. This is a rangefinder camera forum after all, and there are far more film rangefinders out there than digital Ms. Apparently a goodly number of film rangefinders are still working.

That makes sense, but it seems of late that most discussion on the forum is predominantly digital oriented. That's my impression, anyway.

 

[Adanac]

That's my sense too.

Perhaps the increased digital chatter is because of timing - Photokina, fall in the Northern Hemisphere, product announcements from Leica and others. Or maybe there are more photographers in transition at present than normal (? what's normal) ... dunno.

 

[Drago]

23 and film. it's so much interesting that way and the price point is really nice bonus too. no way i could afford the digital things i'd like

 

[Katie]

I'm 39 and shoot about 80% film

 

[Cold]

If this poll represents a typical cross section of members then it's results are surprising to me. In every single age group film use is higher than digital use.

I wonder if, perhaps there really are, among RFF subscribers more predominately digital users but they are not voting on the poll.

I'm 63 and use film at least 90% of the time.

More likely, the nature of the selection set (members here) is biased toward film due to the very nature of the site.

 

[Roger Hicks]

'Principally' is the deal breaker. 'Principally' for what? Business or pleasure?

Cheers,

R.

 

[denizg7]

if there was an affordable digital rangefinder with an m mount and and a decent sensor i would mostly likely have used digital

 

[nighstar]

27 and at the moment i shoot more digital than film, but the digital:film ratio changes all the time.

 

[Thomas78]

Im 33 and use film at about 90% of my images.

I like classic cameras (from 1930s - 1980s), the look of film and developing b&w. (But I don't do Lomography nor I have or would like to have a Holga.)

And for me, I get as much joy form "playing" with my cameras than from the pictures I take. A digital camera doesn't give me this kind of joy. (At least not a fully automatic DSLR or a "better" P&S. - I have not yet tried a M8 or M9)

I think that this forum and its members are not representative for the public and that you would find over 90% digital camera users
on (e.g.) a Canon or Nikon camera forum.

 

[dct]

That result doesn't surprise me one bit. This is a rangefinder camera forum after all, and there are far more film rangefinders out there than digital Ms. Apparently a goodly number of film rangefinders are still working.

Then again, surely the digital respondents include plenty of non-rangefinder cameras. Or do they?

Agreed. But what still does suprise me is the noticeable greater ratio of film vs digital usage in the mid-aged and younger members. I would have bet the best film ratio will be in the 50+ segment... Any thoughts?

 

[Paddy C]

Agreed. But what still does suprise me is the noticeable greater ratio of film vs digital usage in the mid-aged and younger members. I would have bet the best film ratio will be in the 50+ segment... Any thoughts?

I gather what you mean is that you are surprised film usage is not higher amongst the 50+ segment?

If so I think it is understandable:
1. eyesight deterioration leads to autofocus
2. grandchildren/family are digital and the need to share images quickly is a consideration
3. they've logged a lot of film time and may be tired of it/looking for a different experience at this point