sara
Well-known
Yes, me too...reason why I don't touch digital...URGH! 🙂
I am a better photog with film.
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DNG
Film Friendly
There is some merit, because you pay as you go....
But, if you are bad photographer with Digital, getting a film camera won't magically make you a better photographer, but it will slow you down at times. And that will give you time to think about the image...although, having a digital camera doesn't speed you up either, That is all in the mind, and the technology may promote a more careless approach... but, if you gain a habit of slowing down with any camera, your results may have a better chance of improving a bit. But, it takes personal critique and tiring new techniques from those critiques to improve the image quality, more than just shooting a film camera. The film camera may make you aware of applying technique more and more, just because of the process.
Finder
Veteran
I shoot better when I wear red underwear.
But seriously, process is important, but also the photographer. I have had to learn so many imaging systems that I can be competent in any of them. I do gravitate to particular styles/designs/processes, but I believe I can master whatever I am given, maybe not immediately, but certainly over time. And with each new process, you learn something new.
There is nothing wrong with limiting yourself--I believe better things can come out of a limited system than an unlimited one. But I feel a statement that I do X better in a particular way than Y, is simply from not exploring Y and putting the effort into it to find out how it is going to work.
Of course, if you are not having fun doing Y...
But seriously, process is important, but also the photographer. I have had to learn so many imaging systems that I can be competent in any of them. I do gravitate to particular styles/designs/processes, but I believe I can master whatever I am given, maybe not immediately, but certainly over time. And with each new process, you learn something new.
There is nothing wrong with limiting yourself--I believe better things can come out of a limited system than an unlimited one. But I feel a statement that I do X better in a particular way than Y, is simply from not exploring Y and putting the effort into it to find out how it is going to work.
Of course, if you are not having fun doing Y...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Melvin,
You only get imitation, duplicate photons when you shoot digital?
Cheers,
R.
gb hill
Veteran
Akiva was only speaking on how film works for him. Being a former RD-1 user he should know what works best for him. Myself I can't say because I don't shoot digital. I can understand where he is coming from as a film user myself & I can also see why you say bolderdash because in my mind a person who shoots digital has the advantage through instant gratification of seeing ones work & therefore can focus on ones skill. Both film & digital have there advantages I think. It does come down to disipline. The biggest drawback for myself in using digital is post processing.
newsgrunt
Well-known
I'm super comfortable in both camps but wonder if the imitations of film cameras can't be replicated in digital. I mean shoot in single shot mode, only raw on the slowest, absolutely slowest memory cards out there and make sure the cards are only about 64 mbs in size so there are fewer shots on it.
You can shoot slow and deliberate with a D3 as well as an MP, one just needs to have the discipline.
You can shoot slow and deliberate with a D3 as well as an MP, one just needs to have the discipline.
bagdadchild
Established
digital images look plastic, film just looks good, therefore film shooters will be more inspired to take great photos
gavinlg
Veteran
I think I almost definitely get more keepers from film than digital as well.
I think part of it is that I find it very difficult sometimes to keep digital shots 'natural' looking.
I think part of it is that I find it very difficult sometimes to keep digital shots 'natural' looking.
KenR
Well-known
Slow it down even more!
Slow it down even more!
When I have the time and my back feels strong enough, I bring out my 4x5 field camera. As I only have 6 film holders with me at any one time, each shot has to count. The set up time and metering is meticulous with a lot of time spent figuring out what zone this or that should be in. My "take" rate of keepers with this method is probably 50%. Of course it had better be that high to justify the time and expense of the 4x5 setup. I suppose that if I did things the same way in 35mm or digital then I would have the same percentage of keepers, but nobody ever does, because thats not what the smaller formats are all about. If I moved up to 4x10 or even larger formats would I be an even "better" photographer?
Slow it down even more!
When I have the time and my back feels strong enough, I bring out my 4x5 field camera. As I only have 6 film holders with me at any one time, each shot has to count. The set up time and metering is meticulous with a lot of time spent figuring out what zone this or that should be in. My "take" rate of keepers with this method is probably 50%. Of course it had better be that high to justify the time and expense of the 4x5 setup. I suppose that if I did things the same way in 35mm or digital then I would have the same percentage of keepers, but nobody ever does, because thats not what the smaller formats are all about. If I moved up to 4x10 or even larger formats would I be an even "better" photographer?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've just started on a twelve day, two images per day, twenty four image project with my Crown Graphic.
It allows me two 4x5 shots per day in one film holder and that's it ... I'm also using the Crown hand held for all these and not allowing myself the use of a light meter!
I was feeling somewhat swamped by technology since buying my D700 and needed something to ground me a little ... I think it's working but time will tell! 😛
It allows me two 4x5 shots per day in one film holder and that's it ... I'm also using the Crown hand held for all these and not allowing myself the use of a light meter!
I was feeling somewhat swamped by technology since buying my D700 and needed something to ground me a little ... I think it's working but time will tell! 😛
Melvin
Flim Forever!
With digital you don't get the actual thing that the photons hit. What you do get is a memory file. Digital is like our brains in that way. Personally I like film, since I already have a brain.😛
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
When I shoot film I sense that HCB is looking over my left shoulder and Ansel Adams is watching over the other.
This just doesn't happen with digital! :angel:
This just doesn't happen with digital! :angel:
benlees
Well-known
If that happened to me there would no resulting photos as they would both settle on the opinion that I really shouldn't bother!
tic
Established
Since returning to film (and not giving up digital) a few years ago, my digital pictures have improved. Two reasons for this: going to manual film cameras forced my to really understand exposure and the simple fact that I slowly learn how to take better pictures in general. But maybe I pay more attention while shooting film simply because there is a cost every time I press the trigger.
KenR
Well-known
Agreed. If the spirtis of HCB or AA were with me they would undoubtedly tell me to take up another hobby that wouldn't damage the fine reputation that they gave to photography.
filmfan
Well-known
Backalley, I knew you would be present in this thread before I even opened it up doing your normal raving about the rd-1 or whatever... No mention of the 15mm and 40mm has been a nice break though (insert the proper smiley face here to communicate the joke).
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viridari
Photon Recovery Agent
I'm amphibious.
I started with digital, and a friend who was getting out of film introduced me to his C330. That camera is mine now. I still shoot both, but film has definitely made me a better more disciplined photographer. Even when I pick up the digital now, even though each shot is "free", I take my time & I'm willing to give up a shot without releasing the shutter if it doesn't feel right. I couldn't say that before I started shooting film. In fact, I'm sort of ashamed that on 2 occasions I filled up a 4G CF card (10MP body) in one day.
I started with digital, and a friend who was getting out of film introduced me to his C330. That camera is mine now. I still shoot both, but film has definitely made me a better more disciplined photographer. Even when I pick up the digital now, even though each shot is "free", I take my time & I'm willing to give up a shot without releasing the shutter if it doesn't feel right. I couldn't say that before I started shooting film. In fact, I'm sort of ashamed that on 2 occasions I filled up a 4G CF card (10MP body) in one day.
Ken Smith
Why yes Ma'am - it folds
Balderdash or not - sometimes self imposed limits have away of teaching one patience. In a world that's rushing hell bent for leather into oblivion, I need an occassional exit ramp where I can water the horse, pick it's hooves, and just have a moment to gander at what the heck I've been rushing past at a full gallop.
Film and it's limitations of just how many frames are in a roll offer me that exercise in patience. Before I get crucified by this site's pharisees and sadducees - notice I said "me." I didn't say "you" or "everyone" or "all." With a 6 x 9 folder, a light meter, an auxillary rangefinder, and a roll of 120 - I have small number of shots to play with and hopefully have them turn out how my eye perceives the scene. Then there's the shear pleasure in the exercise of patience in taking a roll of film and personally developing it. The anticipation of the developed image on the roll as it is drying is part of the joy. Perhaps all or some of the shots turned out or maybe I got them all wrong. For me it isn't the fact of getting there that's important - it's the trail "I" traveled to get there.
Too much of my life has been spent hurling down the road at a high rate of speed that's dictated by a lead pony. This road is one road traveled at the gait dictated by me and it's a nice day for leisurely trail ride.
__________________
Film and it's limitations of just how many frames are in a roll offer me that exercise in patience. Before I get crucified by this site's pharisees and sadducees - notice I said "me." I didn't say "you" or "everyone" or "all." With a 6 x 9 folder, a light meter, an auxillary rangefinder, and a roll of 120 - I have small number of shots to play with and hopefully have them turn out how my eye perceives the scene. Then there's the shear pleasure in the exercise of patience in taking a roll of film and personally developing it. The anticipation of the developed image on the roll as it is drying is part of the joy. Perhaps all or some of the shots turned out or maybe I got them all wrong. For me it isn't the fact of getting there that's important - it's the trail "I" traveled to get there.
Too much of my life has been spent hurling down the road at a high rate of speed that's dictated by a lead pony. This road is one road traveled at the gait dictated by me and it's a nice day for leisurely trail ride.
__________________
Roger Hicks
Veteran
With film, you get a chemical derivative of the thing the photons hit: metallic silver (or a dye image) in place of silver halide (and dye precursors if applicable).
In both cases (digital and film), you then create a second-generation image based on the displacement of some electrons. Arguably, the electron displacement is more immediate and direct in the case of the digital image -- and I still have the 'actual thing the photons hit' in the camera.
As I also have a brain I tend not to make such false distinctions between film and digital sensors.
Cheers,
R.
jsrockit
Moderator
I'm the opposite. I get more keepers with digital because I can see my failures on the LCD and correct them while still in the same location. With film, I make the mistake of thinking everything I'm taking is brilliant and then, once the film is back, realizing that they are not.
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