I know why I like film grain

[pstevenin]

I've noticed that when looking with my body when the light level is low, my analog sensor devices produces a lot of 'grain-noise' and route the signal to my brain. It is currently 6 AM here, and I perceive like a fuji superia 1600 @1250...)

Then, I'm built to expect some grain when high iso used. 🙄

Am I a freako' or did you notice the same behavior?

I hope the noise level will remain steady as I'll become older, otherwise I'll push Tmax 3200 up to 12800😀 .

 

[jan normandale]

I've always liked grain but mostly in BW.. I don't think it's viewed too favourably here at RFF judging by the galleries most members seem to shun it, or else they don't show it..

 

[sigma4ever]

I think it all depends on the subject. I can love it in some cases, but others it just kills the whole photo for me. It is mostly acceptable in still life shots or portraits for me. A lot of the photos that I've seen published where the grain is evident, it has actually helped, or even made the photo. Bottom line, grain adds that quality that you like but can't explain.

 

[40oz]

yeah, when it's dark and especially when my eyes are tired, I see "artifacts." I thought it was from the compression algorithm, but maybe you are right, it's grain 🙂

 

[ronnie_retro]

Here's a related fun fact:

Astronomy fans agree that objects seem clearer when when looking through binoculars as compared to conventional telescopes. Since the binocular separation is rediculously low given the literally astronomical distances, there is no 3-D effect. The subjective clarity improvement is attributed to an improvemnt in the signal to noise ratio from using both eyes as opposed to just one.

Looks like you'll need to start shooting stereo pictures!😀

 

[Bike Tourist]

Grain has been an "ingrained" feature of photography for a long time. I like it too, usually.

Moving on . . . I use internet stock sales to finance my hobby/old age, or at least, mitigate the ravages of indebtedness. Now, internet stock sites, by and large, consider artifacts of any kind to be sincerely aggregious and film grain to be worse than that.

So what? Well, I have to maintain a Canon 5D system, that's what. If it weren't for that, I could devote all my attention/money/waking moments to rangefinders and film.