Life is Busy. Finding hard to find time for film......Any advice?

Was looking at the X100 on ebay, certainly more affordable.

I had a D700 before rangefinderitis. So I am comfortable enough with digital workflows.

........haven't updated my blog in yonks !
 
fixbones said:
Problem is I am scanning with a Plustek scanner which requires me to feed it frame by frame manually. Takes me about 40 mins for a 36exp roll of film
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I find it strange when people go digital because they don't have time for film 😱
Well, if you want a descent photo result you'll spend more time in Photoshop or Lightroom than making contact sheets. It'll take 15 min of your life.
Of course, if you scan only to show your photos in the forum (I doubt it you can go more serious with the Plustek) you can go with flatbed scanner and scan your contact prints. Easy 😀

What is good with photography is you don't need to shoot every day to keep in shape. But if you love it, you can always find time... I shoot at work too 😉
 
Your options are not mutually exclusive.

For projects where film's aesthetics are critical, outsource the development and scanning. You can always make analog prints of your most successful negatives.

Otherwise, a wide variety of digital cameras solutions exist. Besides the M9, the Ricoh GXR with the new M module, the new NEX-7 with a Novoflex M lens adapter and the X100 are reasonable options.
 
1. Second the X100.
2. Send your film to Vic, e.g. Van Bar in Carlton (Fitzroy soon.)
3. Take a walk from work with a film camera. Some of my best shots have been on lunchtime walks.
 
I feel the same lately - very little time, and if I have to choose between processing film and going out shooting, I do the second. I accumulated around 40 rolls to develop in the last few weeks.

That doesn't limit the amount of photography I do - just *when* I'm going to see the results.

I love BW film, and even though I don't like developing and scanning, I know that to get the same look on digital I'd have to spend a considerable amount of time doing PP in front of a screen - not exactly exciting either.

Both processes do require time and dedication, so it's just a matter of choosing which one gives you more satisfaction in the end. I know I'm not ready to give up my stash of film sheets. And I even like the idea of all the rolls sitting around, building expectations, and knowing I'm going to be surprised once i get to develop them.
 
Keep a film camera with you all the time... I do it with my XA loaded with Tri-X and prefocused at 8 feet and set to f/8. Open and shoot if there's anything interesting in front of you... Open and shoot... The time it takes is two seconds...

Cheers,

Juan
 
I've traded lens rental fee for developing with a high school student. He gets to use my Canon L lenses and he took care of a backlog of B&W development.

Scanning while I'm working isn't a big deal for me either; I work from home so that helps. But scanning a batch while having dinner, working on a design or whatever works well. I have my scanner attached to a different computer than I work on, so that frees things up to.

I do plan on looking at a NEX 7 when they hit the shops though. Not an M9, not full frame, but will suit my needs for an ultra light setup when traveling. And it shoots video.

Planning on still shooting film though, as I have heaps of it in the freezer and it is my "full frame" staple.

So if film is becoming a burden, try digital, but I wouldn't recommend selling off all of the film equipment just yet. You may end up buying it back at a premium later down the road!
 
1) Load camera with chromogenic B/W film.
2) Carry camera wherever you go, shoot on lunch breaks, early in morning before work, morning walks, after work in the evening, while running errands, etc.
3) Send chromogenic film out to local drug store for quick and easy C-41 processing. Also pay for a CD of film scans. In spare time at the computer you can Photoshop the scans to your liking then pay for 5x7 reprints of the keepers on RA-4 paper, also from local drug store.
4) Go back to step 1.

~Joe
 
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Time saving with digital is a fallacy. I'm not saying it's worse or bad, but this notion that all you have to do is 'push a button' and you have a picture is ridiculous.

Consider the time involved in enhancing each image (making inferior images is a waste of time, also) not to mention archiving and backing up. Skip either of these and you'll be on another forum in a year or two, complaining about how you need a system to locate the thousands of shots you have, or that they "don't look as good as film" shots.

The advice to use a lab, for the time being, is good. You can get wonderful B&W from XP2 that both scans well and prints well, too.
I'd also advise keeping a camera with you, all the time. A quality camera is not heavy or a hassle to keep around you....good luck!
 
Like other posters suggested, the X100 or even the Nex-5N comes to mind (I'm using a Nex-5 besides a dozen M-models, however digital only for color). But will you be satisfied with the quality of digital, i.e. the tonality, gradations? Even with the Silver Efex they are far off; requiring frame-by-frame adjustment just to look "acceptable", time-consuming. You're obviously a B&W shooter and whatever you were able to squeeze out of your D700, do not expect any further with any other digital camera as long as you stick to B&W.

Time is crucial also for me.. Development: Depending on the load, I use either 2-reel or 4-reel Nikkor tanks. Scanning: Have a dedicated pc just for photography interfaced to a Minolta 5400-II scanner; enabling me to change only the strips of 6-frames time to time while I was busy on the second pc.
 
Judging by some of the comments here people aren't familiar with Tasmania ... it's size, population and detachment from the mainland of Oz are an issue unless you want a change of lifestyle.

I can see Feraby's problem here ... and carrying a point and shoot (ie XA) loaded with black and white film isn't the solution to what he's talking about.


Personally I think it's all just an excuse to pony up for an M9! 😀
 
Keith said:
Judging by some of the comments here people aren't familiar with Tasmania ... it's size, population and detachment from the mainland of Oz are an issue unless you want a change of lifestyle.

I can see Feraby's problem here ... and carrying a point and shoot (ie XA) loaded with black and white film isn't the solution to what he's talking about.


Personally I think it's all just an excuse to pony up for an M9! 😀
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Yep, I agree...his location doesn't just pop up when reading the threads. IMO, I think an M9 would be a far better situation.🙂
 
Keith, Dave, OP:

Oooops! I apologize!

I confess I didn't read more than the first half of the first post, and a few answers, so I didn't know he was (you were) going digital...

In that case I guess the best camera is the X100... Or if there's time for photography, an interchangeable lenses digital camera... Processing those files for beautiful printed images takes a lot of time, but at least, even without being printed, he will see them anytime he wants without development and scanning...

Cheers,

Juan
 
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I advise to do what you find most pleasing and manageable for your work schedule and life.
I am still using film cameras, and then I have a lab develop and scan the film. It is still less digital than using a digital camera.
 
Swap that Plustek scanner for a V700. Much higher quality scans and much more efficient.

How about trying something like a 6x6 or 6x7 rangefinder? You still get great B&W negatives that you like, but you only have to scan 10 or 12 frames instead of 36. You could shoot a bunch of rolls and develop and scan them when you get the time.
 
I have worn your shoes. I just graduated and as I got into my final year of college, I was being swamped and hardly could do any of the things I wanted too. Papers, research, papers, research.... yuck.

So I did keep a 35mm in the car with film, mostly color C41 stuff for the labs to give me the effort I could not give myself. The scans gave me easy ways to get to B&W. I finally graduated and have given myself the gift of doing more of what I want.

That being said I am 56, not some young one, and there was a lot of shooting before and a lot more to come. Just hang in there, this too shall pass.
Lee
 
Thanks for the advice guys....
To make matters worse, the C41 processing machine for the only lab in town is out of order currently.....hope they will get it fixed.

In a way.... it is kind of an excuse to get another camera... digital that is. Can't say an M9 😉 hasn't crossed my mind. The X100 is definitely an option. Might wait and see how the Nex-7 performs.

For the record..... I am not giving up on film. Just looking for more way to enjoy photography =D
 
The V700 is a possibility too.

For me... processing is not the problem. Usually get by them pretty quick.... and with some music, it is actually therapeutic almost.

Scanning on the other hand is a drab. Imagine manually feeding 4 rolls of 36. I was ok with it initially but have to admit......... gets to me sometimes
 
I was going to suggest you shoot slides, bang it's done, but I guess it might be difficult to get developed where you're at. Hell, it's difficult where I'm at for that matter, I send off the mailers.
 
I have been shooting digital for a number of years, actually last film camera was in the late 90's. At a recent workshop with the majority of people with shooting M9's and a few folks brought Leica Film camera's. The fire got re-kindled and was back using a film camera within a few days.

For the past month it has been film only and it has been wonderful. Using a local lab to process and scan.

Digital also has its rewards, can quickly download raw files and review, discard files and select the ones that want to work with.

Currently have a three camera kit, Panasonic GF1 (m4/3), M9, and MP. The GF! does have 3 AF lens but also an adaptor which allows use of all Leica lens as well.

I am fortunate that my life is full with work, family, social, and some volunteer commitments. Then find the time to fit in photography, reading, and other personal interests.

Your 29 and I am turning 60, all I can say is there time for everything and priorities change.

Sounds like Orthopedics is the priority for the moment and moving to digital for awhile should only be of help since you will be reading/interpreting a number of digital films at work! 😀


As others have mentioned pick up a X-100, micro four-thirds, Nex, or new/used M9 and complement your film cameras. You will find a happy medium as time passes.

Good luck with your decision.
 
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