Sell my X100 and go film only?

[boffen]

So ever since I got my M2 I've left the X100 in the bag whenever I go out to take pictures. It's a great camera, but I dislike the manual focus and to be honest, I think I just don't like shooting digital anymore.

Whenever I think about selling it it always comes down to the same two reasons why I shouldn't. High ISO-performance and the convenience of being able to shoot digital.

Is there anyone here who've thought about abandoning digital completely? If I needed the money I'd sell it no doubt, but I'm in the processing of selling most of my guitar gear due to my "band" calling it quits, and I'll have way more money than I'll know what to do with after that (not true, I could buy a new camera, or use all of it to travel somewhere next summer, which is what I'll do). I feel silly keeping a thousand dollar camera in a bag "just in case I need/want to shoot digital". Help me rationalize selling/keeping it.

 

[gho]

I guess that no one can answer your question except yourself. It is really a matter of what you are up to.

 

[efirmage]

I'd sell it and replace it with an NEX 5N/7. If you got the 5N you'd still have money left over and you'd have a very competent compact camera to pull out when you "need" digital. In any case I've been more impressed with the 5N shots I've seen than I have been with the X100.

My two cents.

 

[bensyverson]

I'm a film die-hard, but it's hard to imagine giving up my digital camera. I use it to shoot low-light candids, kids, product shots, video, and occasionally travel snaps. I like those shots to look decent, so I use a good camera.

But I know a couple photographers who only shoot with "real" cameras when they're working on a personal or professional project. They take snapshots occasionally, but with at iPhone or compact. If you're like them, then sell the X100.

 

[thegman]

Give it a bit, and if you're still not using the X100 in a month or so, you may as well sell.

 

[ndnik]

I returned to using only film after realizing thet digital just does not do it for me. I'm referring to both the available cameras and the fact that I prefer the look of film pictures.

 

[filmfan]

The answer to this is simply______.

 

[Thardy]

To me the fixed lens would be the negative, not that it's digital.

 

[Richard G]

Only serious digital I've had. Today I'm out with the M5 and Zeiss 25 and HP5 Plus, but I wouldn't give up my X100, work photos, low light stuff, night shots with stars, things where I wouldn't bother taking a film camera and where the iPhone is sure to let me down.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The purpose of photography is to take pictures, not to purify the soul through suffering.

In this particular realm, only you can define 'suffering'.

Cheers,

R.

 

[zauhar]

I've played with the X100 a couple times, and I don't like it - therefore you should sell yours.

Glad I could be of help. ;-)

Randy

 

[Robert Lai]

I keep an old Kodak P&S around for those times when digital expediency is needed (e.g. ebay ads). Otherwise, I like my film! So, my biased view is that if the X100 doesn't feel great to you, get rid of it before too much digital depreciation rot sets in. When X101 hits the shelves, that X100 will be quite worthless.

You can always pick up a decent digital camera now for about $40 for the expendable pictures.

 

[nonuniform]

I use a variety of cameras, digital and film, for different reasons. I do like large format film, but carrying the 4x5 Crown Graphic is a commitment sometimes!

I like the way my Nikon D700 images look, and it's a fairly intuitive camera to use, but I prefer carrying my Leica M with me. The Nikon is almost as clunky as the 4x5. If I'm going to carry something big, might as well be the 4x5.

So, I end up using my Leica M's most of the time. If I could afford the M9, and if the M9 were even close to the capabilities of the D700, I would buy one. From my tests, the M9 has a long way to go. That's just my opinion, so, feel free to ignore it.

That leaves me looking at cameras such as the X100 and Nex 7/5n. They're just not as good as the Nikon, nor are they as intuitive to use as the Leica M. So, I'm still using my film cameras.

BTW Portra 400 exposed as 3200 and pushed +2 in development works really really well.

 

[Thardy]

I've played with the X100 a couple times, and I don't like it - therefore you should sell yours.

Glad I could be of help. ;-)

Randy

I'm impressed that you've actually held one.

 

[andredossantos]

I shoot and like both but if push came to shove Id say I prefer film. Anyway, I've gone through several periods where I don't have a digital and i don't find it limiting at all. I've also used only digital for long stretches and felt the same. The caveat is I only shoot for myself and for fun (not for moolah).

The other key thing to remember is you can always rebuy your old camera or get a new or different model.

 

[zauhar]

I'm impressed that you've actually held one.

Thomas, first a fellow RFFer showed me his last weekend, then a few days ago a co-worker who recently got one let me play with his for a while.

I probably should not comment without spending more time with one.

But I will comment anyway! My initial experience was not positive. I don't see the point of the optical viewfinder that you can't use for focussing, the focus ring that seems only intended for small adjustments, the disconcerting shift from optical VF to the LCD mode.

I do admit without hesitation that people capture nice images with it, and my co-worker is pleased with it overall.

Randy

 

[Pablito]

I've played with the X100 a couple times, and I don't like it - therefore you should sell yours.

Glad I could be of help. ;-)

Randy

Actually this is about as helpful as any advice on a forum can be, IMO

 

[Colin Corneau]

I think it depends on why you would want a digital -- is it for 'work' or otherwise making money? If that's the case, you'd be well off getting a DSLR or some type.
If it's for personal or documentary type work, then the X100 seems like as good a candidate as any, really.

And if you just don't want digital at all, then I guess there's your answer right there. Think about what you do now, and expect to do in the next year or so...if there's a place for digital at all in there, you should keep it.

 

[Mrbessar4a]

I'm doing the opposite, selling my Bessa because of the X100. *shrug.* One day when I can have a darkroom again I will, today, not an option (in NYC).

 

[umcelinho]

i've bought an x100 to be my daily camera, also to take it to events or situations where I know i will want to take a lot of snaps, or need closer focus, or a completely silent camera, or variable iso.

it will not replace my m4, it'll have a different use. it should replace my hexar rf with 35/1.4 though, which i have daily in my bag for snaps. will it replace my r-d1 as well? we'll see...