Thinking of Going all Film. Am I crazy?

[StillKicking]

No your not crazy..

 

[bukaj]

what about simply downsizing your digital setup to a lens or two? or replacing them with a more versatile lens. Sometimes it's nice and convenient having a dslr around. and if you're using primarily film you don't need the highest quality lenses. And as lenses don't depreciate as much as the body itself you won't come out at too great of a loss if you change your mind in the future.

-jakub

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Don't try out the Fuji X100! If you do, you may find this decision a bit more difficult. 🙂

 

[dogbunny]

I bought a used Hexar AF nearly ten years ago because it was in my price range and produced results that I wanted. I eyed digital cameras for a long time. I kept thinking one day I would make the leap. I kind of got excited when the micro 4/3 cameras came out. I thought maybe it was time to make the move to digital. The more and more I looked for the "right" digital camera for me the more I realized I was just a film guy. I bought 3 or 4 more film cameras, an expensive scanner, some more lenses, and a bunch of developing stuff.

Of course, with all I have invested in film equipment I surely could have bought a top quality digital rig, but I seem to have been led another way (perhaps astray). I enjoy the process. I like the fact that I can't chimp. I can concentrate on each step. I got such a sense of ownership when I hung up my first home developed negatives in the bathroom.
The scanning is a bit slow and I probably like that step the least. I'm even starting to like PS a bit, though I'm kind of slow to pick things up.

If it is a hobby, why not slow down and enjoy it?

 

[LeicaFan]

No, you're not crazy. I switched from digital to film and have never looked back. The manual experience is incredible.

 

[Vics]

Jump! Jump! Jump! Seriously, I have a similar predicament, in that I have too many different cameras and lenses (all film) and I know I need to slim down to the least gear I can stand. I think it's working out for me, though, because with every passing day it becomes more obvious to me that my best work is coming out of one of my cameras and one of my lenses, so I just keep going back to that one. The other stuff gathers dust, but that's OK as long as I know where I'm going. Does that help?

 

[rogerzilla]

I always thought the FM2 was the nicest Nikon, because it's small, has a fantastic shutter and you don't have to lug round a motordrive; something I always found totally pointless.

I am all-film (mainly Leica M3 and M2) to the extent of digging out my 1980s 35mm compact and buying a Minox 35ML. I could probably get good results with a Nikon D700 or a Leica M9 but I don't have that sort of money to spend on consumer electronics and the Nikon (the cheapest one) is too big and I don't want AF or 10 exposure modes, none of which is as good as my incident light meter.

 

[Damaso]

Keep the body sell the lenses, get a cheap zoom just in case you feel the need to shoot digital then invest in more film gear.

 

[haempe]

I would touch a digital camera only if someone paid me for it ... 😎

... what happens every monday-friday 10-19 h .... 🙁

What a cruel world...

 

[Pete B]

I've never looked back since I got my M6 (then an MP then an M2) I love the size of the system. I sold my D700 and pro zooms and primes that I could never be bothered carrying around. I love film. It's just my talent holding me back.
Pete

 

[LeicaTom]

I'm seriously thinking of going back to film 100% or at least just using a GH1/Hack & Sony Vario-Sonnar *Zoom* cameras for shooting films and some limited LTM to M mount usage.........for digital.

Shooting with (2) original 1945 Leica IIIC K's and also a Wetzlar M6, great cameras for film 😀

I've been really thinking hard about finally building my "FrankenLeica" M6 to 1954 M3 looker soon, then buy a fine scanner and go to town, get crazy shooting!!!! 🙂

.........as long as film developing stays under $4 a roll, I can still make $$$ shooting and geting the great film look I love for my PiNuP girls, I have never really adjusted to digital, spite having a Leica M8 - it has never really satisfied me...........FILM IS SO MUCH NICER!!!!!!

Tom

 

[Pickett Wilson]

If you want to try out being exclusively film based, just do it! If you get bored with it, you can sell the film stuff and buy another digital camera. These aren't lifetime decisions. Too much angst. 🙂

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

'tis all good. if you don't need digital, you may as well get rid of it.

 

[TheHub]

So I guess what I'm wondering is has anyone else here cut the digital umbilical to go all film? How has it worked out for you? Do you miss it or kick yourself for getting rid of your digital gear, or did you do it and never look back.

I went all-film in 2007 and have never looked back. It was the best photographic move I ever made: I've learned tons and never had so much fun. I'll never go back to digital.

There are zillions of fabulous cameras and lenses out there, plus quite a few nice emulsions, too. Then you can start developing your own film, then maybe even making darkroom prints 😉

 

[sreed2006]

Since buying a couple really nice DSLR cameras, I have purchased over a dozen film cameras.

However, I still use the DSLR cameras for some tasks, even if it is just to act as a replacement for what professionals used to use Polaroid film for. For a recent portrait sitting, I used the DSLR to check the lighting, and then used a TLR to take the actual portraits. The DSLR takes fantastic portrait pictures on its own, but I just wanted to make the final portraits using film on the TLR. If I had not checked the lighting, none of the pictures would have turned out - so the DSLR saved the day.

If a DSLR can make you a better film photographer, and it can, then my recommendation is to keep the DSLR and use it as a valuable tool.

 

[thegman]

I agree completely with Pickett, these are not "life choices", like the countries we live in, or the people we marry. They are products we own like our TVs or mobile phones, and not something to worry too much about.

Having said that, I only use digital for eBay shots etc. and shoot exclusively film for everything else. Go with your gut instinct, and if you change you mind later, then get a digital camera.

I recently got a Leica M3, and it really is a world apart from using the Lumix G1 I've got, regardless of the results, it's just a more pleasurable experience to use.

 

[OlliL]

I did that in January.
My GF has a Fuji P/S, so if I needed pictures immediately, I was able to use that.
Now I have one digital, but only because I felt victim of the X100 😉

 

[maddoc]

I did that in 2007 (funny ! I am already the third in this thread who switched to 100% film in 2007 ? 🙂) and did not miss any digital camera at all for my hobby. But then ... lots depend on where you live. Here in Japan, it is a paradise for everybody loving old film cameras, lenses and a variety of film is readily available.

If I would have to order everything by mail and pay an arm and leg for film, chemicals and developing of E6 it might be different though ...

 

[Keith]

It's interesting how often the X100 has been mentioned in this thread.

It may become the digital camera to own if you don't like digital!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You have a lot of good Nikkor lenses. You could put a Want-to-Trade add in the classifieds for free. Swap it for a film body that will use the lenses.

Crazy? Will this switch create lost income or other personal hardship? If not, the choice is yours and your sanity is not in question.

I shoot both. Film and digital. Loaded up a Contax III yesterday.