pevelg
Well-known
I am thinking of leaving the film world for an Epson RD-1. Below is my very detailed reason. Skip to bold if you wish.
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An old FED 5 was my introduction to RF photography. It hooked me instantly and I was in love. I have used several RF cameras since then; a Zorki 4k, a Leningrad, Bessa R2M, and a Leica M6TTL. Also used a Mamiya 7 and a Hassy 500cm. What hooked me was the process. I loved thinking about all the little things that would make my pictures turn out. When using the FED 5 for the first time, I was greatly excited to see that the majority of my first pictures actually showed up on print, focused and exposed correctly. During this time I also started using positive film. It was an exciting new medium for me and I loved the colors and detail. Projecting the images on a wall was wonderful. My problem is now that I want to share my images, I have to either carry around my projector or I scan all my slides. I've had both the Nikon Coolscan 5000 and now the Epson v750. I got the v750 so I can scan MF. I've had the Epson/Nikon scanners for about 1 year total. Little did I know how much I would hate the work flow. The hardest thing for me was working with the colors. I could never get my scans looking like the original scans. Negative film is much easier to use, but I have not found one that compares to Kodachrome or Velvia. I have recently used Ektar 100, but the workflow remains the same, though easier and also that I can get prints easier. Also, I was only truly happy with the results of my MF scans. Man, were they detailed and beautiful!!!! It seems that I am happy with slides, but only if projected; and happy with negatives, only as prints. And I still need to digitalize my photos, so both mediums poss the same issue.
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So, after many months of thinking, I have decided that I need to make some choices regarding my photography equipment. Here are the three most likely choices:
1. Go digital SLR: nope, can't do it. I love the RF experiance.
2. Use only negative film
3. Get an Epson/M8: M8 is out of my price range, so Epson RD-1 is my only option.
There are several things i like about the Epson. It's an RF, it has a winder, it has a hideable LCD, it has all manual controls, etc., etc. Also, it is similar to the Bessa R2, which I enjoyed using.
The M6TTL has been my most favorite camera that I have ever used. As I am unable to acquire an extra body, any switch I make will mean I must sell the M6. My greatest fear though is that I might not like the Epson. For this reason I am afraid of selling my M6 before testing an Epson. I can't own both bodies at the same time. So, what should I do?
Would someone be willing to make a temorary trade for about 2~3 months? What other advice can one offer? I do not think the Panasonic G1 is an answer as it is not an RF.
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An old FED 5 was my introduction to RF photography. It hooked me instantly and I was in love. I have used several RF cameras since then; a Zorki 4k, a Leningrad, Bessa R2M, and a Leica M6TTL. Also used a Mamiya 7 and a Hassy 500cm. What hooked me was the process. I loved thinking about all the little things that would make my pictures turn out. When using the FED 5 for the first time, I was greatly excited to see that the majority of my first pictures actually showed up on print, focused and exposed correctly. During this time I also started using positive film. It was an exciting new medium for me and I loved the colors and detail. Projecting the images on a wall was wonderful. My problem is now that I want to share my images, I have to either carry around my projector or I scan all my slides. I've had both the Nikon Coolscan 5000 and now the Epson v750. I got the v750 so I can scan MF. I've had the Epson/Nikon scanners for about 1 year total. Little did I know how much I would hate the work flow. The hardest thing for me was working with the colors. I could never get my scans looking like the original scans. Negative film is much easier to use, but I have not found one that compares to Kodachrome or Velvia. I have recently used Ektar 100, but the workflow remains the same, though easier and also that I can get prints easier. Also, I was only truly happy with the results of my MF scans. Man, were they detailed and beautiful!!!! It seems that I am happy with slides, but only if projected; and happy with negatives, only as prints. And I still need to digitalize my photos, so both mediums poss the same issue.
---------------------------------------------------
So, after many months of thinking, I have decided that I need to make some choices regarding my photography equipment. Here are the three most likely choices:
1. Go digital SLR: nope, can't do it. I love the RF experiance.
2. Use only negative film
3. Get an Epson/M8: M8 is out of my price range, so Epson RD-1 is my only option.
There are several things i like about the Epson. It's an RF, it has a winder, it has a hideable LCD, it has all manual controls, etc., etc. Also, it is similar to the Bessa R2, which I enjoyed using.
The M6TTL has been my most favorite camera that I have ever used. As I am unable to acquire an extra body, any switch I make will mean I must sell the M6. My greatest fear though is that I might not like the Epson. For this reason I am afraid of selling my M6 before testing an Epson. I can't own both bodies at the same time. So, what should I do?
Would someone be willing to make a temorary trade for about 2~3 months? What other advice can one offer? I do not think the Panasonic G1 is an answer as it is not an RF.
