kshapero
South Florida Man
Interesting article:
http://the.me/why-i-love-the-imperfection-of-old-cameras/
http://the.me/why-i-love-the-imperfection-of-old-cameras/
Why I Love the Imperfection of Old Cameras
- Thread starter kshapero
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 42
- Views 4K
ZeissFan
Veteran
I really dislike the term "analog cameras."
I think we simply called them "cameras" for decades and then "film cameras" as digital took hold.
As an film devotee, I might start using the "electronical camera."
I think we simply called them "cameras" for decades and then "film cameras" as digital took hold.
As an film devotee, I might start using the "electronical camera."
Photo_Smith
Well-known
Yes I hate the nomenclature 'analogue' cameras, I use the term film. I get what he's saying though as last week-end I took my wife to the Fitzwilliam museum in Cambridge. Everyone seemed to be walking about with a cell phone taking pictures that they'll never see again instead of just looking and experiencing.
Later we had a meal at a Japanese restaurant where everyone seemed to be texting on smartphones, call me old fashioned I just chatted to my wife.
Also I didn't take the camera for our week end-why spoil a perfect moment trying to create a decisive one?
Later we had a meal at a Japanese restaurant where everyone seemed to be texting on smartphones, call me old fashioned I just chatted to my wife.
Also I didn't take the camera for our week end-why spoil a perfect moment trying to create a decisive one?
Pfreddee
Well-known
I think I read on Rangefinder.com that film is also digital. The silver crystals in the emulsion are either exposed, or they are not. In other words, 1,0. Digital.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
williams473
Well-known
I'd have to disagree that old cameras are any harder to use than newer ones. I can get an image off on a 50 year old TLR as quickly or quicker than I can get an IPhone to focus and give me a decent exposure - and then MAYBE it exposes when I press the screen the first time. The blog makes it sound like I'm lucky to get anything with my film camera, when in fact the camera is not the limiting factor, but my knowledge of how to use it.
That said, I do agree with the premise that there is an intangible quality to some older lenses that I am attracted to. But it has everything to do with aesthetic and not with the mechanics or ease of use of the camera, which is what the author seemed to be fixed on.
Matt
That said, I do agree with the premise that there is an intangible quality to some older lenses that I am attracted to. But it has everything to do with aesthetic and not with the mechanics or ease of use of the camera, which is what the author seemed to be fixed on.
Matt
Jan Van Laethem
Nikkor. What else?
Quote from the article : "there is nothing like the magic of that slow analog approach; an approach that results in deficiencies, such as overexposure, slightly blown out detail, a blurred silhouette or awkward framing."
(end quote)
😕
Why would using a film camera result in deficient pictures ? If that is the author's experience, then he should only blame it on his own inexperience.
I really don't know what the point is the author is trying to make.
(end quote)
😕
Why would using a film camera result in deficient pictures ? If that is the author's experience, then he should only blame it on his own inexperience.
I really don't know what the point is the author is trying to make.
Photo_Smith
Well-known
That's false; film is not digital. You can't represent the body of what is contained in an exposed emulsion as being two states.
For instance in a colour emulsion you have at least three separate colours that are in each in their own record.
You just can't represent that with just two values.
Unless you take it to a 'grain is there or it's not' reductio ad absurdum type argument. If that's the case my car is digital it moves or is still-it only has two states...
It's just plain retarded reasoning from those who don't understand imaging.
Probably from the lunatic landscape 'article'
Here is a science based take:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/chumps-and-clumps.html
oftheherd
Veteran
Exactly what I was thinking. The author apparently has never really used a film camera with any regularity nor knowledge of how to use one. If there are no problems with digital, where did the term chimping come from? 😛
noimmunity
scratch my niche
"with a digital camera every image is a success"
Digital = "perfect images"?
WTF?
Although this article seems to be about convincing digital users to try out old film cameras, the subtext is that DIGITAL IS SUPERIOR.
Now that film has become "the Other" of digital, it exists finally just to reinforce the digital prejudice. Sheesh.
Digital = "perfect images"?
WTF?
Although this article seems to be about convincing digital users to try out old film cameras, the subtext is that DIGITAL IS SUPERIOR.
Now that film has become "the Other" of digital, it exists finally just to reinforce the digital prejudice. Sheesh.
Griffin
Grampa's cameras user
Thanks Photo_Smith, that was an interesting read!
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
"The trouble with you kids who paint on bits of wood is that you loose the whole point of painting: finding a suitable cave, working out how to get the bear out, trading with those people in the next valley for suitable rushes for the lights. It's all just grab a piece of wood and splash paint on it. Then on to the next one. Nothing lasts with you youngsters..."
😀
😀
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Exactly.
And of course there were NO fully-auto film cameras for the terminally incompetent.
Cheers,
R.
steveclem
Well-known
I'm fine with the term analogue, they're great, even better when they're mechanical.
Proper cameras, proper engineering, you can keep your buttons and twizzle mode electronics, just take pictures.
The only advantage of digital is easy uploading. If you got the wrong exposure;bracket, if you got the wrong angle, take some variations.
Proper cameras, proper engineering, you can keep your buttons and twizzle mode electronics, just take pictures.
The only advantage of digital is easy uploading. If you got the wrong exposure;bracket, if you got the wrong angle, take some variations.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Even though I liked the article, there were still some bungled comments.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
peterm1
Veteran
Older cameras can be a bit of a crap shoot. Even back in the day they were too. But this is not necessarily about mechanical unreliability or optical short comings. Its about the fact that you have to rely more upon your skills as a photographer than you do today when cameras do more of the thinking for you. Especially when shooting a really old camera with no light meter etc. It could be a chore in some circumstances just to remember what film was loaded in the camera.
Moreover, of course you had to wait till you developed the film and had it printed to see what results you had achieved. We are no longer used to this. In today's world if you miss a shot or botch it, you know straight away and can often erase and then re-shoot.
When I shot film I would often be lucky if I got a couple of really good images in a roll. And because it cost quite a bit to buy film and have it developed, it often sat in the camera for quite a long time between loading it and completing it, waiting for that next perfect shot to come along so I could complete the roll. All of these things added to the uncertainty.
Moreover, of course you had to wait till you developed the film and had it printed to see what results you had achieved. We are no longer used to this. In today's world if you miss a shot or botch it, you know straight away and can often erase and then re-shoot.
When I shot film I would often be lucky if I got a couple of really good images in a roll. And because it cost quite a bit to buy film and have it developed, it often sat in the camera for quite a long time between loading it and completing it, waiting for that next perfect shot to come along so I could complete the roll. All of these things added to the uncertainty.
jsrockit
Moderator
My god, no mention of SOUL in this article...what is the internet coming to?
Digital is not perfect either... nowhere near it.
Digital is not perfect either... nowhere near it.
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
Did anybody notice the article is from April 1st?
jordanatkins
Established
Now that I finally got my hands on a Nikon D3, I'm finding the images to be too "clean". I enjoy the grain of film, so I find myself adding it back in in post.
Much easier just to keep shooting film and enjoying it, really.
And BTW, who uses the "spray and pray" method that this guy was basically describing in the article? He acts as if he's the only one who doesn't shoot a buffer full of shots at one time. That kinda stuff is for sports photographers, not for anyone else. I shoot my digital camera just like my film cameras-- one at a time.
Much easier just to keep shooting film and enjoying it, really.
And BTW, who uses the "spray and pray" method that this guy was basically describing in the article? He acts as if he's the only one who doesn't shoot a buffer full of shots at one time. That kinda stuff is for sports photographers, not for anyone else. I shoot my digital camera just like my film cameras-- one at a time.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Has it come down to this?
Sloppy handling is sugar-coated into "Imperfection beauty" ???
Don't get me wrong, technical imperfection has its charms. But that's *NOT* the only thing that film photography can produce.
I am probably of the same generation as the author, as far as going from fully digital to film, but I respect what film can do. There are beautiful film photographs out there that kicks the pants of any digital I've seen in terms of technical accuracy and details.
I hide my eyes...
Sloppy handling is sugar-coated into "Imperfection beauty" ???
Don't get me wrong, technical imperfection has its charms. But that's *NOT* the only thing that film photography can produce.
I am probably of the same generation as the author, as far as going from fully digital to film, but I respect what film can do. There are beautiful film photographs out there that kicks the pants of any digital I've seen in terms of technical accuracy and details.
I hide my eyes...
Similar threads
