Would you do it? Cut loose of digital

[Pioneer]

I could never get rid of film. It is far too enjoyable for me. I shoot a lot of film, maybe not as much as Tom but I'm not far behind.

With film, I switch sensors on a whim. I may not even totally finish a roll sometimes, just count the # of frames exposed and rewind for another day. Then I'll switch to something else.

Digital is so boring!! I am stuck with the exact same sensor for as long as I own the camera.

But I do keep a couple of digital cameras around for those times when their use makes sense. Like Polaroid in the past, there is a place for digital.

 

[Steve M.]

It was an easy decision for me because I had one of the best Nikon digital SLRs at the time and an M3 w/ a 50 DR lens. The photos from the digital Nikon weren't even close to the same quality as the Leica film shots, and it wasn't all about the lenses either. Film just walked all over it (and still does), especially in colour saturation, tonal range, sharpness, everything you could measure. The B&W difference was even more extreme.

I was always shocked by how poorly the Nikon did w/ portraits too, so much so that I always ended up deleting them and reshooting w/ the Leica and a 90 Summicron. Nothing has changed, film is still far superior to digital, but digital is all about convenience and speed. My work is about quality, everything now is B&W, so the decision made itself. Like a lot of people, I keep one digital camera around so that I can photograph film gear to sell :]

 

[cz23]

I would do it if I'd shot enough film recently to know I enjoy the workflow. Easy decision for me; I have and I don't.

John

 

[FrozenInTime]

It would be nice to dump the iPhone and become free of the distraction of the always connected world.

I could live without digital.

 

[Godfrey]

I've thought recently of doing the opposite. I haven't touched a film camera (other than a Polaroid or the Hasselblad SWC) in quite some time. The M-D typ 262 does everything I want in an M, and the SL typ 601 does everything else.

But I haven't yet.

G

 

[Scapevision]

I did it, it's great. No more blowing highlights. Full control.

 

[skopar steve]

I like both film and digital. For the past few years its been 90% digital 10% film. Recently I've shot more film and started developing my film at home. If it were me I'd keep both and take a long break (min 1 year) from digital. At the end of the break you will know if it's a good idea or not.

 

[Keith]

Dedicated analog photography and veganism have some common ground in my opinion!

 

[jsrockit]

I actually prefer digital. It suits my lifestyle at this point and allows me to photograph often and keep up with my output.

However, there's nothing wrong with going all film if that is what makes you happy. It's still photography and that is all that matters.

 

[Mark C]

I've mostly done that, except never went all that digital anyway. It would be fun to mess with an M9 or later, and A7 would be handy for lens comparisons, but I love the film process and really don't enjoy the digital process. I also generally prefer film results. I also kind of like the limits of film, though am constantly pushing the low light limits.

Still, I don't intend to go without some sort of minimal functional digital outfit. The occasional magazine or other assignment shows up, or some favor for friends, or camera scanning for proof sheets. There's always something, but it doesn't take much to satisfy my needs there. My old Sony A57 and a few lenses does that with minimal investment, and there are many other simple, cheap options to keep that door open for emergencies.

 

[kshapero]

Dedicated analog photography and veganism have some common ground in my opinion!

with you on that except for the occasional fillet of rainbow trout or salmon.....just saying.😉

 

[BLKRCAT]

Contraty to popular belief I do have an M8 that sits and collects dust. Digital doesnt give me the fizz like film does. When you know you nailed the shot on film there's a level of confidence and control that is very rewarding.

I soup my own and as of the last month can print my own. Going full circle with film photography does take work. Those people who don't invest the proper amount of effort end up dropping out of film and blame quality or convenience.

It's a perfectly viable means of photography and can provide excellent quality if you are willing to invest in your images. If you can't think to spend 4 hours scanning and editing or in the darkroom printing your images after souping film then stick with the iphone.

 

[unixrevolution]

Don't shoot for money anymore. Thinking of dumping all my digital stuff. Keep my film cameras and upgrade to an Iphone 7+. Why not?

You should do what makes you happy. This would lead me to ask, what about your digital cameras makes you unhappy?

I love shooting film, but I have just as much fun on occasion shooting my Digital SLR, my mirrorless bodies with whatever glass happens to find its way there, and my digi compact. Not to mention the usefulness of a smartphone camera.

I don't think dumping my digitals would make me happier. Any more than dumping my screwdrivers would make me happier, because I love wrenches.

 

[unixrevolution]

Just a balancing thought here... If you click that shutter as many times as I do in an outing, it might be worth your while to first assess the cost of going back to film. When I add up the cost of processing my color film, it easily costs me $75 every time I head out for a day of street photography. That adds up quickly. Some people will say yes, but the cost of switching digital gear every year or so adds up too. But I think the day is here where digital gear is mature enough to last years without feeling its 'not up to par'.

I quite agree. My K-5 is getting on in years (It's currently 6 going on 7, as far as the introduction date is concerned, and I am at least the second owner.) But it's reliable, does everything I ask it to...it's simply not to the point where I feel it needs to be replaced. Only the lure of a FF digital body for reasonable money can possibly draw me away. My digitals simply don't cost me much in the "upgrade game" because I tend to hang on to things. My K10D was nearly 8 when I loosed it to get a Graflex.

 

[cz23]

Dedicated analog photography and veganism have some common ground in my opinion!

Hold on there, Keith. This from a dedicated digital vegan photographer: Petapixel...Animal Parts

John

 

[Godfrey]

Dedicated analog photography and veganism have some common ground in my opinion!

Considering that the gelatin used to make film emulsion is made of purified, ground up cattle bone, I wonder where the common ground might be...? 😕

Kodak used to have huge contracts with cattle ranchers all over the world, breeding and feeding just the right animals to get the best gelatin source material!

G

 

[JChrome]

I only like to have a digital camera around for product photography or if someone asks me to shoot something for them aside from portraiture which I can take care of on my MF cameras.

But as the years go by and my free time becomes less and less (and with a little one on the way it's not going to be better) the whole convenience of digital is really appealing.


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