Would you give up film if?

[BobYIL]

Shooting film since 1960, using Leicas since 1963. Two things to note: One, there was not that many sorts of film when I started with photography, let alone the quality. Two, film through these years has never been that inexpensive compared to our buying power today.

As for digital, yes, I use and I believe it's especially great for color, amateur or for commercial. However, for B&W and aesthetics, film still rules and I do not think that even the M12 would make me drop film totally. Silver halide crystal and chemical process against binary chain; two very different concepts. And as for my film Leicas, in case of a disaster they will be the last ones to sell.

How many of us have ever seen a real color print made from a 5x7" negative? It's not like your computer screen.. it takes your breath away..

(Imagining Ansel Adams or David Muench or Yousuf Karsh replaced by digital. 🙄🙄🙄)

Regards,

Bob

 

[Lilserenity]

If colour film disappeared, I would have to invest in a digital SLR or something like that because I could not give up photography, my greatest passion of all is for the picture and I love the look that film stock gives me, but if that went, I'd not stop photography - my loyalties are to capturing things.

That said, it could be eased if Olympus created a digital OM, manual focus, all electronic as it would have to be, so an OM2n replica, OM mount, Auto and Manual mode, OTS (off the sensor) metering, same size of camera (just with the hot shoe either fixed or the screw in shoe made of metal), 10MP 35mm film sized sensor would be more than enough for me, large viewfinder.

Basically a digital OM2n, do that and I'd probably buy it. Would I use it more than a film OM2n, I don't know, depends if I could get the look I wanted easily. Doesn't even have to have screen on the back to be honest.

Is it going to happen? Sadly I don't think it ever will, it seems more important to pack gadgets with more and more automation and buttons and that all distracts me from the notion of just taking pictures.

Oh well, I'll just keep on taking pictures and deal with whatever comes along when it comes along, speculation for me is a sign that I'm not taking pictures 🙂

Vicky

 

[bigeye]

What kind of digital camera would it take, including cost for you to give up film for good? Or would you even consider going digital?

A $4k (dream on) full-frame CFV, so the SWC doesn't go from 'superwide' to 'sortawide', would go a long way toward it.

-Charlie

 

[zenza]

A full-frame camera that can handle highlights like print film for <$1,000 that's the size of your typical 80's SLR. Also has a legitimate viewfinder and split focus screen. And even in that case I'd still probably shoot 120 occasionally.

 

[thegman]

I think the question "would you give up photography if film disappeared tomorrow?" might be more revealing?

I'll use b&w film 'til it is six feet under. Colour film I don't really use because digital is so easy and good. I think the whole process of using film keeps me more involved- there is more at stake, has more weight, as it were. This could a rationalization, of course.:angel:

If film dropped off the face of the earth I would be sad I didn't get the chance to sell my film cameras for a decent price! But I would head out the door with whatever digital I had.

I wouldn't give up photography, but I know I'd do a lot less of it, in fact, I'd probably just take holiday photos, and that's it.

 

[thawkins]

Technology that is not obsolete next year. Equipment that the manufacturer will support ten years or even twenty years from now. A camera built of brass, steel, aluminum, fine leather and absolutely no cheap plastic.

 

[stupid leica]

5D/D700/5DII style sensor in a truly M-sized body, with no stupid falloff and tone issues due to incident angles.
Oh and priced similarly to a D700. New for <$3000, i would start thinking about it.
New under $2000, i'd jump on it without thinking.

 

[Mikey_Rotten]

For a lot of us, this question makes no sense. Would I give up riding a Harley Davidson if I could just Star Trek myself to my destination? It is the RIDE, not the destination.😉

Couldnt agree more 🙂

 

[barnwulf]

I love film and I have a lot of money invested in Leica film cameras. There are a lot of different film choices and I love feel of loading a new roll of film into my camera and thinking of the possibilities. I love seeing 10 or 20 rolls of new film sitting on my kitchen table. I shoot with my M8.2 only occasionally. Film is my clear choice. Jim

 

[Steve Bellayr]

The Leica M9 meets all the qualifications of a great camera however the storage systems for digital images for non-professionals leaves much to be desired, i.e. multiple back-up systems, constant re-backing of images, etc. it is time consuming. On-line back-ups, as per another thread, seem to be less than adequate.

 

[ampguy]

Good news from the local costco yesterday. They plan on keeping film going well into 2012. They have 2 or 3 large Noritsus, and are always staffed with 2-4 people. They will fix or repair any of the Noritsus if they break, but probably won't fully replace or get any new ones. They have high volume, and good revenues from film, and see no reason to stop a thriving service.

 

[boffen]

If I could trade all my film gear for an M9 and keep my X100, I would consider it, but I probably wouldn't.

Living in Norway, being a student (even though I'm vegan, and don't drink so I have more money than most) makes it very expensive to develop film. The cheapest alternative I've found is 9 bucks a roll (without copies, mind you, so I have to get it scanned somehow), which means I can afford to develop 10, maybe 15 at most, rolls a month if I want to do other stuff as well. This is the only thing I dislike about shooting film, which is why I've ordered an X100 and will probably end up using it more often than my Bessa. So, to conclude, I easily prefer film, but the cost, and the work (I have to get a scanner sooner or later) means that changing to only digital wouldn't be that horrible of a change. When I'm done being a student, it's a different question.