ktmrider
Well-known
I have an M9 and M2. When I travel it is tempting to take both but taking both digital and film is a hassle. One needs batteries, a recharger and perhaps a computer while the other needs film in large quantities.
I am finishing up a month studying Spanish in Quatemala and brought the M2 and X100 (warned about theft so left M9 at home). I enjoy the ease of use of the X100 but feel better using the M2. For my next trip, I only plan on bringing either film or digital.
Do not want to get into a film vs digital debate and each system has its advantages. Right now I am thinking of selling the M9 and picking up another film M.
I am wondering if others have done this. I know there are photographers here who have gone back to film. Any regrets? Since I do not do it for money, I can shoot anything I want and only have to please myself.
I am finishing up a month studying Spanish in Quatemala and brought the M2 and X100 (warned about theft so left M9 at home). I enjoy the ease of use of the X100 but feel better using the M2. For my next trip, I only plan on bringing either film or digital.
Do not want to get into a film vs digital debate and each system has its advantages. Right now I am thinking of selling the M9 and picking up another film M.
I am wondering if others have done this. I know there are photographers here who have gone back to film. Any regrets? Since I do not do it for money, I can shoot anything I want and only have to please myself.
Cameron
seasick, yet still docked
When on a trip or vacation, I always find myself enjoying shooting film more than digital. Film is easy and mostly quick, so it provides me a chance to actually enjoy the trip; while digital it always feels like I'm checking the screen, flipping through photos I've taken, and then wanting to see them on a computer screen.
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
I'm usually wary of travelling with an expensive camera, whether digital or film, so my gear is almost always affordable to replace.
After that it depends on the destination, sometimes I pack a lot of film with me before a trip, other times I buy film there. It's been a few years I only travel with one system, often only one camera/lens
After that it depends on the destination, sometimes I pack a lot of film with me before a trip, other times I buy film there. It's been a few years I only travel with one system, often only one camera/lens
mdwsta4
Matty Westside
I used to be in a similar position to you. I sold my M9 and traveled exclusively with an X100s and M2. The M2 was typically fit with a 50mm cron and the x100s had a 35mm lens so it gave me two focal lengths. Depending on the trip I would typically shoot more film (10-12 rolls for a week or so) and use digital for low light and high dynamic range scenes. I've gone on a few trips with just a film camera and other trips with just the x100. Depends on my mood and what I think I'll be shooting.
I will say I much preferred shooting film after long trips because I'd send off all the rolls to the lab, wait for the prints/scans to get back, and I was done. I got sick of spending hours upon hours in front of a computer with digital files. Last year I think I shot close to 200 rolls of film whereas I shot maybe 1,000 images on digital. This year it's kind of swung the other way, but there are a few reasons why that happened. Overall I still prefer film.
My typical travel kit now includes an MP w/ 50 cron, X100t, 10-12 rolls of film plus extra batteries which fits nicely in an Ona Bowery bag.
I will say I much preferred shooting film after long trips because I'd send off all the rolls to the lab, wait for the prints/scans to get back, and I was done. I got sick of spending hours upon hours in front of a computer with digital files. Last year I think I shot close to 200 rolls of film whereas I shot maybe 1,000 images on digital. This year it's kind of swung the other way, but there are a few reasons why that happened. Overall I still prefer film.
My typical travel kit now includes an MP w/ 50 cron, X100t, 10-12 rolls of film plus extra batteries which fits nicely in an Ona Bowery bag.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I was traveling a lot on film era, but never been into photography. Half of the roll or less for one week or longer trip.
Around 2007 we completely switched to digital at home for family pictures and I started to take digital with me. Hundreds of pictures per day with few keepers. It helped me to learn about taking it quick, composition, exposure.. I went crazy - two DSLRs, big lenses, tripod, chargers, spare batteries. Long exposure, panoramic, HDR. Cheesy pictures.
So, I switched to street photography with DSLRs and it took me couple of years before I quit using digitals on travel few years ago. It is pleasure to walk with film M. Just to wear it
And have little one like XA or Minox in the pocket, just in case.
It gives me very few keepers, but they are what I currently want.
Around 2007 we completely switched to digital at home for family pictures and I started to take digital with me. Hundreds of pictures per day with few keepers. It helped me to learn about taking it quick, composition, exposure.. I went crazy - two DSLRs, big lenses, tripod, chargers, spare batteries. Long exposure, panoramic, HDR. Cheesy pictures.
So, I switched to street photography with DSLRs and it took me couple of years before I quit using digitals on travel few years ago. It is pleasure to walk with film M. Just to wear it
And have little one like XA or Minox in the pocket, just in case.
It gives me very few keepers, but they are what I currently want.
Bill Clark
Veteran
I plan to operate this way until I'm on the other side of the grass.
Here is what I do and I hope it helps you.
When I travel I carry a Canon Mark something that has a full frame sensor. I only take a 50mm f1.4 lens. For black & white I use a Leica M or LTM camera and it has only a 50mm Summicron lens. In the same bag, an Ona that fits in the seat area in front of mine, I carry, usually 8-10 rolls of 36 exposure black and white film, my Sekonic light meter and an iPad that fits in the outer pocket.
In my other bag, usually a carry on, I put an extra battery for the Canon and the charger with my other stuff.
My photography is of people, family.
Here is what I do and I hope it helps you.
When I travel I carry a Canon Mark something that has a full frame sensor. I only take a 50mm f1.4 lens. For black & white I use a Leica M or LTM camera and it has only a 50mm Summicron lens. In the same bag, an Ona that fits in the seat area in front of mine, I carry, usually 8-10 rolls of 36 exposure black and white film, my Sekonic light meter and an iPad that fits in the outer pocket.
In my other bag, usually a carry on, I put an extra battery for the Canon and the charger with my other stuff.
My photography is of people, family.
Spanik
Well-known
Two systems or two cameras or two types of film is always a hassle for me. I felt the best while travelling with a camera, couple of lenses and a single type of film.
And feel the same as other here that film is a more relaxed way of enjoying your holiday and that spending hours behind a pc isn't much fun.
Right now I have to use 2 types of film as my main film isn't made anymore and I have to strech the bit I still have as long as I can. But the stress that caused (and missed shots) wasn't fun.
And feel the same as other here that film is a more relaxed way of enjoying your holiday and that spending hours behind a pc isn't much fun.
Right now I have to use 2 types of film as my main film isn't made anymore and I have to strech the bit I still have as long as I can. But the stress that caused (and missed shots) wasn't fun.
Bille
Well-known
You just answered your own question.
segedi
RFicianado
I brought a Ricoh GR and a Holga on my last trip. And enjoyed shooting both. But I have yet to send the film out because my go-to lab shut down. And then the back-up shut down...
Digital is quicker for me, but less satisfying. I've also been thinking of selling the M 240 and picking up a M-A. Or M3. or MP. to compliment my M7.
Digital is quicker for me, but less satisfying. I've also been thinking of selling the M 240 and picking up a M-A. Or M3. or MP. to compliment my M7.
mfogiel
Veteran
As always:
B/W - film
Colour - digital
B/W - film
Colour - digital
Corran
Well-known
Mcary
Well-known
Really depends on where I was going and what I was shooting. If I was going someplace like NYC or another large city and I expect to be walking around alot I'd go with my M8 digital kit 28/50/85. If I was taking a trip that involved lots of driving around and shooting landscapes and such I'd go with my Crown Graphic with say 12 film holders and a mix of 4x5 B&W and slide film.
** When flying I figure no is going to want my old 4x5 film kits so I pack the camera/lens/tripod ext in my check bag and put the film 2-3 25sheet boxs in my checked bag.
** When flying I figure no is going to want my old 4x5 film kits so I pack the camera/lens/tripod ext in my check bag and put the film 2-3 25sheet boxs in my checked bag.
mani
Well-known
Taking just a film camera with me on vacation for the first time was the critical point which made me swop from digital to film.
Before, I'd be anxious about 'getting the shot' the whole time: checking the screen, re-taking from a few angles and worrying if maybe I should take one more. Then re-checking the shots in the hotel room, sometimes worrying if they were adequately backed-up or simply not that good, or if I needed to get some more shots of something. Then charging batteries again... And so on.
Taking just an M6 with me and one lens was like shutting a door on a frenetic freeway. I enjoyed the trip so much more, and the much smaller number of images I took, meant more to me than the thousands of meaningless shots I'd taken before.
What's more, no sterile digital color even approaches the beauty of a film like Portra in the bright sunshine.
Before, I'd be anxious about 'getting the shot' the whole time: checking the screen, re-taking from a few angles and worrying if maybe I should take one more. Then re-checking the shots in the hotel room, sometimes worrying if they were adequately backed-up or simply not that good, or if I needed to get some more shots of something. Then charging batteries again... And so on.
Taking just an M6 with me and one lens was like shutting a door on a frenetic freeway. I enjoyed the trip so much more, and the much smaller number of images I took, meant more to me than the thousands of meaningless shots I'd taken before.
What's more, no sterile digital color even approaches the beauty of a film like Portra in the bright sunshine.
Rikard
Established
Take film.
I started with digital, travelled and photographed about 30 countries. Now I can't stand the look of digital. Even after spending a lot of time trying to make them look less horrible, they still are and will remain a disappointment visually. Not shooting film during my travels are something I regret immensely.
I started with digital, travelled and photographed about 30 countries. Now I can't stand the look of digital. Even after spending a lot of time trying to make them look less horrible, they still are and will remain a disappointment visually. Not shooting film during my travels are something I regret immensely.
dct
perpetual amateur
Never had problems with film cameras on trips. But it depends: If I'm on the way to a business trip with less time for photography, I use more the digital cameras. If I'm going to holidays then I like more film gear, because the slower pace is perfect for the slower mood I have during vacancies. This was regarding travel, because the OP questioned exactly this.
In other situations I use often mixed gear.
In other situations I use often mixed gear.
chhayanat
Established
This might be of interest to some: http://mfphotography.ca/blog/
hausen
Well-known
For me it has been digital and film when I travel. 120 +35mm film. 35mm is always better for walking around but the quality of 120 in my SWC means it generally comes well. Digital is generally MM + RX-1 so becomes 4 systems very quickly.
My solution is that I am going to go 95% digital and sell MM and SWC and get Pentax 645z and take my Rollei 35s with me for some 35mm film. The 645z + 2 lenses is around the same weight but will so much easier mentally than taking 4 systems. Image quality will be similar or better to my SWC and no carrying film while travelling. Now just have to wait for my MM to return from sensor replacement and then I can push the button.
My solution is that I am going to go 95% digital and sell MM and SWC and get Pentax 645z and take my Rollei 35s with me for some 35mm film. The 645z + 2 lenses is around the same weight but will so much easier mentally than taking 4 systems. Image quality will be similar or better to my SWC and no carrying film while travelling. Now just have to wait for my MM to return from sensor replacement and then I can push the button.
David_Manning
Well-known
Travel is always complicated for photography...all the choices! I'm guilty of waffling over what to bring on trips, too.
However, if the trip is purely family-oriented (vacation), digital is now the tool for me. Camera with interchangeable lenses for the day, a P&S for the evenings (a better camera than an iPhone). I don't think about the expense of the equipment...after all, I buy the nice stuff so that I can use it on special occasions, and vacations qualify.
When I return, I can literally take the cards, run to Walmart, and print one of each if I want 4x6s, or I can sort, edit, and upload to the family Flickr account and share with extended family and friends. Also, digital will up-res easily, so I can get a really big print if there is a magical one in the bunch.
Even with digital I don't shoot hundreds or thousands of frames a day. It doesn't matter the medium...I shoot what I want to remember.
I've taken only a film Leica or Nikon FE2 before, but I always dreaded the film hangover. You know, return home with dozens of rolls, send to process, then SCAN, then all the rest of the edit/upload crap. And one time, I thought "screw it, I'll just get prints from the rolls"...about $140 later, thought I really wasted money.
As usual, just my experiences and opinion.
However, if the trip is purely family-oriented (vacation), digital is now the tool for me. Camera with interchangeable lenses for the day, a P&S for the evenings (a better camera than an iPhone). I don't think about the expense of the equipment...after all, I buy the nice stuff so that I can use it on special occasions, and vacations qualify.
When I return, I can literally take the cards, run to Walmart, and print one of each if I want 4x6s, or I can sort, edit, and upload to the family Flickr account and share with extended family and friends. Also, digital will up-res easily, so I can get a really big print if there is a magical one in the bunch.
Even with digital I don't shoot hundreds or thousands of frames a day. It doesn't matter the medium...I shoot what I want to remember.
I've taken only a film Leica or Nikon FE2 before, but I always dreaded the film hangover. You know, return home with dozens of rolls, send to process, then SCAN, then all the rest of the edit/upload crap. And one time, I thought "screw it, I'll just get prints from the rolls"...about $140 later, thought I really wasted money.
As usual, just my experiences and opinion.
rscheffler
Well-known
I agree. What's the point of acquiring such equipment if it will be left home simply as a precaution in case something were to happen to it? Isn't that what insurance is for? Will a thief know the difference (and value) between a film or digital M?
With digital your costs are mostly upfront in the price of the camera, assuming you already have and need a computer for other things. Shooting film, there is the cost of ongoing use, which of course increases if you're relatively prolific. I know with the number of actuations I've put on my M9, the equivalent cost in film (not even including processing) would have been over twice the original retail price of the camera. Granted I tend to shoot a lot, so digital makes sense for my needs. If you're someone who shoots a few rolls or less a week, then from a cost perspective, maybe film makes more sense. It also means cataloging everything afterwards is manageable due to the smaller scale, whereas I believe digital is more efficient with managing large image archives.
This is totally avoiding the whole subjective debate about which looks better, etc., which may ultimately override these cost considerations.
Anyway, my feeling is RFF is quite biased in favor of film, which is fine. Just be sure your needs are best addressed by whatever solution you choose.
Kwesi
Well-known
With a Leica M there is very little difference in operation and the sense of satisfaction one gets wether its a film or digital M. So it really boils down to which post capture process are you most comfortable with. Film or digital workflow? thats really what should determine which body you use.