Would you trade your film camera with a digital one?

Would you trade your film camera with a digital one?

  • Total voters
    456
ulrich.von.lich said:
I think there's another way to ask the question: if one day a used M9 would cost as much as a used M2, would you still be using film?

I'd say yes. But for those who enjoy rangefinder experience, how many of you are shooting film by choice?

I have much appreciated the digital instant feedback while learning the basics of photography. But now I just don't have any interest in it any more. It's hard to explain.. Let's say I used to hate to charge the battery every night.
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Absolutely shooting film out of choice, I could sell my film gear and get a Leica 8.2 with the money, or add a bit more and spring for an M9. Digital is just not interesting to me right now, maybe one day it will be, but at the moment an M9 is no more attractive to me than a Canikon.

I think the big reason for me is the enforced lack of chimping from me or others, and the desire to get it right first time. Also just experimenting with different films is fun.
 
ulrich.von.lich said:
I think there's another way to ask the question: if one day a used M9 would cost as much as a used M2, would you still be using film?

I'd say yes. But for those who enjoy rangefinder experience, how many of you are shooting film by choice?

I have much appreciated the digital instant feedback while learning the basics of photography. But now I just don't have any interest in it any more. It's hard to explain.. Let's say I used to hate to charge the battery every night.
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Why do you assume that just because a person decides that for small format photography digital is a better choice for them that they've decided to completely give up film?
My general position on shooting film is That if you're going to take the time and effort you might as well use the largest format that is practical for a given situation. So for me 35mm is rarely the first choice.
 
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Neare said:
I'm just going to throw this one out there in saying that everyone who chose "Yes." don't own or use film cameras. 🙂
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No, it is just some of us prefer digital... even after years of film. The only reason I use film ever is that I like certain film cameras.

Now, for my own generalization: I have a feeling that many young people who are using film these days are new to film and prefer the novelty of film (to them) to the status quo of digital.
 
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x-ray said:
Depends on the camera I was trading and for what camera. Also depends on what I would use it for.
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Exactly, Don. Of course, this "value and function" principle would apply to a Pro or a Hobbyist. In my case, the value is less pertinent than the functional aspect, for I would want to be sure I could achieve the look I want with the digital tool.
 
Would you trade your Leica for a M8 or M8.2 or even M9

No. Maybe in a couple of years, when sensors have 16bit/color dynamic range, and when new cameras with combined optical/digital RF/VF will be available. I would also like batteries to hold for a few hours of shooting, at least.

Roland.
 
Trade? Straight up? Sure, the day they ship a IIIDigital :angel:

William
 
I can't part with any cameras that I own despite the fact that I only rarely use film. Thinking of selling my 1950s vintage Rollei TLR . . but then I've had it since the fifties so it's hard.

The only one I sold was Contax T3. I never got used to it and went back to my Rollei35.

I fear that they will get thrown in the junk bin when I go to that great photo op in the sky 🙂)
 
Not only would I, but I have. I put off buying a digital camera for a few years mainly on the grounds that earlier digital cameras were too pricey and simply not technically good enough.

But all that changed with the Nikon D70 (and I suppose comparable cameras by Canon) that came out around 5 years ago. Suddenly, very competent cameras were available at a price most could afford.

And in that time my photography has gone from strength to strength. I now can take many more shots (although I never was a spray and pray shooter and still am not) and this allows me to experiment and learn. Also I can readily post process on my PC - I never had the ability to own a dark room so this was never an option before.

So apart from a few favourite cameras that I still keep and pull out and use very occasionally, I am almost exclusively a digital shooter. And while I have until recently had to focus on using SLRs as this was pretty much all that was available for serious digital shooters I am now in the process of buying a Leica M8 to use with my Leica glass.

For me digital has been LIBERATING and I would never go back.
 
I would trade for an M9, not an M8x....
But, I would need to trade 4-5 Ms (I only own one M though 🙁)to avoid any money exchange.. (A used M9 obviously)


EDIT 5 years later:

NO, better to get a Leica DRF every 5 years or so... to keep up with current tech...If you are in that group that can afford $5k or so on one camera body...
I talk as a hobbyist with a very limited income.
Pros or others who have been successful financially have no issues with this kind of expense.
After all... Leica has always been targeted with those that are financially well off with their quality and pricing.
No disrespect....
 
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I have a M2, a M5, and a Bessa R. All work perfectly and function great, though the R is missing the self timer lever (which I never use anyways). I'd trade any one of them for a digital M camera, be it an Epson or an M8.
 
I would trade my M7 for the M9 and then sell the M9 for a lot less than it going price and then buy me an ala carte m7 or mp 😀 (and an used 50 summilux)...
 
DNG said:
I would trade for an M9, not an M8x....
But, I would need to trade 4-5 Ms (I only own one M though 🙁)to avoid any money exchange.. (A used M9 obviously)
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EDIT:

I'd sell my Pentax K20d gear and my M5:
If....
A DRF was introduced in the $2500.00 Range in a heart beat.
The M8.2 is in this range, but, I'd like something that has no production goof that has a requirement of extra filters. Sheesh! Or I'd do it now! (Talk me into an M8.2, if I am over reacting here)....
Zeiss DZ1? Bessa RD-2 (10mp-14mp) 1.3 Crop
 
If I never handle a DSLR again, that would be quite fine with me. I've been around the digital block many times, however I've never owned a digital rangefinder. I can't imagine ever giving up on film, so my M4, M6 and M7 are staying with me. Honestly, I am quite happy with film, and only have 2 big dissapointments since the digital era has entered - the demise of Ilfochrome prints and Kodachrome film. As of now, the allure of the M9, for me anyway, really isn't there but I have to confess if it were in the $2-3K range, I might bite, just to check it out. Maybe I'll rent one just to satisfy my curiosity....
 
I wouldn't trade. I truly enjoy my film cameras, and don't mind scanning at all, despite the time suck that it is. Photoshop is wonderful, and I really love being in the darkroom. Photography-- in my world-- means film, one way or another.
 
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