Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Oh and we all are 30, give or take 1 
kuzano
Veteran
One more thought... Imagine if you will?
One more thought... Imagine if you will?
Twenty years from now, this overheard in a coffeeshop......
"Wow, 626, 820, Minox spy film, Kodak disc, 110, APS, Digital,...Where did they all go?"
OK with me. I could just use the income from teaching digital for a couple of more years... about the time digital implodes and disappears.
One more thought... Imagine if you will?
Twenty years from now, this overheard in a coffeeshop......
"Wow, 626, 820, Minox spy film, Kodak disc, 110, APS, Digital,...Where did they all go?"
OK with me. I could just use the income from teaching digital for a couple of more years... about the time digital implodes and disappears.
JohnTF
Veteran
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JohnTF
Veteran
Probably the same price as a gallon of gas, if we are lucky. ;-)
At least we can bulk load film, save those cartridges.
J
snip
Established
I'm 29 and started out with a digital P&S and a 35mm SLR around, maybe 5 years ago or so. I now have a 5D and a 1V, quite a lot of EF glass, mostly L stuff, I have a Voigtlander Rangefinder, Hasselblad outfit, A couple of 70's manual SLR's a couple of TLR's and a whole galaxy of fun and cheery "lomo'ish" plastic camera's including a holga and a Diana, wide angle and 135 modifications for those and also a Toyo View-G 4x5 view camera. I develop my own B&W and E-6 in a jobo processor but has sadly never been in a darkroom, I am desperately applying for the evening course at the local college every year and every year I get my money refunded because the course was cancelled due to lack of subscription. I scan and print my negatives digitally and have labs make prints, sometimes if I feel flush I get a commercial hand printer to knock out a silver/gelatin or two for me. Unfortunately it is not viable for me to attempt to build my own darkroom due to lack of space and a non-understanding wife.
I like using my 5D but I much prefer using my film gear.
I like using my 5D but I much prefer using my film gear.
flippyot
Vagabond
I'm 24 and got started with photography when I joined the military back in '03. I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for a year an a half and was like, 'You know I might want to have some pictures to show the family and my buddies back home.' I went on eBay and found a nice Bessa R with a Heliar 50mm. I'm currently waiting on a Leica M6 .85 classic to reach me here in Athens, Greece so I can give my Bessa R3A (and yes my holga) a rest. I love the shots with my Bessa and my Holga, the colors from my holga are vivid and fun while my Bessa takes the ’classics’. And honestly I think my Holga took better pictures of the Old City in Jerusalem.
Pictures with film are earned; pictures with digital are just taken.
Pictures with film are earned; pictures with digital are just taken.
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JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
I continue to be surprised at the interest shown in film photography, especially black and white, by kids. My 9-year old grandson and his friend stayed the night this last weekend. Of course, my grandson is used to my film photography; it's rather ordinary, perhaps boring, to him. But his friend was fascinated.
I had several rolls of 35mm HP5 to develop, using HC-110 direct from the syrup. His friend was fascinated by the whole process of loading the reels in the changing bag (I gave a 'play-by-play' description of what was happening inside the bag); mixing the chemicals; explaining each process step, what the chemicals did to the film and why it was important; and finally the finished product, 2 strips of negative images hanging to dry. Next, he wants to see the process of printing in the darkroom. With proper encouragement, I can imagine another film 'convert' in the making.
My point is that each generation rediscovers the world all over again, as if from scratch. They don't necessarily stand on the shoulders of their forebearers. They don't have the benefit of our hindsight. And rarely do they take our lessons to heart; they have to learn them for themselves. Film will get constantly rediscovered, as long as the materials are available. That's our job to ensure.
~Joe
I had several rolls of 35mm HP5 to develop, using HC-110 direct from the syrup. His friend was fascinated by the whole process of loading the reels in the changing bag (I gave a 'play-by-play' description of what was happening inside the bag); mixing the chemicals; explaining each process step, what the chemicals did to the film and why it was important; and finally the finished product, 2 strips of negative images hanging to dry. Next, he wants to see the process of printing in the darkroom. With proper encouragement, I can imagine another film 'convert' in the making.
My point is that each generation rediscovers the world all over again, as if from scratch. They don't necessarily stand on the shoulders of their forebearers. They don't have the benefit of our hindsight. And rarely do they take our lessons to heart; they have to learn them for themselves. Film will get constantly rediscovered, as long as the materials are available. That's our job to ensure.
~Joe
Jason808
Established
I was all ready to write something pithy but I'll just write some snippets as to why I think there may be a resurgence in youth using film, just random personal thoughts and some things I've heard while on a photo-club "photowalk."
1. No different than the people who get joy in using so-called primitive processes, taking a pic with digital is "easy," while film is harder, more of a challenge.
2. Many people spend their day in front of a computer, photography for many is recreation and they don't want to spend their free time in front of a machine. I can relate to this personally. Even scanning film gives me more of a feeling that I created the work, despite not having made the emulsion, cameras, lenses...
3. It's hip and kitschy. Look at some TV commercials.
4. One thing for me...no chimping. Take the shot and go on. It's nice when doing some PBWA (Photography By Walking Around, taken from LensWork's Brooks Jensen) to just keep walking, enjoying and finding new opportunities instead of walking around with my face staring at the back of the camera. One friend loves shooting at parties, and just doesn't like the gang of people trying to look at the back of the camera.
5. Film has an aesthetic, one that is either mimicked to varying degrees of success with PS plugins or in camera JPEG style settings. Why not take the easy route and just shoot film, especially when you can get a CD with the pics for very little extra.
6. A little bit of useful pressure - if I'm going to pay 20 cents everytime I push this button, I'm going to make it count.
7. I know where my negatives are as well as the 4x6 and the CD. Recently, I was going to reprint one of my all time favorite photos and I THOUGHT I had a digital file backed up several times, but after searching two hard drives, I still can't find it. My digital organization isn't at the level of Sports Illustrated's, but I do have semi-pro workflow system.
8. The Rolex vs. Timex argument. The Timex tells time more accurately, but there's something special about that mechanical Rolex. Pro Digital is just way the heck out of most budgets, yet pro film equipment has that wonderful feel of quality and is within reach and still produces great results - it has elegance.
I'll admit I love both digital and film. For my weekend work, I shoot motorsports and wouldn't dream of going back to film. I like my DSLR for night, high ISO stuff as well. For personal stuff including family, I shoot a candid, "street" style, DSLRs are obtrusive (even small ones) and P&S digitals are too slow - a film SLR or better yet - a Rangefinder - works great.
1. No different than the people who get joy in using so-called primitive processes, taking a pic with digital is "easy," while film is harder, more of a challenge.
2. Many people spend their day in front of a computer, photography for many is recreation and they don't want to spend their free time in front of a machine. I can relate to this personally. Even scanning film gives me more of a feeling that I created the work, despite not having made the emulsion, cameras, lenses...
3. It's hip and kitschy. Look at some TV commercials.
4. One thing for me...no chimping. Take the shot and go on. It's nice when doing some PBWA (Photography By Walking Around, taken from LensWork's Brooks Jensen) to just keep walking, enjoying and finding new opportunities instead of walking around with my face staring at the back of the camera. One friend loves shooting at parties, and just doesn't like the gang of people trying to look at the back of the camera.
5. Film has an aesthetic, one that is either mimicked to varying degrees of success with PS plugins or in camera JPEG style settings. Why not take the easy route and just shoot film, especially when you can get a CD with the pics for very little extra.
6. A little bit of useful pressure - if I'm going to pay 20 cents everytime I push this button, I'm going to make it count.
7. I know where my negatives are as well as the 4x6 and the CD. Recently, I was going to reprint one of my all time favorite photos and I THOUGHT I had a digital file backed up several times, but after searching two hard drives, I still can't find it. My digital organization isn't at the level of Sports Illustrated's, but I do have semi-pro workflow system.
8. The Rolex vs. Timex argument. The Timex tells time more accurately, but there's something special about that mechanical Rolex. Pro Digital is just way the heck out of most budgets, yet pro film equipment has that wonderful feel of quality and is within reach and still produces great results - it has elegance.
I'll admit I love both digital and film. For my weekend work, I shoot motorsports and wouldn't dream of going back to film. I like my DSLR for night, high ISO stuff as well. For personal stuff including family, I shoot a candid, "street" style, DSLRs are obtrusive (even small ones) and P&S digitals are too slow - a film SLR or better yet - a Rangefinder - works great.
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Shelley-Ann
Girl Wonder
I started out with a DSLR in 2006, but by summer 2007, I was trying out film cameras. I now have about 7 of them.
Digital is great, but for me, there is something really special about film. I buy film almost obsessively, and to be honest, I use film cameras about 60% of the time, but medium format and 135.
BTW, I just turned 36 (much to my dismay).
Digital is great, but for me, there is something really special about film. I buy film almost obsessively, and to be honest, I use film cameras about 60% of the time, but medium format and 135.
BTW, I just turned 36 (much to my dismay).
kuzano
Veteran
I just donate 4 SLRs to the local Community College
I just donate 4 SLRs to the local Community College
I had my Olympus OM-1 for sale (purchased here by another RFF'r), and the instructor for the B&W film course at the college where I teach community ed classes emailed me. She asked if I didn't sell the camera, would I consider a donation to her class. I put together a package of 4 camera/lens kits... 3 Minoltas and a Sigma.
When I met with her, I asked about the interest level in the classes.
The college has one B&W class per quarter. Credit classes.. not community ed. They cap the class at 15 and always have a wait list. There are also a couple of other film classes for credit hours.
I find this interesting and encouraging for film. I know that 60 B&W new users a year doesn't seem like salvation for film, but there's more interest than some may be aware of in the market.
I just donate 4 SLRs to the local Community College
I had my Olympus OM-1 for sale (purchased here by another RFF'r), and the instructor for the B&W film course at the college where I teach community ed classes emailed me. She asked if I didn't sell the camera, would I consider a donation to her class. I put together a package of 4 camera/lens kits... 3 Minoltas and a Sigma.
When I met with her, I asked about the interest level in the classes.
The college has one B&W class per quarter. Credit classes.. not community ed. They cap the class at 15 and always have a wait list. There are also a couple of other film classes for credit hours.
I find this interesting and encouraging for film. I know that 60 B&W new users a year doesn't seem like salvation for film, but there's more interest than some may be aware of in the market.
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aizan
Veteran
film is the real deal, what else is there to say?
rolleistef
Well-known
I'm 20 and I use film - I've always used film. I used to use digital (and I've got a rather nice Fuji F100 for basic work) but my DSLR was stollen so I stopped.
This was a completely renewal for me. When I went to britain I decided to take 3 cameras : my new Agfa Isolette, my Rolleiflex and a digicrap.
The digicrap was highly used for sure, but I ddidn't have that many good shots. The Isolette was used for one roll because 120 film is getting pretty unavailable in Britain, especially B&W and the colour rolls were too thick for the camera.
The Rollei ate 3 1/2 rolls in two weeks and was very happy, and so was I with the results. In the meanwhile I bought a correctly working Minolta X700 for the SLR job, along with a flash and a 35-70. I had already got plenty of Minolta glass and it was the reason of the choice.
I have to tell that there is nothing funnier than using a 28mm on a big VF and 1600-pushed bw film. Try this with a 5D...
As for the Rolleiflex, square format rocks! And you cannot get any contact with the people with a DSLR because it's big, black and common.
This was a completely renewal for me. When I went to britain I decided to take 3 cameras : my new Agfa Isolette, my Rolleiflex and a digicrap.
The digicrap was highly used for sure, but I ddidn't have that many good shots. The Isolette was used for one roll because 120 film is getting pretty unavailable in Britain, especially B&W and the colour rolls were too thick for the camera.
The Rollei ate 3 1/2 rolls in two weeks and was very happy, and so was I with the results. In the meanwhile I bought a correctly working Minolta X700 for the SLR job, along with a flash and a 35-70. I had already got plenty of Minolta glass and it was the reason of the choice.
I have to tell that there is nothing funnier than using a 28mm on a big VF and 1600-pushed bw film. Try this with a 5D...
As for the Rolleiflex, square format rocks! And you cannot get any contact with the people with a DSLR because it's big, black and common.
Attachments
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sienarot
Well-known
I guess by your definition, I'm "young" at 28!
Yes, I do use digital for "work" related photography where volume is involved, but almost all my personal photography is done with film. The big push for me to go from all digital to mostly film is it feels real. Digital is just too sterile and lacks any character without any major post processing. I find it humorous that people edit their digital photos to look like film photos anyways. I also really enjoy using all mechanical film cameras so that when I get a great shot, I got that great shot, not some computer.
Yes, I do use digital for "work" related photography where volume is involved, but almost all my personal photography is done with film. The big push for me to go from all digital to mostly film is it feels real. Digital is just too sterile and lacks any character without any major post processing. I find it humorous that people edit their digital photos to look like film photos anyways. I also really enjoy using all mechanical film cameras so that when I get a great shot, I got that great shot, not some computer.
kuzano
Veteran
Even digitals want to do film... NOT a Plug....
Even digitals want to do film... NOT a Plug....
The Fuji S100FS (the FS stands for film simulation) is getting mixed reviews.
Fuji has made quite an effort to simulate the saturation of Velvia, with a setting for chrome. Now the company has dedicated a camera to simulation of other emulsion.
I've used a number of Fuji's with the Chrome feature, and they still look digital to me. I think that's what younger people are experiencing.. the real differences in dynamic range plus a rebellion to the corporate theme that with digital, you need a new camera 2-3 times a year.
You still can't get an image from a digital camera that has the dynamic range and can be hung on the wall without Post Processing more than film development and enlargement, without some characteristic that screams digital.
Even digitals want to do film... NOT a Plug....
The Fuji S100FS (the FS stands for film simulation) is getting mixed reviews.
Fuji has made quite an effort to simulate the saturation of Velvia, with a setting for chrome. Now the company has dedicated a camera to simulation of other emulsion.
I've used a number of Fuji's with the Chrome feature, and they still look digital to me. I think that's what younger people are experiencing.. the real differences in dynamic range plus a rebellion to the corporate theme that with digital, you need a new camera 2-3 times a year.
You still can't get an image from a digital camera that has the dynamic range and can be hung on the wall without Post Processing more than film development and enlargement, without some characteristic that screams digital.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Yes, but what is it?
I refer to it as an 'airbrushed' look (which is why I normally prefer digital for soft focus shots).
Has anyone else a better definition?
Cheers,
R.
benlees
Well-known
I started learning more seriously about photography this year, my 37th- the dreaded ''middle'' age grade, to get a bit more control over the end results. Using film was a no-brainer as good cameras are cheap and so is film. As I have progressed (debatable!) I really enjoyed using old cameras and different formats, but have come to the conclusion that digital for colour work, for me, is the way to go. I only shoot b&w film now and will start to develope my own soon- I hope. For colour, I have used c41, Sensia, Velvia, and Kodachrome and have been wowed by them all (especially Kodachrome). Strangely, I am also wowed with digital. I have said this before, but it is amazing that it works so well- and will only get better. I bought a Pentax k200d in July and have already paid for it in terms of film/developement costs compared to how much colour film I had been using. Of course, cost isn't the most relevant aspect of it all: I am just as happy with images from the K200d as I am from my MX.
Next to my K200d sits the Minolta Autocord loaded with HP5. The Autocord has a wonky shutter that doesn't even fire if the focus is closer than 7 feet! Should get it fixed but it still such a pleasure to use. It is small(ish) and quiet. People think you are a surveyor when you use it- am contemplating getting one of those safety vests when I venture out!
Digital vs film to me is silly.
Next to my K200d sits the Minolta Autocord loaded with HP5. The Autocord has a wonky shutter that doesn't even fire if the focus is closer than 7 feet! Should get it fixed but it still such a pleasure to use. It is small(ish) and quiet. People think you are a surveyor when you use it- am contemplating getting one of those safety vests when I venture out!
Digital vs film to me is silly.
-doomed-
film is exciting
I'm 24 now and i just kind of stumbled into film. Wondering what the hell a rangefinder was i took a ride to my local camera shop and saw the canonet that i ended up buying. I take it everywhere, i love how simple it is as well as its size. Shooting with my 20D is easy and i can fire off a bunch of shots and delete what sucks, i cant do that with film. Since film requires one to actually stop and think, compose the scene and then get the exposure right.
I actually read your article in shutterbug about the new leica summarits. That article made me look at what a rangefinder is , granted i ended up buying the canonet, i then bought a bessa R2A and cannot wait to shoot with it.
Film is exciting to me , learning to take the time and really think about the shot makes this a more enjoyable hobby to me. I like my DSLR for its ease of use and its ability to let me be lazy , these film cameras have me full on.
I actually read your article in shutterbug about the new leica summarits. That article made me look at what a rangefinder is , granted i ended up buying the canonet, i then bought a bessa R2A and cannot wait to shoot with it.
Film is exciting to me , learning to take the time and really think about the shot makes this a more enjoyable hobby to me. I like my DSLR for its ease of use and its ability to let me be lazy , these film cameras have me full on.
martin s
Well-known
Hey you guys, I'm 19 years old and I've been shooting for the past few years. I started off w/ a Canon EOS (?) when I was 14, in school. That was a mandatory class, pretty uncommon for a German school. I used to develop and print my own stuff and I hated it. I have since moved to San Diego (High School) and back to Germany (Business School). I used to have a Pentax k10d, but sold it just to get a Canon AE-1 a few weeks later. Well what was next.. Yep I gave the AE-1 to a friend, just to get a Mamiya DX 1000. I've been shooting with that camera for some time now, and on Saturday I ordered my first m6. Now things have changed, I love going to the darkroom and shooting film. I actually convinced a few people of using film cameras as well, instead of going the all-digital route.
Love to be here,
martin
Love to be here,
martin
regularchickens
Well-known
I'm 27. I started attempting to learn photography last year, and the camera I started with is my great-grandfather's old Nikon Photomic FTn. I've since bought a Leica M2 (yes, I got in over my head a bit early), but the F is still one of my favorite cameras to use. I adore slow-speed black & white film when light permits me to use it, and for everything else there's Tri-X or HP5.
I started out by taking film to a local lab for processing and scanning. I am lucky enough to have two nearby that do black & white processing inexpensively. Later, I started developing film at home and bought a Nikon film scanner to complete my workflow at home. I've been to a local darkroom several times, but as it's fairly expensive to work there by the hour, my time there is limited. Once I have the room, I want to set up a darkroom for printing at home, as the silver prints I've made are prettier than any digital print of my work I've managed to produce.
I've grown up with computers and completed a computer science major in college, so one might expect that I'd be on board with digital 100%. I do have a DSLR, but the experience film gives me is so different from my usual day-to-day that it's extremely satisfying. I'm tapping into a store of knowledge that's much older than me or the computers I use - not to mention, I'm using cameras up to nearly twice my age. That means something to me when computer technology is so disposable.
I keep flirting with the idea of getting into medium format, but I always come back to reality by reminding myself that I have a lot yet to learn with 35mm.
I started out by taking film to a local lab for processing and scanning. I am lucky enough to have two nearby that do black & white processing inexpensively. Later, I started developing film at home and bought a Nikon film scanner to complete my workflow at home. I've been to a local darkroom several times, but as it's fairly expensive to work there by the hour, my time there is limited. Once I have the room, I want to set up a darkroom for printing at home, as the silver prints I've made are prettier than any digital print of my work I've managed to produce.
I've grown up with computers and completed a computer science major in college, so one might expect that I'd be on board with digital 100%. I do have a DSLR, but the experience film gives me is so different from my usual day-to-day that it's extremely satisfying. I'm tapping into a store of knowledge that's much older than me or the computers I use - not to mention, I'm using cameras up to nearly twice my age. That means something to me when computer technology is so disposable.
I keep flirting with the idea of getting into medium format, but I always come back to reality by reminding myself that I have a lot yet to learn with 35mm.
David Goldfarb
Well-known
At the Photoplus Expo here in New York last week there were quite a few student groups, and I'd say they were the majority of people I saw with film cameras on their persons at the show. I spoke quite a bit with Patrick DelliBovi from Freestyle, and he said the Holgas were getting lots of attention, as well as the new "Blackbird Fly" 35mm plastic TLR from Japan. The coolest camera at the show was the new Holga 6x12 Pinhole camera that just came out about a week ago (alas, the Fujifilm 667 was not to be found). Check out the scene at the Freestyle booth--
