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Those of you who shoot 35mm slides.


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<p>I shoot both 35mm and medium format E6. When I lived in Pittsburgh, I sent my film to Praus Productions in Rochester, NY. They were reasonably priced, had quick turn around, and did a superb job at processing and handling the film. I recently moved to the Texas Hill Country and use Holland Photo in Austin. They also do superb work and are very quick. They have a mailing system using small self-addressed cardboard boxes for film. It works well. When traveling requires the use of mailers, I'll use Dale Labs in Florida. I can recommend these labs with confidence. <br>

My favorite part of photography is projecting slides, especially medium format. <br>

Jerry</p>

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<p>I still shoot slides because I love to project them. In my opinion, nothing tops projection. Colors are so vibrant, images are very sharp and no post processing is needed. And then there are the film cameras themselves, which I still really enjoy using.</p>

<p>I also use a digital SLR, but the majority of time I treat it like my 'funcam'. There have been a couple of occasions when I have taken it as a serious method of image capture. But when I like to get serious about my photography, I almost always use slide film.</p>

<p>Regards, Steve.</p>

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<p>I continue to shoot stereo (3D) slides with vintage 1950s cameras. IMO, no digital 3D display has yet matched the impact of these slides as seen with a good viewer. The "you are there" feeling is overwhelming, impressing even every pro photographer who sees them. Mostly I've been using Kodachrome, but have been drifting toward Astia as the end of K-chrome approaches. <br>

Even projecting them (with polarizing glasses like at the movies) has a profound effect. Though great results can be accomplished digitally these days, there's nothing like the basic simplicity and purity of a projected transparency. I'll be shooting slides as long as possible.</p>

 

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<p>Like Hillary's post, I frequently use a Kodak Stereo camera.<br>

I can't afford to switch to digital now. Eventually my stereo shots will be scanned to digital for use with the promised new HD 3D monitors. Also, I use slide film in my Minolta occasionally when I know there will be enough of a single subject for projection.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>I am from China and through one of the largest forum I found this thread. I used to have several digital small cameras (such as LX-3, Canon A70, Canon Pro-1 and so on) and DSLRs (such as Nikon D80). I have to admit that the digital cameras are very convenient, especially for us who do not have enough time in going to the photo shops. However recently I picked up one Chinese made very old SLR. It is primitive compare to modern cameras, but I enjoyed so much. Now I have found that more and more China's 80s and 90s had already left digital cameras aside and bought second hand cameras, such as M3, M6, Mamiya, Phenix series, Seagull DF, Agfa super Sillette, Contax T2, etc etc.... By using these cameras they've created magnificent and although may not be perfect but unique photos that modern light-medium DSLR could not compare. Moreover, the price of shooting with slides and old SLR is still cheaper compare to the body of such as 5D Mark II and lenses such as Nikkor 24-70/2.8G...But the effect is the same or even better. <br>

<br /> Thank you all guys for reading my craps and enjoy your life with your most handy camera (which's the essence of the photography :-) )<br>

<br /> <strong>Seagull DF-2000A + 24-70mm/3.5-4.5 + Fuji Superia 200 + Fuji Frontier 570</strong><br /> <img src="https://bpwlzw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1mrsZ4mMS1ieH1J_cPRdcUCsFZ8xJUNiHgnoxsho2WgpsTB5U49bfJyKSobamIKme6Q3Mf0XzrtW0L2YF0zZ9uZQ6bptd5bhb1WFAN_oN041vcKvrT94qppPBcHVUzlpbq6OSVWUMyBd_fQQNjiYbq4A/000042_1024_thumb[3].png" alt="" width="600" height="403" /></p>

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<p>My film cameras came with a "normal" perspective lens, none slower than f/1.8, that produce very sharp slides; digital cameras come with a heavy zoom, none faster than f/3.5, that produce images of so-so sharpness. Several big-name digital camera manufacturers still don't even make a fast normal prime lens, and those that do want as many dollars for the lens as they do for the body AND the kit zoom. Does that make sense?<br>

My film cameras were manufactured out of metal about 20 years ago, and are still reliable today (true, they have had some maintenance over the years) - how many of the digital cameras sold today will still be working 20 years from now?<br>

I can't justify retiring my perfectly serviceable Japanese metal and glass, and going into debt for Chinese plastic that won't take any better pictures than what I'm getting now - with equipment that was paid for long ago.<br>

So for a non-professional who has limited funds to spend on my hobby, shooting slides is mostly a matter of economics, but also of esthetics. I enjoy the fine materials, craftsmanship and elegance of a classic manual camera, as well as the simplicity of operation. By searching out used equipment, I was able to put together a kit of two bodies, 3 primes, and a zoom (all Pentax) for less than what a good digital body would cost today.<br>

And when I want to see my stuff projected at 50"x50" my old Kodak Carousel still makes pretty - have you seen the prices of digital projectors? I can buy a lot of chrome film and E6 processing for what it would cost me to "upgrade" to digital. With my film scanner and Photoshop I can fool around with digital post-processing, while still enjoying my classic cameras in the field.</p>

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<p>RE <a href="../photodb/user?user_id=829026">Larry Dressler</a>:<br>

The answer is: YES!</p>

<p>There are still two major film makers, naming: Lucky and Gongyuan (Era). Lucky is much bigger, while in my personal opinion Gongyuan's B&W (and the only product of it) is more beautiful (they imported Fuji technique in 1980s and mixed with domestic techniques) </p>

<p>Lucky films (colour):<br>

<img src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1000/20080926/001ec949ffcb0a46ba530b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /><br>

B&W:<br>

<img src="http://61.129.34.106/zhjp/tuwen/A_013/IMG_9888.jpg" alt="" width="602" height="402" /><br>

Gongyuan (Era) films<br>

<img src="http://img02.taobaocdn.com/bao/uploaded/i2/T1y1VXXeFsXXbcCOg7_065109.jpg_160x160.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="141" /></p>

<p>Price is still very cheap: $1 - $1.2 per roll.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, even Kodak and Fuji film cannot fight against the digitalization of all photography industry from kids camera toys to professional top-end makers such as Nikon and even Leica. For this reason, the two Chinese big film makers have stepped near an edge of bankruptcy only because government wants to save it could it survive. It is a "lucky" for all Chinese though, that we still have our "own" film industry which is very important. </p>

<p>Fujifilm also has a redistribution centre in South West China who is dedicated to produce Superia 100 and 200 film, but we also could see films from Vietnam recently. </p>

<p>Generally speaking all kinds of films are much hard to find. In medium cities there are hardly any shops who are selling them, and to print them out in a fine quality level is also proved very hard. Ppls have to use ebay (or ebay's powerful Chinese competitor whose name is Taobao) to purchase from Shanghai or Beijing bigger shop, and mail them back for a developing, and then waiting for another mailing back of one scanned DVD plus slides. Cheaper way would be purchasing a no-cheap film-scanner and scan by himself after developing (such as me)</p>

<p>Though, there are still a few very famous shops in Shanghai who has proved themselves very successful when whole film industry is dying. Name: Shanghai Elite, Shanghai Green, Beijing Xiangshenghang. etc. I've seen so many foreigners who brought their lomo cameras into these shops. </p>

<p>Once again, as a courtesy to all friends and masters of films here, A film-photo is presented below (A salute when we post or reply one thread in Chinese photography forum)</p>

<p><strong>(Vanta G-5 + Luxitar 28-70mm/f3.5-4.5 + Lucky 100 + CanoScan 8800F)</strong></p>

An old carpenter is hired for a major renovation of ancient Huishan town in Wuxi city before applying for Unisco World Heritage

<p><img src="https://bpwlzw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1m_6V8MlU4FRxdHJ6m9Y83JVC6ajDVRO0i_YijFe7N6Hv6dOpap15MVUE_wkrWw5cGhVCveKtYX30MxnxfEszq3qtb3NrqWeFihCD_98P59SRj5-8IjaaCFb2POdnRmn4Lic9VA9yT8IdcBb6geHhcdQ/%E6%9C%AA%E6%A0%87%E9%A2%98-9_1600[12].jpg" alt="" width="600" height="418" /></p>

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<p>Dear <a href="../photodb/user?user_id=569570">Gary Wright</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, </p>

<p>I agree with most of your words, except for this:</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p><em>I can't justify retiring my perfectly serviceable Japanese metal and glass, and going into debt for Chinese plastic that won't take any better pictures than what I'm getting now - with equipment that was paid for long ago.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>It is Nikon or Canon who has invested into China (also Vietnam and Indonesia) and built up digital camera / lens lines, not Chinese camera makers. Chinese lens makers (such as Phenix) used to manufacture fine lens which can be comparable against (some type of) Karl Zeiss lens, but were crushed by Japanese giants in 1980s because of its relatively small scale. Remember, it is Japanese giants who brought these cheap plastic into China then pushed all over the world, not Chinese. </p>

<p>The Chinese all know Kodak, Leica or Zeiss history, so please read some history of China film industry before you post any words like above. No offence.</p>

<p>Photo: Japanese-USA hot baby Leah Dizon used a Chinese made Seagull Twin-lens reflex in Africa</p>

<p><img src="https://zuwdaa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1msRhQOWs69vFxHx6J0Q0xMdi_Wsn42e7w-Jm0gEo8RvYcRFwNGJbLiD2p9bAR_agMZWW-fUwFsn39nCJHbTftnGHaVTFloMrmQRbxiHOzM36vyUGkYVk1X5ylL3AgVrO-LO8rB3kBpwzXpiCjK_UGYw/%E8%8E%89%E4%BA%9A%E8%BF%AA%E6%A1%91%E5%92%8C%E6%B5%B7%E9%B8%A5%E7%9B%B8%E6%9C%BA_thumb.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="750" /></p>

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<p>John Shen,</p>

<p>No offense intended, and none taken. </p>

<p>It was not my intention, John, to criticize China or the Chinese people in any way. I'm sure we Americans are equally responsible for substandard products - wherever they are manufactured - by demanding ever cheaper prices. We are too willing to ignore some ugly truths about pollution and exploitation in order to get our daily fix of cheap stuff, and that makes me sad.</p>

<p>The point I thought I was trying to make is not so much that the Chinese (and Vietnamese and Indonesian) cameras are bad, but that my 1980s era Japanese cameras are good - and, more importantly, paid for. And because they were paid for in 1980s dollars, they look like a bargain compared to the new plastic cameras I see in the stores today.</p>

<p>Because I became a photographer during the 1970s, the weight and feel of satin aluminum and blackened brass have a way of pushing my nostalgia buttons in a way that plastic does not. When I was coming of age "Plastics" was a joke punch line in a movie (The Graduate).</p>

<p>I admit it - nostalgia makes no sense - the esthetics of the camera exterior has no effect on the esthetics of the image - and it's all about the image, right?</p>

<p>But when I add up esthetics, and economics, and image quality - the scales tip in favor of film - at least it does, for me, for now.</p>

<p>I think you must know what I am talking about, or you wouldn't be showing me a picture of a Seagull Twin-lens reflex - unless you are really showing me a picture of a hot babe - in which case we are still talking about esthetics, right?</p>

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<p>Dear Gary,</p>

<p>I think the divergence came from the unintentional ignored carelessness that might indicate and intimate the link between perfectly serviceable metal and glass with Japan, and plastic won't work with China. It is not fair. That is why I wanted to contest, gave proofs, and tried to correct. For other parts I am on your side.</p>

<p>Sincerely</p>

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