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I have returned to film completely. I have so many superb film-burners that I want to explore. Only in special circumstances would I pick up a digicam. I have a Leica M3, a Nikon F, and a Rolleiflex 3.5 F. Who could ask for anything more? How can I ignore such machines when I want to go out shooting? Anyone else in this position? I even have a Speed Graphic for LF! And a Minox for spying!

I have my damnable phone which can document suspected prowlers.

 

Otherwise, I don't own a pixel pimping "photographic" device that depreciates at $1,000 per year.

 

I do, however, have a curio cabinet lined with 35 functioning jewel-like film photography art creating devices.

 

Troglodytes Unite!

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I had a Nikon D50 and a D200. Both fizzled out. Both, admittedly, were secondhand and had high shutter counts. I also owned two film cameras that plotzed, and one was the Minolta SRT 101. I bought it heavily used; it gave good service before the shutter jammed. The other was a Nikon FM2 I bought new. The shutter quit. I could afford a new shutter installation, so I had it done. Oh, once the film advance lever came off! Marty Forscher put it back gratis. The camera is reliable now, albeit 39 years old. Some people claim the FM2 is tough, but I know better. Lessee, I had shutter failures on a a Minox 35GT and a Contaflex II. No surprises, really. All the rest of my many film cameras hang in there.
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I have my damnable phone which can document suspected prowlers.

 

Otherwise, I don't own a pixel pimping "photographic" device that depreciates at $1,000 per year.

 

I do, however, have a curio cabinet lined with 35 functioning jewel-like film photography art creating devices.

 

Troglodytes Unite!

LOL. Perhaps PN could put this on its home page, assuring it will forever remain a bastion of crusty old men who can’t conceive of times changing or doing things differently, a site that likely deserves the slow death it’s in the throes of.

 

Beware the Neoterics! :eek:

"You talkin' to me?"

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Ages ago some advertising company put out a TV commercial titled "Different Strokes for Different Folks". Suzuki bombed in the motorcycle surge of the 70's, but my mix of vintage mechanical film cameras and of the last few years, semi top end digital offerings keeps my sanity going in these Covid times and even gets some of the "younger crowd" asking me about "what is that " when the Fed's & Zorki's are up. At 78 I have not regrets ! Aloha, Bill Edited by Bill Bowes
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Ages ago some advertising company put out a TV commercial titled "Different Strokes for Different Folks". Suzuki bombed in the motorcycle surge of the 70's, but my mix of vintage mechanical film cameras and of the last few years, semi top end digital offerings keeps my sanity going in these Covid times and even gets some of the "younger crowd" asking me about "what is that " when the Fed's & Zorki's are up. At 78 I have not regrets ! Aloha, Bill

In about early October, I was up on Mt. Rainier with my current 4x5 outfit. I saw two twenty-something Asian Americans toting cameras that didn't have a preview screen on the back, so I asked what they were shooting.

 

"M2s! Both of us! I've got a 35mm Summilux and she has a 28mm Voightlander f/2.0." They were shooting some sort of newfangled color print film I didn't recognize, and now can't recall.

 

I've passed along about a dozen cameras to students and friends. Lots of young folks like to give it a try, especially when equipment is essentially free. Gotta keep demand going somehow so I can live out my life with this silver coated celluloid....

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I have all of my old film cameras, and have "collected" ones that were important in my life at some time or other, but got rid of previously. I never shoot film though, even though I still have a whole lot in the freezer. In my opinion if you are after images rather than fiddling with lenses and caressing metal and leatherette then digital is really where it is at, but if others want to indulge themselves then I am happy for them. If I still had a darkroom I might even shoot some 120 film again, but I don't so I am not even tempted.
Robin Smith
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I have all of my old film cameras, and have "collected" ones that were important in my life at some time or other, but got rid of previously. I never shoot film though, even though I still have a whole lot in the freezer. In my opinion if you are after images rather than fiddling with lenses and caressing metal and leatherette then digital is really where it is at, but if others want to indulge themselves then I am happy for them. If I still had a darkroom I might even shoot some 120 film again, but I don't so I am not even tempted.
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I know. I have a few scanners, and digitize my analog stock occasionally using my macro/slide copier set up. But taking new analog shots is just not for me. The results are better, quicker and cheaper with digital. To me the only pleasure I would get out of film would be if I was to go back into the darkroom to print black and white prints, and realistically I cannot see this happening.
Robin Smith
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I still get chill's down my spine when my black & white negs come out of the developing spot on ! The switch to pyro staining developers was the hall mark event that (for me) assures repeated results. The ease of my Epson's in the scanning process now allows the wet lab to be replaced with digital prints. Costco does OK with "proofs", custom labs for high end carbon prints. Same for digital work with the X-e1's. Try it Robin ! Aloha, Bill
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Robin, get a Rollei and a roll of 120

You will forget about digital. Nowadays you can edit the shots without keeping up a darkroom.

Forget about digital...?

Until, of course, it comes time to share those images with someone, or even view them as positives.

 

Then out comes the digital scanner, or the high-res digital camera that's needed to turn those 'pure analogue' pictures into a digital file for editing, printing or posting on the web.

 

If the end result is going to be a digital file, then why go through two totally unnecessary conversion generations to get there?

 

Unless it's more about stroking old cameras and getting attention doing so, than taking actual pictures?

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Forget about digital...?

Until, of course, it comes time to share those images with someone, or even view them as positives.

 

Then out comes the digital scanner, or the high-res digital camera that's needed to turn those 'pure analogue' pictures into a digital file for editing, printing or posting on the web.

 

If the end result is going to be a digital file, then why go through two totally unnecessary conversion generations to get there?

 

Unless it's more about stroking old cameras and getting attention doing so, than taking actual pictures?

A scanned square medium-format negative, scanned at high resolution, is over 30 megapixels. A person who already owns film gear can get to that point t with just a scanner.

.

Is there much difference?

Probably not.

.

True story:

Around 2012, I answered a call for entries for a Photo contest at Toledo (Ohio) Museum of Art. I entered 3 photos, all 3 of which the museum printed, matted, and displayed.

.

One was created using a digital SLR, another using a Rolleiflex, and another using a Widelux. Neither the museum nor the opening reception cared about the tools or the process; only the result.

.

I enjoy using film cameras, But not to the total exclusion of modern gear.

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I have returned to film completely. I have so many superb film-burners that I want to explore. Only in special circumstances would I pick up a digicam. I have a Leica M3, a Nikon F, and a Rolleiflex 3.5 F. Who could ask for anything more? How can I ignore such machines when I want to go out shooting? Anyone else in this position? I even have a Speed Graphic for LF! And a Minox for spying!

 

Who could ask for anything more? You would, if time=money.

 

-- Don -who owns 2 film Leicas, a 6x6, 6x9, and a Speed Graphic- Essedi

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I love using b+w film over digital. Tried digi many years ago but simply didn't enjoy it. Also try and use all my film cameras from 35mm to 16x20? inch (though I have only used 11x14 in it). The next one to be used again is a Bronica ETRSi that hasn't been used for almost 10 years and I'm also going to try 35mm again.

Last holiday I took a Mamiya tlr, 3 lenses, filters, tripod, light meter. It did get some funny looks but I enjoyed it and there are some framed prints on the wall from it. So far this year I have printed negs from 35mm, MF (6x6) and LF (4x5).

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I know it is difficult. I know it is expensive. I know it needs care and maintenance. I know it requires knowledge and study. I know it needs patience. But frankly I DON'T CARE. I like shooting film, and as much as there will be film, paper and chemicals available I will continue doing so. I don't want to always rationalize which one is better, more accurate, higher in resolution or quality: if digital or analog. I like shooting analog and I dislike shooting digital, end of the story. I don't find any fun in digital photography. Better doing what makes us happy rather what others recommend us to to or follow. I don't need to follow anyone. ;)
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I rarely shoot digital.. and onmce the works scanned or digitzized ...well it is digital. In a previous post in this thread " ..."rather than fiddling with lenses and caressing metal and leatherette.......... but if others want to indulge themselves then I am happy for them....." I think this fits me. Indulge me :)
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I rarely shoot digital.. and onmce the works scanned or digitzized ...well it is digital. In a previous post in this thread " ..."rather than fiddling with lenses and caressing metal and leatherette.......... but if others want to indulge themselves then I am happy for them....." I think this fits me. Indulge me :)

Or, to put it another way. This forum is titled Classic Manual Cameras. Those cameras would be the subject that the forum participants desire to discuss.

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