Anyone going BACK to film? Just bought 1N...

So, like many other people around here, I started shooting digital a few years

ago. It seems like I'm constantly "upgrading" to new equipment, and I've had

to teach myself to get used to the smaller FOV (and less-pleasing bokeh) on the

crop-sensor bodies. Well, I've been picking up some old film bodies here and

there to play around with, and I happened upon a mint 1N with booster for next

to nothing. This thing is a tank! It makes me yearn for the 1Ds, but my bank

account keeps telling me no :)

 

I've shot a few rolls with this thing already, and the results were fabulous.

It has me seriously thinking about adding film back into my arsenal for paying

jobs. So my question is, for all you folks that have been shooting digital,

have you thought about going back to film (even partially), or have you already

done this?

 

Hopefully I don't get hooked on this stuff just as film becomes totally

obsolete!

<p>I shoot digital in only two situations: when it's required, and that's usually when the people I am shooting for have tight turnarounds; or when I'm short on cash and can't afford film processing. That said, I absolutely <em>love</em> shooting with my EOS 3 and my Mamiya RB. Recently I've picked up a Yashica GSN and am having fun with my first rangefinder.</p>

<p>And with film equipment prices dropping like crazy, now is a great time to buy into it. On top of that, the EOS 3, 1N and 1V are dirt cheap bodies compared to weather sealed DSLR bodies!</p>

Film will never be obsolete in our or our grandchldren's lifetime.

 

Yes, film bodies are cheap right now. But, as manufacturers reduce the number of film bodies available, look for used film cameras prices to level out and for the pro bodies to actually rebound a bit.

 

The enormous number of film bodies extant in the world eliminates the possibility for film's demise. The choices will change, but the demand will always be sufficient for film to remain available.

Never left...<p><img src = http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3931660-lg.jpg><p>EOS 1n, 50/1.8

Even though i have the fantastic 5D, i've recently added a Nikon F100, Contax G2, and i'm

trying to use the Hassy and Rolleiflex more often. I never 'left' film, but i did think i would be

shooting primarily digital. But, now i think it's going to be the opposite.

I have lately. I've fallen in love with Medium Format and I've been on a buying spree for

film

cameras. I've mostly been using a Holga which I've gotten some really good results with

and

it's just a $20+ camera. I also picked up a Yashica Electro 35 GSN as well, Patrick. Can't

wait

to develop my first roll! My most current purchase is a Lomo LC-A+ and a Yashica Mat

124-

G. I love film and I wouldn't say I hate digital, but it's just not as fun for me right now. I

like the imperfect results I get from the Holga most of all.

<p>

Here's a couple photos I've taken with the Holga which I think turned out well.

<p>

Holga120GFN | Kodak Tri-X 320:

<p>

<img src=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1164/557465318_fcede76572.jpg>

<p><p>

Holga 120GFN | Kodak Tri-X 400

<p>

<img src=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1047/567782634_a98b700943.jpg>

<p>

Holga 120GFN | Kodak T-MAX 400

<p>

<img src=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/555277628_2de3e96ab2.jpg>

I never left film. I've had briefly an EOS Rebel, then for a year an XT, and later an XTi. I sold them all and remain using film. I just can't leave film since that is the workflow Im used to and I know what to expect shooting it.

Hi

 

yes, I've rationalised my system, although I'm not giving up on digital, nor did I actually ever leave using film (I use 4x5 too). I did sell my 20D though. My reasoning was that for the money I'd lose on keeping it, I would be able to buy shitloads of film and a better scanner than I have now. Also, I can not use my 430EZ flash with the 20D in a meaningful way.

 

I found a few things that brought me back to owning a 10D.

 

Rarely I find myself doing something which is action / sports and a 300mm lens. The ability of the DSLRs (like 10D / 20D) to work at 400 and give good images is astounding. I was asked to photograph an indoor kart racing day and found that I missed the digital.

 

Then I did an indoor part of a funeral service. The colour balancing of my negative on scans proved more annoying than I'd expected (fluro lights and ambient light prefered)

 

If you don't take many pictures per year, its cheaper to just keep the film body going (its not worth much to sell) and let the others take the hits on DSLR depreciation.

Not me, I switched for good. Personally, I see no reason to use film for my work.

Never left either. I use digital most of the time for its convenience and the superior results I get (before anyone retorts yes I am sure that some of you get better results out of film than digital, but I don't). But film is fun, and there is a kind of pemanancy about hearing it wind through the camera with each shot.

 

Over the last few months I have picked up three pentax bodies and some manual lenses cheap on e-bay which are great fun. I am also looking to pick up a Elan 7n in good condition to replace my EOS 300, which is now long in the tooth.

Never tried it, Cause i'm young enough not to own a film camera , be it P&S os slr, BUt I might try it someday.

I got given a yashicamat 124 G and two pentax SLRs with lenses recently (thanks!) but I'm struggling to find the motivation to use them...

 

Any words of wisdom?

I first started out with a 20D and although I was happy with it, I couldn't get the FOV wide enough without shelling out for a majorly expensive lens. I was also concerned that many of the fantastic images were taken with a 16MP 1DS2 or the like. There's no way I could afford that so I decided that my next upgrade would be to a 1V (which I think is basically the 1D for film. I can scan the negs to far greater than 16MP so I count myself at an advantage.

 

Shooting film also FORCES me to think more about my shots, rather than shooting off a load and hoping for a decent shot or two out of it.

 

I took the camera on a recent trip to Ecuador using Velvia 50 and the results blew me away!

 

Only problem is that neither my 18-55 Kit lens or the 55-200 Sigma lens I got for the 20D would fit - Both EF-S (or equivalent) so I just invested in a 17-40L and 70-200L4IS which are simply excellent.

 

I still use my 20D to check on the composition and lighting angles of my shots but for the money shots I always use the 1V.

 

cheers,

Guy

I never left films (mainly B&W, which is, IMHO, far away better than digital)

 

I agree with Guy that you have to think more about your shot when shooting films.

I found that my pictures are better when I use film for that reason.

Just playing devils advocate here.

 

What do you think you can do with film that you cant do with digital?

 

I see a lot have a lower spec canon, I'm not sure you should be comparing a film camera to

a low spec Dslr. They are so different you may as well compare to a point and click.

 

Also, just because you have digital doesnt mean you have to be phlegmatic with your

shooting style, or at least I dont have too.

 

With a little time and patience needed to learn the new way to take photo's you will be

turning in the same results. Thats the point though, you do need to re-learn a lot of

technique.

 

Of cause if your talking going back to medium format thats a different ball game but

again, I cant see why you would think about replacing file medium format with digital

35mm

>>There's no way I could afford that so I decided that my next upgrade would be to a 1V (which I think is basically the 1D for film. I can scan the negs to far greater than 16MP so I count myself at an advantage.<<

 

If cost is a concern a 5D will give you excellent results.

"What do you think you can do with film that you cant do with digital?"

 

I like to spend time printing in the darkroom. It's relaxing and fun. I shoot digital, too, but I don't enjoy computer time as much as darkroom time.

The biggest advantage is instant acress to color pictures.

 

Monochrome is easily developed. Color is a pain to mix in very small quantities and then to develope at high temp. The other choice is to drive somewhere, leave the flim, go back for it, or wait. Not fun either.

 

If you travel by air, digital will save a lot of problems.

 

I get nice prints from either and love my KM 5400 scanner.

I'm another "filmie". I spend my entire day in front of a computer, so in my spare time computers are the last thing I want to see. For me, nothing beats agitating the tray and seeing the image gradually appear in front of my eyes.<br>

Besides, no computer monitor or inkjet print will ever come close to a perfectly exposed and projected slide.

I'm going back, at least for now: my 1DsII is off to Canon for its second shutter replacement. Fortunately, I still have a Contax 139, Zeiss primes, and, in the freezer, several rolls of Reala, NPH, and Ilford XP2. It should be fun, but I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't have to. I prefer the complete control digital gives me.

Mostly film. Large Format Velvia landscapes, 645 Velvia landscapes, and 35mm E100VS....landscapes. I did pick up an XTi to play around with digital or for the time the images aint worth spending 4x5 chromes on. Kinda a fun toy.

 

But when the light is right-it's 4x5 time.

I am re-introducing film to my photographic workflow. I still have a hefty supply of Tri-X and some other films. I replenished all my photo chemistry over the weekend. I am buying a film scanner. I got tired of having my film cameras sit unused. Last week I was in Ocean City, Maryland, on vacation and shot color negative film only. I didn't miss digital (I have a 10D). I like digital, but I didn't miss it like I missed shooting my 1N and MP.

 

I'm not a journalist. I'm not on a deadline. I like shooting film.

 

Michael J Hoffman

"But when the light is right-it's 4x5 time" . . . ray locke

 

"and shot color negative film only. I didn't miss digital . . . Michael.

 

Amen, Hear, Hear.

 

Yes I just bought a 5d and a couple of pieces of glass. I think the digitoy is a pacifier for me when I can't get away for serious multi-day landscape trips with the 4 x 5.

 

A total digital workflow is not a substitute for my large format work. I acquired it for a different type of shooting.

"digitoy?" 5D?

Never completely gave up film...just kept thinking "the right tools for the right job".