Loving my film cameras

Mozziephotography

Mozziephotography

Messages
1,869
Name
Stephen
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been using film for the past 18 months and haved enjoyed every minute. Too many film cameras bought, some of which have failed, but love every single one of them. People buy me film instead of socks or underwear and I save on postage by sending off at least three films at a time. I'd happily cope without my digital cameras, apart from snapping runners at local events. The lastest batch of scans came back from Filmdev and I'm over the moon with the results. Not epic images, but I'm certainly pleased with the results. Love film ... a lot.
 
I like film but there are lots of things I do with my cameras that wouldn't be practical with out digital.

My mirrorless cameras allow me to focus adapted lenses that don't have enough rear focal distance for an SLR, though I suppose my 5x4 does too,

Some allow me to easily record infra-red (barely possible with film)

With digital I can attempt shots of transient events like this (A friend shooting at 60fps only had the fine spray in one shot in the middle of a sequence.):
full


Digital's instant feedback helps considerably with many challenging subjects

With the amount I shoot I can't afford for it to all be on film, though I certainly couldn't afford to shoot medium format & large format in (non stitched) digital either. I've picked up multiple film cameras in each of those for under £150 each. With a bit more work I should be able to get the cost per shot of large format below £5.
Digital backs for 5x4 have probably dropped considerably in price since I checked, but back then they were more than my house - I doubt I'll shoot enough 5x4 to come close to breaking even there!
 
I like both. There’s more variation in films and cameras so it’s never quite so much the same.

Don’t think there’s quite a digital equivalent of a 6x9 medium format pinhole.

Decided to dust off the A99. The SD card was from 2014! Only done about a 1000 shots with it in all the years I’ve had it. Ive shot more film in the same time. Daft really.
 
It's not helpful to polarise and create opposition - both are valid methods and should be used as preferred or applicable to the situation. Analogue and digital shouldn't be made to fight each other.
 
It seems to me that if film presses your buttons, then you should go for it.

Although I still have 3 film SLRs and the tools to develop, the chances of me loading and using a roll these days is vanishingly small. Perhaps someone will finally build and sell the (so far) mythical digital film cassette and I'll be able to use those old cameras. ;)
 
I do use both. With 60 years of developing and printing film behind me I find the process of film far more satisfying and far more fun. I did try to convert fully to digital at one point but missed the excitement of watching prints 'come up' in the developing dish.
I could do without digital but I wouldn't want to do without film.
 
I usually carry both my digital and film camera on trips.

And then find myself shooting more on film. Maybe its the novelty of the shooting technique that draws me in?

I do worry about losing photos due to my old used F90x and/or the film itself. Maybe I should learn to just accept that?
 
I use both but these days I'm medium format only for film, I still have 3 35mm cameras but can't see me using them again for that size of negative area I much prefer digital but for bigger I prefer film. As Toni (@ancient_mariner ) says there's no need for the two to be exclusively opposites, there's certainly room in my life for both.
 
Well I love shooting film but I'm probably like a few here who have run out of subjects to shoot o_O.....what would I do with a slr or mirrorless digi camera that could take 50,000 shots when I have a job getting through 36 exp on film :rolleyes:
 
One of my Om-3’s is used to digitise the negatives. The other is used with one of my primes when I go out and it’s raining. I shoot digital like film, no chimping. The screen is always facing inwards.
The Pentax 17 got me back in to film, I get more pleasure from shooting film. The only downside is developing multiple rolls in one go, as I did the other day. I can’t leave them sitting, got to do them all. Especially when all of the kit is all spread out on every part of the kitchen.
 
Apologies to anyone who thought that I was trying to start a "war" between the two camps, I wasn't. Just loving the experience of film and the slowness it brings to my photography. I'm usually snapping runners, returning home with well over 1,000 images to sort through. No matter how good they are, it can become tedious.

Digital image - local race

Mozzie_Pentax MV 40mm pancake_2_June 01, 2026.JPG


Holiday snap - Pentax MV 40mm pancake lens - Fuji 200

Mozzie_Pentax MV 40mm pancake_1_May 29, 2026.JPG

The second one gives me far more pleasure than the first one. Daft I suppose.
 
Mozziephotography said:
Apologies to anyone who thought that I was trying to start a "war" between the two camps,
Click to expand...
I honestly didn't see it as that, I love that people enjoy using film and I often watch some YouTube street guys who use film Leicas.
Personally I'd like to try again but lack the patience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top