Want to shoot film and ditch the digital

brucegill

brucegill

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Name
Bruce Gill
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Hello!

My first post in this lovely area. may be a long one I'm afraid!

I seem to be getting rather disillusioned with everything Digital :(
I'm using an all Fuji line up and they all perform fantastically, do as they should, have a great IQ, colour etc etc etc... But, they seem to be leaving me rather cold. The whole process does. (thought the x100t is ideally staying as I do love that camera and the images I take seem to show that)

I work as a Graphic Designer and work all day, everyday in Photoshop etc. Being honest, I loath it.

I miss that draw of old photos and negs. In reality, when on earth am I going to go through the thousand of jpegs that sit on my hard drive, looked at once and then forgotten. I'm sure as damn it I won't be sitting with my kids kids when I'm old, looking through a Lightroom catalog! (I'm 37 now and my kids are only 4 ;) ).

I want, and need to slow down in my photography. I want that beautiful grain and softness and imperfection. I want prints everywhere in my house rather than jpegs on a disk.

Sooooo, I'm looking at ditching the lot (bar the x100t if I can help it, as this can come in handy for work!).
I've always always wanted a Leica. I'd be looking at a M6 and a 35mm f2 Sumicron in a very ideal world. Though the Bessa Keeps coming up. I know I don't want an SLR, I'm not a big fan of the mirror slapping about.

Has anyone else gone all film? am I being an idiot? Any thoughts on the M6 and 35mm Cron combo?

I've got all of my Fuji gear up for sale apart from the x100t... I guess I'm just after reassurance lol.

Cheers
Bruce
 
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Yes you're being an idiot, but that's the fun of film :D :LOL:

In all seriousness though, I was in the same situation as you about 18 months ago. Sure my digital gear gave me great results, but they didn't make me "feel" anything when I looked at the images or use the equipment. I dipped my toe in and bought a Mamiya C220 TLR (like this) and everything changed after that. The look of the photos made me jump head first into the film world, and I raced around trying all the different films and formats I could. It was all so exciting and the whole process from taking a photo through to developing the film and printing it in the shed was so much more engaging than sitting at a computer importing jpegs off a memory card.

Now I pretty much only use film, and only use digital for any macro shots I might fancy. I try and tell my photography friends to give it a go, but they think I'm bonkers.

Looking forward to seeing photos of your new purchases soon ;)
 
Hi Bruce

I went through a very similar transformation about 5 years ago. The process of shooting digital was leaving me cold and I started shooting film.

Now, I use film about 80% of the time, and I love it.

I would not give up my X100s though. I use it for the odd occasion when I want a colour shot and I use it for more experimental type stuff which then often translates to my film photography.

I'd say go for it.
 
I wouldn't be without my D3100, how else would I take pictures of my proper cameras, its good for the kids they're too fast for my big cameras and its much lighter than my MF cameras. Plus high iso, etc.

Though I'm not sure I'd ditch digital for 35mm the effective quality is (arguably) lower but if you put a gun to my head and said you can have one camera, after I checked the gun was loaded and you were serious, then I'd say you cann take them all but my RB67.
 
Well I would be surprised if any filmie doesn't use a digi now and again even just for shots of gear...anyway I can't see a problem in using both (rather than putting all your eggs in one basket). A nice combo would be digi for general use and medium format for when you want to slow down and have quality film shots.
But if you want to play with DIY B\W then a 35mm camera (SLR or compact) from £5 -£20 is a cheap way to start.
 
Bruce, don't listen to them about medium format, nothing wrong with it and wonderful results, but you pay massively with the weight penalty! For me, at the moment (and this will likely change over time), a good quality manual-everything 35mm camera is the sweet spot. It lets me get to where I want to, move about easily and get the shots I want. I find the eye-level viewfinder experience works very well, including that extra brace point for the camera. Haven't (yet) got used to the left-to-right mirroring in a MF waist-level finder, and MF cameras seem way too heavy to use at eye level. Square and 6*7 formats are pretty nice, though. I wouldn't mind having an extended period with a Mamiya 6 or 7...

The limiting factor in my photography is definitely me (this is less likely to be so much the case with most others here), partly composition, partly technique (I seem to be able to remember only a few parts of technique at a time). So going MF doesn't really add anything except technical complications. Large format, that's a whole other ball game though; I can see the real advantage of the movements, but a viewfinder that's upside down as well as left to right, and even more tecnical complications, really wouldn't help where I'm at right now.

I've spent the first part of this year shooting 35mm rangefinders and TriX as part of a One Camera One Lens, One Film project (I cheated a bit and replaced the Leitz Minolta CL with a Bessa R3A part way through). I've gone back to my Pentax MX cameras, and a wider range of lenses and films, and I'm loving it, so I've put the rangefinder gear on the classifieds (cough).

Give it a go, it doesn't cost much for the gear and you'd likely get all or most of that back if you don't like it. There's a thread for film beginners/returners, see the Resources sticky in this section (I'll link it later). We all think you'll love it, everyone else will think you're nuts, you'll know they're all shallow digerati! ;)
 
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****a good quality manual-everything 35mm camera is the sweet spot****

...unless you are trying to focus on kids running around, three cheers for my AF camera (film) ;) and even for Bruce his AF digi would be handy.
 
You're not alone. I went all digital in 2003 when I bought a Nikon D100. After a few months I realised that I hated post processing on a computer and started buying film cameras - I now have seventy and have built a few.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
You're not alone. I went all digital in 2003 when I bought a Nikon D100. After a few months I realised that I hated post processing on a computer and started buying film cameras - I now have seventy and have built a few.


Steve.
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WoW seventy :eek: I work in reverse in that I choose a camera to suit a make of lens so I don't need many bodies.
 
For me personally, it was a trip to Scotland in 2009. Shooting all digital, I was with people that shot MF and LF only and didnt even own digital cameras (apart from phones, etc). My transition to 95% film took about 4.5 years, as I went digital + 35mm film, then digital + 35mm + MF, then Digital + etc etc etc, until finally ending up with a 5x4 LF camera and a 645 MF camera. I sold most of my digital lenses (14-24, 70-200, 85 1.4 etc) and now keep just my D700 and 24-70. This hardly gets a look in however apart from in the foulest of weather when the LF camera is a bit of a wind sock!

I felt exactly the same regarding the feeling empty with digital, it's just that with me the transition was slower. I don't regret a single thing about going nearly completely film and would definitely recommend it.

With regards to camera advice, I'm sticking with my usual advice, which is get the camera that feels right for you. The format is immaterial as long as it makes you happy, hence what ever camera feels right is not just the one that sits in the hand the best. I personally shoot LF because A) it's awesome, B) I too got fed up with hundreds of useless digital photos, C) I like the pace of LF, D) I like the look and feel of it, especially the connection with the photograph, and E) the quality blows most things away :D Also the weight is even higher than most MF cameras... but who cares? I shoot solely landscapes on LF and I couldn't care less about the weight.
 
Woodsy said:
For me personally, it was a trip to Scotland in 2009. Shooting all digital, I was with people that shot MF and LF only and didnt even own digital cameras (apart from phones, etc). My transition to 95% film took about 4.5 years, as I went digital + 35mm film, then digital + 35mm + MF, then Digital + etc etc etc, until finally ending up with a 5x4 LF camera and a 645 MF camera. I sold most of my digital lenses (14-24, 70-200, 85 1.4 etc) and now keep just my D700 and 24-70. This hardly gets a look in however apart from in the foulest of weather when the LF camera is a bit of a wind sock!

I felt exactly the same regarding the feeling empty with digital, it's just that with me the transition was slower. I don't regret a single thing about going nearly completely film and would definitely recommend it.

With regards to camera advice, I'm sticking with my usual advice, which is get the camera that feels right for you. The format is immaterial as long as it makes you happy, hence what ever camera feels right is not just the one that sits in the hand the best. I personally shoot LF because A) it's awesome, B) I too got fed up with hundreds of useless digital photos, C) I like the pace of LF, D) I like the look and feel of it, especially the connection with the photograph, and E) the quality blows most things away :D Also the weight is even higher than most MF cameras... but who cares? I shoot solely landscapes on LF and I couldn't care less about the weight.
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also don't forget F) using an LF camera outside makes you look bassass :D
 
:LOL::LOL:

It's true!

Inevitably, when I'm out taking photos, I'm with Nikki. People go up to her to ask them about my camera. Perhaps it's so badass they're afraid to come up to me :D

foreveralone._sm.jpeg
 
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excalibur2 said:
WoW seventy :eek: I work in reverse in that I choose a camera to suit a make of lens so I don't need many bodies.
Click to expand...

My collection was about thirty, then I inherited my fathers collection.

A couple of years ago I realised I had too many and my estimate was about sixty. Some were sold, others given away, then I counted what was left... seventy!


Steve.
 
Well I'm pleased to say digi camera makers haven't received a penny from me, but I can see a use for digi for some people, in the latest ones, for low light..IIRC can go to 52,000 ISO. There was a rumour that Kodak (many years ago) had initial suggestion\drawing board plans.... to produce film that could go that high with a new type of emulsion, but it was all ditched. Anyway you know what the net can be like for rumours ;)
 
Ahh man, I wish I had the money to own all the cameras I want. Hell, if money was no object, I'd even buy that hilarious 24x24 Ebony. Bit of a bargain at $28,000.
 
Woodsy said:
Ahh man, I wish I had the money to own all the cameras I want.
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I wish I had the money to be able to spend enough time out there shooting with all the ones I've got... sadly, keeping a roof overhead and food on the table gets in the way somewhat.
 
WOW, LOADS of replies! I'm not alone lol.... Will have a good read! Thanks so much guys. Off to make tea and sit and digest all of this... (And wait for my computer to output and upload all the images I just processed of fuji gear for sale lol)
 
I've never had a huge budget for photography (digital or analogue) and used to shoot a mix of Portrait/weddings on digital until my day job and life got in the way last year. When I stopped shooting for payment I got a bit bored with digital too so started looking into film and got dragged into this section of TP kicking and screaming ;0) Since then I tend to spend most of my time repairing/building/customising film kit which I love as a creative process as much as shooting film. The massive benefit to me of film over digital is the wealth of kit available for not a huge outlay that still deliver excellent results.

Like everyone else, I've shot my way through various formats/brands and have pretty much settled on Medium Format as my day to day cameras. At the moment that's a Yashica 635 TLR which gives the benefits of low weight, simple design and looks awesome too! Up to now I've shot with a Kiev 80 (Hasselbladski), several other Yashica TLRs, Kowa Six (awesome retro kit), Mamiya 645 Pro, Mamiya M645J (my favourite overall) and a selection of 35mm Canon/Olympus kit that I generally buy, shoot a roll of film and then realise that I prefer medium format slides over 35mm.

I've recently dropped into Large Format by way of a Polaroid 110A that I've been converting to shoot 4x5 film and I can't wait to try it out in the field. Personally, I think if you're not enjoying shooting your digital kit and can live without it, I'd say go for it. You won't loose a lot of cash if you do buy the Leica then decide it's not for you and sell it on but at least you will have scratched the itch :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
Great info and help guys, many many thanks!

I'm set on 35mm for now, and the Leica and 35mm cron is an itch that I know I will have to scratch. I'm not neciceraly sure its the right thing for me to do, but I shouldn't loose much at least.

I really want to get into developing and printing, and the 35mm looks cheapest for this, plus I want the smaller size of the cameras. The Wife just OK'd the darkroom plans in our brick built shed/washroom. Will take some work but theres a 2 meter worktop at waist height and I can get a tap in there without to many issues :)

I'm going to hold onto the X100T for a while as the wife gets fed up with me always taking b/w pictures of our twin boys. Plus some AF will be handy, and its great for my work!

I can't wait to get started.... going to take a while to build the funds though...

Both Steve's mentioned building cameras. Now that sounds RIGHT up my street!! I'll have to look into that later.

Thanks all!
B
 
Why worry about the expense of materials, go real hard core like Vivian Maier and don't develop the films. In fact you could go one step further and not put any film in in which case large format would be best.
 
I was an early advocate of digital. I now shoot less than 10% on a digital sensor. When I have to use a DSLR, I do it begrudgingly. I lost my Digital Faith. It just doesn't do anything for me - all of that burst, instantaneous, perfect, glossy imagery. Whack - a card full of hundreds of auto-perfect binary files. Doesn't do anything for me, at least not when I still have film as an alternative.

I guess that as enthusiasts, the important thing is to enjoy making images, and we all have different tastes in doing that. For some, it's digital wild-life photography. For myself, it's low budget home developed b/w film, hybrid scanned (darkroom printing doesn't attract me at the moment). I like 35mm and 120 but for very different purposes. My 35mm tends to be shot in my very battered 50p compact camera, for street, and opportunistic wandering around stuff. It's rough and ready as I like it. In comparison, 120 in my Bronica system, gives me relatively "nice" much better quality scans, although I still sometimes abuse it by stuffing it in my cheap folder (Isolette I) or even in a box camera.

You really are going to love film.
 
XA2inmypocket said:
I was an early advocate of digital. I now shoot less than 10% on a digital sensor. When I have to use a DSLR, I do it begrudgingly. I lost my Digital Faith. It just doesn't do anything for me - all of that burst, instantaneous, perfect, glossy imagery. Whack - a card full of hundreds of auto-perfect binary files. Doesn't do anything for me, at least not when I still have film as an alternative.

I guess that as enthusiasts, the important thing is to enjoy making images, and we all have different tastes in doing that. For some, it's digital wild-life photography. For myself, it's low budget home developed b/w film, hybrid scanned (darkroom printing doesn't attract me at the moment). I like 35mm and 120 but for very different purposes. My 35mm tends to be shot in my very battered 50p compact camera, for street, and opportunistic wandering around stuff. It's rough and ready as I like it. In comparison, 120 in my Bronica system, gives me relatively "nice" much better quality scans, although I still sometimes abuse it by stuffing it in my cheap folder (Isolette I) or even in a box camera.

You really are going to love film.
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Totally agree with Paul. When I can hone my scanning technique, I'd be getting rid of most of my digital kit.

Digital certainly has it's place for me but I get so much more pleasure from film.
 
excalibur2 said:
Well I'm pleased to say digi camera makers haven't received a penny from me, but I can see a use for digi for some people, in the latest ones, for low light..IIRC can go to 52,000 ISO
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For all those people who specialise in photographing black cats in coal cellars with the lights off.

sphexx said:
In fact you could go one step further and not put any film in
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I have done that a few times... but never on purpose. The frame counter on a 35mm SLR getting up to 41 is usually lets you know.


Steve.
 
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sphexx said:
Why worry about the expense of materials, go real hard core like Vivian Maier and don't develop the films. In fact you could go one step further and not put any film in in which case large format would be best.
Click to expand...

Holistic photography.
Not much to it though.
 
do you process you film images digitally and look at them on a computer screen

but being 100% film you presumably just get them printed and just look at them in hard copy form
 
BillN_33 said:
do you process you film images digitally and look at them on a computer screen

but being 100% film you presumably just get them printed and just look at them in hard copy form
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Why do you ask?
 
desf said:
Why do you ask?
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the last time I tried film .... obviously I have taken lots of film in the past as I started taking photos in the early 1960's, (and did lots of my own developing) - I had them developed locally and the images were put on a CD ........ then I put them onto my computer for digital processing ... for a number of reasons...... (do you want to know why I did that as well)

I have also tried scanning both my old negative and prints ....... been very disappointed

I still have many film bodies, from early Leicas to the M6, a couple of Nikon F1's and then the more modern Nikon film bodies

The reason why I ask ............ why do you ask that? .......... the reason why I ask ........ it's simple and it is in my question ........ why do you ask for a reason???

I really do not understand why you answer my question with a question .......... why do you ask your question?........ what do you do??

I live in France and the supermarkets are still full of film and film development .. so it is relatively easy to "take film"
 
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