Do you still use film?

[skylane]

I like the convenience and immediacy of digital capture photography but I love the intimacy, character and longevity of film capture photography. I know it's not all fun and glamour with film. Dark room processing can be tedious and you always have to take care around toxic chemicals. I use both, however, like all digital/electronic devices digital camera bodies are disposable products that won't last beyond 10 years for consumers and more like 5 years for pro's, compared with generational use for quality film bodies. Any thoughts? Do you use film still? Why? 

 

I eliminated my darkroom years ago and now use a dark-bag kit. Very small and functional. 

 

A couple of photographs I took with film. 

 

[.spider.]

I am completely uninterested in film.

[TheMastr13]

YEA FILM IS LYFE

[skylane]

I am completely uninterested in film.

Any reason why? 

[Sharif]

If film cartridges were free and it automatically printed the shots 

[skylane]

If film cartridges were free and it automatically printed the shots

Glad you made that point. I actually think film is cheaper in the end than digital, even considering cost of film and print. I've done breakdowns of my own usage for both and film is considerably less expensive specifically because of the disposable nature of digital bodies. I've owned dslr bodies that cost $3-4k when they came out that are literally worthless now.

I know that my current digital body - D800E - will be worthless in 8 years. That's $3.5k over 10 years of use. I also bought $1k worth of film I keep in a deep freezer. That will last me over 10 years and the $2.5k difference invested over 10 years would more than double that money.

[Sharif]

Glad you made that point. I actually think film is cheaper in the end than digital, even considering cost of film and print. I've done breakdowns of my own usage for both and film is considerably less expensive specifically because of the disposable nature of digital bodies. I've owned dslr bodies that cost $3-4k when they came out that are literally worthless now.

Also availability is getting worse my Dad's Nikon F3 cartridges were literally impossible to find (Over here) 

[skylane]

Also availability is getting worse my Dad's Nikon F3 cartridges were literally impossible to find (Over here)

Very true. I keep thousands of dollars worth of film and plates in a freezer.

Great body btw. Does he use positive or negative film? Should be easy enough ordering online for both, although positive 35mm is becoming harder to get in bulk.

[.spider.]

Any reason why?

It's cheaper, quicker and easier to edit, higher resolution compared to avaible consumer color film, change the film to change the sensitivity...

[skylane]

It's cheaper, quicker and easier to edit, higher resolution compared to avaible consumer color film, change the film to change the sensitivity...

Digital

1. Not cheaper

2. Yes quicker to edit but editing process is the same

3. Not more resolution unless you're using a medium format digital backplate

4. Yes digital ISO is more versatile for unplanned shoots

[skylane]

I would say the biggest negative with 35mm film is color negative film sucks. It always has. Unless you have equipment to process and print yourself developers such at it. Color positive slides are great though.

[.spider.]

Digital

1. Not cheaper

For me it is by far.

3. Not more resolution unless you're using a medium format digital backplate

Kodak Gold resolution is just ~100cycles/mm

[skylane]

For me it is by far.

Kodak Gold resolution is just ~100cycles/mm

Agree completely that 35mm color negative is inferior in resolution compared with modern dslr. But then again no one is going to use either a 35mm format - film or digital - for resolution critical work. Medium format will be used with both.

[DigitalHermit]

Yep... because I can't afford a DSLR at the moment...

 

I only use it for compositions though... because using it at an event is almost impossible... since the subjects are spoiled by the magic of digital photography...

[techswede]

I haven't used film in ages. And sadly i still have some rolls that i've forgotten to develop.

What i really miss are these cameras though.

They were the coolest thing ever back in the day

[.spider.]

But then again no one is going to use either a 35mm format - film or digital - for resolution critical work.

But the resolution is still higher and higher resolution is always nice to have so it's still a point for digital.

[skylane]

I haven't used film in ages. And sadly i still have some rolls that i've forgotten to develop.

What i really miss are these cameras though.

They were the coolest thing ever back in the day

I still bring instants to events and parties for friends. There's something magical when people see film develop in front of them and they can hold on to it and take it home. Makes great keepsakes.

[techswede]

I still bring instants to events and parties for friends. There's something magical when people see film develop in front of them and they can hold on to it and take it home. Makes great keepsakes.

When we first got one people were amazed that the pictures appeared so quickly^^

[ShadowCaptain]

I occasionally shoot film on my T70, but only for fun and nothing critical or anything serious

[Sharif]

Very true. I keep thousands of dollars worth of film and plates in a freezer.

Great body btw. Does he use positive or negative film? Should be easy enough ordering online for both, although positive 35mm is becoming harder to get in bulk.

I have no idea,I don't know much about analog camera for obvious reasons =>

 

Edit

I talked with my dad he is like there isn't any Positive film,I am confused =S 

[Northmountain]

I still use a lot of film, both a bit of 35mm and lots of medium format.

[Silvercall]

I shoot both film and digital.  Film for personal stuff as I like the whole process and look.  I shoot both 120 film and 35mm (prefer 120).  Luckily, I live in a city where its fairly easy to find film/photography stores and I process my own B&W and can afford to get my color neg processed at a local lab.  I love Portra 400! I think that film is great  For B&W I've been using HP5 and Tri-x.

 

Headed to Europe this fall...  I have to decide if I'm going to lug around my MF camera or the much smaller 35mm camera....

 

 

 

[Captain_Slow]

I don't use film because of post processing. 

 

if, on the other hand, you use dslr to shoot jpg and dont do post, i dont know wtf you are doing.

[skylane]

I don't use film because of post processing. 

 

if, on the other hand, you use dslr to shoot jpg and dont do post, i dont know wtf you are doing.

I use an Epson V800 to scan and PP film. Not much of a hassle for me. 

[Major_JF]

I use digital for my semi-pro work. because in a photoing day I will take anywhere from 300 to 1000 shots.  If I had to change rolls every 24 to 36 shots it would greatly reduce my max output.  That and it is going to be for web use only anyway so it saves the scanning time.

 

I do love the idea of photo plates for high quality shots.  They are on the experimental side but have a 2.5 Giga-pixel equivalency.