Photography: Film or Digital? - Writers Forum

papertears · 05-10-2008, 12:06 AM

I learned to take pictures using a 35mm camera. My parents had me developing the negatives and black and white prints in a darkroom before I was 13. A year later I even learned how to do color printing at the local university.

Fast forward to 2005 when I bought my first digital camera and tried to make the change. The guy who sold it to me was very sure that it would make taking photographs so much easier. He went on and on about how the software it comes with has auto correction for people that don't know how to use cameras--I'm assuming he meant people that don't know how to use digital cameras, because I can't find the f-stops, where you change the speed, etc... Even with the software it came with, I can't "correct" to my taste. It feels like cheating too.

Aside from one friend, who switches between a very nice 35mm Nikon and a fancy digital camera, the advice is overwhelmingly that there is absolutely no reason anyone would ever pick up a film camera again regardless of why they take photographs.

I am more of the middle of the road. I see uses for both, and that you can't replace one with the other because there is always some feature missing.

I need to replace my now washed, spun and rinsed camera, which was a fairly cheap, not waterproof, and digital instrument--that I could never get to focus.

I'm leaning toward going back to a film camera after not being able to get the digital camera and software to perform. I don't have a place with a dark room right now though.

Most of my pictures are used for memories and scrapbooks, though occasionally I do like to take black and white pictures for gifts--I would never charge anyone. At the camera store I was told I'd regret having to carry around film (as if it weighs so much more when you're carrying the camera, lens and tripod?) again when a little memory card can hold so much more information.

I'd appreciate the pros, the cons, and such. I've seen a lot of nice photography from some of you folks!

JosephB · 05-10-2008, 12:54 PM

It depends on personal reference. I have a Nikon digital, one that I bought so I could use all my old lenses. I use it for work and for convenience.

I also have several film cameras and enjoy shooting film. I grew up in a home that had a darkroom. I don't have one now, but I would like one.

I like to shoot with all manual settings using film. It's challenging and fun. I also have a hight end scanner and I can digitize my images as well.

I shoot 2/14 roll film also and have a 4 x 5 that uses sheet film. I just like the old fashioned way and I like the tactile experience.

But I'd say for most people, digital is the way to go. It's just a lot more convenient. And, I think best of all, you shoot more. And the more you shoot the more likely you'll end up with good images.

As far as the end result is concerned, I can get everything I need with a digital and more. I just like the idea and feel of film.

Sunny Rabbiera · 05-10-2008, 02:07 PM

well by all accounts digital can surpass analog in cameras, as its easy to use and storage media is getting better and cheaper these days.

A Vaulter's Insanity · 05-10-2008, 02:12 PM

Are we talking one which one is better? Or which we prefer? I personally love both. Film seems so much more personal to me, as it takes more time and effort to get that perfect shot, and you cant take it a million times if you dont get it the first time. It takes real skill. But with a digital, its nice to know that you have all those extra chances of getting that perfect shot. And with photoshop (which ISNT cheating) you can fix anything basically.

As for f stop on a digital...I have no clue. Im sure if you get a nice enough camera theyll have an option somewhere in there. Otherwise ive never thought about it.

Modest Me · 05-10-2008, 02:13 PM

I am certainly -not- an expert, and I've only used digital cameras.. But I would kiss the feet of the person who gives me one of those old cameras.

I want to be one of those people who develop their own photos. I want my own dark room. I want it all.

Sure digital cameras are convenient.. Their fun to play with.. But still, theres something about the old way.. it just appeals to me.

Plus, on my digital camera, I end up deleting most of my pictures.. Pictures that in the future I'm sure I'll regret getting rid of. I know it would be different if I had the other kind.

papertears · 05-10-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

It depends on personal reference. I have a Nikon digital, one that I bought so I could use all my old lenses. I use it for work and for convenience.

I also have several film cameras and enjoy shooting film. I grew up in a home that had a darkroom. I don't have one now, but I would like one.

I like to shoot with all manual settings using film. It's challenging and fun. I also have a hight end scanner and I can digitize my images as well.

I shoot 2/14 roll film also and have a 4 x 5 that uses sheet film. I just like the old fashioned way and I like the tactile experience.

But I'd say for most people, digital is the way to go. It's just a lot more convenient. And, I think best of all, you shoot more. And the more you shoot the more likely you'll end up with good images.

As far as the end result is concerned, I can get everything I need with a digital and more. I just like the idea and feel of film.

Oh wow, you posted some great info here that I didn't know. I must not be looking in the same price range--I haven't seen any digital cameras that were compatible with the old lenses--that is sweet.

Perhaps I need to look at better digital cameras. I see people all over with these tiny cameras that fit in their purse/pocket. I assume they're able to get the same quality of photos I used to with my folk's film cameras. Those definitely didn't fit in the pocket.

Perhaps I just bought a bum digital for my first camera.

How much time you spend with the software/camera to simulate darkroom effects? For instance to make a shot look sephia (spelling?) if you've done that?

Thanks Joseph and everyone!
~pt

JosephB · 05-10-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

I haven't seen any digital cameras that were compatible with the old lenses--that is sweet.

My Nikon lenses actually work on a Canon EOS body using an adapter. I'd invested a small fortune in those lenses and wanted to keep using them.

Mike C · 05-11-2008, 05:57 PM

I made the switch to digital after being a long term film user. For many reasons, though the biggest was probably "I want to spend a lot of money on a new gadget".

Previously I'd had an Olympus OM1, which is fully manual, and an OM2; I could use the manual camera and focus almost as fast as an automatic, I knew it inside out, and I loved it. I also had a darkroom and loved printing my own stuff.

Life goes on. I no longer am able to justify having a whole room devoted to photography, nor the time to run a darkroom properly, and I have a spangly new gadget. Is there a difference? Yes, a few, but 99% of people will never notice the difference. The biggest plus for me is cost - no film. I can take 200 shots of the same thing, if I want to, and I don't have to wait for them to be processed to see results.

There are some excellent digital compacts out there if you don't want an slr, Papertears.

papertears · 05-11-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

My Nikon lenses actually work on a Canon EOS body using an adapter. I'd invested a small fortune in those lenses and wanted to keep using them.

Ooooh. I bought a magazine about cameras.

I'm going to need to rob a small bank to finance the setup I like. How sweet things can be though if you go both ways!!! I could be back in a dark room with slippery fingers in no time too! Joy!

papertears · 05-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I made the switch to digital after being a long term film user. For many reasons, though the biggest was probably "I want to spend a lot of money on a new gadget".

Previously I'd had an Olympus OM1, which is fully manual, and an OM2; I could use the manual camera and focus almost as fast as an automatic, I knew it inside out, and I loved it. I also had a darkroom and loved printing my own stuff.

Life goes on. I no longer am able to justify having a whole room devoted to photography, nor the time to run a darkroom properly, and I have a spangly new gadget. Is there a difference? Yes, a few, but 99% of people will never notice the difference. The biggest plus for me is cost - no film. I can take 200 shots of the same thing, if I want to, and I don't have to wait for them to be processed to see results.

There are some excellent digital compacts out there if you don't want an slr, Papertears.

I am so on the fence here!

People keep making excellent points both ways.

Paying for film, carrying it around and taking the time to set up the shots doesn't bother me. Ohhhh but the idea of some other fellow getting his grubby fingers on my negatives and then printing them out for me, as if he knows how long I want them exposed drives me bonkers!

I also don't like borrowing someone else's darkroom. If I want to develop and print at 3am in my holey pjs because I feel inspired, thats part of the fun...

I just don't see how hardware/software can replicate the darkroom and film. I don't want to name the brand/model of my former digital camera, but it was worse than those one time use cameras people put on the tables at weddings--the point and shoot things.

I read the manual for the camera. I read the software manual. I have a degree in software and 20 years experience breaking computers. Yet this one software program it came with to "auto correct" my digital photos only made them look worse!? My friends who get paid to take photographs couldn't even figure it out, so I can't blame myself totally. (To be fair, I don't have Photoshop at home, and won't steal it, I never tried that.)

joifulartist84 · 05-11-2008, 07:57 PM

I really like the feel of film cameras. Adjusting aperature, f-stop, then being able to dodge and burn in the dark room; it's hard to top that sort of control.

I never got as into film as I would have liked. The way I take pictures, I'll spend a couple hours or days shooting whatever, use half the roll of film then I won't take any for a year. By then I've forgotten whether or not I had film in the camera. So I end up exposing the roll or I forget which side of the film goes up; something always goes wrong. I actually ripped a roll once trying to rewind the darn thing. I can't load or unload film to save my life.

For my college graduation present, I asked for a digital that would let me have most of the control of a film camera. I got a nice Canon EOS that all my family members chipped in for. I have a 18-55 mil lense, a 75-300 lens, a star filter, polarizing filter, even a tripod.

It has a built in flash and a remote flash. It takes excellent pictures and I like the automatic settings (landscape, potrait, action, etc). I love not having to wait to see if I got the shot; I know right away if I didn't get it.

Is it a good substitute for being in a dark room? Probably not (I'm not sure, I haven't been in the darkroom too much), but then I haven't figured out what most of the settings do; and what I can't do Photoshop probably can.

LionofPerth · 05-11-2008, 10:38 PM

Not having done this for many years, but I prefer the good old fashioned black and white film over everything else.

I was taught it at school, and it was one of th best courses I took. Not only did you learn about the camera, and all of the little tricks you could use to get a photo, but some of us actually made..... is it composite shots, where you get two negatives, and merge them together?

It was fun, wish I was still doing it most of the time.

papertears · 05-11-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joifulartist84

I really like the feel of film cameras. Adjusting aperature, f-stop, then being able to dodge and burn in the dark room; it's hard to top that sort of control.

I never got as into film as I would have liked. The way I take pictures, I'll spend a couple hours or days shooting whatever, use half the roll of film then I won't take any for a year. By then I've forgotten whether or not I had film in the camera. So I end up exposing the roll or I forget which side of the film goes up; something always goes wrong. I actually ripped a roll once trying to rewind the darn thing. I can't load or unload film to save my life.

For my college graduation present, I asked for a digital that would let me have most of the control of a film camera. I got a nice Canon EOS that all my family members chipped in for. I have a 18-55 mil lense, a 75-300 lens, a star filter, polarizing filter, even a tripod.

It has a built in flash and a remote flash. It takes excellent pictures and I like the automatic settings (landscape, potrait, action, etc). I love not having to wait to see if I got the shot; I know right away if I didn't get it.

Is it a good substitute for being in a dark room? Probably not (I'm not sure, I haven't been in the darkroom too much), but then I haven't figured out what most of the settings do; and whar I can't do Photoshop probably can.

Great present. Thats a sweet setup.

And yeah, unloading the film and wrapping it around the thingies (memory failing me) took me a while to learn. I started really young though and I really like the dark room--the smell and everything. I'm sure those chemicals weren't/aren't good to be around but its a safe spot for me somehow. My parents tease me that its because they met in a dark room. I ask them to not give me anymore information.

I definitely love wrapping the unprocessed negatives around the cartridge thing, making sure there are no tears or wrinkles in the delicate film. Its very precise and even though its dark I close my eyes--I probably have a very serious expression. That part is better than printing.

Thanks for your info!

Gate · 05-12-2008, 12:59 AM

Oh Please lets keep it an art form ....FILM>>>>

Mike C · 05-12-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joifulartist84

I really like the feel of film cameras. Adjusting aperature, f-stop, then being able to dodge and burn in the dark room; it's hard to top that sort of control.

You have all the camera control with your EOS - you can run several auto modes but you can adjust apetures and shuter speeds manually also. In that respect there is no difference between a good digital or film SLR. And lower down the scale, you have little or no control - again, no difference between a budget film or digital compact.

From the darkroom perspective you can still dodge and burn, experiment with B&W, adjust colourt balance, mess with brightness and contrast... anything you could do in a darkroom you can do digitally, and more - except you have the luxury of ctrl-z, and you can do it in front of the TV.

Papertears, if your budget doesn't stretch to Photoshop, try downloading Gimp. It's free, and does everything you want. Without the smell of chemicals!