Film -> digital -> retro?
Film -> digital -> retro?
Author
Discussion

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

313 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
David's thread has got me thinking - how many of us have gone from film to digital, thinking it's the best thing since sliced bread, but have now started to long after the "good old days"?

I know I have! I really like my 1Ds II, but it's sometimes just too clinical and good - a bit like driving a new Porsche 911 I guess.

A while back I fancied getting into medium format, but ended up going for a large format film camera (thanks to a comment by Bacardi who is probably responsible for the most of the overdrafts on this forum ) which is brilliant!



The camera itself is a work of art - hand built by a chap in China from wood, leather and brass fittings, and using it is a very tactile experience - with geared knobs and levers to pull, plus a huge focusing screen to view your image on with a loupe under a dark cloth.

I've not taken many photos with it yet, mainly as it seems a waste to use it for "snaps" (film and development costs for 5"x4" film are about £7 a shot), and the occasions that I have gone out with it the weather has always let me down. Despite this, using it is a pleasure, and much more enjoyable than switching on the DSLR, pressing the shutter and then sitting in front of my PC to process the RAW files.

Oh, and a 5x4 Velvia slide on a lightbox is something else - the quality blows my DSLR into the weeds, which isn't something you could say about a classic car vs a new 911

Podie

46,649 posts

305 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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Blimey!

What next?? Silver nitrate..?

Bacardi

2,235 posts

306 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
ehasler said:
(thanks to a comment by Bacardi who is probably responsible for the most of the overdrafts on this forum )


Me? :trystolookinnocentsmiley:

About time you upgraded Ed, to one of these:



I'm sure your overdraft can handle it, a snip at £4300 + VAT (-lens). Wait until you see 8x10 on a lightbox.

Only trouble is, 8x10 film is, I believe, becoming scarce so I would advocate making your own film/plates .

bacchus180

779 posts

314 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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i just am awaiting an accordion with a pinhole on the front to be delivered to me as well...

UKBob

16,277 posts

295 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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I feel a new wave of questions coming on

Bacardi

2,235 posts

306 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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Nooooooooo!

UKBob

16,277 posts

295 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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Bacardi said:
Nooooooooo!
Yes! Now hand over your money and do as I say, or I'll string some characters together and throw in a question mark!

andybuk99

312 posts

259 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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£7 a shot? where are you buying your film and getting it processed? get your film from photomart.co.uk much cheaper (about £1.70 a sheet) my lab charges £1.88 per processed sheet, i still get my 10x8 from photomart as well.

GetCarter

31,293 posts

309 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
I'm firmly in the 'ones and zeros' camp. Can hardly write my name anymore with a pen - far too analoge. I've just been going through thousands of old negs - chicking away what I will never use (99.9%). What a blimin' nightmare that was. For me it's positives and digital and no more of those bloody chemicals that stank your clothes out for weeks. (Or waiting several days whilst the lab screws the developing up - at HUGE cost).

But then, I'm a sad gadget freak who likes instant gratification. Hell, I put orders in for cars before they are even on the drawing board.

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

313 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
andybuk99 said:
£7 a shot? where are you buying your film and getting it processed? get your film from photomart.co.uk much cheaper (about £1.70 a sheet) my lab charges £1.88 per processed sheet, i still get my 10x8 from photomart as well.
Fuji Velvia Quickload ~ £60 for 20 sheets, then £3.65 a sheet for processing at Metro (nearest place to where I work). For the small quantity I shoot, it's not really worth me finding another lab at the moment.

simpo two

92,907 posts

295 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
ehasler said:
Bacardi who is probably responsible for the most of the overdrafts on this forum

Not me (yet!). But I might offer £300 for his Leica when he's tired of it...


This is pretty:



From www.phsc.ca/matt.html

Plus, you have to see these! : http://johnsrolleionlypage.homestead.

>> Edited by simpo two on Wednesday 15th March 13:18

andybuk99

312 posts

259 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
ah quickload, thats why. get a couple of darkslides and a changing bag! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FILM-CHANGING-B
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-of-5-5-x-4-

poah

2,142 posts

258 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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I have no wish to try that sort of photography

jeremyc

28,189 posts

314 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
I'm firmly in the 'ones and zeros' camp. Can hardly write my name anymore with a pen - far too analoge. I've just been going through thousands of old negs - chicking away what I will never use (99.9%). What a blimin' nightmare that was. For me it's positives and digital and no more of those bloody chemicals that stank your clothes out for weeks. (Or waiting several days whilst the lab screws the developing up - at HUGE cost).
[pedant]Seems you have problems with the digital scribing as well. [/pedant]

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

313 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
andybuk99 said:
ah quickload, thats why. get a couple of darkslides and a changing bag! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FILM-CHANGING-B
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-of-5-5-x-4-
That's going just a bit too far

GetCarter

31,293 posts

309 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
GetCarter said:
I'm firmly in the 'ones and zeros' camp. Can hardly write my name anymore with a pen - far too analoge. I've just been going through thousands of old negs - chicking away what I will never use (99.9%). What a blimin' nightmare that was. For me it's positives and digital and no more of those bloody chemicals that stank your clothes out for weeks. (Or waiting several days whilst the lab screws the developing up - at HUGE cost).
[pedant]Seems you have problems with the digital scribing as well. [/pedant]


You can go off people you know

Bacardi

2,235 posts

306 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
and no more of those bloody chemicals that stank your clothes out for weeks.


What were you doing pouring them on your clothes? You're supposed to put them in your coffee for a pick me up .

chris.mapey

4,778 posts

297 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
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simpo two said:


Hope you didn't take that one John, looks you might be having problems with the VR as well as the AF...

Chris

>> Edited by chris.mapey on Wednesday 15th March 14:57

UKBob

16,277 posts

295 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
jeremyc said:
GetCarter said:
I'm firmly in the 'ones and zeros' camp. Can hardly write my name anymore with a pen - far too analoge. I've just been going through thousands of old negs - chicking away what I will never use (99.9%). What a blimin' nightmare that was. For me it's positives and digital and no more of those bloody chemicals that stank your clothes out for weeks. (Or waiting several days whilst the lab screws the developing up - at HUGE cost).
[pedant]Seems you have problems with the digital scribing as well. [/pedant]


You can go off people you know
You can also come on them, too

GetCarter

31,293 posts

309 months

Wednesday 15th March 2006
quotequote all
...a little too much information I think Bob