Ten Reasons Why I Love Film.

[crispy12]

Always wanted to go into film but worried about running costs.
Mingthein posted a good article on his blog.
Wonder if other Sifus here have more advice?

It's not expensive if you think about your shots before squeezing the shutter button! To be honest, how many rolls of film do you go through a day/week? I suspect people usually love film and have all great film pics because they actually spend a lot of time thinking before they shoot (cuz it's 20c per shot for 35mm, maybe $1 for medium format!)

Most film cameras are so much cheaper than digital nowadays. Also, DIY developing/printing for B&W is very cheap and gives a very personalised look (albeit quite time consuming). So to say that the running cost is a significant factor is not really a good reason.

 

[StephenC]

Thanks for sharing your passion in film photography!

Brings back memories of using firm cameras in younger days. Only 36 photos in a roll. Must make every shot counts!

Nowadays, no one can imagine a camera that does not require battery to operate.

 

[kei1309]

This thread is awesome. Although i still practice getting proper framing and trying to nail the shot with one press of the shutter with digital cameras, nothing feels better than inserting a fresh roll of film and "cocking the rifle" for the kill.

The process is so much different and yet much more enjoyable and satisfying.

Upz for this thread!

 

[shinejack]

Good article. Brings back memories. Thanks for sharing

 

[nightwolf75]

Always wanted to go into film but worried about running costs.
Mingthein posted a good article on his blog.
Wonder if other Sifus here have more advice?

if you are not a heavy volume shooter, or a time-sensitive / working pro photog, actually using film roughly works out to be the same. the turn-around time for colour film is usually the problem cos typical shops need ard 3 working days. BnW is faster if you DIY at home.

one more reason to shoot film... we do not have to upgrade the &^%%@&*! camera every 2-3 years! :bsmilie:

 

[spidey89]

It's not expensive if you think about your shots before squeezing the shutter button! To be honest, how many rolls of film do you go through a day/week? I suspect people usually love film and have all great film pics because they actually spend a lot of time thinking before they shoot (cuz it's 20c per shot for 35mm, maybe $1 for medium format!)

Most film cameras are so much cheaper than digital nowadays. Also, DIY developing/printing for B&W is very cheap and gives a very personalised look (albeit quite time consuming). So to say that the running cost is a significant factor is not really a good reason.

Hahaha, true on the first part, but how you get 20c per shot for 35m?? Processing and the roll of film itself? Hahaha! I recently acquired a mint condition Olympus 35SP. My first rangefinder though I've shot film on my trusty old Yashica compact, then Canon EOS 66, now shot with Nikon F5 and Olympus 35SP. Just sent a roll (24 frames) Kodak Elitechrome to Ruby about 2 weeks ago, approx 10 days to process (including sending to lab and back to shop) and now excitedly waiting for the camera. Super quiet nice mechanical camera! But I didn't get the adapter for the battery so I shot it old school style, with a light meter! Can't wait for the film to be back!

 

[raytoei]

The cost factor is in my opinion is quite subjective.
on the one hand, film has been really cheap adjusted for inflation,
compared to the seventies and eighties.

on the other hand, processing fees + film costs can't technically compare
against "Free" when using the digital.

but if you look past the cost factor, i find that many users like shooting
film, this "like" factor can be attributed to many things, like pleasure of
taking time to frame and shoot a subject, the pleasure of using mechanical
objects, the pleasure of using an old leica made affordable now etc.

most of us are no pros, we have a day job that is stressful and always "on"
24/7 so there is an attraction to having a hobby that is not hurried, not
pressured to compete with others in post-processing tools etc.

just the pleasure of shooting film.

does this makes sense ?


here's a pretty picture i took last week to brighten your Chinese New Year!

Leica M3 dual stroke faux BP, with 50 Lux.
film is tri-x, probably developed too long in Rodinal .

 

[spidey89]

It does makes sense once you understand it hahaha, love the tone though, even if you did leave the film too long during development. But her bra very funny, looks like it was drawn on in photoshop hahaha

 

[NazgulKing]

If I shot 20 rolls of slides film, and throw in the development and paid scan (because I don't trust myself to do a proper scan), the whole process comes to the price of a cheapie DLSR or something, which can go on shooting.

Sunk cost wise, film is quite expensive. Film only has better utility if one shoots medium format or something. 35mm film well, is a real luxury.

 

[sweat100]

If I shot 20 rolls of slides film, and throw in the development and paid scan (because I don't trust myself to do a proper scan), the whole process comes to the price of a cheapie DLSR or something, which can go on shooting.

Sunk cost wise, film is quite expensive. Film only has better utility if one shoots medium format or something. 35mm film well, is a real luxury.

In my opinion, the better way to enjoy 35mm slide film is viewing them through a proper loupe or projecting the image with a slide projector. The maximum colour fidelity is presented.

 

[Johngoh71]

Thanks Ray for bring back those old memories of mine. I used to shoot B&W, process the film and print the pictures both in contact and full prints. Today though am using DSLR, but nothing beats the film & slides. Those were purely skills and nothing much of today full of PS after shots. I salute you my friend! Once again, thank you for sharing the 10 great reasons and that sure is a reason for me to own a film camera again.

 

[NazgulKing]

In my opinion, the better way to enjoy 35mm slide film is viewing them through a proper loupe or projecting the image with a slide projector. The maximum colour fidelity is presented.

An image on the screen has limited utility if one cannot view it beyond the screen.