Worth to keep film cameras?

[Zeisser]

I share the same sentiments as you.Only switch recently to digital with the purchase of
a 5D to go with my Zeiss lens. Will still shoot film with my Contax RTSIII and enjoy the best
of both worlds. The advent of digital technology is inveitable which everyone will have to
embrace or be left behind but by keeping your film SLRs the nostalgia that it brings will be
immense. I still have the Nikon F2 Photomic, Rolleicord and Yashica FX3

 

[tomato]

NO not worth keeping your film cameras. Definitely not. Give them all to me...

 

[sim4nee]

NO not worth keeping your film cameras. Definitely not. Give them all to me...

:bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[third3rdwheel]

I've got some questions.

I've been using film cameras for quite some times. shoot primarily 35mm and medium format of a range of subjects. Candids, portraits, landscape, and my favourite, travel.

Im actually surprised at myself that I can still shoot film for so long when everyone else I know, even the older generation, are all touting digital cameras, compacts and DSLRs.

Just came back from an overseas trip where i brought my film SLR along, a Canon EOS 7s. Took some wonderful photos. However, during the post processing, I thought of something, is it really worth the effort to send the film to a lab for processing, painstakingly scanning the good ones myself and post processing them when I could have the convenience of simply PP-ing digital photos right after I transfer them from a digital cam.

I've gotta admit that DSLRs didnt appeal to me back then as their high initial costs is much more than what I can afford.

The most advanced digicam I own is a compact LX-3. Even so, I realize I am not using it as much as my film cameras.

I am eyeing a Canon 5D, a full frame digital. To afford that, I have to sell off nearly all of my film gears, some Canon film SLRs(electronic and vintage), a couple of Yashica and Canon rangefinders, Bronica MF and seagull MF.

Thus the question, should I be selling off my old film gears to switch to a digital full frame? Most cameras depreciate in value after time. Are my film cameras going to be worthless, say 10 years from now? Or are they keepers? My stand is, I dont think it is wise to keep something that is going to be worth $10 dollars in the markets some years from now.

Regardless, film has allowed me much insight into photography. I have taken many wonderful photos with my film cameras.

I'll like to seek your opinions. Pardon the lengthy read. Thanks!

Ya, at the rate you are ranting, you should donate all your cameras to CSnap. :bsmilie:

 

[aomoon]

I recently switch from digital Nikon D7000 to film (Rolleiflex- medium format & mainly 35mm via Leica M6 and Bessa R2A) and I love it! Best of both world.

Digital is always the way to go but film has it place in my own experience and evolution as a closet/weekend photographer. Just by holding that Leica M6 gives me a sense of history ...but not D7000 [ but not neccessary a better photographer ]

I'm glad the folks in CS who are doing 35mm films are a bunch of lovely fellows! (mutual poisoning and just by seeing their photograph make me want to shoot more)

So, yeah ....film camera is a keeper.
Cheers!

 

[xylestesins]

I own and play with as much varieties of cameras as i please, analog or digital, instant emulsion or negative. If i feel more in the mood for spontaneous shooting/casuals i definitely love the analog stuff like the r2a or even my little white natura. For travel documentation and planned shoots i normally prefer breaking out the 5dmk2 and elinchroms.

Prioritize your hobby and it's costs and you'll be able to enjoy it more than being a slave to it's addiction Everyone loves a new toy to play with every now and then

 

[dooku]

definitely worth keeping, i too own both film n digital cameras,and i still shoot with my old trustworthy film cam every now and then!!!!!

 

[CanonIXUS]

25 years ago we talk about paperless office, now we use more paper. When colour film was introduce, they claim BW is dead. My camera age from 5 - 35 years old, some lens is 60 years liow, (2nd hand unit from sungai road) the result you can see from some of my posting.
I only need to replace my D70 because I cant get what I expect from it.
That is my experience. (May be I am not good enough)

Agree, film is disposable stationery for art works, like art paper, color pencils, erasers etc. It will be here to stay.

Film cameras are worth keeping, I still enjoy using my FE2 and F801s even I have had a 5D. They are so fast and easy to use.

 

[bluemoon]

Keep the film cameras!!

While digital may be more convenient, IMHO nothing beats a beautifully exposed Fuji Velvia slide (or equivalent) projected on a screen or viewed under a loupe. The colour, texture, contrast. Nowadays everyone is keen on saving time, but I think there's still something greatly enjoyable about loading a roll of film, carefully exposing every shot, sending and collecting your slides from the lab and then slowly viewing and enjoying every single one

Digital cameras will constantly be improving in quality and dropping in price, who knows in a few years' time a full frame may cost as much as a D7000 now or less. But a good solid film camera will last a long long time.... (and I pray that Fuji and Kodak keep on producing their films )

 

[freebird75]

i'm new to film and i love it. my only concern is that no one seem to be producing manual slr anymore. can only buy used slr... hope many years later those who still uses manual slr won't be spending their fortune buying antiques from one another in the classified...

 

[Spectrum]

hope many years later those who still uses manual slr won't be spending their fortune buying antiques from one another in the classified...

Only time will tell...

 

[Glucosemakesmefat]

I shoot mainly on my D90 but i love my film cams more then it ;p ops.

Use my film cams once in a while but its really fun whenever i use them.


Well with regard to cost of manual cams, I dont really think it will depreciate anymore,
unless they phrase out film altogether. Its only cheap now since there are so many sets
around and so many people selling them cause no one really shoots film, and young kids
(especially in the US, Ebay and stuff) just wants to clear off their parent's film cams for
a quick buck.

Well if there is a day people still shoot film and there are not many film cams around, I
sure these cams would be worth quite a bit.

I'll bet on that since my films cams would still be working after my Nikon D9000 has broken
down (in 2050).

Mechanical Cams work forever.

 

[ed9119]

IMVHO , if viewed PURELY as a tool, then I would have gotten rid of all my film cameras.

But to me, it depends on WHAT film cameras we're talking about..... I've kept a few film cameras that have either nostalgic value or some historical significance behind them.... or just plain asthetically beautiful to work with

I have kept the following
- Contax AX (an autofocus film slr that moves the FILM BACK to acheive AF, only 1 of its kind in camera history) and built like a tank
- Contax RTS II
- Leica III
- Mamiya C330 TLR
- Agfa Isolette folding 6x6

and still trying to find a good condition Nikon F5 which I believe sat at the top of the 35mm film SLR heap during its day

 

[aomoon]

I just develop a roll from my 70 years old Rolleiflex! Still sharp