Worth to keep film cameras?


chanzhf

Member
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!
 

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it's worth keeping film camera.
the picture quality is better than digital print (imo):)
 

Digital will depreciate faster over time, look at Leica for example with the m8 compared to the film m's.

But if you find it more convenient to use digital then do that! But just remember that if you decide that its not your thing you will lose a fairly big sum of money to go back to film!
 

Film shooting is sooo much enjoyable than digital. Sight , process & smell.... every part is as nostalgic as baking a cake.

Due to practicality / economic reasons, I had to jump line but if I am a leisure shooter I 'll stay with film.

Don't loose it !
 

it is actually not difficult to choose something that you like and can afford to do.

years down the road, maybe you will not be able to take those film cameras out, but you will learn to appreciate and love the good old times. thats what it matters most.
 

Keep.
Have more film cams than you.
Actually, digital is wonderful because you cut out the fat middleman - the photo lab owner.

Respect film cams for what they represent.
These are precision mechanical marvels.

For Japan, they represent that magic generation of craftsmen who were proud of what they made. Very high quality manufacture. Maybe the Japan of today has lost this.
Things like Nikon F2AS, Canon New F1, Pentax LX are not made anymore.

Stuff like Leica MP rangefinders from Germany.

Digital stuff get obsolete and unwanted very fast.
Some time ago the 1MP or 2 MP digital cams were big deal and expensive.
Now nobody wants them.
 

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Keep all your film camera. Like many said, old film camera value increase as they will become rarer afterall :D ( you can search for the price of your old stuff and compare with today's price)

How about selling your LX-3 ( which you said you didn't use it much, and still has high resale price), and get a cheap DSLR like 2nd hand 20D or 30D ( fullframe or crop, is it matter that much to you? I highly doubt that).
 

I say keep it! If you can save abit, shoot both to enjoy the best of both worlds! I have to agree, the feel of shooting with a mechanical beast as compared to the current DSLRs is simply different. And keep shooting while there are still films available, I always tell myself that I should shoot film before its too late (crosses finger). Enjoying every bit with my F3!
 

we're at it again - film vs digital... :bsmilie:

To me, the workflow is vastly different, as you've also mentioned, with digital, it makes life a lot easier and more convenient.

What I can suggest is, probably trim down (not give up entirely) on your current film set up and get a digital body that can also make use of your exisiting lenses if possible.
 

Keep the film cameras la... In 30 years time, we can collate all the old film equipment then start a museum. Lol.
 

Wow thanks to all for your opinions!

The unwavering notion seems to be that film cameras are keepers.

As of now, there is no hurry for a full frame digital body (I cannot get used to the viewfinder image of a cropped body), I think I'll probably wait for the already ridiculous low price of 5D to drop further before i make the plunge to a full frame digital camera.
 

Got one Kodak folding camera from the 30s, one Zeiss Ikon from the 60s, one Nikon F2AS from the 70s, one Nikon F90x from 90s, ...and many more to mentioned.

I am keeping (some of) my film cameras. Once a while, it is great fun to take them out for an outing. But the problem is like the B&W film in my compact. Still looking for one more good shot to finish the roll.
 

Digital depreciate way much faster, quite scary when u lose almost twice its original value u paid for 2 years ago.. :cry:

I always tink that digital should be bought after that specific model gets alittle old, hence cheaper.. But when the newer replacement model is out, u will go "Wo..."

Den the vicious cycle starts again.. :sweat:

I have D90 and FE.. Still shoot alot more with the FE but D7000's making my heart skip faster when i see the display model in stores. D90 worth like half of what i paid for not too long ago. Film still the way to go.. :cool:
 

Digital depreciate way much faster, quite scary when u lose almost twice its original value u paid for 2 years ago.. :cry:

I was observing the price trend of used Canon 5D. The depreciation of the camera's used value now is honestly quite brutal. I thought of getting it, but figured it will be better to hold on a little while longer ;p

In the meantime, I think I'll continue shooting with my film SLR, a Canon EOS 7s, while occasionally taking the grandfather MF cameras out once in awhile
(probably was the heavy amount of photo processing a few days ago that sorta questioned my commitment to film photography)

cheers, and continue to add on your opinions guys!
 

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I hope that films are still available 10 years down the road.... pray hard guys.
 

i guess you already know the answer even before posting :)

its the whole experience that matters, at least for me.
 

I hope that films are still available 10 years down the road.... pray hard guys.

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)
 

Spectrum said:
I hope that films are still available 10 years down the road.... pray hard guys.

the only way to ensure this is to poison more people to shoot film, to keep demand high...
 

I AGREE that there are times u will need a digital more than a film camera...for the speed. Especially for Events and functions....times where u cant miss any single shot..and u hope that you have more shots than less...
these are the times, you will need a digital camera.

Leisure wise, i really enjoyed film shooting...and right now i am keeping both:)
 

I was observing the price trend of used Canon 5D. The depreciation of the camera's used value now is honestly quite brutal. I thought of getting it, but figured it will be better to hold on a little while longer ;p

In the meantime, I think I'll continue shooting with my film SLR, a Canon EOS 7s, while occasionally taking the grandfather MF cameras out once in awhile
(probably was the heavy amount of photo processing a few days ago that sorta questioned my commitment to film photography)

cheers, and continue to add on your opinions guys!

I shoot film and all my legacy lenses of my film SLRs can be used on my 5D. At such low price now, get one in good condition with low shutter count and you will love the camera. It actually feels like an EOS 3 or 7 with a digital sensor. The price has dropped about 700 to 800 bucks since exactly one year ago when I bought mine. Go for it.
 

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