Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

In the letters pages and on the photo forums, there's a repeated thread of nostalgia: "How I miss the good old film days."

So why did you stop? Or why don't you do what I do, and use film alongside digital? With very few exceptions (especially Leicas), even good film cameras cost very little nowadays, and darkroom equipment is given away.

Cheers,

R.

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Roger I agree, and they are telling me that when you get your film developed and have them put on a CD or DVD they are digital reproductions which can be PP with the PS programs. So why not use your film camera.

notnoBuddha

I for one do not miss it. They are cheap and darkroom equipment is darn near given away because there is not much of a market for either. As you imply for those that are serious about missing it - don't need to. People often refer to the good old days but as often as not would not care to relive. It is a lot easier to recall what was good are try to forget what was not so much.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

I still use film for some "money shots". In general, though, the immediate feedback from digital is too good to pass up. If I need to change something, I know it now while the scene is still there.

For some other related reasons, I rarely use vinyl phonograph records, a straight razor, buggy whips or landline telephones any more.

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Digital Photography in two words... smile

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

That is my nasty, unkind, cynical suspicion too.

Cheers,

R.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Where I live film is simply not readily available and processing has to be sent to Denver (300 miles away). The cost is simply too high and the return too low.

ShooterOR

I still use both: for film, a 120 rangerfinder where one has to "do everything"-- including deciding what is in focus. I like the mechanics of it, the thoughtfulness that is involved in each step of making an image. I do, however, appreciate how quick adjustments are in the "digital darkroom". Not to be a curmudgeon, but much of what I see on here is not thoughtful, for example, Landscape horizons not leveled.... And who cares if one doesn't understand exposure, when you can bracket with 9 exposures and fire away. Ahhh, but I digress....

I will say this: film is getting more and more difficult to find, as are quality labs (No walmart, (and others of the same ilk) do not qualify.)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I have never stopped. Right now I have over 60 rolls of 120, and 110 rolls of 36mm E-6 in the freezer. Nothing like true film transparencies.

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

Cost.....Ease of use...PP....To name a few

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I use both, my children actually still shot film and they are 16, 10 and 8.

ShooterOR

Very cool! Keep them shooting!

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

You can still drive a Model T, even though it is not very pratical. Film has become way to expensive and hard to find quality developers. The debate will never stop as to which is better film or digital.

randymoe

Most people here know I use both. I don't use 35mm much. Medium format is great with so many affordable cameras.

I am just getting into 4x5. Right now I am waiting for an EBay 4x5 Horseman L in mint condition. My only regret is I did not discover large format years ago.

Actually it's hybrid 4x5 as I shoot Velvia and scan it. Very high IQ untouched by any digital camera I could ever afford.

I am waiting for a Nikon D800, but it will not come close to what 4x5 can do and will be digital waste in 10 years or less.

I really enjoy B&W home film development and traditional printing. A similar difference as digital fast food is to fine dining.

Just last night I won on eBay a tiny cheap little treasure. It is a 2x3 film developing holder for 12 sheets at once. Got 2 for $10 delivered!

This is great. As B&H still has 2x3 film I can shoot my Busch mini Pressman and easily develop the sheets.

In some ways I see this era as a golden moment to enjoy high end film cameras and techniques for cheap. Someday film cameras will be very rare. Not in my remaining time, but time destroys all old things.

I fondly remember coming of age in the 60's when I could buy an American hotrod convertible for $100. Drive it the rest of the way into the ground and then buy another. Now those same cars are scarce and very expensive.

I have a collector personality. I value old things and ways.

I also worry all our digital computers, cameras and vehicles could just stop working. I will keep my tube radios, film cameras, old motorcycles as usable as dry ammo.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

So hard to find processing now for E6,and Kodachrome no longer available. Always preferred slide film to prints and would choose one sometimes to have print enlargement made.
I would then get full frame print and plan for the cropping.
As for the photo album things,rarely looked at them,not much reason to "live in the past". Now i can email digital without delay,delete it quickly. Realize also it is cleaner process not using chemicals. I was so very resistant to whole idea of digital and heard too much about post processing so resisted the process until recently. It won me over immediately however,exposure resembles slide film and i was used to doing things carefully before so don't need a lot of PP now. Didn't buy high end digital because didn't know whether i would like it at all. There are some tradeoffs but they are not important to me now.