Shedding the Film Mindset (Page 3): A similar experience happened with me when going from 8mm movie film to videotape. A lot of my early tapes have really short scenes until I got used...

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

A similar experience happened with me when going from 8mm movie film to videotape. A lot of my early tapes have really short scenes until I got used to the fact it wasn't going to cost X number of dollars for a few minutes. You sorta ease out of it!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

Yes, take more photos. Theoretically, you should set up the one perfect shot and then take it, but life isn't like that. That was a major limitation of shooting film. Now, we can call it an advantage or a skill builder, but it was really just a limitation.

Digital lets us shoot from this angle and then from that angle; at a fast shutter speed and slow. For an action scene, one shot will never be enough, unless you're very, very lucky.

Every instructional video I have watched has stressed shooting freely from various angles and various settings.

Imagine if we had started with digital and then went to film, with twelve exposure on a role. I doubt that many would see that as an advantage.

1046William Loc: Delaware

I also have a new D7100. I shoot mainly wildlife. I find that I am able to almost shoot a moving object continuously, get as many as 10-15 shots, and then pick out the best. A great improvement.

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

boberic wrote:

Didn't mean to say that digital shooting is free, nothing is ,of course. And I don't spay and prey either. But I thing that you will agree that you will have to "waste" many shots to get the BIF photo that you want, and it would be a whole lot more expensive with color film than digital I just looked at my spelling. One word sums it up- ambysmal

Absolutely! Cameras are like marriage partners. Most of us would love to cherish them for life. But sometimes, you know... etc. etc, etc! ;-)

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

OddJobber wrote:

Good points from all. I'm just saying that there is a depreciation cost. Geezer's D7100 with 500 shots will fetch more than one with 100,000.

And I do spray and pray sometimes. Trying to catch a song bird with it's beak open can take several dozen shots. With film I probably would give up after 3 or 4 shots because of the cost.

So do cars! Cameras are like cars too! They lose in value (like some demo models stored in the backroom of camera warehouses) with each click of the odometer. I know you are not suggesting this, but keep them doing nothing in the garage and bad stuff happens. The shutter and diaphragm get camera-arthritis and sometimes ooze oil and then they depreciate really steeply.

But we do not let such morbid thoughts get in the way of our pleasure, do we? Whether it be driving or photography!

ole sarg Loc: south florida

It depends do you want to shoot photographs or shoot movies?

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

BebuLamar

I shoot film until recently and I became more careful what I shoot because the cost of film had risen significantly. Back in the late 70's, 80's and 90's I never thought about the cost of film. I had the mentality that film is cheap. But as I got older I tend to be more careful with my shots even now I am shooting digital.

1046William Loc: Delaware

Film was cheap, but the processing was an arm and a leg!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

The knowledge you have from shooting film will ONLY HELP your digital shots. Anyone can take 15-20 shots digitally to get one good capture, but knowing how the systems works (and digital is based on the same processes as film) means that you should be able to get good shots with each click. Having said that, don't be afraid to experiment and be sure to watch your ISO (ASA) as the camera will often use it to adjust for brightness rather that moving shutter or aperture. I generally keep my ISO locked at a moderately low number, say 600-800. This forces the camera to not surprise me with a grainy ISO 6400 without me expecting it. Your knowledge of film will greatly help you with your digital shots, but the ability (in digital) to take multiple shots and bracket will only improve your experience... Just don't let it make you lazy.

Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

I know EXACTLY where your coming from and yes, I've found the "frugal" mindset to be deeply ingrained. Although I am cognitively aware that many of the "constraints" of shooting film no longer apply, habits of "routine" are still second nature. I have to say that I haven't yet fully immersed myself into digital shooting since owning a dslr for more then a year, I've done just enough to realize I am an "old dog, learning new tricks". That said, I don't think many of the old habits are bad things, quite the contrary. The other side of the coin for me, is the freedom and usefulness of sacrificial test exposures for immediate feedback. Revolutionary!

geezer7 Loc: Michigan

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, take more photos. Theoretically, you should ... (show quote)

I think that the main reason that I have such a low shutter count is that I generally don't go out with the specific aim of taking photos but instead take the camera when going out for a walk or hike. Usually my wife accompanies me and although she is patient I am reluctant to spend too much time stopping and taking photos from multiple angles.
We spent 3 weeks in Florida in Jan/Feb and I took a few BIF photos that would have benefited from a burst. Most photos resulted in fuzzy birds probably due to camera movement. More experience with the D7100 would have told me to use a higher shutter speed.
Jerry, I have seen composition videos espousing the value of taking photos from multiple angles. Some of the examples seem to have resulted in unexceptional photos in spite of the extraordinary efforts!
I have been pleased with responses to what I feared might have been a rather frivolous post. Also glad I am not alone!
Thanks all!

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

To this day, I still like to go out with only my old Nikkormat FT2, a Luna Pro, and a 24 exp. roll of film. It's quite relaxing to spend a few hours on 24 shots. There's nothing wrong with the film mindset.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

Shoot like mad.......but! Go through your shots each day/night with a critical eye and erase all but the best.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

I don't understand why you think that way! I turned to digi. in 2005 since shooting film beginning in 1970. Digital lets me have a freedom to shoot as much as I want, and see the result at the moment, and I can correct the mistake I made, it gets me to know better and improve my knowledge and skill very fast. I don't miss my darkroom, now I have the computer "dark room" software! I will never turn back!
I have 5000 clicks in my new camera in one year, but comparing to some body who may have ten thousand already, mine is notthing! Keep shooting, it won't lose anything, it will only let you know better with your camera! Keep shooting!!
:)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

geezer7 wrote:

I have been shooting mostly digital since about 2010. I have used 35mm and medium format cameras since 1970. It has proven difficult for me to get away from the film mindset of being frugal with the number of images I take.

The solution is obvious - take more photos! But I am interested if others have had similar experiences?

For example, I bought my D7100 in late June 2014 and to date have only taken 500 photos.

Nothing like the spray and pray approach.
--Bob