Film Goal

[SteveYork]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

At the start of this year, when everybody was talking about the M9 and how perfect life had become since Leica developed a FF digital RF, I told myself I wanted to shoot another 1,000 rolls of film before I even considered allowing a computer to take pictures for me. That seemed like a nice round number, and ignoring the little jab at the digital folks, because it's not really fair, does anybody else have any film goals, whether annual or in total?

 

So far I've used up 35 rolls this year, which gives me 965 rolls to go. It's starting to feel like the '1000 bottle of beer' song.

 

I suppose I'll keep using film as long as it's there and can be processed. There's really no need for me to change. But with all the film being discontinued this month, I wonder if I'll hit my 1,000 roll goal.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[SteveYork]

It's the cost of processing that is raising all these questions in my head. I should probably learn to process it all myself, but is that a wise use of time at this stage?

[Joachim123]

Shot 36 rolls of 35mm this year plus at least another 25 roll of MF. Plus, I am going to Texas for a week and plan to shoot at least 10 rolls. I dont even know how to use a digital camera so I am not really missing anything.

 

I spend enought time on my computer, I dont want it taking pictures for me.

[Jeff S]

I should probably learn to process it all myself, but is that a wise use of time at this stage?

 

The self-admitted jab at the digital side lost its effect after learning that you let a lab take your pictures.

 

Jeff

[Marty]

Why set yourself such a goal. Going digital doesn't mean you have to stop shooting film. For instance you could mix in digital slowly, or use as a backup. Then again with the current M9 delivery times you may not see one before you have finished 1000 rolls

[SteveYork]

The self-admitted jab at the digital side lost its effect after learning that you let a lab take your pictures.

 

Jeff

 

It's not the same. I need to advance the film all by myself.

 

Seriously, your point is well taken. I need to be quiet and build a darkroom -- and then use it! I even have permission from "the woman who must be obeyed."

 

The genesis of my rant was a local dealer offering me a new M9, and all my doubts about film started to surface.

 

I suspect if you process yourself, film will be around for a long while.

[Jeff S]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm all for options, Steve. After building 4 darkrooms in different houses over the last 20+ years, I decided not to build my 5th after another move last year. Instead, I sold my darkroom gear and film Ms for an M8.2 and a full digital setup. (I sold my slrs, medium and large format gear some years ago.)

 

I never felt that I was losing the craft of photography by going digital. I still apply the same discipline to fully produce a finished print, always my end goal. To my surprise, I find myself more productive than ever, with more time to take pictures, which is what I enjoy most. Perhaps this says something about my former darkroom skills, but I'm nonetheless pleased.

 

There is still nothing like a wonderful silver print...my prints now are still terrific, just different in subtle ways, and getting better as I improve along with advances in papers, printers, inks and such. My film/darkroom growth followed the same iterative process.

 

At the end of the day, whatever works for you and creates the most enjoyment is what matters. I don't make judgments about others' choices...just couldn't resist having a bit of fun with your provocative jab.

 

Jeff

[smb]

I was advised by two different dealers to wait for the dust to settle on the M9; in other words: Wait for the updates. They were right as the first one has come in and all the new M9s will have them. They also said wait for the cameras to be in open stock, which they are not as of yet. Also, plan for the transition both in money for accoutrements to the camera and upgrades to your computer & storage system.

[JBA]

2010 is my Kodachrome swansong year. In January, I calculated that I had enough stock for 9 rolls per month. So far, I'm not shooting it at quite this rate, but some months I'll be travelling and shooting more.

 

I presently have 6 cameras loaded with Kodachrome: 3 MPs, SL2, Nikon FTN Photomic and Nikomat ELW. Working my way through a roll of Delta 3200 in the R8.

[cidereye]

I truly admire your target of 1000 films Steve, going to be very hard but admirable none the less.

 

I've not shot anywhere near enough film yet in 2010 after shooting pretty much "only" film in the second half of 2009. Reason = Purchasing an M8 and playing around with that. Now I've got that out of my system and just bought a nice M2 I can get back to business and enjoying myself a lot more.

 

Trouble is as JBA pointed out above the use of a few film cameras can get in the way at times. I just checked my cameras and I currently have Tri-X loaded in my M2, BW400CN in a Contax G2, Velvia 100 in a Contax G1, Tri-X in a Nikon F80, Tri-X in an Olympus OM-2 and Superia 400 in an Olympus XA. Hmm.

[stealthman_1]

It's the cost of processing that is raising all these questions in my head. I should probably learn to process it all myself, but is that a wise use of time at this stage?

 

Depends, depends. How much film are you going to shoot? B&W only or with C41 and/or E6 thrown in? Are you working full time? Do you have a family?

 

I returned from a two week vacation early in the month with the equivalent of just under 200 rolls shot, 35mm to 8x10. I may be done by mid-April processing and scanning...then there are prints to be done....oh and by the way, I'm going to Yosemite next weekend...maybe I'll finish what I take there by mid-May...or I could write a check for $2000+ and have it processed......or I could shoot digital, which I've rarely done the last year...but it's starting to look good again! I'll continue to shoot film for a long time...the freezer says I will! But balance is good and time is an issue for all of us one way or another.

[rwboyer]

I have always shot film - even though I have shot a lot of digital since about 2003. Including MF digital leaf and p1 backs. The film I was shooting was mostly MF and LF. Up until the M9 came out.

 

I was very very excited was about to plunk down a ton of money because "I loved my M cameras" I loved the size and I loved the completely different manner in which I shoot and I loved the way that not only I but the people in the viewfinder "made" completely different images than with my other cameras and formats.

 

Hey wait a minute - I have not shot my M cameras in a long long time - now that I am thinking about it something happened along the way in my brain that made 35mm format = digital. I have shot almost no 35mm film since about 2005 right up until the M9 came out and I thought about it. Since them I have been burning more 35mm film than I have been shooting digital. In fact I am shooting more 35mm film in both my M camera's and my dusty SLR's - it is fantastic.

 

What the heck was I thinking - $9000 to shoot something that is nowhere near as fun as the stuff I already have. Here is a frame I exposed developed and printed today just because I felt like it - actually I was testing a "new" process.

 

RB

 

[ldhayden]

I don't have a goal to expose a specific number of rolls but I've put 40 through the M7's in 2010 and have a number through other systems. I don't own a digital system. For the most part it's B&W with about 7 rolls of color put through the M7's.

 

I expect to go through phases this year but it'll probably average out to 10 rolls per month.

 

Larry

[jplomley]

Put 120 rolls through my M7 since last year....on my way to look at a second M7 today. Changing lenses is a PITA.....21 Asph on one body and 35 Cron Asph on the second and I'm set for life.

[innerimager]

I use the most "digital" of film processes. I shoot XP2, have it developed only, and scan with a coolscan 5000D, and finish in photoshop. I still contend that the final image has a look I can not achieve with my M9 (or other digital cameras). And the experience of shooting film, from the increased concentration and increased threshold for capturing the image until it's "right", to the wonderful ergonomics of my M film bodies, will keep me shooting a lot of film until they don't make it anymore, or I am no more, whichever comes first. best....Peter

[jplomley]

Just a quick update, caved on Saturday and bought my second M7.....when will the madness end?

[PauloSm6]

Steve, like your goal of 1000 rolls...Build a darkroom!

I have built 2 darkrooms, the second was in the house I designed so ity was exactly the way I wanted.

Developing w/ D-76 1:1 is very easy and you will get consistant results. Printing your own work is the most gratifying.

Developed two rolls yesterday, no sweat...been doing it for 30 years now since college.

Regards,

Paulo

[jsrockit]

I completely love digital and only like film, even though I went to school for Photo before digital was in mainstream use. I use whatever I feel like using on a particular day. If I don't want to make photos, I don't. You shouldn't have to force yourself to make photos, for any reason.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Austinite]

Love my B&W film and it costs me just pennies to process at home. A modest goal of two films a week is about all the time I can find to shoot. Even then because of a busy life I'm scrapping for subject matter.

[FiZZ]

I went to Turkey and I shot 10 rolls of film and over 700 pictures with my digital camera. I was more satisfied with my film shots. That being said, since then, I have barely shot 5 rolls. That's about 1 roll a month. It's not that easy if you're uninspired, but it has kept costs down. I'm moving to a complete C41 workflow, from colour to B+W film. I might start my own developing, but honestly I find the process very tedious and I stopped enjoying it. I'd much rather print from my negatives.

 

I say keep shooting anything. Garry Winnograd died with thousands of unprocessed rolls. You can get through 935 rolls easily if you step outside and shoot.