Any MM uers that switched from B&W film and regretted it?

[Chuck Albertson]

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I can't say I "switched from film" because I still shoot a ton of film and print it in the darkroom. I still value film for its specific look, and for its archival properties. Archiving digital is an expensive pain in the ass, backing up to multiple hard drives, then having to transfer the files to another set of hard drives in the near future as the storage technology changes. Hoping I don't have to deal with a change in file format (see, e.g., BBC News - Warhol works recovered from old Amiga disks). With film, you process it carefully, wash all the bad stuff out, dry it and you're done.

 

I got the MM primarily for available-light work, especially after Kodak discontinued TMZ, and it hasn't disappointed. I can get shots at EI 3200 and 6400 that look like what I get with Tri-X shot at box speed (with minimal post-processing). And images at the base ISO have better resolution than MF images on T-Max 400.

[fotografr]

I periodically have need to retrieve and scan my b&w negatives going back as far as 35 years. Even though they are sleeved in archival plastic sheets and kept in a file cabinet, I always end up having to spend considerable time repairing scratches and removing dust specs. No matter how many times I have to transfer my digital files to new storage devices, I'll never have to waste time cleaning them up. Additionally, I always notice significantly less dynamic range in my old negatives compared to the Monochrom. I have no regrets whatsoever about switching to the MM. It produces the sweetest b&w images I've ever seen.

[richfx]

Anyone who was disappointed with the switch from 35mm film to MM is unlikely to be on this thread. They've probably gone back to film. Therefore, as a practical matter, the responses are drawn from people who are happy with the switch. And those who love the film, and not the digital look, would never make the switch in the first place, and also not be on this thread. I'm not commenting on the quality of anything; I'm just saying the pool of responses are likely from one direction.

 

Maybe, but not necessarily.

Rich

[Adrian Lord]

Maybe, but not necessarily.

Rich

 

In clinical trials or political opinion polls, the nature of the question effects the response, and huge effort is put in to try to be as neutral as possible. Similarly, in the case of forum threads, the title will tend to self-select the responders, and introduce bias.

[hlockwood]

Piezography is rather amazing. Had a chance to do Cone's 4 day workshop on this some years back, and while exhausting, very informative. The prints they make in VT are just awesome.

 

I've been a piezography user since they came to market. The prints with K7 inks are indeed special. My new favorite paper is Canson Rag Photographique, replacing Han Photo Rag. The Canson paper is cooler and is free of OBAs.

 

HFL