Getting a Film vs Digital M as a long-term companion

[cobbu2]

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On 8/3/2019 at 1:13 PM, Narsuitus said:

... These cameras will probably last the rest of my lifetime and will probably last longer than any of the electronic/automatic film and digital cameras that I am now using.

 

 

 

 

Or two or more lifetimes; my mother bought a IIIg new in 1957, had it CLA'd in 1976 and used it continually until just recently when she gave it to me (she's nearly 89). It still works flawlessly, quietly, and smoothly and there are zero indications of problems. I plan on handing it down to one of my daughters in 30 years or so from now. It clearly has achieved "heirloom" status.

[Archiver]

On 8/4/2019 at 3:13 AM, Narsuitus said:

With the exception of the Leica M1, Nikon F, and Mamiya TLR cameras, I still own and use all of these film cameras. These cameras will probably last the rest of my lifetime and will probably last longer than any of the electronic/automatic film and digital cameras that I am now using.

Last year, I bought a new car. The previous car lasted for almost 30 years and hundreds of thousands of kilometres, taking me all over the state. I bought the new car with the intention of keeping it for another 25 or more years. But with car tech advancing at an ever increasing rate, and emission regulations becoming more stringent, I'm seeing a time when parts and fuel will make my new car prohibitively expensive to run in 25 years, if it runs at all. Same with film cameras. While the film cameras of the last century should last for a practical lifetime, what about film? Unless someone finally invents 'digital film', I can't see a future where film cameras are cost effective to shoot. And as much as I want my new car to run for three decades, I really don't know what the future will bring.

[espelt]

I'm a convinced analog photographer. I don't want to see the pictures right away. Quite the opposite: I appreciate the fact that the pictures only reveal themselves later. And even surprise me sometimes. I often wait weeks or months for development. That's what you have to want. But just this kind of deceleration makes up a large part of the stimulus. Of course this works with any analog camera. But an old M2 is something special. As a tool also a real haptic pleasure. I think there will be no shortage of films in the next few years. Black-and-white films will certainly continue to be produced in the future. Despite computers, there are also pencils. Developing films yourself is not really difficult or costly. On the contrary. If you want to achieve optimal results in the long run, this is the best and easiest way. It's part of my job and part of my passion. Real infinite grey values, real grain - there is only analogue.

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[Paulus]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb Archiver:

Last year, I bought a new car. The previous car lasted for almost 30 years and hundreds of thousands of kilometres, taking me all over the state. I bought the new car with the intention of keeping it for another 25 or more years. But with car tech advancing at an ever increasing rate, and emission regulations becoming more stringent, I'm seeing a time when parts and fuel will make my new car prohibitively expensive to run in 25 years, if it runs at all. Same with film cameras. While the film cameras of the last century should last for a practical lifetime, what about film? Unless someone finally invents 'digital film', I can't see a future where film cameras are cost effective to shoot. And as much as I want my new car to run for three decades, I really don't know what the future will bring.

The remarks above could have been written in 2008 when the D 700 did arrive and the Leica M6 was still available new. Seems that about the film cameras things did not change as much in the last years as we thought. Film is still available and there is no sign that it will be abolished. 

[pedaes]

49 minutes ago, Paulus said:

 in 2008 when the D 700 did arrive and the Leica M6 was still available new. 

Not in 2008  (the M6 that is).

[Paulus]

vor einer Stunde schrieb pedaes:

Not in 2008  (the M6 that is).

2002,  I stand corrected. MP and M7 were already in production.