Any film shooters getting the itch to shoot digital?

[lmans]

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10 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

Aside from having to take meter readings with my current (meter less) film cameras, I don't really see much difference in the image taking process.  

On paper....you are close. Yet there is an intangible aspect that I can't define that  film brings to the table. Such as these additional steps or tactile sensations to film:

The film loading process and the tactile feel and perhaps smell of loading film.
The tactile feel of the film advance mechanism with each shot
The process of reading light meter (which you mentioned). For me this is pretty huge as I wear reading glasses and this step is cumbersome with glasses on/off. 
In some cases depending, transferring the meter readings to the camera if not done automatically.
The more obvious 'click' of the shutter button in most cases (film camera over digital)
The process of 'waiting' until your roll is complete 
Film rewind
Processing the film and the mirage of tactile movements you decide to do from that point. 


 

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[logan2z]

Not sure if this is a coincidence, but there's a similar, inverse thread going on at the M11 sub-forum

 

Edited September 25, 2023 by logan2z

[TheEyesHaveIt]

6 hours ago, logan2z said:

Not sure if this is a coincidence, but there's a similar, inverse thread going on at the M11 sub-forum

 

As I started that thread, I thought I'd provide an update - I ended up scratching that itch in the most expensive way possible and I bought a brand new black paint MP. Shot with it over the weekend - and certainly can appreciate some of the comments here. You don't get that immediate feedback loop, I probably have horribly messed up exposure and / or focus (likely both) with the Portra 400 I loaded - if I've even loaded it properly to begin with, even after 2 days of having it with me while I was out and about I still have more than half the roll left to shoot before I can get it developed, 400 iso with a 1/1000th limit on the shutter speed does not make for much aperture flexibility when shooting on the beach on a sunny day, etc.

So, it's quite the change from the digital world I've shot for the last 20 years or so. But that's also what I wanted. To have something tangible - that I can come back to decades from now. To rely less on the safety net of crimping and zooming in and taking brackets, and moving through scenes so quickly because I know I can fix in Lightroom.

My M11 taught me a lot about rangefinders which is transferring to the MP - and I imagine the MP will teach me a lot that I can apply when shooting my M11. I can already envision scenarios where I'll prefer to take one over the other. And I'm sure that will evolve over time as well. I'm excited to try my hand at developing - and even printing - at some point in the future. All of which connects me more to the shooting experience and "creating a photograph" vs. just taking a picture. YMMV.

[madNbad]

8 minutes ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

As I started that thread, I thought I'd provide an update - I ended up scratching that itch in the most expensive way possible and I bought a brand new black paint MP. Shot with it over the weekend - and certainly can appreciate some of the comments here. You don't get that immediate feedback loop, I probably have horribly messed up exposure and / or focus (likely both) with the Portra 400 I loaded - if I've even loaded it properly to begin with, even after 2 days of having it with me while I was out and about I still have more than half the roll left to shoot before I can get it developed, 400 iso with a 1/1000th limit on the shutter speed does not make for much aperture flexibility when shooting on the beach on a sunny day, etc.

So, it's quite the change from the digital world I've shot for the last 20 years or so. But that's also what I wanted. To have something tangible - that I can come back to decades from now. To rely less on the safety net of crimping and zooming in and taking brackets, and moving through scenes so quickly because I know I can fix in Lightroom.

My M11 taught me a lot about rangefinders which is transferring to the MP - and I imagine the MP will teach me a lot that I can apply when shooting my M11. I can already envision scenarios where I'll prefer to take one over the other. And I'm sure that will evolve over time as well. I'm excited to try my hand at developing - and even printing - at some point in the future. All of which connects me more to the shooting experience and "creating a photograph" vs. just taking a picture. YMMV.

I've been using film what sometimes seems like forever. I tried making the transition to digital but I missed the compact feel of a film camera. You learn to live with limitations. From the number of exposures to working with a fixed ISO. Enjoy your MP. Have fun with it and don't get frustrated but do buy a couple of ND filters for the next beach trip. See you in the "I like film" section!

[logan2z]

1 hour ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

As I started that thread, I thought I'd provide an update - I ended up scratching that itch in the most expensive way possible and I bought a brand new black paint MP. Shot with it over the weekend - and certainly can appreciate some of the comments here. You don't get that immediate feedback loop, I probably have horribly messed up exposure and / or focus (likely both) with the Portra 400 I loaded - if I've even loaded it properly to begin with, even after 2 days of having it with me while I was out and about I still have more than half the roll left to shoot before I can get it developed, 400 iso with a 1/1000th limit on the shutter speed does not make for much aperture flexibility when shooting on the beach on a sunny day, etc.

So, it's quite the change from the digital world I've shot for the last 20 years or so. But that's also what I wanted. To have something tangible - that I can come back to decades from now. To rely less on the safety net of crimping and zooming in and taking brackets, and moving through scenes so quickly because I know I can fix in Lightroom.

My M11 taught me a lot about rangefinders which is transferring to the MP - and I imagine the MP will teach me a lot that I can apply when shooting my M11. I can already envision scenarios where I'll prefer to take one over the other. And I'm sure that will evolve over time as well. I'm excited to try my hand at developing - and even printing - at some point in the future. All of which connects me more to the shooting experience and "creating a photograph" vs. just taking a picture. YMMV.

You need to abandon the notion of instant gratification when you're shooting film   There have been times when it was months between the time I shot a roll and the time I developed it/saw the images  That does have a benefit - you can be more objective when determining if the photo is a good one since your opinion isn't influenced by the pleasurable memory of the shooting experience (assuming it was pleasurable  )  Henry Wessel discusses this in the video below:

It's worth noting that a 1/1000s shutter speed isn't a limitation imposed by film, it's a hardware limitation of the MP's shutter.  The Nikon F6, for example, has a max shutter speed of 1/8000s.  Use an ND filter and you'll have more flexibility in your choice of aperture on a bright sunny day. 

[Ouroboros]

9 hours ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

As I started that thread, I thought I'd provide an update - I ended up scratching that itch in the most expensive way possible and I bought a brand new black paint MP. Shot with it over the weekend - and certainly can appreciate some of the comments here. You don't get that immediate feedback loop, I probably have horribly messed up exposure and / or focus (likely both) with the Portra 400 I loaded - if I've even loaded it properly to begin with, even after 2 days of having it with me while I was out and about I still have more than half the roll left to shoot before I can get it developed, 400 iso with a 1/1000th limit on the shutter speed does not make for much aperture flexibility when shooting on the beach on a sunny day, etc.

So, it's quite the change from the digital world I've shot for the last 20 years or so. But that's also what I wanted. To have something tangible - that I can come back to decades from now. To rely less on the safety net of crimping and zooming in and taking brackets, and moving through scenes so quickly because I know I can fix in Lightroom.

My M11 taught me a lot about rangefinders which is transferring to the MP - and I imagine the MP will teach me a lot that I can apply when shooting my M11. I can already envision scenarios where I'll prefer to take one over the other. And I'm sure that will evolve over time as well. I'm excited to try my hand at developing - and even printing - at some point in the future. All of which connects me more to the shooting experience and "creating a photograph" vs. just taking a picture. YMMV.

Congratulations on your choice of new camera and new direction.  Stay with it and you’ll find in time that your camera will be a constant companion in much the same way a musical instrument is to a musician.  I look upon my film cameras as lifelong fellow travellers, I have a bond with them that digital cameras do not generate completely and some of the images I’ve made with film have opened doors that might not otherwise have opened.

I hope you go on to learn more about film and film photography by processing and either wet printing or scanning and printing your images to enjoy the full creative outlet. It’s a perpetual learning experience.

 

[IkarusJohn]

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10 hours ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

As I started that thread, I thought I'd provide an update - I ended up scratching that itch in the most expensive way possible and I bought a brand new black paint MP. Shot with it over the weekend - and certainly can appreciate some of the comments here. You don't get that immediate feedback loop, I probably have horribly messed up exposure and / or focus (likely both) with the Portra 400 I loaded - if I've even loaded it properly to begin with, even after 2 days of having it with me while I was out and about I still have more than half the roll left to shoot before I can get it developed, 400 iso with a 1/1000th limit on the shutter speed does not make for much aperture flexibility when shooting on the beach on a sunny day, etc.

So, it's quite the change from the digital world I've shot for the last 20 years or so. But that's also what I wanted. To have something tangible - that I can come back to decades from now. To rely less on the safety net of crimping and zooming in and taking brackets, and moving through scenes so quickly because I know I can fix in Lightroom.

My M11 taught me a lot about rangefinders which is transferring to the MP - and I imagine the MP will teach me a lot that I can apply when shooting my M11. I can already envision scenarios where I'll prefer to take one over the other. And I'm sure that will evolve over time as well. I'm excited to try my hand at developing - and even printing - at some point in the future. All of which connects me more to the shooting experience and "creating a photograph" vs. just taking a picture. YMMV.

My father’s advice on getting a new camera - go out and shot with it al lot.  Get to know it, and make using it second nature.

[JoshuaR]

Well, earlier in this thread I said that I'd stepped away from film for the year to make more time for other projects. But reading everyone's replies has made me think again, and now I've arranged to trade a lens and a little-used compact digital camera for an old M6 in "good" condition. I've never tried an M6 (having previously used M2, M4-P, and MP), and I'll now have a three-camera kit (M10, M10M, M6) with five lenses (21, 28, 35, 50, 75).

If I can't make some beautiful photos with that, then I might as well quit the hobby!

[Topsy]

1 hour ago, JoshuaRothman said:

Well, earlier in this thread I said that I'd stepped away from film for the year to make more time for other projects. But reading everyone's replies has made me think again, and now I've arranged to trade a lens and a little-used compact digital camera for an old M6 in "good" condition. I've never tried an M6 (having previously used M2, M4-P, and MP), and I'll now have a three-camera kit (M10, M10M, M6) with five lenses (21, 28, 35, 50, 75).

If I can't make some beautiful photos with that, then I might as well quit the hobby!

I have that same lens range for my M9s, I can get pretty much anything I want with those lenses. TBH though I very rarely mount the 28 or 50 I keep the other 3 on the 3 bodies and I'm good to go.

[lmans]

On 9/23/2023 at 6:41 PM, Huss said:

Yeah you can use the same lenses as on a Leica.  Except this is a crop sensor camera so you would not get a FF image. A 28mm lens would look like a 40, 35 a 50 etc.  And the widest frame lines they have is for the 28/40.

I have no idea why they built this with an APS-C sensor.  Because of that I'd much prefer a used M240 for the same or less money than the Pixxii. it's a shame because I think the Pixxi is very cool.

I think I would be tempted to get the Q2 Monochrom as opposed to either the M 246 Monochom (somewhat bulky) or the PIXII. I really do enjoy the price of the PIXII and they tout the monochrom ability and it takes all of my current M lens'....be it crop sensor. Perhaps if I found a deal on a PIXII? The savings of a 2-3 gran does go far. 

[Huss]

3 hours ago, lmans said:

I think I would be tempted to get the Q2 Monochrom as opposed to either the M 246 Monochom (somewhat bulky) or the PIXII. I really do enjoy the price of the PIXII and they tout the monochrom ability and it takes all of my current M lens'....be it crop sensor. Perhaps if I found a deal on a PIXII? The savings of a 2-3 gran does go far. 

It may take all M lenses, just because it shares the mount.  But how are you going to frame/compose?  There are only a few frame line selections and there is no live view.  And that savings only applies if you are comparing a new Pixii vs a new Leica M.  That's not even a fair comparison because the new Leica M is so superior.  Once you compare it to a used Leica M, the price is the same.  But with the Leica you get FF etc.

If I had unlimited disposable income, I would get a Pixii - why not?  I do think it is cool and unique. But if it was the one digital M mount camera? Hard no.

[Borna]

On 9/27/2023 at 12:29 PM, JoshuaRothman said:

Well, earlier in this thread I said that I'd stepped away from film for the year to make more time for other projects. But reading everyone's replies has made me think again, and now I've arranged to trade a lens and a little-used compact digital camera for an old M6 in "good" condition. I've never tried an M6 (having previously used M2, M4-P, and MP), and I'll now have a three-camera kit (M10, M10M, M6) with five lenses (21, 28, 35, 50, 75).

If I can't make some beautiful photos with that, then I might as well quit the hobby!

Joshua, welcome mate. Glad to have you back! Please share some tricks and tips along the way for noobies like me. 

[j.scooter]

I am and have been for the last 5 or so years shooting 98.7% film.  I have a digital Ricoh GR that I use for the odd snaps.

I have been thinking about selling some gear and moving to digital.  Both the Q2 and Fuji GFX are calling my name and I each week I decide to go one, then the other week I decide to go with the other.  

The thought to shoot digital has come from having black and white film loaded and stumbling into the perfect colour scene.  Carrying two cameras with different films is possible, but not practical for me.

Also, I do my own developing and the short life of colour developing chemicals leaves me doing batch processing with 18-20 rolls at a time.  This takes me 2 full days of developing and then the not fun activity of scanning all of those rolls.

So far, I have not created any listings to sell any of my film gear and am securely sat on the fence.

[logan2z]

1 hour ago, j.scooter said:

I am and have been for the last 5 or so years shooting 98.7% film.  I have a digital Ricoh GR that I use for the odd snaps.

I'm currently 100% film, but the little GR III has piqued my interest.  Seems like a fun little camera to carry around.  But I might rather put that $1000 towards an interchangeable-lens camera like the Fuji X--T5.  Or maybe something full frame in order to provide the basis for a better film scanning platform.  But what generally happens is, I do a bunch of research and ultimately conclude that I'm better off sticking with film, my cheap Epson flatbed for scanning, and wet printing in the darkroom.  No doubt I'll end up there again.

[Huss]

On 9/25/2023 at 4:56 PM, logan2z said:

You need to abandon the notion of instant gratification when you're shooting film  

I think of it as instant de-gratification when you shoot film.  The delight of the delay. The wonder of the wait...

[ianman]

14 minutes ago, Huss said:

I think of it as instant de-gratification when you shoot film.  The delight of the delay. The wonder of the wait...

When I use digital I change cards every 36 shots… or sometimes 24 if I’ve only got a 16GB card. And then I wait for a week before spraying some vinegar in the room and viewing the result on screen… proper film experience! 

[Huss]

1 minute ago, ianman said:

When I use digital I change cards every 36 shots… or sometimes 24 if I’ve only got a 16GB card. And then I wait for a week before spraying some vinegar in the room and viewing the result on screen… proper film experience! 

How do you simulate your camera scratching your film?

[ianman]

Just now, Huss said:

How do you simulate your camera scratching your film?

Mine don’t 😇

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[logan2z]

1 hour ago, Huss said:

How do you simulate your camera scratching your film?

Use the Fuji 'Leica Pressure Plate simulation', of course  🙂

[otto.f]

3 hours ago, Huss said:

I think of it as instant de-gratification when you shoot film.  The delight of the delay. The wonder of the wait...

Especially when you have to wait 5-7 days for your favorite fiberbased paper to be delivered, as is the case with Rollei 111 from Maco. Gives you enough time and thought to prepare your darkroom for the printing sessions.