Film buffs

Tom Dinning

Tom Dinning

Well-Known Member
Having read the blog and trawled through the threads for some interesting statistics I'm developing an hypothesis that there might be a number of film buffs among the membership.
Without seeming controversial or provocative, could I ask why?
As a novelty, I can understand. As a means of keeping the memory of the past alive, it goes hand in hand with museums and theme parks. As a collector of bits and bobs I'll go along with it. As a replacement for digital? I might need convincing.
But, hey, I have an open mind. Convince me it's worth hanging in there with smelly chemicals and 36 shot capacity.
 
Guilty as charged. I suppose its more an emotional attraction than a logical one. I like the look. I like the suspense. I like the challenge. Its not a novelty me. Nothing against digital (except that it has caused a massive reduction of available film and emulsions), but the prospect of taking a digital camera out for a hour or two of shooting holds no attraction for me.
 
Did I wake you?
It's a quiet afternoon. I'm browsing and dosing at the same time.
Interesting this film stuff. I grew up with it, as most did. 20 years of digital hasn't produced any 'digital buffs' yet.
Regardless of any change in technology, there are always a few people who hang onto the old. Some people swear by analogue recording, home brewing and the Mullet.
I do empathize with your feelings of suspense and anticipation with film. There are other advantages to the old ways as well. I met my first girlfriend in a darkroom. I think I looked good doused in red light. She certainly did.
Do you have any preferences for cameras? How to you keep the stuff working? Surely film is getting scarce.
I'm always half tempted to buy an old Rollieflex for fun. I had one in the 60's and it served me well.
 
Just getting ready to go to bed now. I have quite a few cameras. Not all of them work. And those that work, not all work properly. Generally, though, the older stuff works and works. Recently bought a Voigtlander that was made in the early thirties. Works just fine. Even the self timer still works. Anyway, I have enough cameras that I always have enough functional ones to shoot with. In particular my Canon F1, which is a tank. Film is still plentiful, though not as much as in the past.
 
because they look cool on a shelf. j/k. i learned on digital and was never really interested in film until recently. i finally figured out that each film and camera combo has it's own personality, kinda like hitting the random button in nik, but with better results.

film is fun on occasion, but digital is still my go to.
 
I too started with film and still shoot it, although not as much as I'd like. One of the big attractions for me is that I spend almost every day staring at a computer screen for work (occasionally I even use the keyboard and mouse!). So editing digital images is tainted by that. The pleasure of developing and printing (with the occasional element of serendipity) is a welcome relief. There is also the lure of certain bits of equipment and the film they consume. Even though I'ma professional scientist I find it hard to rationalise.
 
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