Film, why is it so addictive?

[norbs]

My latest Blog article ponders my current obsession, film cameras and film. Would love to hear from people who play with film, or even those that used to but no longer do.

[aim54x]

I love film, I love my F80 and my FM2n I have often lusted after some of those ebay specials, but have always been unable to part with the US$200-300 that they want for the Nikons that I lust for.

Film? Addictive? it is because you feel like you have worked for your images, and worked hard. GIves me a sense of achievement when I take film through from loading the canister to the final prints.

[chrisk]

personally, i'm glad i never have to see another roll of film again.

[DaveB]

The smell of developer give me flashbacks to my B&W film days and the hours I'd spend in the darkroom. Not revulsive memories, but not something I feel I need to go back to. I'm much happier getting out and making images with my cameras than being tied to chemicals (or even just scanners and their own issues if you get someone else to process for you).

I'm happy for you if you're happy with your addiction, but remember that it's YOUR addiction.

[Dipstix Pix]

I first started taking film photographs in 1960 and by 1977 was using a 4 x 5 camera. I actually found it easier to use sheet film than 120 or 220 roll film. I still can't beleive that they never invented a canister for this sized film - how primative is the paper roll. At my peak I was shooting about 1000 rolls of film a year with 80 percent being Fuji Velvia. I loved that film but I sure as hell don't miss the cost involved with processing and buying it. I have no plans to go back to film as with the Fred Miranda Velvia plug in I am more than happy with digital taking this in Kauai two weeks ago.

[Reschsmooth]

For me, film, particularly Velvia, adds a different dimension to an image than digital. Perhaps it's the tangible nature of it or the perceived added depth, but I find that I appreciate film photos more than digital. I think there is also:

1. The anticipation of seeing the images.
2. The fact that you take fewer photos, generally, and therefore take more time for each image.

The problem with film, particularly B&W is that you need to find the time to develop them - I have a few rolls in the fridge waiting to be developed, just getting older.

In terms of cost - if you compare a medium format film camera, using slide film to the purchase of a professional DSLR, the cost of the former is largely a pay-as-you-go whereas a DSLR is an upfront, amortised cost. I have done some mental arithmetic on buying a Mamiya 6x7 (c$1000 including 2 or 3 lenses) plus a scanner compared to a D3 (c$6500) for example, the difference in cost would allow you to pay for about 2-3,000 shots of slide film.

Anyway, I know Geoff is now a convert to film and will be ditching his digital stuff!

[Geoff]

Anyway, I know Geoff is now a convert to film and will be ditching his digital stuff!

 ROFL...
Wake up Patrick....

[surenj]

2. The fact that you take fewer photos, generally, and therefore take more time for each image.

I have been trying to do this anyway. Sometimes I feel that I missed a few shots because of this.
It certainly was exciting getting the results of film.... I definitely don't miss it and think I won't be able to progress this far if I was still using film. I tended to forget my settings and felt that I didn't start really learning until I bought an APS camera which allowed me to scrutinise the settings that I used.