Analog still best in some conditions

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Some good thoughts there. Thanks!

 

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Another situation, delving more into science fiction: An alien civilization discovers Earth, and it turns out that their advanced technology makes a mockery of our best security. They can even see into portable devices and computers not connected to the internet or other large network. While they may not be overtly hostile (though there will presumably be some sort of conflict), Earth based interests turn to analog forms of communication and information storage for the most sensitive data.... as well as for surveillance of our Guests. This could be any number of groups: the goverment(s), corporations wanting to get an edge (possibly with discovering and introducing alien tech), or civilian "nutjobs" wanting to get at The Truth.

Sci-fi noir!

A gumshoe detective, never really comfortable with the way tech has been advancing, finds new purpose for his old skills and equipment!

 

[munz6869]

There are always solar chargers, like Dead Link Removed for example... you just need cameras that can charge from USB.

Marc!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

..?

I recently read a story about a war photographer in Afghanistan who had some trouble keeping up with his hardware's need for infrastructure: specifically, connectivity and a steady supply of electrons for his batteries and laptop computer. He had to take every opportunity he could to charge his equipment from generators and trucks as he could, and evidently spent a lot of his time doing that.

Sure, even so, he could get a bunch more exposures on digital than he would on film, but if he'd used a good film camera, I think he could have spent more time and concentration on getting good shots, rather than having to chase electrons. I'd still have a digital camera handy, for stuff that needs to be shot and distributed, like, RIGHT NOW... but having an older technology, less reliant on being on-grid, seems like it could be handy.

Sure, they're probably doing just fine, but I'd started writing a story about a guy, and I wanted to make analog photography more relevant and necessary for him. The easiest way to do that was to muck about with infrastructure, make it so he's prevented from having easy access to power, etc. so it becomes a semi-post-apocalyptic story (maybe a solar storm, EMP, official crackdown, etc.) with the main character taking it upon himself to record whatever he can for posterity.
As he can't use his pro digital gear so much anymore, he turns to his dusty old collection of film cameras and a pile of expired b&w film.

Just a pile of thoughts. I'm not trying to start a debate, just lookin' to toss something out for general discussion.

For this reason ,I try to avoid any battery-depended equipment,which is getting increasingly harder;try to buy a mechanical stopwatch without spending a fortune.

 

[nick_clark]

One of my clients only shoots film when he travels in a remote part of the world , because he cannot recharge as he is in a tent and horseback much of the time, therefore film and mechanical cameras.

Hmmm not convinced... I walked across Iceland last year (~500km and 21 days solo) and spare batteries and memory cards for my GR were much lighter and more portable than spare film would have been for my M2.

 

[Luckless]

I still get around 1000 shots out of the old LP-E6 batteries for my 7D, and one of those is MUCH easier to store safely in my pack than a single roll of 120, and have reasonably low self-discharge. The last time I had them on the charger would probably have been end of June maybe. And since then I've gone out several times to shoot sports games and a bit of birding. One of the batteries is down to 1/4, the others are only down to 1/2. And at $60 for a new one... Combine that with the risk of damage to the negatives, their general bulk, and inability to easily and reliably produce backups in field,... Well if I were going to go traveling for any length of time, and wasn't planning the trip specifically as an art focused photography trip, then I'm leaving the film gear at home.

(I'll still be taking trips here in the next while packing a dozen or more rolls of film to make sure I have more than enough for it.)

 

[barzune]

Another situation, delving more into science fiction: An alien civilization discovers Earth, and it turns out that their advanced technology makes a mockery of our best security. They can even see into portable devices and computers not connected to the internet or other large network. While they may not be overtly hostile (though there will presumably be some sort of conflict), Earth based interests turn to analog forms of communication and information storage for the most sensitive data.... as well as for surveillance of our Guests. This could be any number of groups: the goverment(s), corporations wanting to get an edge (possibly with discovering and introducing alien tech), or civilian "nutjobs" wanting to get at The Truth.

Sci-fi noir!

A gumshoe detective, never really comfortable with the way tech has been advancing, finds new purpose for his old skills and equipment!

Good Lord, DON'T drink Alabama water !!!

 

[DREW WILEY]

I once took a long steep mountain trek with heavy view camera gear and took only two exposure the whole trip. But I'd rather have those two than
a thousand taken digitally. And the interesting thing is that the more pictures people shoot, the less really good ones they seem to get. In other words, one well placed shot by a sniper is more likely to hit the target than a lot of random machine gun fire.