What is driving you upon the system you chose?

andrel23 · Apr 29, 2011

Hi, I have been into 35mm for quite some time: let say since the mid 70's. Then digital went by...I've enjoyed quite much but was missing something. It was to fast to have the final objective. I like having to take time to make things the way I like them to appear on specific papers. Film is giving me a certain romance trough that objective, that is why I've went back on film. My way is having good optics, weight is not really an obstruction in my approach. I had some 1D with zoom wich was kind of heavy too. That is why I've decided to go and try the Mamiya Rz system. I've tried Pentax 67 and was thrilled with the results. I wanted to try a system with very good optics. I don't plan to magnify to the limit the final rendering in a wet darkroom wich was also coming with the rest...The smell is always calling me back in there! What is calling you back or in?

paul ron · Apr 29, 2011

Amazing how many of us come back to film, like wholesome mother's milk. Perhaps it is the romance we miss so much, in this world of instant gratification. we get caught up in the now now now, we forgot to stop n smell the fixer.

I enjoy the feeling I get when I finish a session in my darkroom. Looking at the bautiful images come to life in my hands as I rock the tray... it is so exilerating and so mystifying... pure magic. And, like kids, we love to watch this magic come alive at the doing of our own hand we never had to train, it just knew it's way.

So much time n film spent to capture our world, we are time travelers in a sense, we have the ability to capture a moment and visit it anytime we want. we also have the ability to change our perception of that moment as well to make it feel right and please an eye.

What brings me back each n every time?... next time will be better! I strive to make the next image that much better, to capture that rare moment again, to see another rare moment worthy of a frame, but to stop n smell the fixer is what it's all about.

.

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 30, 2011

I like the smell of fixer...and the fact that I get to practice my German in the darkroom.

Seriously, I just like the solitariness of it. That zen feeling I get behind the camera, in the darkroom...total relaxation, no stress (or at least stress I don't mind) and I like the look of b/w film. I also get to go outside and just wander and not have to be anywhere other than, "Ohhhhhhhh....oooooohhhhhhh! THAT looks INTERESTING!" when something catches my eye. I see nature in a totally different light.

Vaughn · Apr 30, 2011

While I never left film, I did leave MF. Now I like occasionally using my Rolleiflex for its simplicity, compactness and just plain old fun...and occasional color.

Curt · Apr 30, 2011

This evening I was reading through some books and was again made aware that some very excellent photographs were made in sizes less than 4X5. That comes at a time when I'm working my way through the build of an 11x14 camera. It's not the size but the content that counts. If a particular size of film camera inspires you to do the best work you've done to date then the change was correct.

Non Analog image making is interesting, I can set my printer to output a dozen copies of a Photoshop-ed image and set back and have a drink. The satisfaction of it leaves me unreplenished though. Whatever the film the darkroom is the place where it comes to life for me. There is also the realization that time is fleeting and what there is left is very valuable.

I have too much equipment. It gets in the way and is a distraction but it's a habit that's hard to break. I have to think of it in terms of a tool box and chose the right tool for the job at hand.

I would hope that I'm driven by the image I want to make.

Citizen_Erased · May 1, 2011

I went back to film after shooting digital for a few years. I did this because I had grown bored shooting digitally and wanted something different. So I enrolled in a color class, bought my N90s and a lot of 35mm film then went shooting. I loved the photos I was making and it was different shooting film over digital. The fact you can't delete the images is what I love and the anticipation of developing the film are two things that keep me hooked.

I have a classmate that shoots a 645 and she was telling me about MF and my instructor brought in his Hasselblad and I got to shoot it. After researching MF cameras for weeks, I finally bought my RB67 and I love shooting with it. The limited number of frames on 120 film makes me be more selective about what I'm shooting. It pushes my creativity.

Sirius Glass · May 1, 2011

I was shooting 35mm C-41 color and sending my film to Costco to process.
I was happy.

Then I found this site.
I inherited a Mamiya C330.
I did not like the C330 so I sold it for a Hasselblad.
I started developing black & white film.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
i bought a second 35mm camera so I could shoot black & white and color film.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
I set up a black & white darkroom.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
I bought a Hasselblad SWC.
I took up LF by buy a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic and a 4"x5" Graflex Model D.
I bought a Jobo processor.
Now I process black & white and color film and prints.

Lessons Learned:

Stay away from APUG.org!

Stay away from KEH. com!

Stay away from eBay!

Steve

Klainmeister · May 1, 2011

I never went digital but was handed my fathers Canon Eos when I was about 14 and have been building binders of photographs ever since. Nowadays, I was driven towards the Mamiya 7 system because I need a lightweight system for the areas I backpack to, and the 6x7 format is my favorite.

paul ron · May 1, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
I was shooting 35mm C-41 color and sending my film to Costco to process.
I was happy.

Then I found this site.
I inherited a Mamiya C330.
I did not like the C330 so I sold it for a Hasselblad.
I started developing black & white film.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
i bought a second 35mm camera so I could shoot black & white and color film.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
I set up a black & white darkroom.
I bought more Hasselblad lenses.
I bought a Hasselblad SWC.
I took up LF by buy a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic and a 4"x5" Graflex Model D.
I bought a Jobo processor.
Now I process black & white and color film and prints.

Lessons Learned:

Stay away from APUG.org!

Stay away from KEH. com!

Stay away from eBay!

Steve

Steve, Now come over and wipe all this coffee off my monitor screen......

HHAHAHAHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Gotta love it!

Dan Daniel · May 1, 2011

Viewfinders! I did tons of photography in the '70s into the '80s, then dropped away. Came back around 2000. After a few years holding ThatWhichWillNotBeNamed cameras at arms length and looking at a postage stamp screen down a tube, a Pentax ME Super reminded me what a real viewing screen is like. That of course leads to a TLR. I won't even approach someone using a 4x5 because I fear what I will do once I see that screen again.

pgomena · May 2, 2011

I chose a Hasselblad system after using a Rollei TLR for about 25 years. I wanted the flexibility of using multiple lenses and film backs and the overall quality of the system and the images it produces. I have no complaints.

Peter Gomena

dpurdy · May 2, 2011

I find that if you are going to enlarge your film and your print size stays relatively small like mine, there is very little if any advantage in using 4x5 over MF. It is really difficult to make a 4x5 neg that is in anyway sharper or tonally better than what I make with my Rolleiflex. Now when I need to work with a 4x5 for perspective or focus control, I use a MF roll film back. It is much easier than carrying a bunch of film holders.
Dennis

George Collier · May 2, 2011

I've been doing film (B&W only) since the late 50's, working my way from 35mm half frame through 4x5 view. I now (after many GAS lapses) have simplified things to some Nikons, 2 Rolleis, and a Cambo view. I print everything with a D2 and the Aristo cold light, so fairly simple. I agree with much of what others have said in the way of "why?". Using each kind of camera is a little like driving different cars for different reasons. Some days I feel like shooting with the Nikon, not just because of the physical feel of the gear, but because of the way I "see" when using 35mm stuff, and being mindful of what the film and developer combo will look like on paper when printed. The Rolleis are simple, and the square image is it's own deal, and is a big quality jump from 35mm. Most of the reason to haul around the 4x5 is about perspective and DOF control, and the slow, contemplative culture it forces upon the composing of the image.
As for the darkroom, it's always a joy to work there, if the printing doesn't work out, the music is always good.

narsuitus · May 2, 2011

andrel23 said:
What is calling you back or in?

I never left film. I merely added digital.

Sirius Glass · May 2, 2011

narsuitus said:
I never left film. I merely added digital.

I never left film. I do not like my fingers dirty and smelly so I do not do digital. [Hint: if you do not get it, please see my signature. ]

Steve

flatulent1 · May 2, 2011

Not much difference, then, between digital and anal log...

<cough>

Laurent · May 3, 2011

I'm still trying to decide what suits me best...

I never used digital (but for the 2MP my sister gave me and I'm using for classified pictures).

I lusted after LF for years and finally bought a Tachihara and some lenses.

I discovered MF by accident, while looking for a used cheap RF... Liked it so much that I traded a Sinar for my rolleiflex (while the Yashica was out for repair).

Now I'm doing my best work with the Rolleiflex, and I just acquired a Hasselblad 500C... Which I think will go because I find that the less decisions I have to make, the more photographs I make, and the better they are...

I haven't decided on selling the LF to buy a Rolleiflex (2.8 this time), but this is likely to be my next move...

Makten · May 3, 2011

I'm young enough (31) to never have "left film" since I started shooting in 2005. I was fully digital until a year ago or so, when I decided to switch a Leica M8 for an M6 (plus lots of cash). And then I got hooked.
Over time I realized that even though 135 was nice because of the small cameras, I couldn't get the quality I got from my D700. So I decided to go for medium format. After using a Fujica GM670 rangefinder for a while I bought a Pentax 67II with some lenses, and now I feel at home. I've also recently begun developing C-41 at home.

Anyhow, I'm not at all fond of all the waiting that the use of film implies. I want results now, not next week, so I tend to try to shoot and develop a roll on the same day. And for this reason I'll probably go back to digital as soon as the digital 135 cameras grow smaller. But the Pentax stays, because there won't be a 56x70 mm sensor like ever.

Citizen_Erased · May 3, 2011

I tend to be impatient when it comes to film, but it doesn't bug me that much. I use my D90 to experiment with my flash and figure out how it'll look before I commit film to it. I like my Mamiya because of the 6x7 format and how it's bigger than my D90s sensor.

cjbecker · May 3, 2011

I started with film for about 5 years, my old trusty FE, which was used to completely teach me the technical side. I then moved into digital because I thought that was the way that you had to go. Got into digital for a while and started doing a few sessions and quickly sold it. It left the worst taste in my mouth. During the time of the digital age for me i bought a 500cm setup. Because the the bad taste I stopped shooting completely. I then pulled out the FE again and found my love again. Being stupid like I am I bought another digi and again it almost ruined it again for me. I figured out the problem, so I sold the digi and am now a 100% film photographer. Could not be happier. Now i shoot a rolleicord and a 500cm for everything.

Citizen_Erased · May 3, 2011

cjbecker said:
I started with film for about 5 years, my old trusty FE, which was used to completely teach me the technical side. I then moved into digital because I thought that was the way that you had to go. Got into digital for a while and started doing a few sessions and quickly sold it. It left the worst taste in my mouth. During the time of the digital age for me i bought a 500cm setup. Because the the bad taste I stopped shooting completely. I then pulled out the FE again and found my love again. Being stupid like I am I bought another digi and again it almost ruined it again for me. I figured out the problem, so I sold the digi and am now a 100% film photographer. Could not be happier. Now i shoot a rolleicord and a 500cm for everything.

Why did digital leave a bad taste in your mouth?

Sirius Glass · May 3, 2011

Citizen_Erased said:
Why did digital leave a bad taste in your mouth?

Because of where the fingers go when you do a digital exam!

puptent · May 3, 2011

I have always been fascinated with photography. My Mother won a Kodak Retina at the Post Exchange in Germany, and she became quite the photographer. Growing up in Colorado Henry Jackson was my hero, but I got side-tracked by a sexy little Olympus on my way to large format. I, for one, don't feel comfortable in the digital world, it isn't "real" to me. Yeah, I play CD's, but I don't download (give me vinyl or give me tape!) I do have a digi, cost about $40, and I use it to list stuff on e-bay. Over the past 30 years or so a lot of OM stuff has come my way. I'm not only comfortable in the analog world, I'm content there. cheers!

alapin · May 3, 2011

Words really can't describe it. It's like going home when you been away for awhile. The anticipation of what will be there, when you get off the bus. Hoping to see those who love you, parents, family, friend, and that special one. It's that magical moment when those thing comes into your sight as you step off the bus. It's like taking a look at that film after you take it from the final wash, just before you hang it up to dry, or when the print begins to become a photo. Just that magical moment that you get to live over and over. I hope that there many,many more to come.

andrel23 · May 3, 2011

alapin, I guess you described very well what is driving you and I feel the very same way!

Anticipation and excitement play a key role when we are expressing this beautiful way of doing Photography.

What is driving you upon the system you chose?

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