When Asked Why You Are Not Shooting Digital, What Do You Reply?

guitstik · Apr 13, 2011

If it is a professional asking I usually ask him how many jobs he has lost because some amateur with a digital camera underbid him. I talked to a cabinet maker today as I was out shooting and we were discussing how much it would cost for him to build me a cabinet for my DR sink, enlargers and a work table. When he gave me a price of around $3000 I could tell he wasn't expecting the response I gave him. I have no problem paying for quality, when I can, and from what I could see in his work I saw quality. The same goes for photography. Photography is an art and film is the medium of choice. I'm not saying that a pro with a digi cam is not quality, most have had years of experience behind a film camera and have learned the ins and outs of making great photos. Sculptors still use a chisel and hammer to create even tho there are machines out there that can do the same thing with lasers. With a camera the art doesn't stop after I have tripped the shutter, at that point it is just beginning, it continues on into the darkroom.

moki · Apr 13, 2011

I had a really strange moment some time ago. I was at a birthday party with lots of kids aged about 8-14. I had my trusty Exa 1b with me and was taking pictures around the fire and a few long exposures of people dancing around with glow in the dark armbands... anyway, one of the older kids came up to me and asked if I was taking photos ("No, I'm making sandwiches, can't you see?" would be the smart-ass answer) and if I could take a picture of him and his friends. No problem, I said and tried my best... next question from him "Can we see them?" - "Uh, no, this isn't a digital camera... see, no display, no blinking lights." - "What?! :confused:".

They didn't even know there was such a thing as film - a camera was either a digital P&S, dSLR, cellphone or digital camcorder for them! I was completely flabbergasted and a little sad and had a hard time explaining analog photography to them in easy and not-too-sciency words. The positive side to the story is, that they seemed very interested. I even had to open up the camera (after rewinding the film, of course) and show how everything works, where the film goes and even try to explain the development process. Of course there was also the question why I don't have a digital camera ("It's so much better and easier... no turning of little mechanical wheels and you can see the picture right away!")and I don't think, they entirely understood my reasoning... I wished, I had some FB-prints with me to show the real reason.

This wouldn't have surprised me a lot if I was an old geezer with the neverending sermon "The youth of today...", but I was 20 at that time, not so much older than them. Either I'm really strange/mad or there was a massive change in these few years, like a completely new generation... most of these kids won't be the ones asking "Why don't you shoot digital?" but something like "What is that thing you're pointing there? Some kind of camera?" The explaining doesn't become any easier...

Steve Mack · Apr 13, 2011

What's digital, eh, Precious?

With best regards.

Stephen

p956lh · Apr 13, 2011

I usually go with:
- film cameras feel nicer
- prints from bw film still rocks
- I slow down more when using film and get more keepers.

and,
- my film cameras play along more nicely with my AI/non-AI lenses than my digitals do.

Josh Harmon · Apr 13, 2011

This is indeed a "hot topic".

I have been asked this question on several occasions. I generally reply, "I enjoy working with these cameras (Either my Bronica or 2x3 Graflex", or "I prefer the look and feel of film, as well as working the darkroom".

As a young person who has grown up during the early parts of the digital revolution, I can still remember my parents loading up their camera's for special occasions. My family doesn't own a digital camera, I do (and own several) and they usually use one of mine. For what they use a camera for digital is perhaps better. For what I take photos of and the look I want, there is no replacement to film.

I derive the majority of my enjoyment of photography from working with old cameras, processing film, and printing in the darkroom.

Josh

kb3lms · Apr 13, 2011

Because I have been a computer programmer, chained to a chair, sitting on my ass in front of a keyboard and monitor for 30 years and when I get home I ain't going to do it for fun!

That pretty much sums it up for me!

David Brown · Apr 14, 2011

My wife is a painter. Often, we go out together: her with her easle and me with the tripod. No one has ever walked up to her and asked why she was painting when she could just take a photograph ...

marco5555 · Apr 14, 2011

I say "Whats digital? You mean this isn't 1966?" and then quote back to the future 10 or more times

waynecrider · Apr 14, 2011

I usually get alot of remarks from people saying that they didn't know film was even still made. I of course tell them that it is, and even made in sheets as large as 11 x14 inches for big view cameras (another explanation) as well as in other formats. The usual response I get is "really?", and then I have to educate them about why, but it's always fun to clue them in.

ishutteratthethought · Apr 14, 2011

I occasionally get ...aaaaawwwwhhh (very long ah) film eh? isn't that somth'n
and i say...yep it is!

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 14, 2011

waynecrider said:
I usually get alot of remarks from people saying that they didn't know film was even still made. I of course tell them that it is, and even made in sheets as large as 11 x14 inches for big view cameras (another explanation) as well as in other formats. The usual response I get is "really?", and then I have to educate them about why, but it's always fun to clue them in.

I think most consumers have been 'trained' by media to think that digital is the only option for quite some time now. To me it's no surprise at all that, actually, that so many people are clueless about the availability of film.

But as long as they're happy with their pictures, who cares? It is a fun encounter sometimes. I just ordered some 5x7 film and can't wait to see what people say when I bring out the old Century #2...

rphenning · Apr 14, 2011

… if they are holding a digital camera then usually I will tell them "because I think digital looks like crap!" just to see where we can take things.

rphenning · Apr 14, 2011

(not that I actually think that)

blockend · Apr 14, 2011

I say 'I can't remember' and hope they walk away.

blockend · Apr 14, 2011

A few weeks ago I was shooting with my Yashica rangefinder, mainly people walking past the cafe. I could hear a conversation to my right and the word 'camera' and as the guy got up to leave he plucked up courage to ask, 'can you still get film for those things?'
'No,' I answered and kept shooting.

andres · Apr 14, 2011

blockend said:
A few weeks ago I was shooting with my Yashica rangefinder, mainly people walking past the cafe. I could hear a conversation to my right and the word 'camera' and as the guy got up to leave he plucked up courage to ask, 'can you still get film for those things?'
'No,' I answered and kept shooting.

that's a good one

narsuitus · Apr 14, 2011

A few years ago when I was setting up to take a family portrait, the little kid in the family saw my film camera and exclaimed to his mother, Look Mom, an antique camera.

I was initially insulted; but I did the math and realized that my camera was 31 years old.

semeuse · Apr 14, 2011

About a week or so ago I was at a large wildlife refuge. I had sat down at the edge of one of the many ponds - water level is pretty low this time of year, so there's a lot of stuff going on. A group of maybe 10 people all armed with digital cameras came walking by. One stopped and asked me what I was shooting with, pointing at my Canon F1. "Why still use film?" I pointed to two alligators, a few large turtles, some dragonflies darting around and a hawk at the top of a nearby tree. "You can get all that with digital," he said. "Maybe," said I, "But I saw them all and you all were marching right by."

thanos · Apr 14, 2011

I reply: "Digital needs batteries. My Trip 35 doesn't".
That ends the discussion just about there.

Markster · Apr 14, 2011

I have never been asked. I've maybe had a comment or two about using an SLR vs any old 35mm, but never "why not digital" -- it's never come up.

Not being overly confrontational, I'd generally just say it's about control and speed (if asked). I get the shot I want how I want it, and I can change my settings instantly rather than going through a menu.

I'm not against digital. Heck I even want a DSLR. I still shoot film, though.

If they had a Canon AE-1 or A-1 or F-1 that worked identically to the old body but had a digital storage, I'd be ALL over that. Instantly.

(No, don't mention the digital insert that failed to appear or the hollowed-out shell of an AE-1 with a P&S inside)

thegman · Apr 14, 2011

I just tell the truth, I prefer the colours from colour film than from digital, and also I like that when a shot is taken, there is no chimping, no demands from others to look at the shot, you just get on with your day.

If I were to go into more detail, I'd also say that the plastickyness of 99.5% of digital cameras does not appeal to me. The 0.5% of digital cameras which are not plasticky have their drawbacks such as price (Leica), lack of resolution (Epson R-D1), lack of portability (Hasselblad with digital back), lack of viewfinder (Leica X1, Olympus EP-1), or non-interchangeable lenses (Fujifilm X100).

If were to go into even more detail, I'd tell them that I'd "like to like" digital for it's low ongoing cost, dust free "negs", and so people don't ask me why I don't shoot digital. Problem is I don't really like the process or the results.

Dave in Kansas · Apr 14, 2011

I was at the race track a few weeks ago with my Mamiya 645 and the fellow next to me asked "Can I see the picture you just took?" I replied, "Sure, but you'll have to wait a week." He didn't say anything else after that.

I'm not sure that I've ever been asked directly why I don't shoot digital, but in a roundabout way they are wondering. I generally tout the superior archival qualities of film and analog images and how they can be stuck in shoe box and be just fine 50 or 100 years later. They often can relate to this because by now so many people have lost images to disk crashes and unreadable media.

Dave

Roger Cole · Apr 14, 2011

I don't think I've actually been asked in so many words while out shooting. I have been asked by a friend at a party who was clicking away with his DSLR while I shot Kodachrome (Solstice party in December and the culmination of my farewell to Kodachrome project of 2010) in my Pentax LX. "Never found a digital sensor that does it for you?" "No, it's not that really. I mostly shoot black and white and I do prefer the results from film, but it's not mainly about the results, it's the process. I enjoy darkroom work and working with a medium that has some craft to it. I work with computers all day professionally and using an older technology for my art is part of my break from that."

He seemed puzzled, and the fact that he seemed puzzled puzzled me. We're both in networking. He works for Cisco and I'm a network engineer with an ISP. I thought if anyone would relate to that reason, at least, it would be him. Still, he sent me a pristine autofocus Kodak Medalist slide projector and three trays having finally converted the last of his instructional slide shows he also does to digital. Oh, and a spare bulb. I was glad to get a nice projector and he was glad to see it go to someone who would use it.

pbromaghin · Apr 14, 2011

Roger Cole said:
He seemed puzzled, and the fact that he seemed puzzled puzzled me. We're both in networking. He works for Cisco and I'm a network engineer with an ISP. I thought if anyone would relate to that reason, at least, it would be him.

I had another IT guy respond to my "I ain't doing it at home for fun" rant with not just puzzlement, but disbelief. It turns out he is a manager who sits in meetings all day instead of being glued to a screen staring at code.

Klainmeister · Apr 14, 2011

Wowzers, how many of us work IT and hate starring at screens on cameras as well. Just another thing to have a software/driver issues, bad connection, yada yada.... I stare at screen all day!

When Asked Why You Are Not Shooting Digital, What Do You Reply?

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