Why do I primarily use film cameras rather than digital?

   I am continually asked this question and faced with arguments and debates.

   One size does not fit all.

   Photography has been one of my hobbies since I was 13 years old when I purchased my first camera.  I still consider my photography a hobby and I am trying to keep it that way.

   Since my first hiking/backpacking trip I always carried a camera or cameras.  It was extremely rare if I went without one.  I am not sure I remember if I ever did.  I made these trips to experience the outdoors and elements of nature.  My photography was secondary.  As a result, my current work/exhibits are a by-product of my many trips.  My photography was not the reason for the trip but a by-product of it.

   In the early 70s I started doing solo trips from a few days to a couple of weeks in duration.  Later in the mid 80s I did solo trips up to 30 days in the Sierra Mountains, California.  I grew to love the longer solo trips without seeing anyone.  During these trips, I needed to be self-sufficient and carry everything myself.  Since I loved weather, I would seek out storms. This required added caution and backup equipment for safety and comfort.

   Weight and physical volume (size) of equipment is extremely important on these longer trips.

   For some time and currently today, my choice of cameras are the following:


   All the Nikons listed above use the same battery – a 1/3N 3V lithium with a weight of 3 grams and about the size of the end of your little finger.  The battery life is greater than a year with my normal camera use.  All these Nikons accept a 1.7 oz cold weather adapter which uses two AA alkaline batteries (same battery type used in my flashlights) for extremely cold weather.

   With these film cameras, I have full 35MM resolution (actual resolution is film dependent).

   Film and chemicals will be around for a while to service 4x5 through 8x10 and larger format film.  There will be fewer labs processing 35MM but the surviving labs will pick up the fallout.

Digital SLR cameras are large, heavy and require significant battery capacity.  This is changing but, presently, is still an issue for me.

   By repacking the film, without the original containers, I am able to lessen the weight and bulk and still carry less weight than a digital SLR with less resolution.  If I were going to add bulk and weight which is difficult if not impossible on longer trips, I would carry a larger format camera, or a spare 35MM film body [which I have done at times].

   “With a digital camera you can take more pictures and won't have to worry about the cost.”  A common comment made.  I have never come home from a trip short of film or wanted to take more images.  I bracket at times if necessary.

   Photography is my hobby.  The cost of film processing is a non-issue.

   “You can view your image right away and retake the image if necessary”  This is rarely necessary and consumes battery capacity.  I know my exposures.  If in question I bracket, and more times than not lightning does not permit another exposure.  Another non-issue.

   I seek out weather on many of my trips. My cameras are put at risk.  I use my cameras regardless of the risk.  I have backup bodies and lenses.  Why buy more cameras?  My current equipment well satisfies all my hobby needs, plus some.

   My current exhibits include about 50% larger prints from 35MM – sizes 16x24 through 20x30.

   If I were to do trips from a vehicle, I would have a digital SLR, but more important I would take larger format film cameras with higher resolution for most of my work.

   I own four digital cameras, a 1.3MP, 2MP, 4MP and 10.2MP, each of which I use for general images.

   I am not anti-digital or stuck in a film rut as some suggest – just the opposite.  The digital camera technology is phenomenal, will continue to grow and change rapidly.  The imaging devices will become better, cameras smaller, and battery capacity greater.  This technology will more than likely change in ways not yet thought of.  Hopefully the camera manufactures will produce quality rugged cameras without too much unnecessary crap.  We don’t need to access the internet with our digital SLR except to FTP image files via high speed wireless connections to our dedicated web storage space, thus requiring less storage within the camera.  As technology changes it’s possible that the equivalent of extremely large imaging sensors may be used real time via some sort of viewing device (flat screen may some day be obsolete), permitting changes to individual parts of the image before capture.  Something like using a Photoshop tool before the image capture if lighting permits.  Too many things to imagine if man doesn’t destroy himself before then.

   In time digital SLR cameras will become more usable for my hobby needs.
 
 


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