Should I get film SLR?

[Artur Gajewski]

Hello all,

As I have been photographing with 300D for a while now, I have discovered that I feel like I would like to have a film SLR in my backpack as well.

Do you think it would be a dumb idea to have two bodies, one digital and one film?

When would you use film and why?

Thanks for your help!

[PacAce]

Hello all,

As I have been photographing with 300D for a while now, I have discovered that I feel like I would like to have a film SLR in my backpack as well.

Do you think it would be a dumb idea to have two bodies, one digital and one film?

When would you use film and why?

Thanks for your help!

That's the question I was going to ask you. Unless you have a reason for using film, that film camera is just going to sit in your backpack and never get used. I have half a dozen working film cameras and I haven't used any one of them since I went digital. And I still have a couple of rolls of film in my fridge but that still hasn't motivated me to get out my film camera, even if it's just to use up the films so they don't get wasted.

[Andy_T]

Arthur,

if you think you'd like to have a film SLr as well, why not go for it?
Used models should be available at good prices now.

It might be helpful for wide angle shots because of the 'full frame'.

Best regards,
Andy

[rosemanbridge]

I use a 20D most of the time. I still keep a Leica M4 in the kit bag and it comes out when I see a shot that I want to guarantee will come out right with the quality of a slow film speed.

[Jon]

When I got the D60 I got an Elan 7e as backup. I still haven't used it two years later and now I've got the 20D, I doubt I will. Maybe for that once-in-a-lifetime shot that has to be a one-shot ultrawide (group photo) where I can't fake it out withe PhotoStitch. But then, what are the odds I'll have that camera along too! Buy some glass, or a small digital (say an A-75,85,95 model).

[tpinchback]

the only reason i still shoot film is for wide angle stuff that is hard to get with a 1.6 crop

[lmelendez]

When I got the D60 I got an Elan 7e as backup. I still haven't used it two years later
The Elan 7e is the one with eye control right? you should put it in the market place so I can buy it :-)

[Artur Gajewski]

Thank you all for your responses.

One idea of having for example EOS 300X in my backpack next to my 300D are these:

- Backup if the 300D will break down for reason or another. Nothing turns me down as much as a moment to capture a moment but no camera.

- B/W photography. Fast b/w film creates lovely grain that cannot be simulated in Photoshop. Or at least I haven't been so lucky to get similar grain in my digital work.

- I would love to develop my pictures in my local photography club as they have a darkroom.

- Wide angle shooting, I believe my Sigma 28-300 would cover the wide angle as well as tele pretty well.

- I would love to prove myself that I can take decent shots without always relying to the instant feedback and histogram.

- In digital images, burned out portions look nasty but in film they don't for some reason. Also based what I have read is that it is easier to over-expose a digital image than it is a film image. Is this true?

[Andy_T]

Arthur,

when you want to do it, why not look if there's an offer on eBay with a lens that's interesting for you?

Sometimes you'll see packages that are not so much more expensive than the lens alone if you would buy it.

Best regards,
Andy