Life After Digital

[msvadi]

For the last 3 month, I've been using my DRebel only for family snapshots. Everything else - film and only film. These were taken with Voigtlander Bessa R3A, NOKTON classic 40/1.4 S.C, Tri-X, Neopan 1600 or Ilford HP5+ films:

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/26/877377.jpg

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/26/877372.jpg

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/19/868020.jpg

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/08/852395.jpg

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/17/864969.jpg

http://m9.photoline.ru/critic/pic/1117553114.jpg

http://img.photosight.ru/2005/05/10/854561.jpg

http://m9.photoline.ru/critic/pic/1116433859.jpg

http://m9.photoline.ru/critic/pic/1115093570.jpg

http://m9.photoline.ru/critic/pic/1115907780.jpg

[Meghan]

WOW. thats all I seem to say. They are great! The compossions are amazing. You really got a great set of pictures here!!!!

I can't even say which one is my favorite. I like a lot of them thats for sure! Keep going with these kind of pictures!

Great job!!!!!!!!!!

Meghan:D

[exposingmyself]

hey, i have the same concept about film and digital :D
with digital you can show the pictures on the lcd screen. i always like being surprised on how my pictures came out on film.

in the 3rd pic, if that man would have had a long trench coat i would have sworn he was my neighbor who walks the neighborhood with no socks and laceless shoes in his hands.

great captures, great photographs!

[Curtis N]

Msvadi,
I'm not much of a photo critic, especially the B&W realm, and I don't want to be a film basher. But for the purposes of my own education, I would like you to explain why you couldn't get shots like these with your DRebel.

Thanks.

[msvadi]

Thanks for your replies guys!

Curtis, I'm glad you asked this (it's always nice to have a little discussion ;) )

Well, dynamic range is the first thing people always mention. It's much easier to preserve details in shadows and highlights with film. And even th eoverexposed parts look better on the b&w film than with digital. I tried to shoot with DRebel in subway - ugly.

Some of those pictures (subway) were taken at 3200 (Neopan 1600 pushed to 3200). Have you tried your DSLR at 3200? Noise is quite ugly. The film still has a very pleasant grain patterns. But that's not the most important thing. Rarely one needs to shoot at 3200.

The film responds to the light differently. Film pictures look smoother and more alive. It takes time to see the difference. But even after scanning and reducing down to the web resolution, one can still notice the difference. I have been experimenting with the digital B&W for about a year before I got totally disapponted and decided to try film. I just could not get from the digital that look of classic black-and-white street photography.

Next, combination of film, developer and development techniques produces amount possibilities one can only dream about with digital.

Finally, it's actually much more fun to shoot and develope film. (Of course, I speak only for myself.) The element of surprize, of unexpected is very important.

[roanjohn]

Msvadi.........as always - GREAT WORK!!!

There is something about film that digital cannot duplicate. I recently saw the Diane Arbus exhibit in the MET and it actually gave me a desire to start looking into film and medium format photography. The grain and smooth gradations of highlights/shadow that film produces are very pleasing...........and they actually look like "REAL" photographs. Digital files tend to look too perfect (nothing wrong with that BTW). In any case, I would agree in saying that there is something about film that digital cannot duplicate.

Excellent shots!!! BTW, I recognize that restaurant in the Meat Packing district.

Ro1

[DocFrankenstein]

HOHOHO :D

Not too bad for ISO 3200... And I was wondering where you've been. I am switching to film too, I can't afford a bright viewfinder with digital. And of course the highlights, the darkroom, the flexibility....

I've tried Canon A1 and Noink F3 and boy... those split circle screens work nice... Since my Zenit is busted (the shutter won't go till the end of the frame), I was looking out for a film cam and got this:
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/p15744091.html

Fully manual with selenium viewfinder, but it looks cool and can take pictures. Only 10 bucks. :D

I also played around with a few MF cameras. I'm planning on getting one of those too.

How does the Bessa's 1x viewfinder work? Do you find yourself using both eyes?

[Curtis N]

Digital files tend to look too perfect
You obviously haven't seen MY pictures!

Msvadi, thanks for your contribution. I made the move to digital partly because I didn't like the grain of high ISO film, and digital noise can at least be reduced with the right software. I guess we all have our own ideas of what is aesthetically pleasing.

[BlueTit]

Msvadi

They really are great pictures, the subjects are so interesting and get you involved. Very good. I have never used film and don't want to start now, I have spent enough, too much on digital and spend too much time PP etc. If I started on film now I would go mental, so I have to be careful to admire film work and not take it any further :-)

Very nice series.

[GyRob]

very nice set i like them all.
Rob.

[skyphix]

I still shoot film as well - strictly black and white. I dont spend quite as much on my film as you do, though.

Beautiful series :D

[pompano64]

ok
i get the point! i will dust off my old darkroom and try film again. i sure can tell the difference! nice work

[Rendezvous]

msvadi, I agree with your comments.
Good work with the B&W shots posted, they're good.

[Michaelmjc]

How did you get the shot of the man at the store? Did he let you take it?

Great shots, All great compositions!

[hollow]

those are absolutely beautiful pictures.

Film pictures look smoother and more alive

Agree !

[stoneylonesome]

WOW! What a wonderful series. Right up there with the great masters of photography.

[msvadi]

Hi guys, sorry for disappearing for a couple of months. I appreaciate your feedback!

Doc: 1x viewfinder is great, but it's hard to get rid of this habit closing one eye. still working on it ;)

Michaelmjc: I did not really ask him, I just took a few shots. when one sees something interesting, it's better not to hesitate or think, otherwise the moment is gone

[DocFrankenstein]

LOL

the "subscribe" feature of the forum is useful. It's a 3 month old thread.

Ironically I've just handled the bessa R3a? 100% finder with 35mm lens. I began trying to find the "edge of the frame" with my eyes. LOL It's a beauty. I'll get one... It's on the list right after a light meter, a studio and a couple of lenses. :)

did you have any trouble with focus calibration?

Leica is going backward compared to voigtlander.

For now, canon A1 seems to be working ok for BW film:
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/c596031.html

Have you tried slides yet?

[msvadi]

Hi Doc,

A1 - great camera, some of my friends use it and quite happy with it.

I did not have any focus problems, anyway, I don't pay too much attention to it ;)

R3A is a nice camera, my only complain at this point is that it's too loud. My other rangefinder - Canonet is practically silent. But, R3a is the best alternative to Leica. And, definitely I would go for Leica if I could afford one.

I'm not sure if R3a and 35mm lens is a good combination, need to try that. By the way, I've heard that Ultron 35/1.7 is just fantastic.

[DocFrankenstein]

Yeah, I noticed the loud shutter too.

For quiet stuff I have a Yashica TLR and Zeiss Ikon with the Kompur shutters... No sound at all.

[DaneR]

These are fantastic pictures msvadi, I like the subtle use of humour. My favourite is of the man under the umbrella; it doesnt grab the eye instantly but lets you contemplate the image.

[booggerg]

Do you wear glasses with the R3A? Do you find the 1:1 viewfinder to be too big for someone who wears glasses?

[soupdragon]

Yeah, I noticed the loud shutter too.

For quiet stuff I have a Yashica TLR and Zeiss Ikon with the Kompur shutters... No sound at all.

Hello docfrankenstein:

Glad to hear I am not the only one with a canon A-1 and a yashica tlr.
How are you digitising your images:

[uvadtmfub]

Wow, great set of pics.
I always enjoy looking at street photography. Partly because everytime I try to do some street photography myself I always get scared of taking pictures of strangers in the event that they might get mad. :)

[msvadi]

no, no glasses. but check the rangefinder forum, the issue was discussed there:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com



Do you wear glasses with the R3A? Do you find the 1:1 viewfinder to be too big for someone who wears glasses?

[mikeisbeast]

good stuff.. i first learned on film and then learn to process black and whites and i soarly miss not having a dark room.. has to be one of the best feeling waiting for the picture to devolp and too see some great come out.. its some digital cant recreate...

[JayKitty]

haha! is that dude in #3 asleep?!

[JohnnyG]

I just saw these photos and I really have to say, you're very good. A wonderful set of "street" photos. They belong in an album!

Well done!

[msvadi]

thanks for the kind comments :)

[dkord]

what lens are you using with your Drebel btw?

[msvadi]

what lens are you using with your Drebel btw?

Since I don't use my DRebel anymore, I am not sure if the question was addressed to me ;) Anyways, I have Canon 50/1.8, Tamron 28-75/2.8, Canon 135/2.8 and a lensbaby (original)

[JaertX]

Wow...these are just incredible...I especially like the one with the guy and the umbrella.

I built a pinhole camera a while back and I've been playing with that lately. It's interesting having a camera with a fixed aperture of f/428!

Anyway, there will always be something about film that I won't let go of. There's a "depth" that prints made in the darkroom have that digital hasn't quite gotten yet. I love the prints I've made with my 20D, but it's only another tool in my bag.