Do you use film?

I don't want to start a discussion about digital vs film. So lets leave that alone.

During my shooting this year there have been times when I wondered if it would be good to augment my gear with a film body. I have done some outdoor harsh sunlight weddings that made me think, "Could I get better range with film". I have not tried it yet. But I am considering it. My 5D is working great. But have I been lulled into thinking its the best I can do? Digital I mean. I'm always trying to improve.

If you currently use film, or augment with film, tell me why you make use of film? What ISO do you use? For the whole wedding or just certain parts of a wedding?

What is it ?

I think that there is a certain look to film that digital can't reproduce -- kinda like the difference between listening to U2 on a CD, and vinyl.
an almost more 'organic' feel.
Also, when shooting film, you stay sharp. it's not nearly as forgiving as shooting digital. you really have to put thought into your settings.

trantz wrote in post #4344106
Also, when shooting film, you stay sharp. it's not nearly as forgiving as shooting digital. you really have to put thought into your settings.

I'm not sure I agree. If you mean that since you cannot see the shot as its taken, the I agree. But if you are talking about the exposure, I don't agree. Its much harder to blow out film than digital. Plus there is more range in film. But there is grain also, and one cannot change ISO so easy.

Well there hasn't been much response so I guess that means no one uses film for weddings.

David,

No we went digital awhile back and haven't looked back. In the olden day I shot slides for journalistic work, which had even less latitude than digital. If I want something to look like film, I can apply some actions or filters without giving up the flexibility that digital affords.

Frank Myers

I shot harsh outdoor beach weddings with digital with no problems. I haven't shot a slide of film in 2 years.

If I find an AE-1 for under $40 with a 50mm on it one day I might go play with some B&W film, but I doubt it. My RAW converisons on digital are getting much better and I can print it myself in 5 minutes.

I don't really think I'll ever shoot film again. If I wanted medium format, I'd save and go digital.

If you're charging top prices OR not shooting any PJ style stuff you could shoot film, but if you're shooting PJ and not charging megabucks, then the processing costs are really gonna eat into your profits.

UK price for professional D&P means about £15 per 36 exposures to proof size, that'd be £500 to produce proofs (and I don't think we're prolific shooters). Digitally we can proof virtually for free. Adding £500+ to my prices for no visible gain would put me out of work. I daren't even think how it'd work out for medium format.

When I shot film, I'd shoot 4 or 5 rolls at the most**, I'm not sure how my current Brides would cope with so little choice.

**At my most frugal I've filled a 30 side album from 3 rolls of 15on 120 film.

Sadly, although I dearly love my film gear and dearly love shooting film, it's just not practical any more. I can't take enough photos on film and the frame cost is so high. I shot a wedding a while ago and took 463 photos. That's the equivalent of 13 rolls of film. Now imagine developing and proofing that at about $8 a roll! Then take that away from your profits! Digital has lowered our costs which the public knows. The public expects our costs to reduce too. Film is now a luxury we cannot afford in time or expense. Photography is now a job with increasing competition from amateurs and while amateurs will not take over the market, we have to be increasingly canny with pricing etc or go under.

No........I miss using my film camera for work. A few rolls of film for the entire wedding.........now it is all a memory..........memory cards.

I do, we used blads in school during the studio/portrait part. So, I still have 2 medium formats that I keep on-hand jsut to keep the skills up. I will snap off a few shots during a wedding with them but I almost always keep them for myself.......my wife swears I just like to inhale all those chemicals.

sl3966 wrote in post #4346333
I do, we used blads in school during the studio/portrait part. So, I still have 2 medium formats that I keep on-hand jsut to keep the skills up. I will snap off a few shots during a wedding with them but I almost always keep them for myself.......my wife swears I just like to inhale all those chemicals.

The darkroom is great. Dark with the sound of running water... nice and relaxing. Now if only I could figure out a way to keep my feet from aching from standing there for 6 hours.

It also makes one appreciate the digital workflow too, lol. But it is fun!

I try to take a few a roll or two in conjunction with the digital, when I have a second shooter. during the portraits of my bride and groom. It's just an added bonus. Those negatives I don't sell though.

Its funny that you bring this up because I plan on purchasing a Holga camera sometime soon. Then I'll be shooting digital and film. I plan on offering the couple about 20 printed Holga proofs.

I still have my old kodak P&S film camera I mess around with. Sometime soon I want to pick up an slr to use. I only shoot B&W film though. It is still fun and makes you think about your shots more then digital.