film or digital and age

[Photo_Smith]

I shoot both, I put mostly film I'm in my mid 40's. On a straw poll of friends and colleagues the older ones were mostly digital the 20-40 mostly film or both.
I think middle age makes us less likely to use film, because we have more disposable income, have grown up with film and develop a 'meh been there, done that-can't buy Kodachrome' attitude.
I would say I expect 20-40s to be film or a mixture and the 50+ to be mainly digital-just judging by experience.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Photo_Smith

I think middle age makes us less likely to use film, because we have more disposable income, have grown up with film and develop a 'meh been there, done that-can't buy Kodachrome' attitude.

Exactly... film isn't exotic if you used it for a long time.

I would say I expect 20-40s to be film or a mixture and the 50+ to be mainly digital-just judging by experience.

I'd say this is encouraging... I guess its the novelty factor / lifestyle factors coming into play here.

[mike-s]

I am a bit surprised. The over 60s is the only group in which digital use is greater than film. I would have expected the results to be the other way round. I suppose we have to consider that fact that the respondents are all members of this forum so the results may be weighted in favour of film.

[Michael Markey]

Originally Posted by mike-s

I am a bit surprised. The over 60s is the only group in which digital use is greater than film.

When I attended my local camera club I found that the over 60s were by far the most vociferous adherents ...there was always a sense of "we`re glad that we`ve left all that film stuff behind".
"This is better and we wish we`d had it back then."
The younger end just accepted it because its all they knew.
Out of about forty /fifty people ....80% over fifty there was only myself and another chap that used film.
The "attention" was tiresome at times and it was always from the old timers.

[GaryLH]

These days mainly digital... At best in the past around 40% film.. The last three months more like 10%. When I shoot film, it is mainly mf format b&w, some 35mm... Still develop myself, Rodinal and hc110.. Put away my wet darkroom ages ago..

Gary

[Keith]

Originally Posted by mike-s

I am a bit surprised. The over 60s is the only group in which digital use is greater than film. I would have expected the results to be the other way round. I suppose we have to consider that fact that the respondents are all members of this forum so the results may be weighted in favour of film.

There's a lot more people in the over sixty group who have had hip replacements, have haemorrhoid problems, have failing eyesight, poor memory etc etc!

Why not digital as well?

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by Keith

There's a lot more people in the over sixty group who have had hip replacements, have haemorrhoid problems, have failing eyesight, poor memory etc etc!

Why not digital as well?

Dear Keith,

Indeed. What's one more pain in the arse?

Cheers,

R.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Dear Keith,

Indeed. What's one more pain in the arse?

Cheers,

R.

Boom boom! LOL

[photomoof]

Originally Posted by mike-s

I am a bit surprised. The over 60s is the only group in which digital use is greater than film. I would have expected the results to be the other way round. I suppose we have to consider that fact that the respondents are all members of this forum so the results may be weighted in favour of film.

I worked with film from the time my parents gave me a Kodak Pony and Kodachrome in about 1960, to 1998 when I was given a Leica Digilux by Wall Street Camera. I never looked back, loved the fun of digital and my Mac.

[wcurtiss]

I'm 37 and I use film almost exclusively these days. I have a digital camera and I do use it from time to time for quick facebook type shots but otherwise it sits on my shelf gathering dust. Film just has a certain look that digital cant quite reproduce. I really want to start developing my own film but my budget is limited right now for all the equipment/chemicals.

[D.J.]

After 40+ years in the darkroom, digital is a real pleasure!

[teddy]

I'm 32 and grew up with Photoshop 4, creating graphics and working on websites that included using photography, post processing and everything that comes with the digital age. One day I went, stuff it - so I will make my own photography for my work. Looked at the files from digital cameras back in 2005 and never liked the dynamic range, colour and contrast (too clinical) - so I went to film. Bingo, Velvia, Provia and Black and White gave me the organic and "real" look to an image that I was always after. Film will always be the essence of photography for me.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by D.J.

After 40+ years in the darkroom, digital is a real pleasure!

I have to agree. Though I haven't been alive for 40 years yet. However, I don't miss the time spent in the darkroom. I do miss some of the results at times though.

[PatrickCheung]

Well, I finally voted. Here's my story as to why it took me so long to vote... don't know if it's relevant or interesting.

I'm 19, and I shoot predominately digital.

I saw the thread last night, and the first thing I did was try to count all the times I shot film and the times I shot digital. I've been taking photos for about 4 years now, started using film for 2. I kept shooting digital while shooting film... so I guess you can say I've shot much more digital than film.

Then the first thing I did upon that realization was try to come up with an excuse as to why I shot more Digital than Film, as if it was a bad thing. "But I started off with digital, it was given to me, it's not my fault"... things like that.

Then I asked myself why I did that... 'cause it was kind of silly.

Then I read a post in this thread that said "What's this whole predominately digital thing?" I also remembered how my girlfriend was completely clueless about photography until I showed her my M3, Hexar RF, and M8... and this site when she asked me where to start... and one of the first things she tells me is to stop shooting so much digital and use more film.

I'm not saying these things to start a fire, I've been using a lot of film lately mostly because it has a higher dynamic range than my camera's sensors, and because I've finally found access to a darkroom. There are also two different, completely unique feelings that are associated with each medium, and my choice between the two often falls on my mood of the day.

I'm saying this because the poll results might be inaccurate. As one person said, there might be digital users that aren't voting. I don't know why this may be, but PERSONALLY, I was dissuaded to vote because there seems to be a stigma that comes with using digital here. Almost every digital-related thread has a few playful posts that read something like "what's digital?" or "[x-amount of money] can buy you [film camera] and [x-amount of film]" I enjoy seeing them, they're playful, but they also contribute to a somewhat negative image of digital photograpy.

Again, I'm not saying this to start a fire... just sharing my reasons as to why I hesitated to vote and why the poll results might be a little off.

[Joosep]

Shot about ~2500 frames on film during the last 12 months.
Im 22 and have a romantic relationship with film. Dont ask.

[one90guy]

I move back and forth between digital and film. Today I shot 1 roll 35mm b/w, 1 roll 120 b/w and 5 digital frames. Trying to take pic of butterflys and the af on the digital helps me.

[Paul Jenkin]

Looks like a pretty healthy spread of results so far. I'm 51 and use film mostly. Nothing against digital, I just prefer using film - especially 120 in my TLRs, Mamiya 7 and Hassy 500c/m.

For me, the choice is probably determined most by subject matter. Sports, air shows and macro are things I'd probably shoot in digital. Travel, street, landscape and portraits are definite film teritory for me.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by PatrickCheung

but they also contribute to a somewhat negative image of digital photograpy.

When it comes to amateurs, it's kind of high-schoolish to me. Film is cool and digital is not. You don't want to be with the wrong crowd!

When it comes to pros, they seem to simply use whatever they need to get something done.

[Nicolai]

I am 17 and I only shoot film occasionally (during holidays, at family-events etc.).

[SakamakuAme]

I'm 32. iPhone, GF1, Mamiya 7ii and Yashica T5. I shoot more with digital, but most of them are very casual, or nothing but test shots. If the film is free, I love to shoot everything with film.

I think I can say my main camera is the film, since 90% of my photographic energy goes for film.

[jagwar.jim]

24, shooting nearly all film.

Really interesting to see these results, good poll!

[DougFord]

56 yrs old, currently shooting film.

[grapejohnson]

I'm 25 and I've never owned a digital camera. Film was much cheaper to start out with, i got my first "real camera" for $30, and I work at a drug store with a mini-lab so it was very affordable to learn. If I was doing weddings or some kind of pro work, I would probably get some kind of digital camera, but I just don't like digital. Getting into developing at home has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

[grapejohnson]

Originally Posted by Keith

I sometimes wonder what impression film makes on someone young ... a child of the digital age!

Seeing a negative come out of a developing tank is almost a religious experience for many of us ... how does someone in their twenties or younger perceive it when they see it for the first time?

Every time I take the roll of negatives off the spool I gasp and say "oh my god" over and over. It never gets old.

[Marc G.]

Originally Posted by Keith

I sometimes wonder what impression film makes on someone young ... a child of the digital age!

Seeing a negative come out of a developing tank is almost a religious experience for many of us ... how does someone in their twenties or younger perceive it when they see it for the first time?

well... I'm 24 and not exactly a child of the digital age because I learned it with my grandpa's OM10 with 50 1.8 (he still has it... I've seen it 3 weeks ago, it was great )

coming from a short trip with dslr (i didnt like the crop factor at all) I got myself a film camera and a fast 50. I love B&W films for the tonality and mood they give me and then I decided to do my own developing. So far I've only done 2 films and it worked well with D76 and ilford stuff. it really is a miracle when it comes out. seems so vulnerable when you have to make sure no light touches the film and all the chemicals make it a strong roll of negatives that resists light after the treatment.

there is some magic. I like it