russelljtdyer
Writer
It's all about the sensor and how you look at it.
It's all about the sensor and how you look at it.
If their question is about why I use a film camera instead of a digital camera, I explain to them that each camera has a sensor for recording an image. A digital camera uses an electronic image sensor, which is reusable. A film camera uses generally a rectangle piece of a strip of film, which may be used only once. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each. But at the basic level, different types of cameras have different types of sensors--electronic or film. The type of sensor it uses will effect the results of the initial image.
Although you can manipulate an image by various methods, especially with a computer program--I point out that film negatives can be converted to digital image files--the quality and condition of the initial image before it's manipulated on a computer can be different depending on the image sensor. There are other factors that can effect the initial image (e.g., lighting, lenses, exposure settings, positioning of the camera, etc.), but all other conditions being equal except for the image sensor, the initial image created will be generally different. Even if you intend to manipulate the image with a computer program, having a good starting point for an image, or at least a starting point that you prefer and one which is near the end result you prefer, is better. The more the image is the way you want it to start, the easier it will be to achieve the results you want in post-production. Given these factors, I prefer generally the initial images created from film over electronic sensors.
If their question is about using a rangefinder instead of an SLR camera, I explain to them about how the focusing works on both and how the rangefinder focusing method can be more accurate. I explain to them how the shutter works and how there's no mirror mechanism on a rangefinder camera, and how this all means it's quieter, making it easier to take photos unnoticed. I also explain to them how an SLR camera with an equivalent focal length and quality lens is heavier than that of a rangefinder camera and lens combination. This might require explaining that since on a rangefinder one doesn't look through the lens, there is no prism or mirror mechanism and therefore the lens is located closer to the sensor, allowing for much smaller lenses. If they question whether bigger lens might be necessarily better, I remind them that their eyes have very small lenses because they are located close to their image sensors (i.e., their retinas) and they work typically quite well. If they want to compare their telephone camera or a small mirror-less compact camera to a rangefinder camera, I use my fingers to indicate the size of the sensor for the phone or small camera and compare that to the dimensions of a 35mm film negative. I then put into question the quality of the simple lens used by their device and how it will effect the quality of the image passing through it to the image sensor. I reiterate that it's all about the image sensor and how you look at it.
It's all about the sensor and how you look at it.
If their question is about why I use a film camera instead of a digital camera, I explain to them that each camera has a sensor for recording an image. A digital camera uses an electronic image sensor, which is reusable. A film camera uses generally a rectangle piece of a strip of film, which may be used only once. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each. But at the basic level, different types of cameras have different types of sensors--electronic or film. The type of sensor it uses will effect the results of the initial image.
Although you can manipulate an image by various methods, especially with a computer program--I point out that film negatives can be converted to digital image files--the quality and condition of the initial image before it's manipulated on a computer can be different depending on the image sensor. There are other factors that can effect the initial image (e.g., lighting, lenses, exposure settings, positioning of the camera, etc.), but all other conditions being equal except for the image sensor, the initial image created will be generally different. Even if you intend to manipulate the image with a computer program, having a good starting point for an image, or at least a starting point that you prefer and one which is near the end result you prefer, is better. The more the image is the way you want it to start, the easier it will be to achieve the results you want in post-production. Given these factors, I prefer generally the initial images created from film over electronic sensors.
If their question is about using a rangefinder instead of an SLR camera, I explain to them about how the focusing works on both and how the rangefinder focusing method can be more accurate. I explain to them how the shutter works and how there's no mirror mechanism on a rangefinder camera, and how this all means it's quieter, making it easier to take photos unnoticed. I also explain to them how an SLR camera with an equivalent focal length and quality lens is heavier than that of a rangefinder camera and lens combination. This might require explaining that since on a rangefinder one doesn't look through the lens, there is no prism or mirror mechanism and therefore the lens is located closer to the sensor, allowing for much smaller lenses. If they question whether bigger lens might be necessarily better, I remind them that their eyes have very small lenses because they are located close to their image sensors (i.e., their retinas) and they work typically quite well. If they want to compare their telephone camera or a small mirror-less compact camera to a rangefinder camera, I use my fingers to indicate the size of the sensor for the phone or small camera and compare that to the dimensions of a 35mm film negative. I then put into question the quality of the simple lens used by their device and how it will effect the quality of the image passing through it to the image sensor. I reiterate that it's all about the image sensor and how you look at it.
literiter
Well-known
-I've got a 50 year old camera I can sell for 800 bucks!
-You've got a 5 year old camera you can sell for 10 bucks!
-You've got a 5 year old camera you can sell for 10 bucks!
Snowbuzz
Well-known
Hahahahahaaaa! Yup.
taskoni
Well-known
How about "I've got 3-4 Leica cameras and lenses as a present from a friend because I don't have enough money to buy Canon or Nikon "
"
5:00 PM
It's a light machine
I hardly ever meet anyone who actually cares. I explain nothing and just get the picture.
Sejanus.Aelianus
Mentor
I've never met anyone who asked.
I was out with my Hasselblads once and a bloke stopped his car, said something like "it's great to see someone using proper cameras" then drove off.
I was out with my Hasselblads once and a bloke stopped his car, said something like "it's great to see someone using proper cameras" then drove off.
btgc
Mentor
Let's start from a point where one has to explain why use camera, any camera, at all - when phone can do it all.
kubilai
Established
It worked and still works, no reason to change.
Suits well my humble needs.
Suits well my humble needs.
Hiyawaan
Particular Individual
When asked anything about my gear while out'n'about I channel Roberto Benini and respond in a heavy Italian accent, "shooting the film is a like making the love to the sun, with the digital is a just sex." for this to work you really must emphasize every third word with a hand gesture. Warning : do not use this method in Italy.
slava
Established
I like the simplisity of my Ikon and that I'm in controll. The best part is for me getting film developed. You never know what you really get.
MikeDimit
Established
Never been asked. Film is still alive and kicking over here )
)
hepcat
Former PH, USN
I am a soul-less digital rangefinder user, having converted from film over ten years ago, primarily because of the convenience of digital. I have, however, used rangefinder cameras as my camera of choice regularly since 1973.
I rode my BMW R100RT 60,000 miles in three years. I have long hair and a beard at age 57. I ride and tour on recumbent bikes. Not only recumbent bikes, but recumbent trikes as well. Not merely recumbent bikes and trikes, but English recumbent bikes and trikes. If you think shooting a film rangefinder camera brings you attention on the street, you should try recumbent trikes.
Anyway, I tell people that I am eccentric. Not only am I eccentric, but I REVEL in my eccentricities. They walk away grinning and shaking their heads. It's great fun.
I rode my BMW R100RT 60,000 miles in three years. I have long hair and a beard at age 57. I ride and tour on recumbent bikes. Not only recumbent bikes, but recumbent trikes as well. Not merely recumbent bikes and trikes, but English recumbent bikes and trikes. If you think shooting a film rangefinder camera brings you attention on the street, you should try recumbent trikes.
Anyway, I tell people that I am eccentric. Not only am I eccentric, but I REVEL in my eccentricities. They walk away grinning and shaking their heads. It's great fun.
Ming Rider
Film, the next evolution.
I just say, "If I told you that, I'd have to kill you."
Seems to do the trick.
Seems to do the trick.
jtm6
Well-known
Windcheetah?! I'd love to get one.
Spanik
Well-known
I have been asked several questions when out and about with film cameras but never that. Mostly direct questions about the camera itself or the typical "can you still find film and get it developed". Never "why?".
I think people that know enough about cameras to be interested enough to ask you a question know the answer. They choose a camera for themselves and know what goes into that.
I think people that know enough about cameras to be interested enough to ask you a question know the answer. They choose a camera for themselves and know what goes into that.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
I usually say something similar to your "different aesthetics" or a brief sentence about how much of the final image is about the process as well, and using specific tools for different types of photography, changes the way I approach the subject.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
It depends on the cameras and/or lenses they're asking about. How does one explain the choice of clothes one wears?
Granted, it'd be really annoying having to explain my choices in clothing daily, unless it were something really odd (like using a scarf in the Sahara, high-heels no matter what, or mittens at a chess game); which is exactly how I'd feel about having to explain my preferences to people all the time.
Sometimes I've been asked "why are you taking a photo of that?" (well, no longer the case since I've moved to Frons) and my response was always "because I like it". Isn't that a good explanation? Unless, of course, the inquisitiveness is of the Spanish Inquisition kind
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Well, unless it's a Ray Conniff record over an autographed Benny Goodman album. There's just no reasonable justification for that.