Digital SLR to Film SLR- How many do both?

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part) from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid, moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Hm...I'm not feeling too lonely now knowing someone out there other than me that thought about buying a film SLR to go with the D30.

I'm thinking about the EOS 3 or 1n. But since I got all of the EX flash, I think the EOS 3 is the better choice.

My need for a film is more for clients that only wants 35mm. But this is a low priority at the moment since I still have many things to learn about photography. I've learned so much within the last six months or so about how to get the most out of the D30 that I need to put it in good use.

Plus I have spend too much on my equiptments already. Just ordered the 70-200f2.8IS today and I promised myself no more spending on camera equiptment this year. Too bad this promise is only good for about 2 weeks (not sure if this is a good or bad thing

I hope to be in Vegas right after Christmas, a little blackjack and alot of shooting around with the D30+50mm f1.4+the IS beast.

Sorry for get off topic on you there.

Cheers, and Happy Hollidays

TN

mark kay said:

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part)
from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am
wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with
digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid,
moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now
considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am
considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I
am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

Hello, I am looking at getting a 3 or the Elan 7 for my wife. I got her an N-80 last year and now I don't want to sink anymore money into Nikon gear.

Here is an example for when I would like a film camera. When you go to an event that you really don't care about and you don't want to have to edit a bunch of photos just to satisfy the wife.

I started out in digital and am now going back the other way. Film is neat but it will never replace digital!--Ron Warren

Mark,

I still use film when i shoot underwater. i like the colors better, and a housing for the D30 is about 3,000 bux

I had an EOS 3 for a year or so, awesome camera. I wish I wouldnt have sold it. I would use it for action shots where the speed and accuracy of autofocus is important.

That's the only thing i miss about my old film EOS3. As great at the D30 is, and don't get me wrong, I would never go back, the autofocus isn't even close to what the EOs 3 was capable of.

Bob

mark kay said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

Mark,

I'm the guy doing both digital and film. While I enjoy digital photography very much since I bought my first DC (2 years ago, a Toshiba PDR-M4 with 2.11 MP) because of unmatched convenient and fun, I still feel that film photography have its place in my small world.

As some of you have already know, I switched from an entire Nikon system to the latest Canon system that I could find on the market, including the EOS1V, an EOS30 (i.e. Elan 7E), the D30 and together with 9 newly bought EF lenses. I'm not a rich guy and I had to sell most of my old Nikon gears to fund the switch. With a more and more complete EF lens collection, I've found myself very much enjoy both digital and film photography at the same time.

I take a lot of pictures for my kids because I would like to record their growth regularly and their life, and D30 is my major tool to do this. I'm also quite a "famous" hobby photographer (forgive me for saying this, it doesn't mean I'm a good photographer anyway) among my colleagues, friends and relatives, that I frequently have to shoot weddings, parties, and other events for them. My EOS1V and 7E will be my best partners under these circumstances.

Frankly, sometimes I shoot digital without thinking too much because of the costless thought, and most of the time I will enjoy the auto-everything features from the D30. However there are also situations where I want to use the simple manual-everything cameras and lenses (and my Nikon F series plus the remaining primes will be my trusted friends). Using these manual cameras will help (actually force) me to think before pressing the shutter release. As a photographer, either hobby or professional, I believe the most important point is to understand the process and mechanism of photography, and to enjoy the result.

I'm not abandoning film nor going back to it, I just love both film and digital.

Louis

mark kay said:

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part)
from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am
wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with
digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid,
moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now
considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am
considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I
am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

Hi Mark,

I had EOS3 when got my D30, so I have not exactly gone opposite direction. However I would buy EOS3 (or Elan 7 because of the price difference) in addition to D30. I am not a pro but spend significant amount of time on photography. The major (and probably the only) reason for me to have a film SLR is the possibilty to print ilfochromes from Fuji Velvia. I do a lot of landscape photography and an ilfochrome printed from a good slide looks absolutely astounding. R prints from slides don't look bad either. I have never been able to print anything comparable using Epson 1280 and D30 (maybe the problem is my skills). If you have a chance try it before getting a film SLR. Ilfochromes are not cheap and for the price of 15-20 16x20's one could buy Epson 2000. Hope you find this usefull.

Regards

Louis Choi said:

(and my Nikon F series plus the remaining primes will be
my trusted friends). Using these manual cameras will help (actually
force) me to think before pressing the shutter release. As a
photographer, either hobby or professional, I believe the most
important point is to understand the process and mechanism of
photography, and to enjoy the result.

Click to expand...

If you want an all manual D30, just stick a TS/E lens on the front. Manual focus and if you tilt or shift the lens, manual exposure is a requirement.

when I started printing and selling stuff is when I went back to film. i started saying to myself way too often "I wish I got that shot on film..." 35mm film, is for when (1) i need the most detail possible (2) i know i'll only get in 1 or maybe 2 chances at a shot (sports or paparazzi type work). in the case of film, i scan using a Nikon IV dedicated film scanner. some here say D30 resolution exceeds 35mm film but my personal experiences are for 35mm.

there are some situations where it would be too costly shooting on film. i do a lot of experiments with bounce lighting off ceiling, walls, cardboard, and you name it. doing those same experiments on film would break my wallet easily. without the practice on digital, i would not be where i am now on film. also, for stuff I sell on eBay or web (i love shooting pics down to macro for smaller stuff) digital is the way to go.

I don't think I ever could go back. For example, last week I borrowed my friends Elan7e and a couple of rolls of 24exp 400speed Kodak film and headed for the local race track. Well.......10 minutes after getting there the film was used up and I found myself staring at the other roll of 24 wondering just how long that will last. Now if they had 800 exposure rolls of film. Hmmmmm. Anyway, digital has spoiled me in that respect.

Walt

mark kay said:

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part)
from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am
wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with
digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid,
moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now
considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am
considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I
am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

I have an Eos-300 (Rebel 2000) that I only use in two circumstances:

1- If I have to shoot very wide (I'm waiting for the 16-35 but on D-30 it turns in a 25 mm at wider setting).

2- If I need to travel really light without taking care a lot for the stuff (i.e. during skiing or a short motorbike trip).

My future plans will be probably:

The next full frame digital camera to cover point n.1 and a P&S digital like the new Coolpix 5000 (28 mm wide) to cover point n. 2.
At that time, goodbye film...

Marco

mark kay said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

Click to expand...

For me the answer is simple: I can't imagine going back -- even after I got my Nikon 990 I knew I'd never take another frame of film again (and said so loudly on the Nikon forum, where I got razzed by many). And then the D30...

As others have noted, the style of shooting digital would make it difficult for some of us to do both. I suppose in a world in which I had unlimited funds I wouldn't mind picking up a 1v and shooting 4 or 5 hundred rolls on some vacation and then having them all put on PhotoCD. That would be pretty equivilent to my style of shooting with the D30 -- but it would also cost more than a 1D (and that's just for ONE trip!). And I'm still not sure I'd end up with any better quality than what I can get now.

I suppose if you took both your digital and your film camera with you you could lower your shooting rates to make it economically feasible. But you'd be left with difficult questions -- just what format do I make THIS shot with? Do I try and shoot it both ways? Do I shoot digital first to get a good exposure idea and then try it with film, assuming the subject hasn't changed? Did I grab the wrong camera? What ISO am I shooting with on film and should I match it with digital or take advantage of the broader possibilities?

Just why anyone would want to put themselves through that I can't imagine. But different strokes...
--Mike http://www.kelleytown.com

I know i have spent alot and always want to make sure when I do it is the correct choice for me. I do not have any clients it is all for fun but my wife always wants to see prints. mark

Tuan Nguyen said:

I'm thinking about the EOS 3 or 1n. But since I got all of the EX
flash, I think the EOS 3 is the better choice.

My need for a film is more for clients that only wants 35mm. But
this is a low priority at the moment since I still have many things
to learn about photography. I've learned so much within the last
six months or so about how to get the most out of the D30 that I
need to put it in good use.

Plus I have spend too much on my equiptments already. Just ordered
the 70-200f2.8IS today and I promised myself no more spending on
camera equiptment this year. Too bad this promise is only good for
about 2 weeks (not sure if this is a good or bad thing

I hope to be in Vegas right after Christmas, a little blackjack and
alot of shooting around with the D30+50mm f1.4+the IS beast.

Sorry for get off topic on you there.

Cheers, and Happy Hollidays

TN

mark kay said:

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part)
from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am
wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with
digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid,
moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now
considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am
considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I
am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I have considered getting a small P and S (e.g. G2) digital to take with me when I do not want to lug all of my stuff around but my wife still prefers prints. mark

Mike Kelley said:

mark kay said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

Click to expand...

For me the answer is simple: I can't imagine going back -- even
after I got my Nikon 990 I knew I'd never take another frame of
film again (and said so loudly on the Nikon forum, where I got
razzed by many). And then the D30...

As others have noted, the style of shooting digital would make it
difficult for some of us to do both. I suppose in a world in which
I had unlimited funds I wouldn't mind picking up a 1v and shooting
4 or 5 hundred rolls on some vacation and then having them all put
on PhotoCD. That would be pretty equivilent to my style of
shooting with the D30 -- but it would also cost more than a 1D (and
that's just for ONE trip!). And I'm still not sure I'd end up with
any better quality than what I can get now.

I suppose if you took both your digital and your film camera with
you you could lower your shooting rates to make it economically
feasible. But you'd be left with difficult questions -- just what
format do I make THIS shot with? Do I try and shoot it both ways?
Do I shoot digital first to get a good exposure idea and then try
it with film, assuming the subject hasn't changed? Did I grab the
wrong camera? What ISO am I shooting with on film and should I
match it with digital or take advantage of the broader
possibilities?

Just why anyone would want to put themselves through that I can't
imagine. But different strokes...

--
Mike
http://www.kelleytown.com

Click to expand...

mark kay said:

I have considered getting a small P and S (e.g. G2) digital to take
with me when I do not want to lug all of my stuff around but my
wife still prefers prints. mark

Click to expand...

I'm going to make some assumptions here, Mark -- your wife doesn't have a computer of her own, right?

My wife prefered prints as well until she got her own digital -- now she just looks at them on her computer (and plays with them, makes greeting cards, sends them to friends on the internet, and, yes, prints them out) and will never use film again.

We both have talked about it -- I think it's more of a cultural thing and something people are just in the habit of. Let's face it, nearly everyone has boxes and boxes of prints they've never looked at again. Where's that picture of Aunt Edna? Do you know where the photos are from our trip to DisneyWorld? What did you do with our pictures of the grandkids from last summer? Yes, you can organize them and put them into albums, but that usually requires much more effort than it's worth.

With digital I have instant access to over 15K worth of images I've taken (so far) and I even have them categorized by subject (in case I don't remember the date). A program like ThumbsPlus makes this a breeze even on separate CDs. But what's best -- even my wife (who somewhat technically challenged) does this with her shots.

An image is only as good as your ability to see it -- boxes of old photos don't do anyone any good. One day you and your wife will be all digital -- I promise you. It's only a question of when.--Mike http://www.kelleytown.com

Mike Kelley said:

An image is only as good as your ability to see it -- boxes of old
photos don't do anyone any good. One day you and your wife will
be all digital -- I promise you. It's only a question of when.

Click to expand...

Oops, forgot to add that the longer you wait (or, in this case, the more film you create) the harder it will be when you've finally made the transition. There will be a B.D. era of stuff (before digital) that will be isolated and separated from your A.D. stuff. Either you'll bite the bullet and spend years converting it (like some of old farts with decades of film behind us) or, more likely, you'll just never look at that stuff again.

If it were me I wouldn't create a problem I know I'll have to solve down the road, but then I'm not young anymore (your youth will give you the years to regret things :> )--Mike http://www.kelleytown.com

I had an EOS 3 when I eventually decided to buy my D30, after much deliberation. I didn't plan to sell the EOS 3 but after six months of gathering dust, it had to go. I shoot sports for a local newspaper and I really miss the EOS3's AF and spotmeter, but the digital form is far more convenient. I shoot an event, get home, sort, edit, burn onto CD and drop if off. All within a couple of hours.

When it comes to vacation snaps, studio and wildlife work, I love the fact that I can tweak the image afterwards to fix colour and tone. How many times has the lab printed your great image and got the colour tone wrong? DIY with digital. I sold my EOS 3 and don't plan to buy another film SLR.

Prints? Put the ones you want on a CD or CF and takes them to a digital lab. 6x4's for the same price or less and no bad shots because you left those at home.

However, I did buy a 35mm zoom compact, for my wife to keep in her bag when we go on vacation. Alas, she can't fit a D30 with grip and 3 lenses in there when were wandering around on foot, and digital compacts are far too pricey still.

mark kay said:

Many folks on this forum seem to have moved (at least in part)
from film SLR photography to Digital SLR photography. I am
wondering if anyone has gone the other direction--starting with
digital and moving to film.

THe reason I ask, is that I had done some basic SLR photo as a kid,
moved to digital a few years ago (currently with D30) and now
considering film as an adjunct to the D30. Specifically, I am
considering a EOS-3 since I have a reasonable lens collection. I
am a hobbyist (not a professional).

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

THanks in advance.

Mark

Click to expand...

My personal experience . . . Prior to the D30 I spent a couple of years shooting digital (consumer P&S) alongside film (Canon EOS system). Since purchasing the D30 last May I haven't shot a single frame on film. I still have the film body as a back-up, but I hope I never have to use it!

Deborah

mark kay said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

Click to expand...

Mike Kelley said:

mark kay said:

I have considered getting a small P and S (e.g. G2) digital to take
with me when I do not want to lug all of my stuff around but my
wife still prefers prints. mark

Click to expand...

I'm going to make some assumptions here, Mark -- your wife doesn't
have a computer of her own, right?

My wife prefered prints as well until she got her own digital --
now she just looks at them on her computer (and plays with them,
makes greeting cards, sends them to friends on the internet, and,
yes, prints them out) and will never use film again.

We both have talked about it -- I think it's more of a cultural
thing and something people are just in the habit of. Let's face
it, nearly everyone has boxes and boxes of prints they've never
looked at again. Where's that picture of Aunt Edna? Do you know
where the photos are from our trip to DisneyWorld? What did you do
with our pictures of the grandkids from last summer? Yes, you can
organize them and put them into albums, but that usually requires
much more effort than it's worth.

With digital I have instant access to over 15K worth of images I've
taken (so far) and I even have them categorized by subject (in case
I don't remember the date). A program like ThumbsPlus makes this a
breeze even on separate CDs. But what's best -- even my wife
(who somewhat technically challenged) does this with her shots.

An image is only as good as your ability to see it -- boxes of old
photos don't do anyone any good. One day you and your wife will
be all digital -- I promise you. It's only a question of when.

Click to expand...

What do you mean "boxes of old photos don't do anyone any good"

Mine help insulate my attic floor and subsequently the bedroom ceilings

Mind you they are helped by folders of negatives and boxes of slides, slide frames, old enlarger bits, dev trays etc. (Could have sworn I'd sold the enlarger a while ago - oops!

Member said:

--
Mike
http://www.kelleytown.com

Click to expand...

--KRsBryanCanon D30 (Also CP990 for hill walking)

mark kay said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

Click to expand...

Though I have a D30, I left it at home and took my EOS Elan IIe with me while traveling on a summer vacation because I like taking very wide angle shots (20mm) when I'm in tight places or want to get more into the picture. On the D30, the widest I can get with my 20-35mm lens is 32mm which isn't that wide.

However, I'm thinking that for future vacations, I might just have to give up being able to get really wide angle shots because of the many advantages of shooting digital. It's a trade-off I'll have to learn to deal with.

LOL this is what I am concerned about if I did get a film body but all of the lenses are there and the investement would not be too great. Mark

DeborahDuke said:

Deborah

Deborah Duke said:

THe question is once digital, does one ever go back to film and if
so when and why??

Click to expand...

Click to expand...