BTW how many film related topics did we have the last lustrum? Film is almost dead. Kodak knows, Fujifilm knows. Agfa died with it. Konica, where is Konica film? Anyway, what do you want to know about film? Film is nostalgia, EOSfun of the past. We already have the alternative gear forum. It fits perfectly well there. The forum for the niches and cult products. Mostly for photographers with an experimental mind set. Alternative, just like it says. That's what film has become. The list box of boards is already long enough. No film forum is my vote!
Beethoven wrote:
A film forum's definitely a welcome addition... we can then start rumor threads on the Canon 1v MkII or the Nikon F7!
!!! I've not had a chance to discuss whether or not my 1v backfocuses. Seriously, I would absolutely love to have a film forum on this site. I'm an avid user of both film and digital and will be for the foreseeable future, so I'd love to have a forum to discuss film and film gear in the same way we discuss our digital gear.
eosfun wrote:
BTW how many film related topics did we have the last lustrum? Film is almost dead. Kodak knows, Fujifilm knows. Agfa died with it. Konica, where is Konica film? Anyway, what do you want to know about film? Film is nostalgia, EOSfun of the past. We already have the alternative gear forum. It fits perfectly well there. The forum for the niches and cult products. Mostly for photographers with an experimental mind set. Alternative, just like it says. That's what film has become. The list box of boards is already long enough. No film forum is my vote!
This is another reason I'd like a film forum. I'm for "eosfun" as much as the next guy, but my eosfun covers all of my eos stuff, and it would be nice to discuss it with others who don't feel the need to constantly disdain film or the users of film. Film's popularity is much less than in the past, but it isn't dead nor do I think it will be anytime soon. There are many of us who very happily use both and there are the younger photographers who started with digital and would like to learn to use film. And there is still a very large base who uses film only, choosing not to delve into digital at all. It would be helpful to all of these people to have a dedicated space to discuss this particular medium, and if you think film is dead or that the use of it is ridiculous, stay off of that forum and visit one that makes you feel more comfortable. "Kodak knows. Fujifilm knows" yet Kodak continues to release films that are more "scanner friendly" while Fujifilm actually takes a step back in time and brings back Velvia 50. Neither of these is a big market shake-up but it does show a response directed towards those photographers with a specific need which, considering the costs to do so, is pretty significant. Sure, film won't attain the level of sales it once had (although I'm certain I gave it a huge boost considering how much film I bought over the last year for my classic rangefinders and SLRs!) but there are still an awful lot of users and others interested--just look at the response to the OP's question.
I think even in this digital age many people who shoot some B&W still use film for this purpose -- You don't need much dedicated equipment --provided you can load the film into a developing tanks --really easy to do BTW. You can then develop it simply in complete daylight. Developer / fixer is cheap enough and easy to get hold of.
Then use a decent scanner to get perfect B&W pics.
(If you still have a Hassy etc then you can load the film into developing tanks for that size of film - usually 120 roll film as well).
I still love shooting Infra-red B&W -- the old trusty Canon T90 is my choice here -- you can pick these up very cheaply and this was one of the best Non A/F cameras canon ever made (IMO at least). FD lenses - still excellent quality can also be had very cheaply.
B&W is still an area where Film competes seriously with digital - and in the Medium Format still no contest -- Film wins hands down.
As for using a "Wet Darkroom" well that is a no-no for me now - but if you want "classic" B&W on genuine photopaper many pro labs will do this for you.
Incidentally -- particularly to Younger shooters -- Film is a relatively cheap way of getting experience in using Medium Format cameras such as Hassleblads without paying a Fortune. You can get MF gear (non digital) at a fraction of the price it used to cost -- and going out Landscape shooting with a Hassy and a few rolls of Film really will teach you about exposure, composition etc etc . far more than randomly shooting away with the latest digital gear.
For 95% of my main jobs / assignments of course I'm using Digital gear but there is still for me a huge enjoyment in going out and shooting Film taking all the time in the world for setting up shots etc etc.
Tip here -- take a digital camera as well so you can see approx what your composition roughly looks like and to check possible exposure settings. You don't get any review with film of course.
There's nothing wrong in using newer technology to help you use the OLDER gear better !!!. and you won't waste as much film either.
(Sailing boats these days for example can use Sat-Navs and GPS -- even though "Wind sailing" has been around almost since the human race began).
In my day we just had to make do with fairly "unpredictable" light meters etc etc. I'd have loved taking even a small P&S camera to use as a "Light Meter" !!
It will be great if there's a film forum here. I've been using my FM2 again lately and I find it's fun not to be able tell if I made the shots or not until I develop the film
I also realize that there are other forums or websites that film users can visit in order to discuss film and related topics, but I think here at FM the standards and expectations are generally very high, and the discussions regarding film would be especially informative and educational. I have learned more about digital photography, actually photography in general, since joining this site, and I think the film forum would yield the same kinds of results. I'm sure it would for me.
eosfun wrote:
BTW how many film related topics did we have the last lustrum? Film is almost dead. Kodak knows, Fujifilm knows. Agfa died with it. Konica, where is Konica film? Anyway, what do you want to know about film? Film is nostalgia, EOSfun of the past. We already have the alternative gear forum. It fits perfectly well there. The forum for the niches and cult products. Mostly for photographers with an experimental mind set. Alternative, just like it says. That's what film has become. The list box of boards is already long enough. No film forum is my vote!
A film forum will help educate the misinformed........the number of film users is on a steady upward curve...and amongst B+W users it is probably as popular as ever. There is a quality about a film image that digital doesn't match (despite several software programmes that try hard to do just that).
It can also be the MUCH cheap option for a skilled photographer in areas such as landscape and portraiture...
I would enjoy a film forum. It is admittedly a niche market, but so are some of the other forums and it is picking up in popularity. The emulsions have improved in the last decade or so and would love to continue to learn about it.
I offer some film in some of my packs and would love to see scans of other types that I do not use.
I think it would be great...
Tom
Anthony, why don't you pm Fred or guardian and say that you would moderate?
canerino wrote:
put me down for one that would enjoy a film forum!
Ditto. I still enjoy breaking out my old Canon FP, Rebel 35mm, or my new (to me) Yashica Mat 124. I think it could only add value to an already wonderful place.
Aberdeen Photo wrote:
I would enjoy a film forum. It is admittedly a niche market, but so are some of the other forums and it is picking up in popularity. The emulsions have improved in the last decade or so and would love to continue to learn about it.
I offer some film in some of my packs and would love to see scans of other types that I do not use.
I think it would be great...
Tom
Anthony, why don't you pm Fred or guardian and say that you would moderate?
Tom
If you know how to contact the site owners please let me know..I've tried in the past but with absolutely no success....
Personally, as a film user, I find APUG perfectly suited for film discussions. There is a great deal of talk on techniques, both in developing and in the darkroom, and much less focus on the the actual equipment. RFF, though focussed on rangefinders, and photo.net also have healthy film-related discussions. While I enjoy FM, I would think that a film forum would just end up being relatively anemic. Just a little too much interest in the latest/greatest from Canon and Nikon.
eosfun wrote:
Film is almost dead. Kodak knows, Fujifilm knows. Agfa died with it. Konica, where is Konica film?
Kodak knows so well that they released the new Ektar 100 a few weeks ago.
eosfun wrote:
Film is nostalgia, EOSfun of the past.
Talk for yourself. There are a lot of photographers who really enjoy using film.
eosfun wrote:
We already have the alternative gear forum. It fits perfectly well there. The forum for the niches and cult products. Mostly for photographers with an experimental mind set.
Sure. Why don't you go tell this to the 30000 members of apug? Or the 25000 members of rangefinderforum? Oh no wait! These are demoniac users of Leica! Another dreaded cult camera brand that's totally dead and useless!
eosfun wrote:
No film forum is my vote!
Excellent. That will keep you busy discussing the specs of the 5D3. So long!
!!! I've not had a chance to discuss whether or not my 1v backfocuses. Seriously, I would absolutely love to have a film forum on this site. I'm an avid user of both film and digital and will be for the foreseeable future, so I'd love to have a forum to discuss film and film gear in the same way we discuss our digital gear.