35 mm VS Digital

chatxplanet · 03-31-2008, 11:27 PM

I'm just curious to what everyone has to say about their feelings on 35mm and digital cameras.

I'm kinda torn. I love the 35mm and the way it 'forced' you to be accurate because as we all know, you cant just flip open the door and look at your shot which digital advantages us with with the LCD screen.

Shooting on the 35mm in some ways is more fun and creates a more 'intimate' time when you're taking pictures. With digital, you shoot and if you dont like it, you delete. Simple as that.

With all the above said, I do own digitals and I love using them too. I have captured a lot of beautiful scenes I don't think I would have gotten on the 35mm.

Whats your opinions?

**3ncryptabl3_lick** · 04-01-2008, 08:07 AM

If I could afford 35mm, I would shoot 35mm.

There was a time when I did and it was expensive. Not that a DSLR can't be as expensive, but when you compare processing costs, there is no comparison and that's key for me.

I shoot to get my shot, not to wait and pay more to get it on paper and then be done with it.

Also keep in mind that shooting digital means you can do a slew of things in post that you cant do with an enlarger and since I'm a web-guy, digital was really the only choice.

Also imo, 35mm isnt intimate at all. Imagine how many people see your work before you do. Digital is the epitomy of intimate. You can shoot anything and it's just between you and your subject.

chatxplanet · 04-01-2008, 10:25 AM

Yeah, for web projects digital is definitely the way to go. That was one of the reasons I purchased the digital way back when.

What I meant by 'intimate' was the fact that taking the pictures were more 'intimate' (and I dont mean in a seductive or sexual way) because you, as the photographer, have to make sure the settings on the camera are set properly, your angles and lighting are proper etc and everything was just so before taking the shot because you just cant view the picture afterwards and only after it was developed could you see your masterpiece. If the shot was a great shot, the your more proud of yourself for taking such a great shot.

With digital, you still have to set everything right but usually the the camera can do it for you now automatically, taking alot out of the beauty of photography and you're still proud and it still can be intimate but its just not 'as' intimate because as before, you can shoot then delete and not worry about the wasting of film. Just battery power lol. This of course, all in my own opinion. There's great things about both sides.

As for privacy, you're exactly right. That part is definitely not intimate in any way shape or form unless you own your own dark room which I didnt and I never liked having others look at my photos before I did. Not to mention the chances of them messing up are always pretty good.

Zeroqs · 04-03-2008, 06:31 AM

In the past shooting 35mm was very restrictive creatively and financially. Building a darkroom helped with the creative side but added to the cost and there were still limitations. I always wanted a way to keep the cost down but the creativity up. In came digital and after the kinks got worked out it is to me the way to go. I no longer have the creative barriers I used to have and after the initial purchases the cost has come way down even with the high cost of ink and paper. It also seems it may be a little eco friendly too. (I hate dealing with chemicals)

I still want to teach my daughters how to take B&W images with a large format camera and process manually. I think as a craft it is very intimate and mind expanding.

Just my two cents.

ScriptMan · 04-03-2008, 01:12 PM

When I feel the need to be creative, I break out the Pentax slr manual focus and the correct lens.

Most of my pictures are taken with a digital now.

Honestly for the pictures most people take there isn't a lot of difference if the digital has optical zoom.

SonnyCooL · 04-05-2008, 10:46 AM

depending .....
35mm make me understand what is photography, until today i still keep my FM2 (use much more less) ....

I see a lot so call Semi Pro Photographer in my country, what make them pro or semi ? is the equipment not the photography skill or creativity ........

what make me said that ?
1. They don't spend time to capture. (they click and delete, dont even understand why the sky is blue, pink, purple, photoshop help them all)
2. They don't understand simple photography. (apreture, shutter speed, i saw few of them use fully program mood to shot sun set).
3. The fact of the nature. (they need to understand how fast a bullet fly before they can decide what shutter to use) .

I still love 35mm but costing make me slow down ...

chatxplanet · 04-06-2008, 12:18 AM

Yeah, it is a shame how expensive 35mm shooting can be. It really is a great hobby. Atleast for me it is