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Mama don't take my Kodachrome...
It has come to my attention that it may be prudent to make the switch from my 1985 Minolta X-700 SLR film camera to a semi-pro digital format. I've been holding on for some time now, because I love my camera. But film and developing costs, the time it takes to get developing done, and the lack of control I have over said developing are getting harder to deal with. I can't "compete" with people whose shots are instantly available, so some of it's probably jealousy. Yesterday I did a photo shoot of a dog I'm to do a portrait for, and was forced to use my SLR because the little digital one doesn't shoot fast enough--but this means that I have to go get three rolls of film developed to get the one shot I want to use.
I should confess that some of what's been holding me back is pure snobbery. For instance, for me to get a nice macro shot, it means screwing magnifying lenses onto my camera and taking numerous shots to get something in focus--with that magnification, breathing can throw it off. I assume that people using a macro setting on a digital SLR camera don't have that problem. I'm assuming there's autofocus involved. Therefore, when I do get something, I feel proud that it was "all me" or whatever. But who's to know that anyway, when there are so few people using film cameras anymore? No, it's not a pretty reason, but it is a factor. Another is, well, I love the way my photos look. Will they look like that when I switch?
I don't know. I still have mixed feelings about it. Which is why I bring it to you. How do you feel about your digital camera? Did you make a switch from a film camera you really liked? What was involved in that decision? And what do you have to say about the cameras that are out there now?
x-posted to DevArt
I should confess that some of what's been holding me back is pure snobbery. For instance, for me to get a nice macro shot, it means screwing magnifying lenses onto my camera and taking numerous shots to get something in focus--with that magnification, breathing can throw it off. I assume that people using a macro setting on a digital SLR camera don't have that problem. I'm assuming there's autofocus involved. Therefore, when I do get something, I feel proud that it was "all me" or whatever. But who's to know that anyway, when there are so few people using film cameras anymore? No, it's not a pretty reason, but it is a factor. Another is, well, I love the way my photos look. Will they look like that when I switch?
I don't know. I still have mixed feelings about it. Which is why I bring it to you. How do you feel about your digital camera? Did you make a switch from a film camera you really liked? What was involved in that decision? And what do you have to say about the cameras that are out there now?
x-posted to DevArt
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it's hard to be sure I'll be satisfied though I'm sure I'll adore the convenience.
As to the price of lenses, I'd want good ones, and probably manual since I'm unhappy about the idea of autofocus. Though yeah, for speed I guess that'd be helpful. Still, I want to know I'm the photographer, not the camera.
As to the long lens, thing, it does make a difference. The longer the lens, the closer you can get. I think you also have different options in terms of what is within focus; you can isolate subjects with a longer lens than with a wider one.
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I would suggest getting lenses (or a camera) that has the option to work manually or auto since there will always been times when auto is useful like in very dark conditions or with movement (like the dog photos you were trying to shoot).
I have different standards of what makes a good quality photograph and a lot of the aspects of film that people consider to be good (grain etc) are the reasons I dislike film. Whilst I recognise the artistic merits its not something I would ever strive for myself. Or if I did I'd photoshop it in :p
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You said you didn't get into photography until digital; I was merely pointed out that we have different backgrounds.
I have different standards of what makes a good quality photograph and a lot of the aspects of film that people consider to be good (grain etc) are the reasons I dislike film.
I don't like the "shiny" aspects of digital photography; I don't like photos that are so crisp they look like they were photoshopped. Sometimes digital lacks "warmth" or a kind of depth. This is by no means all the time or necessary, and is much better than it used to be. It probably has more to do with the quality of lenses people are using than anything else. But so much digital photography looks like candy to me, and that's what I don't enjoy.
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Anyway. Cameras are probably good enough now I can take the pictures I want.
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But there are other, more affordable digital cameras out there that will still take proper lenses etc. You MIGHT even be able to find one that will take your old film camera lenses (you could start with Nikkon digitals, for example, if you've got Nikkon lenses), which would put you ahead of the game there too.
So far as the auto-focus goes, you can usually turn it off, especially on a better-than-basic model. We have digital cameras ourselves, and I would never go back to film. From ease of development to ease of storage, transmission, and editing, to the versatility of the machine, there's no substitute.
Do your research, be prepared to pay a few hundred (up to a thousand for an EXCELLENT one) dollars to get a decent one that will do what you want, and realize how quickly it'll pay for itself once you stop having to pay for film and development.
And check out that link! Have a look at his photos; you'd never know they weren't shot on (very high quality) film. Good hunting! :-)
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My camera/lenses are Minolta, and I don't think there's a digital camera that'll take them. My issue, really, is that I'm afraid that to get the quality I want I'll have to pay in the thousands, and I don't feel comfortable doing that right now when my camera cost $70. Obviously that's an unfair comparison, given all the other costs, and I realize that. But it's a mental block.
I need to do the research. And I need to make that commitment, cost-wise. I just don't want to switch for something that I'll be unsatisfied with, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to spend more than I want to get that.