Thank you so much to each and every one of you watching, commenting and even sharing your own experiences! It is so nice to read all your stories. I do want to clarify that I don't mean that you have to throw out all your digital equipment and shoot exclusively film. I know the perks of digital photography and I do still use digital myself. As mentioned, I was not interested in film photography to begin with. But when I tried it, there was something about it that kept me coming back to it. And if I would have to choose between film and digital, I personally would choose film. I think everyone should try to shoot analog at some point in their lives, even if it's just once, to find out yourself how it feels and how it differs from digital. There is still something about film that is difficult to describe, it's something one has to experience. :)

@user-ve3gh5xg9q

Ай бұрын

🌹

I could not agree more! Shooting analog with different type of cameras is so addictive. Great video!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you! It sure is. :)

I'm about your age and when digital became common i was just as impressed as everyone else. But soon found the joy of shooting completely dissappeared and my harddrive filled with thousands of bad photos. So i abandoned digital and committed myself to learning every analog technique, shooting everything from 8mm to 24x30cm wooden cameras. These days i teach analog and offer free darkroom use for young students.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

That sounds amazing! :)

@gonzoexpress9885

Ай бұрын

Well done. Analog is wonderful and very rewarding.😊

@bobazivkovic7072

Ай бұрын

I would like to shoot on film but..where to buy films? Kodak is off..

@Autorange888

22 күн бұрын

@@bobazivkovic7072 Never mind Kodak. There are now shops dedicated to analog photography, these sell films and darkroom gear. Give it a go with Google and find a host of wonderful analog films!

I first began as a photographer in 1971 when I was given a Canon FTB on my birthday as a High School graduation present. It was love at first sight. I shoot both film (black and white) and digital (color). I love taking walks and photographing anything that catches my eye. Peace. Quiet. Contentment.🌿📷👍

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Yesss! :)

@arneheeringa96

Ай бұрын

I also kept shooting BW on film and I am very happy about it. For colour I switched to digital.

@Autorange888

22 күн бұрын

This means your black & white photographs have a different character from digital pictures. If you do not see the difference, than I guess you are wasting your time.

@arneheeringa96

22 күн бұрын

@@Autorange888 I definitely see a difference and I like it

I have been using film cameras since the 1940’s. My family had a Kodak folding camera that used 116 roll film. In high school, I used a 4x5 graflex sheet film camera and leaned how to process it. I created my own dark room in my home and started using a Mamiya c2 camera to take photos for my home town newspaper. I hope to start shooting and processing film again. Working with negatives is a much more rewarding process than digital.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

What a cool story and I hope you can get back to it soon :)

I have been shooting film since I was young in the 60’s. In college, the darkroom in the science building was my favorite place to hang out. I would develop and print my own film. Never really liked digital much, i own some digital cameras but my love is film. Now if I could just stop buying cameras!😅 i do have a passion for vintage lenses. There is nothing like film and wonderful vintage lenses.

Started shooting film in January after Grandfather passed away. He was a photographer throughout his life and left behind his film cameras. I shot with 35mm for about three months but then purchased a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II on B&h. I love 120 film so much that after about 4 or 5 rolls and being tired of paying the $10 to develop a roll, I got all the chemicals to develop the film myself. I developed my first roll of 120 just a few days ago and it definitely adds to the experience of shooting film. Definitely try shooting film its an awesome experience!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear about your loss. What a wonderful way to keep your grandfather in your memories. And yes, 120 film is hard to resist. :)

I've been shooting film for over 67 years, still have 4 (formats) enlargers in my darkroom and still have lots of film stashed away in my freezer.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

That is wonderful! :)

@stelmarsky6778

Ай бұрын

Freezer or fridge??

@raybeaumont7670

Ай бұрын

@@stelmarsky6778 Freezer - then I move a few to the fridge for a couple of days before allowing them to come up to room temp. Been doing this for years - no problems.

Over 40 years ago I purchased my first Canon SLR 35mm. I shot Kodachrome 64 slides. I eventually upgraded in 2002 to a Nikon FM3a. I started shooting with Fuji Provia and Velvia as well as Kodachrome. Nothing comes close to the joy of using a projector to show your photos. Slide film has a look like you have travelled back in time. The images are so organic. I always stayed with 35mm because the gear was so lightweight and I could hike into the wilderness and really chill out waiting for the light to be just right. I have a 4X5 but it is too cumbersome to travel deep into the wilderness. Slowly film died and I stopped taking photographs. At the time I hated digital with a passion. Eventually I decided to get back into photography so I purchased a Sony A7RV 61 megapixel digital camera and a host of lenses. Being the highest resolution full frame camera the image resolution probably exceeds medium format film. Also lenses are far sharper than they were 40 years ago. I have enlargements up to A1 and they are flawless. The Sony produces stunning razor sharp images but I didn’t feel like it was a real camera. It felt like a computer with a lens attached. In fact no matter how challenging the lighting, computer software could pretty much fix any exposure shortfall. With slides you have to nail the exposure in camera. There is no room for error. I realised there was no joy in digital and my loathing for the medium was reignited so the Nikon FM3a came out of storage and I purchased a Leica MP 35mm Rangefinder and some lenses. Now a Rangefinder is even slower than a film SLR. My Leica is fully mechanical and I have to set everything including the film ISO. There are no automatic exposure settings. What is amazing is that I purchased new lenses for the Leica. Put a modern lens on even a small format like 35mm and your images are better than they were using older lenses. Modern lenses resolve much more detail so film photography is now better than ever. The first time I loaded the film in the Leica the joy returned. I went for a relaxing walk through my suburb slowly lining up an image in the frame lines. I took my time setting the exposure and manually focusing. The sound of the shutter and film advance lever was like music. This tiny little rangefinder with its small lenses is a joy to use. Every shot is a promise of something wonderful as I cannot immediately see my results. The joy of getting my images back and scrutinising every one of them for exposure and composition errors adds to the experience. My understanding of light is returning. No more machine gunning and hoping there is good one in the mix of mostly sterile images. With film every shot counts. Film is coming back. Young people don’t want digital cameras. Why would they? An iPhone 15 takes 48 megapixel images. Just press a button and an iPhone will do the rest and create more digital dust. Nothing comes close to holding tangible film in your hand and marvelling that the light of your subject passed through the film base creating an image of a moment in time. I have come to the realisation that digital photography is like instant coffee. It is quick an easy but it is not the real thing. In fact I don’t consider it photography at all. Film forever.

@Autorange888

22 күн бұрын

So using a 'modern' lens, by that you mean a lens for digital, and images will be better?? Actually, the vintage lenses are anastigmats, and lenses for digital are also anastigmats, albeit designed with computers. It is quite possible to use achromatic lenses, and achieve unique results. I have used lenses over 100 years old and these delivered sharp pictures. I have used famous medium wide angle Xpres lenses, made by Ross for reconnaissance with Spitfires, wonderful contrast! Who can remember the entire menu for a digital camera? Digital pictures are liable to be attacked by bit-rot, horrors! Make sure your precious negatives and color transparencies are kept in archival preservers, free from PVC.

@darronfenton4145

21 күн бұрын

I found out the hard way with my transparencies. I believed I had them stored safely. Many are 30 - 40 years old. Sadly they have deteriorated. I am cleaning and scanning them to preserve them as best I can. In regard to lenses I use a Leica MP 35mm with new lenses designed for film. I have one Leica Summicron 35mm f/2, a Voigtlander 28mm f/1.5 and a Voigtlander 90mm f/2.8. There is no doubt these lenses resolve far better detail than my old Nikon consumer grade zooms. I know super high quality lenses have been around for a long time but these were beyond my financial means. A have a 4x5 large format and the lens is 50 years old. The sharpness is not good and my 35mm Leica with new lenses does a better job. Sadly there no new large format lenses in production today. I tried some Kodak Ekta 100 and the results are impressive. The resolution is outstanding whilst retaining the organic look of film. I guess in the end resolution is subjective and super clinical images from digital is not always desirable. Your advice on film storage is welcomed as I my present method has not worked as well as I would like.

@Autorange888

20 күн бұрын

@@darronfenton4145 You can still find excellent Schneider and Rodenstock color corrected lenses for 4 X 5", these give very sharp pictures. The older Schneider are for B & W only. Experiment with vintage lenses by quality makers such as Ross, Dallmeyer, and Tayler Hobson. One of the earliest lenses is the Petzval, only the centre is pin sharp. Henry Wilhelm (find it on the internet) provides good information concerning preservation of films.

Very inspiring, I still shoot 35mm film and have a growing collection of old film cameras 📷 My latest is an Olympus Trip 35 which I found locally after a lengthy quest to find a good working one for a reasonable price I've added your channel, it's always good to connect with other retro film photographers.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! :)

It's always interesting to see what people think of film who grew up in the digital age. I still have my Mamiya C33 I bought in 1966. I also have a C330 and have four lenses for them. I often read people talk about the process of shooting film, that it makes you think and slow down. I think you are artificially putting constraints on the way you approach photography. I have no problem thinking through taking a photo digitally as I did when I was shooting film. Because of this, I take very few exposures. Part of the experience was printing in a wet lab. It was slow and laborious. I can do far more to realize my goal with an image by using good post processing software. I hope you continue to have fun!

I'm 57. I've started back when I was very young and my dad gave me a kodak instamatic. Growing up, we were never well off enough to buy anything serious. I did get into digital. I found a Can9n AE-1 Program for a song. I now have about 250 film cameras. Have shot a roll or more though most of them. So in love with film. Great video. Thanks.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story! Sounds like an amazing collection. :)

@rrr324sds

Ай бұрын

250? I was afraid that i am crazy when bought dosen. It was hard to stop, but now i only collect films. 2 large freezers with bnw, slide expired and col.neg. Wish i had more time, good people and sunny days to shoot it.

@comfortablyblind6853

Ай бұрын

@@rrr324sds I was lucky. When my addiction started, you could buy a top notch SLR for 10-15 bucks, but those days are gone. Now the same AE-1 Program I bought for 15 is going for 125 to 200. I need to find a good small fridge/freezer to store film. The wife would like to store food in ours. lol

I love shooting film ! $2 dollars a frame is worth it for my Mamiya. Thanks for sharing your passion for photography.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for commenting! Some photos are worth it. :)

@user-ve3gh5xg9q

Ай бұрын

Always bro

@HilmarSchacht-zm8kg

Ай бұрын

645??

@dylanhill1640

Ай бұрын

@@HilmarSchacht-zm8kg Yes 645

For years i refused to try digital; however, once i did i have never shot a roll since. But i enjoyed photography much more pre-digitally.

I enjoyed your comments regarding film photography. In the early 70's I purchased the least expensive 35mm SLR that I felt would provide decent pictures. I bought a Minolta SRT-100. It was in my price range and even though it lacked many common features offered at the time it gave me what I wanted. I never regretted the purchase. I had to sell it a few years later to finance my honeymoon and that was my exit from photography for many years. I dabbled in digital with early DSLRs in the early 2000's but it never felt as satisfying. The person I had sold the Minolta to one day asked me if I wanted it back, and I jumped on the opportunity. Once again I never regretted the decision. I now enjoy taking my time using it, and since the light meter no longer functions, I rely on the Sunny 16 methodology. This slows me down even more, but I wouldn't part with camera again ever! I also would never part with my wife as we recently celebrated our 48th anniversary.

I completely agree! I returned to shooting film after an excursion into digital photography. Fortunately, I did not sell my 35mm film cameras. I have since been able to add medium format models that I could not afford back in the 70s. I mainly use B+W film which I develop myself. This saves money and adds to the overall experience. BTW, I still have my Fuji digicams. These days I use them less often.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Good you didn't get rid of those cameras and they are now being used again :)

@brugj03

Ай бұрын

You talk like digital cameras where just a passing fad or something. What excursion are you talking about.....must have been a terrible camera. Film is obsolete. It has no advantages anymore.

@electricj5

Ай бұрын

@@brugj03the advantage is in the process itself. It’s different than sitting at a computer, and it looks different. And yes I have used both for 20 years each. So your comment is moot, it makes sense to you, but maybe not others.

@brugj03

Ай бұрын

@@electricj5 I think it makes sense to almost everybody, but that is not the point i`m making. My point is that from a quality and confinience point of view, analog film is history.

Everything you say is so true. Thanks, it's good to know I'm amongst like minded people. I went back to film a few months ago. Initially I thought I might develop my own film, scan, and photoshop the results. Then I took a weekend course in developing and printing using traditional darkroom and chemicals. I was hooked immediately, and it was the printing side that caught my imagination. Now I'm in the process of building a small home darkroom. The creative possibilities when combining traditional chemical processes with digital technologies are absolutely amazing. I have even printed digital pictures on a canon printer, photographed them on film, then printed those "inter-negs" using traditional chemical, and finally finished the prints with hand tinting.

I just finished developing two rolls of Tri-x 400 that my son and I shot last weekend. We were trying out a new (to me) Zeiss Ikon Contessa that I recently purchased. The negatives came out great, meaning that the camera is in as good mechanically as is is aesthetically. I'll be in the darkroom next weekend. The Contessa was the first camera I ever owned, given to me by my father in the late 70's. It got lost in the shuffle of life years ago, and I've been searching for one to replace it for several years, and I'm so glad to finally have one again. Shooting film is photography on a whole other level, and I'm glad that so many young people are discovering it for the first time. Thank you for the very enjoyable video.

Glad I shot film for years before digital photography came out. I still shoot film and always will.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Happy to hear that! :)

Well said! I fell away from film but now I am back and completely happy about it!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Awesome!

I have (almost) never not shot on film. Thanks for the reassurance--!

For me, shooting film is like putting paint to canvas. There's a craft involved, as well as an art. I still shoot digital sometimes, but film is my true love.

I started shooting film over fifty years ago, and using a manual camera is as natural as breathing (though I also am completely comfortable using digital.) I enjoy these videos of people who have come to film as a new experience. Leica has been successful in recreating the enjoyment of shooting a 35mm rangefinder with their digital cameras. though at a hellishly expensive price tag. It would be interesting to see if other companies could do an effective job of making a digital equivalent of a classic SLR or twins lens reflex.

For novelty, maybe, by those who have not used film in photography. But going through the rigors and difficulties using film for almost 40 years, there’s no going back for me.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I can get your point, but for me there is still something about film photography that I cannot find in digital. I think after 14 years of shooting film, the novelty should have worn off already. ;)

Right on. Perfectly expressed.❤️👍

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you :)))

I like the Praktica 35mm

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Praktica cameras are great, I don't know why they don't seem to get much love in the KZread world. On the bright side, that makes them really affordable!

In a world where even digital photography is considered somewhat old fashioned in the horrible AI era you are truly one of a kind!

Delighted to have discovered your channel - providentially perhaps, this particular topic. Your presentation combines warmth, intelligence, and thoughtful expression of your reasons for embracing those unique attributes of shooting film. I think my favorite part - assuming I was "forced" to choose one - was the anticipation in waiting for your film to be processed and the attendant element of surprise/delight in seeing those organic looking images, whether through a loupe or the tactile pleasure of actually holding the prints. While I do lots of digital photography, mainly with DSLR equipment, I began in my teens with 35mm and - never - stopped shooting film. It is my "comfort food" including the tactile pleasures to which you referred between cameras of different types/manaufacturers, and I never leave on a shoot without at least one film camera. Thanks again, from a new subscriber. I'll look forward (at the risk of worsening "GAS") to future videos.

Film is Interpretation (starting with your film stock choice). Digital is "Recording". We can live with both. After shooting film as a working pro I still marvel when a black and white print appears in the developer tray. Great little video by the way.

Love my film cameras. I started shooting when I was 18 in 1970 and while there have been some slow periods I have never really stopped shooting. I have all sorts of film and digital cameras and shoot them both. I have everything from a Calumet 4x5 to Hasselblad, Yashica TLR's, Canon rangefinders, RB67, Fujica GW690 and a GX680, Canon and Nikon digital cameras and last but not least a Pen FT half frame. I like the process of film photography from the slowing down to just the absolutely heavenly sound of that Hasselblad when fired. It is my hobby anymore and as such while I am careful in my film use I don't really count the cost.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing! You have some great cameras in your collection. :)

I was 16 years old when I started shooting 35mm photography, the year was 1978 and price of a 100 foot bulk roll of B&W Film was about $18.00 USD. It was such an adventure shooting photos, then spending time in the Darkroom and coming out with nothing because of one mistake or another. As time passed my photos got better but always with room for improvement. When I was 21 years old, my Uncle gave me a Yashica Mat-124G, a Pro-pack of Kodak Vericolor III Film was $19.00 USD. The color and detail of the prints were amazing, 35mm is good but medium format is better. I'm 62 years old now and I still have the camera my Uncle gave me. I still use it from time to time, but not like years ago. I enjoyed your video, Thank You for posting.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story! 🙂

I have my digital cameras but I get more satisfaction from film. I've been developing my own film and that adds to the overall sense of achievement. Taking my film to the lab is sacrificing part of the joy. To me it always seems like a small miracle to capture an image with chemistry. Nice job explaining why film is still important.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for your input! I agree, I do still shoot digital but it's just way less satisfying.

Very nicely done! So well done, I subscribed and am looking forward to working thru your catalog of past videos. 😊 I started photography over 50 years ago (old), when there was only film. Switched to digital in 2005, and now am leaning back towards film, for many of the reasons you talk about here. Keep up the great work. 👍🏼

Hello there, I have been shooting film since 1974 or so. Got my K1000 for Christmas in 1979. Have been shooting film ever since but I also have digital. I do find film more fun and interesting as it is a challenge that I enjoy. Love the video too!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! :)

I loved lugging my Horseman 4x5 around and taking way too long to get the shot. Viewing those negatives, the images almost felt immortal. I also enjoyed shooting a bit faster with my Nikon D800e. But my absolute fondest memories are from flying my Phantom 3!! The sheer dopamine I got before, during, and after shooting--wow! But funny how things change. These days I prefer brush and canvas! Hopefully whatever you shoot or paint, you are enjoying it to the fullest!

I started with a box camera in the late 1970’s that my Uncle gave to me, then I bought a Pentax K1000 slr and I loved it! I do have a dslr but you are right, there is something special about a film camera that I love, so I agree with you about the quality and difference between the two types!!

Els Vanopstal : Yes film is addictive. I have digital cameras , and they do not go out with me that much now , carry the M3 and MA a lot , the Rollei Wide , nd my trusty old MX-EVS Tessar Rollei. I am hooked on the craft and feel of these cameras and then some times , you get that magic shot that is haunting and beautiful. Medium Format is indeed a step up in resolution and the " feel " of the image. My Rollei's " slay " the Leica for feel and detail , and yet the Rollei has a certain character.

Yup! Nailed it. My C3 speaks to me.

I started shooting film around 2010 thanks to a friend that worked for a cool film supply store that was also importing Holga cameras. So first film experience was Holga! To this day I always bring a film camera on my shoots. I think for me film has kept my digital approach less about megapixel this or other chatter about the latest editing trick and more about retaining a "filmic" quality. I also enjoy how it not only slows my shooting down, it affects the models. They become more pronounced in their connection to the camera. Yeah, it's exciting though expensive to shoot film but for me, it's worth it. Now if we can just get people to start printing their images more instead of only looking at pics on their phones, that'll be really cool!

Love the Mamiya C330 & C220. I had the C220. Those 21/4 square negatives made great prints. One point about developing- from experience I can tell you there’s no great art in developing negatives and developing color film is really tricky so honestly I would skip that. . The real art is printing. That’s what you should focus on. And here’s where film can surpass digital- printing black and white on silver gelatin fiber based paper. You just can’t match The depth of the blacks from the silver and the gradation of greys with digital inkjet prints

Thank you. Relearning photography because I started in digital. I like what you said, slow down and think. I love the fruit of your labor when you pick up your prints!

Leuk en leerzaam video kanaal Els. En hele mooie foto's maak je. Waiting for the next video. 👍🏼

Unlike you I'm a child of the 60s. Started out in the 50s with a Kodak Brownie. Was then gifted a Nikon S2 in the early 60s. My EDC was a Canon Demi (1/2 frame). Since then have used Spotmatics (still have them), Leica M3, and on to Canons (film and DSLRs). Like you I've grow weary of the "run and gun" shooting of digital. Also often spending too much time programing the cameras. I recently revived my Mamiya 645 and purchased a used Bronica S2. So much more satisfying. Friends don't understand, so thank you for explaining so succinctly your reason it's much the same for me.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your experience. :) Shooting medium format is indeed so much more satisfying.

Hi Els - über dieses Thema war bereits alles gesagt. Doch wie Du es strukturiert, freundlich und informativ vermittelst, ist noch einmal wert es sich anzusehen...

I really enjoyed your video presentation. You took the time to talk about each little important step that one must pay attention to when using film. I cannot wait to see more content more from you. Thank you so much.😊

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind comment! :)

I restartet wirh Film perhaps 15 or so years ago. My photographic shop was shaking his Head because of this. But what you tell at 2:40 is absolutely true: it is so fantastic to have this 6x6 slides in the own hand! And some 10 years ago, I got a Mamiya c33. What a fascinating camera! I love it

I am glad that there are still people shooting film. It makes me happy. And your work is beautiful. It makes me sad seeing all my nice film cameras and dark room gear collecting dust. I started shooting film in the 1970s. I have been completely digital for about 20 years now. Multiple times over those last 20 years I have grown nostalgic for shooting film. I get new slide and black and white film. I get new processing chemicals. I get the film cameras off the shelf. Every time I run smack up against all the limitations of film and give it up again rather quickly for all the reasons you cite in this video. Too slow. Too expensive. Too high of fail vs success. And the image quality simply isn't there. So I often reply to these 'why you should shoot film videos' with a different take. I'm not saying film is a bad thing. I'm just saying that most of the reasons people give to justify shooting film are simply not logical. If it is what you like to do and you enjoy it, there does not need to be any logical reason. But saying that it forces you to slow down never resonates with me. I don't want my gear to 'force' me to do anything. If I need to slow down I can slow down with digital just as well. I also don't agree that shooting film and slowing down improves the learning process. I think repetition and quick feedback are what improves learning. My photography improved by leaps and bounds when I went digital. Also, as far as the appearance of prints: you can duplicate virtually any film via post processing. I do get the post processing is not for everyone. As far as physical and tactile aspects: you can make prints and very very nice ones with digital. I will admit, the one thing that digital cannot replicate is color slides. There is nothing like them. I hope you continue to shoot film and I hope others will too. But do it because you enjoy it and like your results. I don't think film shooters need to try to give practical reasons for shooting film because there just aren't many.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

For me the main reason I still shoot it, aside from the other things I mentioned, is really that I feel I cannot make the images I make with film, with digital. Does that have to do with the cameras, the process (me taking more time to craft an image), or the aesthetic of film? It's hard to describe but there is - for me at least - a difference that makes it worth the shooting of film. However I can agree that it's not the same for everybody. :)

@georgebarronjr

Ай бұрын

@@elsvanopstal That sounds like a great reason to me. There are lots of ways to mimic film with digital processing but perhaps it never really results in quite that authentic look of real film.

@kevins8575

Ай бұрын

I've been reading all the comments and yours is the first one to really resonate with me. Well done.

I've bought a DIY TLR model kit, not expecting much out of it. But I bought it after it has been in my shopping cart for over 2 years. It was supposed to be a gag move of pretending to be a character from one of my fav masked rider, Decade. If I'm not wrong, he was portrayed as a 22yrs old guy who loves Magenta and carries a TLR film camera along with his driver. But before i opted to make the purchase, i looked upon the internet for results of that very camera, but none was available. So i decided to gamble and thoroughly enjoyed the assembly process. I will be bringing it for the Dean's List Award dinner event this Thursday. Hoping to try it then.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I have never heard of a DIY TLR model kit, it sounds interesting! How cool to be able to assemble it yourself, really get to see its inner workings. Have fun shooting it on Thursday! :)

Rightly said mam. The feel of slr and the wait. Is amazing

As someone who works in Information Technology, I LOVE the analog soul of film. I love my Praktica LTL3 and Minolta X-570. I can't wait to try medium format film.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Oh I'm sure you will love medium format. It's hard to resist! Prakticas are awesome and underrated cameras.

@thefamilyinthewoods

Ай бұрын

@elsvanopstal Thank you! I just purchased a Kalloflex TLR. I can't wait to get some Ilford into it. 😃

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

@@thefamilyinthewoods Oh haven't heard of that one. Have fun shooting it! :)

Reasons to shoot film: 1) not wasting countless hours inside PS/LR 2) the emotional background 2) the haptics, the ergonomics - slick design 3) i've grown up into the 80's with film - since 84. 4) I shoot (almost) exclusive film since 2019 again - and never had given up film ever since 1984 as kid) 5) you care about your composition, about the quality of light way more than anything else 6) that feeling, when you hit the shutter - into anticipation of a good shot 7) all that digital pictures - don't have soul, most of the time, and if so, it does come from 30-50+ year old vintage lenses 8) the look & feel of old 35mm rangefinders & SLRs 9) it's about the whole picture taking experience, the process - not just to hit the shutter 10) with digital - it doesn't cost you anything, you can always think "il'll fix that in post..." or "nah, i delete that frame later..." 11) every frame does count - when you have 36 exposures, be sure that at least some 20-25 are good, and/or some 10-15 keepers 12) the satisfaction, when you hit the shutter, and hear the mirror return 13) in a world of digital A.I. algorithms, digital fakery of all kinds (current smartphones), it's such refreshing, just to load a roll of TX400/Tri-X 400 for instance - and try to capture your mind's eye into real photographs... 14) especially the film grain, the specific "look" of each film - you can use 404585 tools to fake the film look, but only film is real. 15) photons to photos - not pixels to RAW files, for real ! 16) i've grown up with a 35mm SLR and 50/1.7 prime lens 17) simplicity - you only need to set your ASA/ISO, and work with your aperture & shutter speed 18) i simply can't stand current DSLMs with 254 menues, with each level does have 39 submenues 19) there's no chimping, no LCD to watch what you've just shot (it does look most of the time ugly anyway via DSLR/DSLMs) Just to name a few reason(s) whileas i do love to shoot film....

Thanks for taking me down memory lane. If it wasn’t for the cost I would gladly try film again.

So true what you presented! When going Digital with more Resolution I stepped back and do 50% analogue these days… Minolta 9, Leica MP, Zeiss Super Ikonta, Hasselblad 501, Fuji690 and now a DaYi617 - the fun in slowing down is amazing Saw your channel the first time - nicely and authentic!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Film cannot be replaced. Sabtle transition between light and shade and spectrum of colour is one of key elements that digital falls short of.

You speak my heart. Dank u wel!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Heel graag gedaan! Bedankt voor de fijne comment. :)

Received a B.S. in Photography in 1989, was proficient in the Ansel Adams Zone System, the science and art of producing a photograph is such a tangible reward. I owned a Nikkormat since the late 1980s and recently upgraded to a Nikon FM3a, I love film. I had a Fujifilm X Pro and I am looking at another digital purchace; but, to me, film is real photography. I can only hope film use becomes popular again and lives on .

Love shooting film. I quit working as a pro when digital killed it. Took no photos for years. Started again a few years ago. Just bought my 15th 'new' camera , a Canon 7 rangefinder. Processing film again too. Shoot analog and live in the moment. Wait to view your results ...enjoy vacations again. 😎

Having shot medium and large format film since the early 1970s, the most discouraging thing I find with wanting to shoot film today is that pretty much all of the best emulsions have been discontinued, and the ones that remain are the worst ones. The Kodak Gold shown in the video is a good example. It is an emulsion I would always avoid when I had the choice, but now all the Ektachrome and Vericolor professional film is gone, and this one with displeasing exaggerated colors is what remains. In the large-format world the situation is even worse - all the greatest films are gone. Now if you only shoot black-and-white there are still some great films out there, and developing yourself gives you even more control over the process - but again that only works if you're only interested in black-and-white.

@dougmacmillan1712

Ай бұрын

One problem with professional film like Vericolor is it was designed to be processed right after (a week or so) being exposed. I would think not many people nowadays shoot an entire roll in one session, much less the 10 or 12 rolls I'd shoot at weddings.

I could start by saying that I started with film and for 40 years, that is all I used. Because there wasn't a choice. Then I dabbled in digital with a Canon ELPH and was happy with the almost perfect images I got. Coupled with the convenience and ease of storage, I, like many, knew it was the way of the future. But over time, I found the near perfect images just didn't look like photos. While I could retain the near perfection if I looked at them on computer screens, I began to understand that all print images were still just like film. So, I started using film cameras again. With film, I could choose whether I shot in color or B&W, even altering the image by the film I chose to use that day. Also, the same camera could be used for both, or all, depending on how you look at it. I didn't need to buy a monochrome camera like the Leica or process a B&W image from the digital color file in Lightroom. I just changed film stock. I still shoot a lot of digital images but I have developed a strategy where I decide what process will give me the image I want and then just go out and take what will best represent what I saw in my mind.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I 100% agree! :)

Back in the day, your camera was an investment, and changed, but more slowly than the film it shot, which constantly changed to keep performing better.

Another point, along with the tactile aspect of film, is the simple fact that you get a physical print. Granted, you may end up with a shoe box in your closet full of pictures after 50 years but imagine trying to curate digital archives of images, the hardware necessary, the cloud you pay for, the endless software updates, the operating systems that suddenly won’t open the file, not to mention the $ necessary to pay for this. Meanwhile, my shoebox is happily, and quietly slumbering, full of imperishable Silver prints. 😊

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Yes this is definitely a good point and one I didn't really think of!

A very enjoyable and TRUE video about the LUV of shooting film. So much more rewarding than pristine Digital where the camera does it all for you. Processing and scanning is also the final cherry on the cake after creating the images you have worked hard for. Thank you from Las Vegas, NV.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment! So nice to meet likeminded people from all across the world. :) Greetings from France!

If you really want to experience all those psychological benefits of slowing down, you need to buy my 4x5 Graphic Graflex metal view camera. There are about three times as many things to think about when making an exposure, and nothing to prevent you from unknowingly ruining a piece of film. When I bought my first DSLR in 2003 I never looked back. The only thing I miss is making archival black and white prints with my dear Super Chromega D5 enlarger. Have fun.

Interesting. So many older guys here commenting - like me, I'm 66. Quickly browsing one youngster stuck in the eye. What does this mean? So many similar kinds of stories like I have. I think I was ten when I got hands on my fathers's Rolleiflex (not a bad start). Could take my own photos, too, and spend the long night in the bathroon with father learning and printing b&w. Glossy paper, the smell of the drying machine... Then in the mid 70´s my first camera, OM-1, with 50mm and 135mm., later OM4Ti and Mamiya 6 for work...Gone the way from film to digital and every now and then back. Using both now. Digital to earn still some money... film, for... hmmm... because it feels good and right. Most likely because of the old memories and nostalgia... and for the reasons Els so nicely listed in her video. I think what moves us older guys is to see younger generation get enthusiasted in film photography. One more comment. In the urge of getting my own camera and thinking it should be SLR I somehow missed how good the 35mm rangefinders of that time were. I'm now as semi-retired correcting that and already bought Konica C35 and even Pen D3 just for the fun of it (and waiting Konica EE-Matic Deluxe and considering Ricoh 800 EES ... : ) Ok, I go out now with FP4 in my original OM-1, now with 24mm f2.8, and Kodak Gold in the Pen and try estimate how to expose it because the shutter seems to be quite lazy... Happy shooting!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, and happy shooting to you too! And thanks for calling me a youngster ;)

My reasons for shooting film are as follows: If you want your images to last, shoot film. Digital images need to be constantly backed up, and suffer bit rot. If you have young children, then you definitely need to buy a film camera if you want them to see those pics, when they are in their 50s. I've got negatives dating back to 1949 and they will outlive me.

Great video ...very inspiring

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! :)

I've gone back to film after several years with mirrorless. You're absolutely right that film slows down the photographer. I have an OM1 OM2, OM10 and EOS500 with a variety of lenses. I have B&W in one camera and colour in another. I'd like to develop my own films - maybe one day! Thanks for the video. 10:02

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment! :)

I own a couple of Olympus OM-1 (the first one, since 1976, the second one from the late 1980's), an Adox Golf 64 (120 format and inherited from my father), a point-and-shoot 35 mm film Polaroid and a Polaroid 635 CL. Even I shoot basically digital, I do also shoot some often any of those cameras. And I love doing so. But my most beloved camera between them all is my first OM-1. It's fantastic! 🙂

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Those Olympus are really nice cameras. Totally underrated!

I am a hybrid photographer who shoots both digital and film. In film, I take the “best of both worlds” and shoot instant film. Being a fine art photographer, I can live with the imperfections and still have a tangible image. Plus I have an old rangefinder I can use. Thank you for sharing such a great video!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story! :)

Still shooting film from time to time , although its a bit pricey nowadays, great video, thanks.

I've got a Mamiya C330. They are a bit big, but the Sekor lenses are absolute pin sharp. I've owned lots of cameras since the 70s, and I love the C330.

I grew up in the film age and agree it was more of a time to evaluate and thanks to you I will be braking out my old Contax 35mm. and my old Exakta VX IIB that had both a waist level finder and a prisim finder not to mention if you needed to get a few frames of for developing it had an knife which allowed you to cut the film and use the rest of the roll. must admit that I miss my RB67 also. thank you for the wake-up call.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you for your comment and I must admit an Exakta is on my wishlist as well... Some time. ;)

Goh, Foto Guy! 😊 Fijne video!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Haha goed gespot! En dankjewel! :)

Great, informative video. I was recently given a Praktica BMS electronic with a Zeiss 50mm lens. It's unused and in 'as new' condition. Really looking forward to trying it out, especially after watching your video! Thanks

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Praktica's are great, you're going to love it :)

I started with film and worked as an army photographer. I had unlimited amount of film to shoot. So I learned film photography pretty well. I switched to digital and love my DSLR. But my love is film photography. It just seems real for me. I have several cameras including a Mamiya 645. But the camera I prefer to use is a manual only camera. Like my Nikon FM and FM10. I prefer to use FP4 over HP5. I spent a lot of time in the darkroom, half of photography is done in post development in the darkroom. I still develop my own film. And make prints with an enlarger.

@aantonic

Ай бұрын

You should try Fomapan 100, its cheap and pretty good film. I like Fp4 too rspecially developed in Microphen developer

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story! So awesome you still shoot film now. :) I agree, it just seems more 'real'.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I've tried Fomapan 200 and I agree, it's not bad at all!

@Jerry10939

Ай бұрын

@@aantonic I may try it. When I find certain films I try to stick to them. I like predictability. Same with the chemistry I use.

Well done, great presentation! Working with a Rollei 35.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Perfect explanation of the thought process and sources of pleasure. I had to laugh when you described yourself as "old" though. I already had a 35mm camera (an Argus "brick" C-3) when the Nikon F came out. Now that's O L D! Andy

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Haha we're only as old as we feel, right? :)

I appreciate film photography. All I shot was film for 20 years, but owing to immediate feedback, my skills improved fast. It is possible to appreciate both.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I agree. :)

It's a bit nostalgic to use film. I am on digital for many years now. One of the greatest disturbances in my film days was getting your negatives or positives back with scratches on them. Even when i let them develop by professional labs.

I just viewed your video and very interesting indeed as I have had film cameras in the past mainly 35mm, I have been thinking of taking some more photos using film instead of digital all the time which I have been for years.

Very cool :D

@elsvanopstal

16 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Very, very good video. Thank you. RS. Canada

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much, that's very kind. :)

Mooie speech Els! For me, it's 4x5 Provia 100F 😋

This made me want to dust off my Mamiyaflex II and see if it's still capable. I might need to get it CLA'd first... Glad to have discovered your channel!

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

I'm so happy to hear that!

I liked, commented and subscribed. Thank you. This video was recommended by KZread.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! :)

I shoot both film and digital. I love them both, unfortunately film is so expensive that I don’t shoot as much as I’d like.

As a film shooter I question film users scanning negatives using digital cameras, manipulating the image in Lightroom and having an obsession with sharpness as the perceived goal for excellence. A digital camera will do these things so much better so why bother turning film into a poor version of digital?. I scan using an Epson V800 scanner at the lowest sharpness setting using Silverfast to adjust for contrast and exposure. As I develop my own photos I use Photoshop Elements to remove dust spots . Nothing else. .I choose B+W only for a number of reasons : Home or Lab developing of colour film is just that- there is no process to vary the outcome. With B+W the choice of developer, type of agitation and temperature give much more creative input as to the final result. B+W also can be more artistic as use of light, shadow and grain can give the image a moody timeless feel. Film use is expensive. My advice to new users would be to not shoot photos the same as your phone. Film is all about light and mood and not about sharpness as the goal. Embrace grain. Study classic B+W photographers. Film photos can be timeless. Enjoy the whole process. Regards.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your insights! :)

@MrLennart1976

Ай бұрын

As for myself I agree with that, that's why i'm 100% analog and only wet print. But when talking to my students i also to remember my own philosophy: “there is no right or wrong way to do photography, so do what works for you”.

great video

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Great video! I definitely suffer from GAS. Analog cameras are often marvels of engineering and beautifully designed. I love all my cameras, but my favorites are probably the Bronica S2 and the Graflex RB Series D. I came back to film in the mid 2010s, and am now shooting 120, 4x5 and wet plate 5x7.

Also since 1987 in the game. I can be creative with digital as well and I can manipulate a picture in more aspects than ever before. For the process I decided for Xpro 2 its slow as back in the days…. no need to go backwards in time….

I started in late 50s but it’s all nostalgia now ,most people would not bother with it only keen photographers it’s interesting to do wet photography but it’s expensive ! I have used 20 year old stock with interesting results

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Haven't yet shot an expired film that I really enjoyed (and I've tried a few). Thank you for your comment. :)

I gave this a chance. I watched the entire video, some parts twice, and read every comment. I found nothing in any of it to sway me from the idea that shooting film is utterly illogical nostalgia. Does anyone really get a thrill from looking through a loupe at orange-tinted negatives? It appears they do, so go for it if that pleases you. It's not for me.

I started with film many years ago, then switched to digital. I always hung on to my 35mm and 120 cameras and now and again used them. Coming across your channel last week inspired me to get out at the weekend and shoot two rolls with my Bronica SQB. Just sent them off for processing so now its the wait. GAS love it, I love old film cameras, 35mm, 120, 127. By the way do you have a Lomography account ? x

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Oh so happy to hear you were inspired to shoot your Bronica! 😊 I do not have a lomography account, I will check it out.

Nice and good video. From someone who loves film fotography. From Portugal, congratulations ❤

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! :)

It's great to see someone with such a strong passion for film photography. However, I wanted to share some environmental concerns related to traditional film photography that you might not be aware of. Noticing your love for animals and plants, I assume you care about the environment as well. The chemicals used in developing film can be quite harmful, often ending up in our waterways despite best efforts to dispose of them properly. The production of these chemicals in factories also has environmental consequences. Additionally, film production involves materials like gelatin, which is derived from animal bones, and the disposable nature of film rolls also contributes to waste. While film photography has a nostalgic and artistic appeal, it's important to consider these environmental impacts. I used to shoot film but have since transitioned to digital. The argument that digital photography is soulless and sterile doesn't hold much weight when considering the environmental costs of film.

For me film is more realistic & appealing than digital because film has essentially infinite “picture elements” compared to digital, no matter the megapixel count of the camera. I used to shoot tiny cameras like the Minolta P-series 50mm. Now I have the last of the Minolta Mini zooms from the late 90s.

thank you, I agree 100% my oldest negatives are from 1956 - and still love analog so much, have and use about 20 analog cameras from 24x36, 6x17 to 4x5 I shoot only B&W and can't wait after the shooting to get the film out of the developing tank :) You should try panorama and/or 4x5", it is a different world. I love the Cambo WDS and use it for 4x5" and 6x12 with a Horseman /120 back --- and I love to shoot pinhole 🙂

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Oh I definitely want to get into 4x5 at some point! At the moment it's not in my budget but I can't wait to try it!

@dierktopp4780

Ай бұрын

@@elsvanopstal my Sinar P 4x5" camera is my cheapest camera of all, about 600€, and the old lenses are also not very expensive. Try it, you will love it :)

I also use a Rollei Prego 145 ..pretty much automatic ..but was the last l bought till digital came along Takes excellent pics...

I have a Canon F1N that I would like to use again, after 30 years. During those 30 years my eyesight has deteriorated and I do not have the diopter adjustment lens that goes on the viewfinder. I have seen some on ebay and they are quite expensive and I don't which is the right one. What to do?

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

Wish I could help you out with this... :/ I hope you'll find the solution!

When I am out usung my 4x5 Speed Graphic it is amazing how many people stop me to ask me inteligent questions.and often say they are inspired to get back into photography. At age 68 I am shooting more film than ever.

@elsvanopstal

Ай бұрын

So glad to hear that! :)