Film isn't dead. It's just the forgotten old guy in the back of the room with a legacy to back him up. Kind of like Clint Eastwood.
Recently, I decided to venture down the path of film photography and explore what the past had to offer. I have to admit, I really just wanted to shoot medium format, which yields a more detail rich image compared to 35mm cameras. But with the cost of entry into digital medium format being too steep to justify (we are talking about the cost of a new car), I was left with going down the rabbit hole of film photography. I have to say, after shooting it for the past month, I don't mind staying down here for a bit.
My digital SLRs have given me and everyone else in the world such a powerful platform in which to learn and embrace photography on. We are now able to shoot hundreds of images and instantly receive feedback from the back of the camera. *Click* Bad exposure? No big deal. Readjust and shoot again. Digital cameras are great learning tools and are fantastic workhorses for high volume work.
As I grew as a photographer, I started to find myself getting lost in all the noise. Which lens should I buy next? What mode should I be on? I think I need more AF points. Should I upgrade to the mark III? What do the MTF charts look like for this lens compared to that one? What lens filter should I use? Should I get the one with the multicoating? Oh goodness. Lens dust! Start searching for cleaners and brushes. The list goes on.
So what does any of this have to do with film photography? That's the beautiful part of it. Not much.
For me, moving to film stripped photography down to its bare essentials. Light and composition. No more modes, no more camera body choices, no more lens choices. The gear was no longer a source of anxiety. It was now and always has been, simply, a tool.
My first medium format film camera was a Yashica Mat 124g. These are beautiful cameras.
Interestingly, this image is displayed back to front (left is right and right is left), which means composing takes some getting used to. The image from the bottom lens (taking lens) is what is exposed onto the film. Both lens are at a fixed focal length of 80mm (50mm equivalent on 35mm cameras) so there is no zooming to speak of (only "manual" zooming with your feet). Speaking of composing, the 6x6 is a square format and is an entirely different beast compared to the more rectangular format of 35mm. This is a welcomed challenge.
There are two main differences between the two lens. Firstly, the viewing lens is physically higher on the camera, which means the taken image will differ slightly, although in practice I have not found this to be a real issue. You just have to be mindful of the slight shift in viewing angle. The second difference is that the viewing lens is at a fixed aperture of f/2.8 whereas the taking lens has a max aperture is f/3.5, but can be stopped down to f/32. This can be misleading in a way, but forces you to learn that "x" aperture at "y" distance will yield a specific look.
As with all film cameras with fixed focal lengths, the photographer is given three options for taking their photograph: ISO (film speed), shutter speed, and aperture. In reality, once you have chosen your film speed, you only have two adjustments at your disposal until the roll of film is used up...all 12 exposures for 120 film (yeah, don't mess it up). The settings in the photo below are 1/8sec and f/5.6.
Overhead view showing the shutter speed and aperture.
And of course, since their is no handy LCD on the back, there is no instant feedback and no second chance, assuming you're trying to catch a specific moment. You have to nail it. You have to know your exposure triangle. You have to compose correctly. If you don't, the camera will force you to learn quickly. But don't look at these differences between film and digital as limitations. Look at them as challenges and opportunities to grow.
In the end, the question of "film versus digital" still and always will remain, at least until Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford and the other film manufacturers stop producing film. This will be a sad day. From a hobbyist's standpoint, my answer is of course another question. Why not? Digital photography has only been around for a relatively short period of time and film carries such a strong and rich history. Why not explore it? If you are serious about photography, you owe it to yourself to shoot film and understand where all the terms and concepts of digital photography are rooted.
Film for me means simplicity. It's the bare essentials. It's the heartbeat among all the noise. For those fellow photographers reading this, I challenge you to do the same for yourself. Ignore the noise. Find your beat.
Keep shooting.
Seattle street shot with the Yashica Mat 124G.