Borrowed a Leica M6 TTL 0.85 - Page 4

ReeRay · Nov-17-2009, 04:54 PM

Have you noticed the way film and related hardware is creeping up in price?

It's not scarcity related either as there's a plentiful supply of all products.

I bought a complete Rollei 6002 kit on Ebay 18 months ago. Mint condition, charger, 4 spare batteries, prism finder, 50, 80 and 150 PQ lenses - total cost was $985. It was a steal.

Last week on Ebay a 6002 with just an 80mm HFT went for the same price!

Conclusion - film still rocks

Pindy · Nov-19-2009, 07:17 PM

It's been interesting perusing the rangefinder forums; I'm struck by a few differences. First, many of the participants don't seem to care much about critical focus and I suppose they're quite right as hobbyists to concentrate on mood, emotion, color, light, gesture and all the other things you may want to concentrate on. Still, it makes a change from the technical perfection a lot of digital photographers seem to strive for, here and elsewhere. The other notable thing is, because so many RF shooters still use film, you see a range of prowess in how well the person can scan a negative, slide or print (or how well their lab did) and a lot of scans that I would have nixed are proudly presented. Again, how interesting it is to visit with similarly-minded people who espouse different aesthetic ideals!

I cannot say, from my time lurking amongst the rangefinderati that I have come to love film any more than I did. In some cases, it's breathtakingly beautiful in the right hands and eyes. There seems to be a pattern of me liking Portra 160VC quite a bit. Other times, it's like driving miles of hard road. Seeing a digital shot is sometimes soothing with its lack of grain and other filmic qualities that are less than ideal.

It makes a horse race.

michswiss · Nov-20-2009, 07:15 AM

I'm struggling right now where to take myself technically, whether to stick with dSLRs or experimenting with film, RF, MF or something other. It would be a jump back to where I started many decades ago, but I'm so tempted. Thanks for documenting your experience.

ReeRay · Nov-20-2009, 05:39 PM

I had the same quandary some 18 months back. Everyone was extolling the virtues of digital, it's immediacy and efficiency

Then I realised they were all working Pro's under pressure to meet deadlines

Film was not an option

Then I realised how lucky I am

I don't have, want or need any clients. No delivery deadlines, no pressure and no problems if I screw up.

So I can shoot film, take my time scanning (which I love) and spotting (thank God for ICE) and know it's all my own work.

I figured what film to use, the exposure, filtration and lighting and not some pre-programmed chip in my DSLR

I guess it's like comparing prints from the lab as opposed to my own darkroom.

The satisfaction factor is immense

And is there really a better sight than a dozen wonderful glowing trannies on a light box?

The blessing of being an amateur eh?

Pindy · Nov-20-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReeRay

The blessing of being an amateur eh?

This is one of the truths that reminds me I don't have anyone to please but myself. I don't need to have a "pro" camera because I'm not a pro—never will be. I may want a feature (like ISO 12,800!) but it doesn't dictate if I eat or not.

I cannot convince myself that film is where it's at, but the digital alternative in the format I'm pursuing is, in camera terms, like buying a $75,000 car.

ReeRay · Nov-20-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pindy

This is one of the truths that reminds me I don't have anyone to please but myself. I don't need to have a "pro" camera because I'm not a pro—never will be. I may want a feature (like ISO 12,800!) but it doesn't dictate if I eat or not.

I cannot convince myself that film is where it's at, but the digital alternative in the format I'm pursuing is, in camera terms, like buying a $75,000 car.

Don't we just know it!

Turning back to RF cameras - lots of places I've attempted to shoot with my DSLR are a no-go area. Camera is taken off me, locked away in a closet pending my exit!

Now I return with my little old G2 - "senile old man with his pre-war film camera, leave him to it, he's harmless"

Thank you very much!

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Nov-17-2009, 04:54 PM	#31
ReeRay Beginner grinner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 7	Have you noticed the way film and related hardware is creeping up in price? It's not scarcity related either as there's a plentiful supply of all products. I bought a complete Rollei 6002 kit on Ebay 18 months ago. Mint condition, charger, 4 spare batteries, prism finder, 50, 80 and 150 PQ lenses - total cost was $985. It was a steal. Last week on Ebay a 6002 with just an 80mm HFT went for the same price! Conclusion - film still rocks

Nov-19-2009, 07:17 PM	#32
Pindy Leica Rhinestone Cowboy Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 941	It's been interesting perusing the rangefinder forums; I'm struck by a few differences. First, many of the participants don't seem to care much about critical focus and I suppose they're quite right as hobbyists to concentrate on mood, emotion, color, light, gesture and all the other things you may want to concentrate on. Still, it makes a change from the technical perfection a lot of digital photographers seem to strive for, here and elsewhere. The other notable thing is, because so many RF shooters still use film, you see a range of prowess in how well the person can scan a negative, slide or print (or how well their lab did) and a lot of scans that I would have nixed are proudly presented. Again, how interesting it is to visit with similarly-minded people who espouse different aesthetic ideals! I cannot say, from my time lurking amongst the rangefinderati that I have come to love film any more than I did. In some cases, it's breathtakingly beautiful in the right hands and eyes. There seems to be a pattern of me liking Portra 160VC quite a bit. Other times, it's like driving miles of hard road. Seeing a digital shot is sometimes soothing with its lack of grain and other filmic qualities that are less than ideal. It makes a horse race.

Nov-20-2009, 07:15 AM	#33
michswiss Stuffed Animal Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Not home Posts: 579	I'm struggling right now where to take myself technically, whether to stick with dSLRs or experimenting with film, RF, MF or something other. It would be a jump back to where I started many decades ago, but I'm so tempted. Thanks for documenting your experience.

Nov-20-2009, 05:39 PM	#34
ReeRay Beginner grinner Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 7	I had the same quandary some 18 months back. Everyone was extolling the virtues of digital, it's immediacy and efficiency Then I realised they were all working Pro's under pressure to meet deadlines Film was not an option Then I realised how lucky I am I don't have, want or need any clients. No delivery deadlines, no pressure and no problems if I screw up. So I can shoot film, take my time scanning (which I love) and spotting (thank God for ICE) and know it's all my own work. I figured what film to use, the exposure, filtration and lighting and not some pre-programmed chip in my DSLR I guess it's like comparing prints from the lab as opposed to my own darkroom. The satisfaction factor is immense And is there really a better sight than a dozen wonderful glowing trannies on a light box? The blessing of being an amateur eh?