For a few years I have been toying around with film photography. For most everything I shoot digital and I will continue to use digital for most assignments. However, the more I shoot film the more I can see some unique benefits to the medium.
Much like water color paintings look different than oil paintings there is a difference between film and digital. Sometimes, I can’t see a difference, other times it is blatantly obvious. This is a direct comparison. On the left we have the film photograph, shot with my new Pentax 6×7 film camera. On the right is the digital photograph, shot with my Canon 5DII. The lighting setup is the same for both photographs. There is a huge difference between the two. And they both have qualities that are cool, but different.
Left side is film. Right side is digital.
In the “ye olde days” of film, the look of a photograph would be determined by what brand of film you use. These days I have been using Kodak and a little bit of Fuji. And depending on the subject I will use one or the other. And choice of a photo lab becomes important. I was trying out a new lab that is local, but not sure they are an improvement over the lab I have used up till now.
Why do I photograph both? and wouldn’t it be easier to pick one or the other? I love variety in life. If I was doing the same thing over and over again I would get bored out of my mind. The ability to pick a film or a digital camera and create something unique is like having the big box of 64 Crayons verses the box of 8 crayons. Give me the choice and variety.
For a number of photo shoots last year, I would take a few photographs with my film camera. I hope to do that again this year. So don’t be surprised when I bring out a large camera with wooden handle, use a light meter and take a “ye olde film portrait.”
6 comments
Hey,
Very neat examples. What sort of film did you use and what lab?
Jessie
I don’t understand. Yes the film looks better, but the digital camera with some lighting and maybe an Instagramish filter could have looked similar, no?
Hi,
Do you have more samples of digital vs. film. Could you also share the raw files in both cases. I I would like to run some tests and get the characteristics that makes the difference. Let me know I have my email address in this message.
You might like to try a non Bayer sensor too, like a Sigma Foveon.
Your slide film is over exposed, by at least a full stop. That is the number one sin when exposing transparency film, and you made it!
Exactly. And the digital images is slightly underexposed. That’s why you see no detail in the gun. It’s not a question of lighting, it’s a question of exposure settings in the camera! They make the difference here, not film or digital.
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