Do I ditch digital altogether

dave clayton

dave clayton

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So Ive got me a d300 17-55mm f2.8 and grip not been used in months so im thinking would selling the digital and making the purchase of a say a phase one or mamiya af 645 be a better purchase to go alongside the large format and the 6x9 back. It's a huge step as digital workflow has its points but I'm reaching the point where I'm going to look at bringing the c41 and e6 processing in house and that alongside a scanner will give me a drop in costs and speed things up a vast amount.
 
dave clayton said:
So Ive got me a d300 17-55mm f2.8 and grip not been used in months so im thinking would selling the digital and making the purchase of a say a phase one or mamiya af 645 be a better purchase to go alongside the large format and the 6x9 back. It's a huge step as digital workflow has its points but I'm reaching the point where I'm going to look at bringing the c41 and e6 processing in house and that alongside a scanner will give me a drop in costs and speed things up a vast amount.
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I suppose this is a very personal decision. There's certainly nothing requiring to shoot film or digital, just use the tools that either fit your needs or that you enjoy using.

I've sold basically all of my digital stuff (there's a bit remaining for the wife to use), but many people use a mix of both to suit their circumstances.
 
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I use medium format digital (Mamiya 645 AFDii and Leaf Aptus) alongside 35mm digital (Canon 5D3 and 1Ds2) and a Linhof Technikardan.

I use the MFDB wherever possible, the files that come out of it are beautiful, plenty of potential to push and pull them, sharp as a tack (no AA filter) and beautiful colour rendition.

But, it won't do exposures over 32 seconds (Phase One P45+ is the first to do that), base ISO is 25, max is 400 and is noisy and no liveview.

If I need high ISO I have to use the 5D3. If I want high frame rate I use the 5D3. If I want liveview I use the 5D3. If I need a long exposure I use the 5D3. If I want fast AF I use the 5D3.

The MFDB is a lovely thing to use, when the situation is right. Landscapes in good light it is perfect, whether on the Mamiya for quick jobs, or the Linhof if I've got all day, but it isn't a perfect replacement for a 35mm based system. The IQ250 seems to be heading in the right direction, with proper liveview, long exposures and decent high ISO, but it is £25k and not full frame so wide angles become an issue. Also it isn't recommended for use with wide angle technical cameras due to the microlens issue similar to the P30+
 
It's tools to suit the job not more than that. Just was curious to see what input others had over it
 
It is a very personal decision, and I'm not sure anyone else can really advise you what to do. Some people just completely commit to film, and sell all their "serious" digital gear, others prefer to keep their options open.

The D300 is still an excellent body, but you're probably not going to get a particularly good price for it. The 17-55mm is quite desirable though. If I was in your position, I'd probably hang onto the Nikon gear for now, if I could fund the new purchases without selling it. The used values aren't going to depreciate any more in the short term. If you do need the money, and you're sure about this, go for it.

Either way, I'd get a decent digital compact for holidays and social snaps etc. They're very convenient for this sort of thing, even if it's heresy to mention it in this forum!
 
For me now speed is not an issue so the speed of the 35mm system is not worry to me. Tbh I can't see me being able to afford a back for a while so it would be used with the 120 roll film back plus I love velvia. Given my work now is a slow contemplative process and I like to work slow and take my time and work each shot till its correct before pressing shutter I'm thinking the addition of a 645 system over the use of a digital 35mm may be better given the file size available from a good scan
 
I still use both but I do shoot a fair bit of wildlife and I don't think I could afford it on film....f100 at 5 fps Would soon get through a few rolls.:D
 
I did think about the route of a rb67 but thought the size and scale of that plus my crown graphic in my bag would be a killer. Taking that up snowdon would require a pack animal. The othe reason for the 645 af is its not much bigger than a digital with grip and same weight or close to and the thing could be loaded with 3200 delta and used in family events as the af would be handy over manual
 
It does feel a lot bigger than a 35mm system when in use. The AF is OK but not a patch on a dSLR, plus centre point only. Even with 3200 loaded I wouldn't recommend it for family events. I took it one (this is my second, I had one before I had a digital back) on holiday once, it was a big unweildy beast. TBH I use a Leica compact, or my 5D3 when travelling, a lot more flexible and less bulky.

It sounds like I am being really negative on the AFD here, I'm not, it is a great camera and lovely to use, but it isn't a replacement for a dslr for me.
 
Hi Dave are you the Dave Clayton from Huddersfield?
 
dave clayton said:
I did think about the route of a rb67 but thought the size and scale of that plus my crown graphic in my bag would be a killer. Taking that up snowdon would require a pack animal. The othe reason for the 645 af is its not much bigger than a digital with grip and same weight or close to and the thing could be loaded with 3200 delta and used in family events as the af would be handy over manual
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If you're thinking along those lines I've got a Fuji GA645zi for sale. Would be perfect in family events, even has a built in flash. If you'd like to have a look at it and see how it handles let me know and maybe we could make another attempt to meet up.
 
cariadus said:
If you're thinking along those lines I've got a Fuji GA645zi for sale. Would be perfect in family events, even has a built in flash. If you'd like to have a look at it and see how it handles let me know and maybe we could make another attempt to meet up.
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Oooh, Roger, we can't do sales on this thread, but we can talk about that camera (although it's probably off topic). Some of the other GA645s have (IIRC) a tripod socket on the side for landscape format shots, and a second shutter button (again IIRC). Does the Zi? I'm very tempted by it's multi-focal-length lens (not really a zoom) which I think covers quite a lot of the range I'm interested in. And these cameras are supposed to have great lenses. But I've never handled a Zi!
 
Dave, as others have said this is a highly personal choice and down to what, when and how you shoot so I guess only you can decide.

Personally I have moved back to almost exclusively film after a relatively brief dalience with digital SLRs. I have sold all my Canon digital SLR and lenses but I did keep until recently and use a Fuji X100 for indoor and low light work. I have recently replaced this with an X- PRO1 and three Fuji X a Prime lenses. I will continue to shoot mainly film with the new Fuji doing the job of the old one.
 
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I've considered a csc to supplement the RB67 but tbh the I already own a d3100 and its relatively small especially with the 35mm on it, plus it seems a waste of lens money to buy another system,
 
ChrisR said:
Oooh, Roger, we can't do sales on this thread, but we can talk about that camera (although it's probably off topic). Some of the other GA645s have (IIRC) a tripod socket on the side for landscape format shots, and a second shutter button (again IIRC). Does the Zi? I'm very tempted by it's multi-focal-length lens (not really a zoom) which I think covers quite a lot of the range I'm interested in. And these cameras are supposed to have great lenses. But I've never handled a Zi!
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I don't think any of the GA645s have a tripod socket on the side, at least that I'm aware of. Mine certainly didn't. It can't be on the left side of the camera, as that side must always be on the top when rotated, according to Fuji, otherwise the metering and autofocus can be disrupted. On the right side is where the film latch is, so I can't see how there would ever be a socket there either on any GA645 model.
 
ChrisR said:
Oooh, Roger, we can't do sales on this thread, but we can talk about that camera (although it's probably off topic). Some of the other GA645s have (IIRC) a tripod socket on the side for landscape format shots, and a second shutter button (again IIRC). Does the Zi? I'm very tempted by it's multi-focal-length lens (not really a zoom) which I think covers quite a lot of the range I'm interested in. And these cameras are supposed to have great lenses. But I've never handled a Zi!
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Oops, I wasn't aware of the no sales bit. I might well add it to the sales thread, but I haven't actually started offering it for sale anywhere yet.

skysh4rk said:
I don't think any of the GA645s have a tripod socket on the side, at least that I'm aware of. Mine certainly didn't. It can't be on the left side of the camera, as that side must always be on the top when rotated, according to Fuji, otherwise the metering and autofocus can be disrupted. On the right side is where the film latch is, so I can't see how there would ever be a socket there either on any GA645 model.
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You're right about that, the zi doesn't have a tripod socket on the side, nor a second shutter button.

Like Steven, I also have a CSC (Olympus OM-D E-M5) for digital. I don't use it much these days but I like the fact that it's fleece/jacket pocketable with a pancake lens on, or you can put the grip(s) on if you want something a bit more chunky. I mostly use it for work where I have to be able to supply photos reasonably quickly. Even though I do my own developing (colour as well as B&W) I still can't turn round films as quickly as I can digital. And although as film shooters we may be disparaging about chimping, there's no doubt that it is reassuring to be able to see the shot you've just taken on screen. Actually, with the E-M5 you don't even have to take it away from your eye as you can set it to display the shot you've just taken in the viewfinder.

I originally bought the Fuji as a carry anywhere camera for times that I don't want to lug my Hasselblad around, but I've decided that a 35mm rangefinder (Bessa R3A) fills that role better for me.
 
There's really no way anyone else can answer this question for you, it purely depends on you and how you want to make photos. I use both, I adore both, but that's just me; others are staunch advocates of one or the other.

Just do whatever you feel is right, it's your decision to make. :)
 
skysh4rk said:
I don't think any of the GA645s have a tripod socket on the side, at least that I'm aware of...
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You're right, I was getting confused with the dual shutter button thing, which I believe the Zi does NOT have... but the shutter is relocated to the front and angled, which might not work for me (fingers don't bend properly). I'm going to have to feel before I buy. :(
 
Digital has it's uses, not the least of which is action shooting where many frames can be taken to get a good one. And a decent Lumix will fit in your back pocket :D
 
you could look at a nex or x100s instead, use as light meter and preview of shots
 
Like the OP, I've considered packing up Digi altogether as I very rarely shoot it, much prefering film..

What stopped me?:.....

Simply the convenience it offers over film...................something that I'm sure I would miss in certain situations.
 
Well my son's Canon 400d is parked at my house and in 5 months have only used it a few times to test some M42 lenses (bought an adapter).......and focusing using old screw lenses is a PITA, anyway haven't found another use for it other than some quick snaps of my gear for posting (a digital camera is so handy for that).
 
umm plenty to think about here i think in the short term id like to hang onto the gear unless a rather nice 5x4 comes my way
 
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