Film and Digital - A Test, Trial, and Return

As I'm sure you know, because I remind you so often, I've been around a while. No, I don't feel old at almost 35. In fact, I know that some of you would smack me for suggesting it, with the "youth being wasted on the young" and all. But photography was a LOT different when I started. Actually, photography was only a little different, but the industry was like skipping through fields of sunflowers with narry a problem to be seen for miles. It's in that respect that things have changed.

Yes, the cameras are more like hand-held computers now than mechanical, optical, gear-driven, 10 lb, metal and glass, magical, soul-stealing machines. We took the chemistry out of the image making process and replaced it with chips, algorythms, and software. While digital is amzaing and opens new doors every year, I'm sad to know that I'll probably never smell another bath of Fixer. Not to mention, my kids have no clue what I'm talking about.

It's because I missed film so much, that I think it's time to go back. Definately not all the way, because this whole digital thing really is fun for being such a genie out of the bottle. But I want to get my film fix, cost : benefit ratio be damned. So what did I do? Yep! Went and got a used (of course - it's a film camera) Nikon F5. I had an F3 in highschool and hated the 20lb motor drive that attached, so this was my chance to get it right. And the F6, Nikon's last professional film camera, seemed too much like the F100. I wanted the beast that ran on (8) AA batteries with the vertical, kung-fu grip.

Some friends were kind enough to volunteer for my first film photographs in 8 years. At first it was difficult not to try to look at an LCD on the back door, but I soon remembered my Jedi training and let the Force flow. Below is a side by side comparison of a comparable film and digital image. Can you tell which is which?

No? Well what if we zoom in on those windows to the soul? Can you tell now? Have a look and let me know which you like better. Of course, this is a microscopic sample of what's available with post-process filters, film speeds, and varying kinds of film (print, slide, b&w, etc). Both images shot at ISO 400, F11 at 1/250.

I hope you've enjoyed this pointless trip down memory lane. Even if you haven't, I've had a great time, and it makes me happy to know I've still got "it".

Cheers,
Joseph