The Film Dilemma

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I was a hold out when it came to digital photography. I love shooting wide so the prevalence of magnification factors was very unappealing. When I could afford a digital SLR that enabled me to get into the realm of 20mm equivalent, even if not enabled with a full frame sensor, I broke from my film camera.

That was in 2004 and since that time I’ve shot less than a dozen rolls of slide film versus tens of thousands of digital images. As much as I enjoy the immediate gratification of digital it still has its short comings (ex. extreme long exposures) and I’ve always intended to shoot film. The reality is that as much as I’ve intended to do this it’s never happened. As a result my film has sat idle in my refrigerator for a very long time. You might say this is the most unused portion of my fridge.

Film in Refrigerator by Jim M. Goldstein

It’s not like I haven’t tried to use it. I’ve taken pre-packaged sets of film with me to use on trip. A little background to what that means… to make things easy I group film into Ziplock bags that are aimed at specific photo outings such as landscapes or night photography. At a moments notice I can grab a bag and be set for a particular type of shoot. In the end digital has just been too convenient.

I suppose another factor that contributed to my nearly complete immersion in digital photography is that the week I ordered my dSLR my slide scanner died. I think I’ve had the same 16 slides waiting to be scanned on my desk for 3 years. Someday just like I’ll use my film, I’ll scan these slides.

Curious to know what film I’m sitting on? Here is the breakdown (see photo below):
(3) rolls of Fuji T-64 Tungsten film
(7) rolls of Fuji Sensia 100
(2) rolls of Fuji 800 negative film
(1) roll of T-Max 400 B&W film
(1) roll of Kodak E100VS
(4) rolls of Fuji Provia 400F
(2) rolls of Fuji Provia 100F
(7) rolls of Fuji Velvia 50 (original chemistry)
(2) rolls of Fuji Velvia 100F

Jim's unused slide film

I’d love to make use of this film, but it never seems to happen. Am I the only one with this “film dilemma”? I can’t imagine. I’m curious what other people are doing when in this situation. Did you sell it? Give it away? Lock away your dSLR and shoot film for a week/month? Do tell…


{democracy:5}

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Posted by Jim on 12.06.2007 at 12:35 am
Tagged: Philosophy, Photography

http://scenicwild.com Guy Tal

Hey Jim, if you have anything larger than 35mm I’ll gladly take it off your hands.

A little more on film in my current newsletter:

http://www.scenicwild.com/sw/newsletter/Issue16/index.html

Guy
http://GLSmyth.com George L Smyth

I am getting rid of my 35mm film, but still like to shoot large format. I’ve still got four boxes of HSI (Kodak Infrared in the 4X5″ size) and am trying to decide whether to shoot them or trade them for gold bars.
http://inphotos.org/ Donncha O Caoimh

Last time I used film must been around 2001 or earlier even. At the time the local chemist would give out a free Fuji 200 ISO film for every roll you brought in for development.

I certainly didn’t use them all, but I haven’t got a clue where they are now!
http://www.jmg-galleries.com Jim

@Guy Tal As always I’m in awe of your poetic writing and beautiful photos. Your entry on film and addressing equipment habits (film or digital) was put very well. I think it might have inspired me to get out and use some of this film after all. As for medium format film… I don’t have any, but I’ll keep you in mind if I learn of anyone looking to shed their medium format film.

@George L Smyth Wow! sounds like you’ve got a tough choice on your hands At least you’re fortunate enough to have options.

@Donncha O Caoimh Sounds like you had a very generous and business minded developer to give out film. If your film resurfaces hopefully you can find it a good home.
http://www.rwongphoto.com/fieldreport Richard

i probably have a roll or two of P&S camera negative film in the fridge, as for the slides I only bought as needed. 2005 was the last time I touched the 35mm.
http://www.grafphoto.com/wordpress Mark

I voted “In the same boat” – but it came down to a difficult decision for me as far as the fridge space…. film or beer?
http://www.yyapp.com Rafa

Film forever!
Well, actually, it’s a bit funny that I have shot more photos in one year with my puny Nikon D200 than with a mighty Hasselblad in 20 years. But for some reason most of the pics on my walls (yes, I’m that egocentric) are from the Hassie and film Nikons. Go figure. In the meantime I’m slowly chipping away at a hundred rolls of Velvia and Astia. And I miss Kodachrome 25 soo much.

Guy Tal, great photos and newsletter.
http://latogaphoto.blogspot.com latoga

I think I have a few rolls of 1600iso floating around the back of my fridge as well. I remember running across them a few months back. The last time I bought film was back in 2001…maybe it’s time to play around with the 1600 file and see what kind of abstract images the chemistry will produce…