Is Film still viable for a pro???

I don't know about 'top professional photographers' but read on.....

I've just finished running an underwater photo course for professional scientific divers. The learning curve involved in using new techniques is so vastly improved by the use of digital that I can honestly say that the same course content would have been IMPOSSIBLE in the same time frame shooting film. The quality of results at the end of the course was so good, using 5Ds and similar, that it undoubtedly bettered anything that could have been shot on film given the conditions. Not everyone aspires to be a 'top professional' but for people who need to take underwater images, digital can be a revelation.

I'm sure that film isn't quite dead for some applications, but underwater it is almost certainly now moving into its death throes. I don't own a film camera any longer and have absolutely no desire to do so. I've said this before and I'll no doubt say it again, underwater digital results can now exceed those from film.

Nice Hasselblad outfit John, but you might find it hard to find a dealer keen on taking it in.

I will concede that not many photographers are charging more than £3000 per day in North Wales but I note that the Calumet hire department still has a big range of Sinar and Hasselblad film equipment to offer. As I said to Gavin Anderson when he asked me how to progress as a photographer (not an underwater photographer), "Move to London, Paris, Milan or New York!"

As far as the Hasselblad goes, I suppose I could always buy a Leaf digital back for it!

The challenge with using film is the cost associatd with the processing and the availbility of processing on liveaboards and remote destinations. Taking film through the security screeners just adds more challenges, but digital is hassel-free from those stand points. My best shots have always been with film, but as a recent convert to the digital world, that still remains to be seen. Film is far from dead and probably won't be for many years to come, but it will be relegated to land use by the restrictions of supply and demand and the cost associated with processing and obtaining the chemicals. E-6 is alive and well in my opinion, just not being utilized underwater as much. <_<

This story may be of interest:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0605/06052501...filmcameras.asp

Alex

p.s. My Hasselblad got flooded (by someone else) while I was away in Malaysia. Maybe I should buy yours, John?!

We always used Hasselblads and Sinar. My original Nikon outfit was bought in the days (1970 - 72) when I worked for Penthouse Mag and Bob G. decreed that everything had to be shot on Kodachrome II. Otherwise 35mm cameras were always the preserve of news and wedding photographers only. As to my remaining Hasselblad outfit - no reasonable offer refused!

It was interesting reading over this old thread. Yes, in the digital world a few months makes it old!

My Hasselbald outfit has long gone. I advertised my underwater film Nikon cameras/housings in the UK at silly prices but got no offers. I have made the full transition to digital photography - and suddenly I find myself getting photography commissions that have nothing to do with the diving world.

I used the old Fuji S2 Pros (with many old Nikon lenses) mainly because I couldn't be asked to extract the bigger pixel-count Nikons from their housings - got wonderful results, and all the clients are ecstatic!

Before you know it, I'll be moving to Amlych! (sp?).

Before you know it, I'll be moving to Amlych! (sp?).

Whoa, steady on John. There is some quality wreck diving to be done out of Amlych (believe it or not) but moving there? Still I imagine the locals would enjoy the sport of a classy-looking English southener moving in. Especially one that's had the jobs that you had.

Mind you, I thought I'd never see the day when you typed the phrase

I have made the full transition to digital photography..

So maybe the Anglesey Estate Agents should be expecting a call? Maybe we should get a permanent space reserved for you on Terry and Elfin's boat.

Cheers,

Tim

I was conceived in Amlych! My family moved there during the later part of WW2 after moving from London to Coventry to avoid the bombing!

(I was trying to smoke out Paul with this post but he's not biting)!

wow Tim.. classy looking English southener....

That one smoked me out....

www.hasselbladusa.com/news/hasselblad-launches-world's-first-48mm-full-frame-dslr-camera-system.aspx

39mp camera.

I guess that means film is dead!

www.hasselbladusa.com/news/hasselblad-launches-world's-first-48mm-full-frame-dslr-camera-system.aspx

39mp camera.

I guess that means film is dead!

That's a camera for kids, John

This 160 megapixel monster is the real thing

http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/...8/d925/f934.cfm

Now, to find a housing for it...

OK I'm smoked out, but would that be Amlwch I wonder, on the costa del North Anglesey, known for its wind rain and silt, I wonder?( Well it was the other day when Elfyn was trying to con us into thinking there was a force 9 imminent - what rubbish it was a mere force 8 and perfectly divable). So Welsh by birth then John?

As for these new, film replacing cameras, you have to consider two things - flooding would REALLY hurt, and storage as they produce SERIOUSLY big files - perhaps someone can come up with a RAID array inside a Pelicase for travel requirements!!!

I was only conceived there. I didn't learn to spell there!

I doubt Chris Newbert has switched over to dig and most consider him a pro. So I feel the answer is still a yes for some but not most.. Mark

This is an interesting thread, that I missed on my first pass through the site.

[This post is to push it back to the top of the list]

This 160 megapixel monster is the real thing

 

http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/...8/d925/f934.cfm

 

Now, to find a housing for it...

I saw the Seitz 6x17 Digital Thursday at the PhotoPlus Expo; and I was not impressed.