Too late for medium format?

I just sold off my 645N stuff for nothing. Depending on where you are, getting film and lab services is going to get harder and harder. I would seriously take another look at digital, it can also make you happy.

Is it too late to jump into MF to shoot film? I don't think so. New films still being made. Readily available at least here in the USA. Traveling with MF is another issue altogether. Too much of a hump for me and getting film through customs in every country is a hassle. But I'm older now. In my youth I'd take an RB67 everywhere so YMMV. I'd say jump in and try it. The investment is not bad and if it's not your cup of tea sell the stuff or just use it at home. Thats what I do now. Shoot film in my Bronica's at home and travel with digital gear. It's just easier for me now. When I travel, I travel light. Best of Luck to you..................Lou

You like film and you like it sharp, jump in, even 645 will make you extremely happy and there will be film for years.

Hi Etef. Professional studio photographers still prefer film, when it has to be really good. And if you prefer sharpness and resolution there is no way around film. And it is still the cheapest to work with. I guess we will be able to get film and labs in every big city for years. And it will take at least 5 years before the digital sensor can compete with the film. You can always put a digital back on your MF camera, and you have so many great lenses to choose from. The good thing about digital is that the manual film cameras and optics are so cheap now - and with a good scan you have the best possible raw material. I am using old Hasselblad gear on shooting ancient architecture, it gives far the best shots and the biggest range concerning light and shadow. It is not as easy to work and travel with as 35 mm, but the slower process might add something to your photos that you did not find before...Claus

I'm fortunate to have a pro lab 1 mile from my house. Dip 'n dunk processing only. But you can always mail out for processing.

Take a look at this site http://www.cbc.ca/arts/slideshows/sanchez_brothers/

I saw their works at an exposition in Laval where our photography club (APAL) meets every week. When you go to the site, take a good look at the SIZES of the prints shown in the caption.

They had about 30 of their works exposed. Viewing them live in those sizes - almost all are at least 4 by 6 feet - is simply amazing. You can be 2 inches from the print and and you can still count the hair on the eyelashes. Their next exposition after leaving Laval (suburb of Montreal) is in Belgium.

The older brother is around 30 years old and his younger brother, 25 or so. They provided an interesting presentation of their works, how they started, etc ... Lovely evening.

They use film in their 4x5 and 8x10 cameras !! They mentioned that they had been loaned state of the art digital equipment but for their needs, it simply didn't cut it.

So is it too late for MF? I think it's whatever you make of it.

Like Ian, I have a 645N, lenses to go with it, large flash, etc ... I tried to see my equipment at a reasonable price but no takers. So I'm keeping it ... who knows, film may become a "niche thing". So now I'm shooting weddings in digital because most people are looking for DVD slide shows, want to print their own, etc ...

But I'm simply not going to see my MF equipment.

Ray

Professional studio photographers still prefer film, when it has to be really good.

That is just completely untrue. I don't know a single studio commercial photographer still shooting film. Commercial clients now demand digital.

Maybe there are a few holdouts, but I bet 98%+ of them are 100% digital. Probably more.

The pros who still shoot film are the fine art photographers who have their 'look' and methods down. I did a workshop a couple of years ago with Shelby Lee Adams and he was worried about his 4x5 supply chain as he used a lot of specialized chemicals. He also used special 20 packs of Tri-X that weren't manufactured anymore. He didn't know what he was going to do when his freezer ran out.

TOO LATE???? NO WAY! This is a perfect time to get MF equipment at rock bottom prices. THese mostly professional cameras were once selling new at thousands of dollars n you can have em for a couple hundred with lenses n backs.

As for film going extinct... I don't think so because there are enough hobbiests n serious enthusiests involved that there is a large enough market, despite the digital rage.

As you get more involved, you'll find developing your own film is a well worth effort. The demand for fine art B&W prints is thriving because silver gelatin prints are more in demand as "art" rather than a digital computer printouts. Waht is a printout worth?... how much will you pay for a silver gelatin? What is the longevity of the digital printout vs a silver photo? ummmm......

Yes digital has some advantage in the sence it is easier n has a cheaper perception... but when you start adding up the cost of ink n paper, you'll find it's not as cheap as you might think n wet prints will start seeming a better deal with such a low investment in top quality professional equipment.

Well put, Paul. You hinted at what I believe to be the intrinsic differences between film and digital, shelf life. Indeed, most commercial photographers now shoot digital. It is a decision based on convenience and economics, not quality. Their product need not survive beyond the life expectancy of an advertising campaign. Can one really expect to see a difference between film and digital in a two page spread in "The Journal Nature", or "Newsweek?"