Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/12/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yesterday I shot a grip and grin at a groundbreaking for a new addition at my daughter's school. You all probably know the deal, both the photography and that I was the only one still using film. What is interesting is that the film provided a better vehicle for the school. First, they needed an image that they could get to the AJC (local paper) but they also needed a great number of publicity photo's right now for the luncheon and dinner for all the donors. The digital guys could easily provide the newspaper image but 100 prints in an hour? Let's see, 9 minutes dry to dry in the C-41, about 45 seconds per roll to scan/print then 4.5 minutes for the first happy little snaps to pop out followed by a nice little CD at the end of five rolls. Voila, digital file for current and future publicity requirements as well as 100+ images to reward all the wonderful donors who provided the means for a really first class athletic and fine art facility. The school is still old fashioned enough to think strong mind and body. Some would say that KNOWING that you have the shot is valuable. After thirty years pulling film through cameras, I know when I have a shot. Besides, I keep shooting when others are chimping. Moral, if you don't need to send an image by deadline and especially if a large number of prints are required in a short period of time, film can still provide a great product/service if the photography is good. Oh, cost: a DSLR will set me back at least 2.5K (you have to include the cost of a good wide angle); all my film cameras have long been paid for so fifteen bucks for film is no big deal. Now, if a full frame 6+ MP DSLR comes along then we might talk; again, I really use wide angles and few of the solutions for smaller sensors work for me. In the film world, a 15mm costs about $350 for a very nice image deep into the corners. Another knock against film is cost; every time you press the shutter you spend some money. This is a true statement, but a $2 for a roll of Tri-X and about $2.50 a roll for Fuji Press film the cost per shot is very small. Processing B&W is really cheap at 1:3 in Xtol and most labs can be talked into very low prices for true c-41 process only, don't cut the negatives thank you. On the plus side, archiving film is very cheap compared to multiple CD's and or multiple hard drives. Thanks for reading the rant. Don dorysrus@mindspring.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html