does anyone use film?

[madrchsod]

i have a minolta 101 and a canon ae1. i`m just starting back into photography after 20 some years and just wondering if anyone knows of a good developing company..i like to push color and black /white film way over a thousand and infra red but no one around here does this. hope to get into the contest in january

[electricmonk]

1. I still use film

About 50/50 split anyway. Luckily I still have a good lab in my town that does film developing so I'm not sure about mail order developers. For the b/w I would suggest investing in a film tank, changing bag and all that. Doesn't cost all that much and it gives you way more control. I develop my own film and then take it to the lab to get printed. I have an enlarger but I don't really have a room to use as a darkroom at the moment.

First camera I learned on was a Minolta 202 and I used to have a 101 that I bought used. Wish I still did but it was stolen years ago. Those cameras were built like tanks. I actually used mine as a self defense weapon one time and kept on taking pictures afterwards. My primary film camera now is an X-700.

[blueraven95]

2. I definitely still work on film

but I use a cheap point and shoot digital for faster response time on the web. I wish I could recommend a good developing company, but its so hit and miss - sometimes I think its more about finding an experienced person working in the company than a company itself. Maybe someone else on here knows someone?

Oh, and we will have a contest in December too, as well as various challenges, so don't wait until January!

[ConsAreLiars]

3. I use film but a local lab is very high end in terms of services.

Grab a copy of Outdoor Photographer (worth reading anyway) and check out the ads for a mail order services. (Popular Photography had a larger share of "iffy" ads.) Names I vaguely remember are Holland and Fine(something) which was more B&W oriented.

[NashVegas]

4. I Use Film

My digital is a basic point and shoot, so mostly I use the Fujica ST.

I'm lucky enough to live in a city with a couple of pro-shops for developing. They get all my B/W stuff and color work that I don't want to trust to the pharmacy labs.

I don't think I've ever entered a digital shot in the contests.

[JeffR]

5. As much as possible

when the budget permits.:banghead: These days, mostly digital...

[superconnected]

6. nope, not at all.

[RagingInMiami]

7. Only when I go out cruising in my Ford Pinto while listening to my 8-track tapes

[intheflow]

11. Cool!

That was my first car, complete with 8 track player! :rofl: I have a photo of it... somewhere in a box with a million negatives. :rofl:

[Bonhomme Richard]

8. I primarily use slide film.

I'm like a dinosaur. I do take a small digital A540 with me when I go into the woods but basically stick with film using a Nikon N80 (I miss my FE-2). It still does what I do best. Eventually, when I have the money I will pick up a digital nikon. That way I can carry two bodies and switch lenses.

[liberalEd]

9. I still have my Canon Elan 7E

But in all honesty, I haven't used it for a while.

Digital is cleaner - and I'm not just talking about dust from scanning. Film is usually defective if you look close enough, and even ISO 100 film has lots of grain at least when you enlarge from 35mm. I suppose if you drum scan MF or 4 x 5...

I do however miss the feeling of getting a new set of slides on the light box. Maybe I'll dust off that 7E (figuratively, it's nice and safe in its case) one of these days.

[flamin lib]

10. B&W

I have a complete B&W darkroom I'll give to anyone who wants it. Seriously, just add dark. In the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Pick it up or pay shipping.

Beslar 6x7 with lenses and negative carriers for 35, 6x6 and 6x7. Easels 5x7 to 16x20. Safelites, timers, developing tubes, trays, everything! Developing tanks for 2 1/4 and 35. Bulk loading for 35mm. Changing bag.

Top end lenses!! nothing but the best!

PM me for a good home.

[Another Bill C.]

12. Wow! That's first-class stuff.

If I was even twenty years younger, I'd buy the best Nikon F-series I could afford and take you up on that.

Fifty-five years ago, I'd load up a few rolls of b&w and shoot a couple hundred shots in a session. I enjoyed the darkroom work, too.

I shoot digital now, but I wonder where my files will be in fifty years. I still have all my old negatives in a shoebox. It took no special effort to keep them all these years. Last year I found a shot of my grandfather that I took 45 years ago.

I don't think my digital files will last long after I'm gone but my old negatives will be around for a while.

[F.Gordon]

13. Yes

Quite often. On most these days though I just have the lab develop and then I do my own digitizing with my ol' POS scanner and then I do my own prints from that. I can recommend a very good lab if you need one and they'll handle stuff by mail. I asked. Just PM me and I'll give you the info.

They do everything in-house and really understand the unique characteristics of all films. Also, if you need a "Fine Art" kinda' lab I can recommend one of those also. When you need to do specific dodging, burning, filtering, etc... Not cheap but if you need to get a gallery quality print and don't feel comfortable giving it to the stoned dude behind the counter at Wal-Mart.....