A digital Luddite

[Sharon Knettell]

Hi,

I have been feeling digitally deprived and rather a Luddite when it comes to the digital camera arena. I have resisted getting one because my Nikon FE 2 has been such a stellar performer low these 25 years.

If iI use prints I like to blow them up so I can stand as far back from them as I would a model, so I don't tighten up my brush strokes. In order to do that I would have needed a digital camera of at least 11 megapixels, or so I was informed by my printmakers. Also, the new autofocus 85 mm lenses were not as fast as mine, which is an incredibly fast f1:2. I also have a macro 55mm f2:8 which is sharp as a tack and an excellent copy lens.

Most , if not all my photography is done in available light so I don't need expensive and complex strobe equipment. I can take a picture of a model I am painting in the same natural light for extra reference. I can shoot quickly (great for kids) and shoot in lower light that with a slower lens.

My little beauty needed a little fixing , the second time she has been out for repairs in all those years, so I took it too the local camera repair shop that the pros go to. The owner of the shop said "Now there is a real camera! " I said but everyone is switching to digital. He said "Why switch when you have a Rolls".

He said the digitals are cheaply made and are always in for repair. They don't shoot as quickly, a memory chip (or whatever)can go bad and ruin your whole shoot. He went on to say that the prints are not as crisp and they lack depth of field and the print color is not a good.

Also for archival purposes, film is better. Who knows what system will be in place in the future to retrieve the digital images.

As my lenses are not autofocus, he told me if I need a digital just get a Nikon D50. It will work with my lenses. I don't have to spend megabucks on a digital if I decide I need one. He added, for .99, I can get my images on a disc at CVS. Also he said , now the secret among professional photographers (especially wedding) is 'shhh' film.

I just thought I'd pass that on in case anyone still has an 'old-fashioned' film camera and is feeling left behind.