Why Film (Part 2)?

Ocean Beach, a photo by Wayne-K on Flickr.

When I wrote the original ""Why Film?" blog, the point I was making was shooting film for me really wasn't about the medium (film), but rather the joy of shooting a simple, manual camera (the Nikon FM2). However, with the release of the Nikon D4, Nikon D800/800E, Canon 5D Mark III, etc., I'm seeing a million articles concerning the D4 verses D3, D800 verses D700, 5D Mk III verses 5D Mk II, D800 verses 5D Mk III, and every other possible combination and permutation, and I feel compelled to bring up another point or two.

A number of photographers are much too focused on the gear. While for the average pixel-peeper, the higher megapixel count might be significant, I'll go out on a limb and say it probably isn't to the average photographer (or it shouldn't be). I dare say taking a photography class (or spending a bit more time on composition) would have a greater impact on the quality of the image than upgrading from a D700 to a D800 (or from a 5D Mk II to 5D Mk III).

Photographers worry too much about the technical specifications of their digital cameras and not enough about just creating art. Technology changes quickly and if one continues to chase the "latest greatest," the size of one's checking account will change even more quickly. Let's shoot what we have and put the focus back on the art. It doesn't matter if your camera body isn't the latest, greatest, shiny model on the store shelf.

If you really want to make things simple, buy yourself a film camera and go make some pictures. Save yourself $6000 by not getting the Nikon D4, take your film camera to Europe with your lovely spouse, and capture some beautiful pictures of the Tuscan countryside. It will be a lot more fun and rewarding than shooting eye charts and brick walls with a D4.