Film Photography vs Digital Photography - a shoot out of sorts.

[jjrosaria2]

omg. I prefer the look of the film at first. I really want to get a film camera just for fun and creative shots but film and developing is bloody expensive

[bluesun267]

Why is it people in favor of digital always tend to say that it's only the end product that matters, not how it got there? I thought art appreciation was about digging deeper than the image, and understanding the process behind it in all its permutations.

[TeddyPerv]

Great video, thanks! Just started using film not long ago so this is helpful.

[rorrt]

I love film! You save no money against digital. Ive shot film for years and years and havent come close to 10% of the cost of my digital camera body!

I just love film really because of the physicality of it. It was ACTUAL light that burnt the silver in the film. Then you develop that film. Scan it. if you go for a FFF RAW file. then film will give you much higher quality.

Its not a matter of one being better than the other...Though for me it is.

[PedrOxt2]

Forever a film !

[Kleinbiology]

Great video. I love film and film cameras too for the very reasons you state. Well said.

[timberswiss3]

he didn't try very hard to emulate the film feel on the left shot at all. you can easily add grain to a photo during the post processing. Adam if you want to get a film feel from your shots High Contrast B&W + Semi Course Grain.Im sure I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know but it seems like not much effort was put towards "emulating" the film feel, something thats very easy to do nowadays with lightroom.

[8karatekid]

ok, but how did you processed your film picture to a digital one? I wonder because maybe I'm going to use my dad's old canon 1000fn film camera.

[hanaalbion]

when you say the one on the right do you mean your right or our right the way we see it on the video?

[TeddyPerv]

@hanaalbion I have a feeling that the one on the left is digital and on the right - film.

[djsinatra100]

Gotta love the analog nature of film, a film image contains near inconstant but limitless detail due to overlapping grain. Whereas a digital image is constant but limited in detail. Also I've found that digital cameras are overrated in resolution--my D700 is supposed to be 12mp, but a lot of that data seems to be interpolated up; a film scan scaled to 12mp has noticeably more detail.

[goodtimes616]

Yes...look at the t shirt in 1080p mode...

[istavnit]

Blah...

Grain of the emulsion picked up by higher resolution scan. If you are missing that you can easily pick it up by applying a post-pro effect.

There is one key difference between film and digital: dynamic range curve and response, where film wins in the over-exposure range. (You can mitigate it to a point with ND filters). All else that you mention is bunk.

[lilduck99]

I like the one on the left :(

[Chloefizzball]

Hey! What is the film camera called again???

[TataBrada80]

say what you want, but the guy on the digital side is the one who's smiling xP

[VictoriaMashkov]

My stepdad was a photographer and shot (I grew up in Russia) with a Zenit TTL. It was a great experience to watch him photograph and help him develop images in a dark room. With DSLRs and all the newest gadgets, I completely forgot about the beauty of vintage film cameras. Zenit will be my next purchase, and I'm looking forward to bringing the mystery of film photography back into my life. Thank you, Adam, for this great video and all the knowledge you're sharing with us.

VM

[masterawesomeish]

I like the one at the left...then you explained the situation... now I like the one on the right...weird. I think with in relation to archival abilities, film wins because its not trapped on a hard drive, because technology will be obsolete within two years

[Marcus3141592653]

Digital looks too clean for my liking. I love the look that you get with film.

[solidsnake370]

I shoot film on my great grandads old Minolta SRT 202. I love how the photos turn out, and I develop and procress the prints myself which really adds a level of pride with a shot that really turns out nice. But of course I also love to go back to my the Canon t2i. Digital is so great, but film is so fun.

[111Socrates777]

try a medium film format camera versus digital, I agree with your motivation but your argument stinks

[baxcarias]

Cool video. Got myself a leica, have shot 3 films and ooooooohh man it's going to change things!

[jamiewindsor]

Firstly: great video. I too am drawn to the image on the right.

Secondly: I'm a photographer and I switch between shooting on my Canon 5D mkii and my old Pentax 35mm cameras.

…but I could retouch the image on the left to look like the one on the right in a matter of a few minutes in Photoshop. It's just a case of tweaking the curves, adding some grain and slightly warmer tones. But then again, if you can afford it, why try and make digital look like film rather than celebrate its difference.

[TheHipsterguy]

i got my cononet at an antique store and i was stoked to find it. unfortunately i have not yet developed a roll of film. while there is something special about the process its just so convenient to shoot digital

[dreaddennis]

i sold all of my digital stuff and bought a leica m4, Mamiya Universal, polaroid sx-70, polaroid 195 and print my stuf on baryt paper in my own darkroom, i grew up digital but matured Analog (im 25)

[GottaBKD]

You have to watch this one at 1080 to appreciate what he's talking about. Cheers on your youtube adventure!

[bekk16]

i own eos 20d and 650, and honestly, i find shooting with eos 650 much more fun since you don't know how your shot will turned out until you developed it. too bad i can shoot as much as i want to, since shooting films is bad for my wallet.

[cant1rac]

digital, particularly landscapes.

i see problems and it needs very careful editing in having clouds look natural against a blue sky.

even with minimal editing the dynamic range, cant handle the very fine sutilties.

and clouds can almost look like there stuck on rather than a natural part of the picture.

i use canon and pentax digital slrs.

1 solution is using a neutral density graduated filter to balance the exposure with the land.

but this and fringing isnt a real problem with film

[cant1rac]

camera's since the mid eighties have been large plastic point and shoot pieces of junk.

no pc coaxil sockets for studio flash on supposed semi pro cameras.

bad mirror bounce introducing internal vibration from cheap plastic bodies

poor controls for adjusting exposure manualy.

poorer quality optical lenses by adjusting design to allow for af, no helicoid low resitance focus ring etc.

leica and contax resisted af due to quality issues.

i do use digital but a drum scanned film cant be beat

[cant1rac]

film in all characteristic is superiour to digital unless you want to spend £10,000 on a camera.

the resolution with pro grade low iso film can be greater than a 40 mega pixel (even on 35mm, never mind medium format or 5x4), the dynamic range is greater, the actual grain can lend it self to looking sharper.

the main advantage of digital is the convient fast idiot proof way off working.

but your completely dependant on batteries on a very high drain device and a computer for proccesing & editing

[brian831114]

How do you scan you film?

[AkiraMusic]

Overall I think those two photos are tomato tomahto in most things - I like the grain in the film image, but I also like the cleanliness of the digital image. The bokeh you got from the Zenit is crazy, though. Miles ahead of the Nikon.

[rorrt]

I love film, as do i digital.

But i just think, in all photography there is a trade off.

Whether it be size of image, to weight, and convenience.

Quality in low light to digital noise, or film grain.

In my opinion film, has the best to offer. If you shoot Adox 25 admittedly you need to use a tripod, and probably a light meter. But in an enlarger up to its limitation its a digital equivelent of 50mp...

OH NO SORRY 500mp!!!!!!!

Oh and also, i dont believe you save money either way...

[loco4u63]

Adam, I totally agree with you - there is no absolute right or wrong. Artistic expression is very subjective. Commercial expression needs to be objective, i.e., about the product. I recently purchased a Mamiya 7ii with the 50mm, 80mm & 150mm lenses. I feel excited once again (@55) to start shooting what I love and loving what I am shooting. "Para los gustos se inventaron los colores!" This is not Mac vs. Win... but about what tool allows U to EXPRESS URSelf. Please continue the topic.

[Xunazk]

ROFL i do own a Zenit and i shoot film and digital too lol

[1995billy]

Your glasses seem to be the "symbol" of your channel like Jared's fro is obviously... the "symbol" of his channel ahah

[Mas7erChief117]

is jared always mic'd? lol

[xavi2055]

Thank you Adam! I love your video, keep up the good work, you are damn GREAT!!!!!

[xavi2055]

Hi Adam. Nice video, but you couldn't be more wrong. Being a user of both film and digital I also love the feel of film, but let me disagree with you on the following points:

1- It's not about digital or film, it's about your eye, your skills and your talent (I wish I could have all of them, but some photographers out there do)

A good digital image properly converted to b&w and properly printed can surpass film and viceversa.

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@xavi2055 there is no absolute right and wrong. and by no means am i saying that film is BETTER. i prefer the look of film at times and enjoy the process, that's all. shoot what you love and love what you shoot. cheers...A

[xavi2055]

@AdamLernerPhoto You indeed claimed that film is BETTER by saying 'it's got more character, more grit, it's just cooler'.

[MrFindus1992]

hi Adam, could you zoom in on the picture on film, so we can see the quality better?

[jasonkmcdonald01]

Any recommendations on a cheap but good film scanner?

[DrSpeed007]

Thank you Adam!

[TheStutenberg]

Thank YOU Adam! Your creativity is a huge inspiration to me! Keep it going!

[thebluecollargeek]

Nice video as always! I thought the film portrait was better too! But, I'll probably never own a film camera because of the hassle.

[jilpoke]

I like your videos'. Straight up honest opinion and no BS. The same goes to most people who comment!

Shooting with my XSi is like a photo class and has changed my film shooting entirely. Keep up the great work.

[jilpoke]

You can see Jared's bias for Nikon by his smile.

[andys93integra]

Yes it would be fun to see some more pics from the Rolleiflex. I have two Rolleis' that i use often, the images from them are great!

[kecjp]

Thank you Adam, really great thoughts. I'm going to dig out my old 35mm now! You and Jared make the world go round...what would we do without you two?

Stay Great!

[VonRimms]

My father used to shoot with Zenit. I was too young and didn't understand much but it was interesting especially in a darkroom.

[Gordonafloat]

Your hand pointing left and right was confusing as to which image is left and which was right. Please make clear if it's your left and right or the viewers left and right! Maybe label each image as left or right.

[vmxeo]

Adam, one thing I didn't catch was the film you used for the shot, and I'm assuming you didn't apply any curve adjustments to either frame. The characteristic curve of film tends to be curved a bit more than digital, and I'm wondering if that accounts for the relatively flat grey of the model's shirt for the digital shot vs. the much more pronounced contrast in the film version.

[aerosoladdiction]

hmm...on youtube, im drawn to the photo on the left. but i know what you are talking about when you say the film has more character, grit, ect. i'm sure if i saw these two printed out then i would like the film one better. im still shooting with my f100 today

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@aerosoladdiction nice - i have an F100 and love it!

[hetalkstorainbowws]

Adam, awesome video, you own a Zenit 12XP right? i have the exact same camera, i have the 58mm as you, and then a 37-70mm and 24mm, awesome camera, i also have a D5100, awesome too, cheers!

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@hetalkstorainbowws nice setup! i just have the one lens - i'm curious about that 24mm!

[manuelisai]

@AdamLernerPhoto how many megapixels did you say that Zenit had...?

just kidding, loving every video!

[smoothdude]

Nice Video Adam!

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@smoothdude thanks Daniel!

[DoctaSock]

The bokeh on the film one just looks awful. Rough as sandpaper :/

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@DoctaSock grainy yes, awful well that's a matter of opinion ;-)

[DoctaSock]

@AdamLernerPhoto It just looks really rough to me, not so much grain. I'm just ranting cause i'm use to the nice creamy bokeh of modern day lenses :P

[Morinaka25]

@DoctaSock Depends what you like i guess, the bokeh of this lens is quite distinct and is considered "swirly", i love it and have M42 adapters that let me use it on more modern film slr's. Adam might have to correct me but i'm assuming it's a Helios 44M lens, maybe a version 2. If you have a Canon DSLR you can but a M42 to EOS adapter (get the one with the AF confirm chip) and use it with infinity focus. You can get a Helios 44M for $20 in excellent condition.

[Hynee]

You can see the dynamic range in the film scan, especially things like shadows. The tall tree in background left has much more form in the film scan, on the D700 it's just shadow.

Film is fun to shoot, I've done about 12 rolls over the last 2 years. High res scans are a must.

[sashimi3]

film is badass.

[choy33]

I think you can remove the as seen on froknows.... tab in your intro. yeah you're doing a great job on your own. I think only thing jared has on you is quantity right now, the quality is on par if not better.

[surferboy36O]

I started shooting film cause of my dad, he used to shoot with his Canon AE-1, and I borrowed it several times until he gave me my mom's Pentax K-1000. Needless to say I was very interested and started shooting and learning on the way. Soon I began to ransack through my dad's bag for lenses, filters and all sorts of things. I now have a DSLR but film is an addiction that will never go away, I love buying old lenses 'n stuff and I'm currently building my own darkroom. Film forever!

[berlinsprayer14]

I have 15 frames on my 645 :) love it!

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@berlinsprayer14 sweet - link us in to your flickr!

[aadiflesher]

Cool video! Like the pictures and I love to shot film too :)

[hayesapeterson]

Thanks for your passion with film. It's easy to get stuck into the Digital ditch, and your right that film just has something over Digital. Love the channel! Thanks!

[estudio100rafa]

loved this video.. did you shoot Tri X Pan on the Zenith? I still have my film cameras (all Nikon) which I combine with the new Nikon gear (except) the G lenses, I recently found a 50mm f1.2 Ais for my Nikon FM3 and I love it.. pretty hard to focus (takes skill) but love it, problem is here in Mexico Labs suck big time so I develop my self or go C41 ... thank you for your videos man, I wish we could share a beer some time in NYC and chat photo.. (I hope you do some meet up some day) cheers!

[argmax11]

can you show us the full res??

[johanneswingerlang]

Yeah, a "What's in my bag"-video ftw :)

[alinthebest]

Do a "What's in my bag" video! :)

[Chrizes]

Hi guys,

I like film photography because you end up with something in your hands. Most of the time you get the prints together with your developed negatives (or positives).

Furthermore, look at the bokeh of film photographs, its not as sharp and exact as in digital photography. To me, that seems more natural. And of course, you have to think about every single shot because its so damn expensive.

[xwaderman]

is it just me or do Jared look thinner on the photo to the right?

[boilerjack]

sorry 'bout the double post-



[boilerjack]

Thank you Adam- I love how you edit raw files with Jared & I would like to ask if you could make a video where you explain how you go about making the decisions you arrive at. I've seen you crop square and make b/w conversions with a tint on the highlights and shadows and I really admire your "eye" if you could please just give us some tips on how you see things to make every image better it would be awesome. Thank you in advance and ty for your videos.

[boilerjack]

Thank you Adam- I love how you edit raw files with Jared & I would like to ask if you could make a video where you explain how you go about making the decisions you arrive at. I've seen you crop square and make b/w conversions with a tint on the highlights and shadows and I really admire your "eye" if you could please just give us some tips on how you see things it would be awesome. Thank you in advance and ty for your videos.

[snabilrizvi]

I'd love to shoot film, but it's too expensive can't afford it. Cost per image is quite high. P.S. Convenience has always overcome throughout history.

[eldudorinio]

Zenit ftw!

[Orsankart]

Ran out of characters: Also just want to say keep up the awesome work Adam, i'm spreading the love ;)

[Orsankart]

Hi Adam, I too shoot film and collect film cameras, you could say its becoming a problems :) Im also very luck to have darkroom access here in Glasgow Scotland to do all my developing and processing needs and being stuck in the darkroom for hours is very relaxing. At the moment i'm sporting a Mamiya C300ƒ medium format camera which i'm loving. Although this camera has no light meter a good tip that i use is to use your digital camera as the meter and dial the settings into the film camera.

[AdamLernerPhoto]

@Orsankart very nice camera and cool you're dabbling in the darkroom!

[harrybean2006]

Adam, great video. I started out shooting Tri-X. I hate being in a darkroom with smelly chemicals. Really. Digital is much more fun. Also, the cost per frame shooting film is much more.

[mathiasha]

Can you please make a video about how to scan a film photo into the computer?

[mathiasha]

@IceBox3 Yes I saw that, but sometimes you wanna see someone do it properly.

[Waffles341]

@mathiasha Digitalrev have a really good way of doing it :o)

/watch?v=AgOTk4ApEYs&feature=c­hannel_video_title

[tomfewchuk]

@mathiasha watch?v=AgOTk4ApEYs

[tiutsermann]

can you please make a video about medium format cameras

[JoeBoyVlog]

Its like spot the difference! Jared's smiling in the one on the left.

I first took up photography shooting film, I think its the best way to learn light and exposure. The only down side its more expensive with developing costs and such.

Love to see more film stuff from you Adam, keep up the good work

[Anonymjly]

Great video Adam!

But think of this: When you point with the hand on the screen, We see it mirrored.

You point on the left side of the screen, and we see it like it is the right side.

[confucious05]

Another great vid Adam, please keep them coming.

Hearing and seeing your video's on film is really refreshing.

I'm looking at getting an old 35mm rangefinder... perhaps you could recommend one?

[Adiobe]

Your video's are top notch! Keep up the good work!

Greetings from Belgium!

[trhnpc]

you're awesome, rock on!

[scheinii1]

i indeed like the film shot more. i´ll ask my dad if he has an old film camera and try it out.

[hjr0412]

Hi adam, I love to see this.People always say to me: why don't you convert your RAW to B/W? Now I have the proof of the pudding.

Question what scanner do you use? I now use an Epson V200 but thinking of replacing it.

[luubiiluu]

I'm liking this. I only subscribed for the film part of your knowledge. ;)

[CaesarRex]

Great vid, Adam!

[567turd]

Yep, this is good shit for sure!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

[skidgalning]

Nice video Adam!, but please don't say bokah when you should say bokeh.. It's like saying hamburgars instead of hamburgers..

[jh3835]

how do you get the film in lightroom

[Db3st0794]

@jh3835 scan it

[M3mPHiS]

Your vlog is bettter than his - I subscribed to u and unsub to him

[sirmetalman890]

could you have used a better MODEL...

[martinaee]

I definitely agree film and digital have different looks, but a few things I'll point out are that the lenses used here could have different sharpnesses, reducing an equivalent ~20-25mp 35mm scan from film will probably make for a sharper image than reducing a 12mp digital image, and grain in a film image will make the image sometimes have a sharper appearance.

I'd like to see a shot from a Nikon F6 using a Nikon lens and then use that same lens on maybe a D3x.

[934real]

FILM!!!

[lenhister]

It would be nice if you could branch into Photoshop and teach us a few things with regards to editing in CS5. Jared can hold down Lightroom with by up-ing the vibrance and contrast lol.

[neozavier]

Keep the film coming!!!!!

[mayker14]

You rocks. Love the vblog

[saralsth]

Okay. The one I see on my right is the film one, right? hehe.

[yourabuttkiss]

@saralsth yes your correct if you look at the one on the right you can see the pixels which you will not get on film

[Patsesson]

Good stuff there. Nice to see two good phtographers working together, and giving insight to all off us beginners, Thank you.

Greatest intro/outro music ever btw ! :)

[KennyBetterment]

I've never shot film. Just started shooting 4 months ago, but I want to try it out.

And ye, there's surely more critical thinking when you shoot film.

[deveroful]

DONT THANK ME WE WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH GREAT WORK

[LukasDJackson]

240p FTW

[LukasDJackson]

FIRST!!!!

love your videos !!

your are very good

and its cool to me to be first

lol