Well I tried digital and...

[FantasticDisFamily]

Many times in the past the digital v. film discussion has come up and I have stood solidly behind film. But there was always something in the back of my mind that said but give digital a chance maybe you just haven't had experience.

Monday one of the leaders that accompanied my son's troop on a back country adventure in the wilds of almost Canada gave everyone that went a disc with the photos he took with his digital. Not a top of the line interchangeable lens version but a good quality camera none the less.

On the screen the photos looked really good and I noted several dozen to print and add to the film shots my son took. I have a high end color laser printer at my disposal at work and after talking with my colleague that teaches the computer classes determined what software here was best to use, etc. So I picked up a pack of laser photo paper and had at it.

The shots are "nice" but still IMHO lack something of the punch that I get from film. Many of them feel "flat" even though the light and shadows come through.

So now that I've tried it I guess I've decided that I'm still going to shoot film but if someone has a digital image that will add to the overall story I'll use it.

Just my two cents worth.

Deb

 

[wtpclc]

Just for grins, you may want to take the cd to a photo processor and see if teh photos are any better when they print them. If you still don't like them , then digital is absolutely not for you.

If you decide to try that, let us know what you think!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I've had the same results w/digital -- something just seems to be "lacking". Especially if I'm photographing people -- skin tones just don't look right to me.

My dh, OTOH, photographs weddings and has had more and more people requesting digital photography. He developed a digital wedding over the weekend and the pictures really did turn out nicely.

I think it's easier, though, to get good photos when you have a really expensive camera, really good lenses, and time to adjust your settings (as he does with his weddings). Any digital I've ever had or used was only around 3 or 4 megapixels and I've just used auto settings.

I'd love to take dh's camera w/us to WDW in October, but since he uses it for his wedding business and has a wedding to do right after we get back, we can't risk anything happening to it.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Funny you should mention that Carrie. A buddy and I ran out for lunch and I took the CD with us. There is a photo processor right across from the restaurant we were going to and I tried a couple. There was this wonderful loon shot and I was hoping the digital processing equipment would bring it up a little more. Nope. Essentially the same.

I was chatting with a friend of mine that does the high end digital for work (photo journalist) and he still uses film in much of his professional but not for the paper work. He was telling me that earlier this spring the editor wanted to use one of his film shots in the paper and they just could not get the colors to match.

Deb

 

[Timon]

just my $.02

We did our first digital Disney trip in November and when we got home, I printed out a photo of me on our cruise with the sun setting behind me and then I held it against 2 other photos of me with a sunset behind me from other trips (taken with a 35 mm camera) and neither of us could tell the difference.

I do have to mention though that we have what they call a "photo printer" the Canon i9100 and we always have our camera on the best quality settings (largest and superfine).

I don't think we would like it as much if we didn't do those things.

I also have to add that I love the format so much! I can print at home, only the ones I want, and only the ones that turned out well. I can also do many different sizes, which comes in handy when I scrap. I also love being able to edit them and I have recently begun learning lots about photoshop!

We took a pic of us in front of the castle (just like every year) and because of the time of day, we had huge shadows on our face. I edited it in Photoshop and it looks fabulous now!!!

Plus I love that I can take hundreds of pictures and not worry about having to process them all as I know a good percentage of photos just don't turn out well. (I took over 55 rolls in 1999 and only half of them turned out!)

 

[wtpclc]

Too funny Deb! I guess you're off the hook for digital. I was hoping your results would be different, 'cause I love my digital. (See Timon's reasons). In addition, for the most part, I can tell if a photo did not come out instantly and re-take if necessary. After all of that, you have my permission to stay with film. LOL


Timon - I have the i860 and love mine too!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Just one other thought Carrie,

a LOT of the photography I do is high speed action where I'm using 800 & 1600 speed film - often in low light and with a 70-300mm or sometimes greater lens working. So I knew that without investing TONS of money into high end digital equipment I wasn't going to like the results for that sort of shooting. But had some curiosity (and like to try to be objective at least).

Guess it is each our own and that is what makes the world go round! Also I'm pretty spoiled at my LSS where essentially all of my film is processed. There are several of the folks there that know my style pretty well and will go ahead and print a panoramic from my rgular 35mm or enlargement (cropping as appropriate) if they see something. Or at the very least point the shot they noticed out when I pick up.

Deb

 

[wtpclc]

OK. Your photo skills are a little above mine. It all makes sense to me now.

Good thing you have an LSS that's as good as your photo taking ability! Wow!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by FantasticDisFamily
Also I'm pretty spoiled at my LSS where essentially all of my film is processed. There are several of the folks there that know my style pretty well and will go ahead and print a panoramic from my rgular 35mm or enlargement (cropping as appropriate) if they see something. Or at the very least point the shot they noticed out when I pick up.

Deb

OK, since I'm in Michigan, too, I have to ask ... where is this nifty LSS that does developing?

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I LOVE digital because it makes me feel like a great photographer and you get instant results so you never miss an opportunity to reshoot a pic.

I've taken the BEST pictures ever with my digital camera. I also love all the quick photo editing and gifts you can order using digital pics. I will never go back to 35 mm.

 

[revrob]

I just went digital (Canon digital Rebel) and I am loving it! I'm so thrilled that I can see the picture right away and trash it if I don't like it. I love the fact that I don't have to deal with storing negatives, and am so much enjoying the fact that I can order what I want online and have the prints delivered right to my door within days. I also plan to purchase the Epson Picture Mate printer to print out 4x6 prints at home.
My camera is 6.3 mega pixels and I have been shooting at the highest resolution. My pictures have come out really great, but I have had a few that seemed a bit dark, and I was able to lighten them with the click of a mouse.
It's great!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Amy -

Sorry for the delay, I've been out of town on a faculty retreat...my LSS is Scrapbook 101 in Muskegon.

Deb

 

[WDWMom]

From MI too, Amy. Zeeland, actually, just east of Holland. Where are you from??? Would love to swap LSS stories. I have been to lots between Grand Rapids and the Detoit area.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Deb: Oh, Muskegon! Quite a ways from me...what a great perk to have at the LSS!!

WDWMom: I'm on the other side of the state, in Redford Twp. -- the LSS I go to most frequently is the Scrapbook Zone in Farmington Hills. Love their monthly coupons and Freaky Fridays, LOL!!

I also worked at an LSS near here for a couple of years ... don't go *there* anymore!

I heard that the Holland/Grand Rapids area has some great scrap stores. Dh has to head over there for work on occasion, and I keep telling him one of these days I'm going to hitch a ride just to check out the LSSes!

 

[wtpclc]

Wow! What a plethera of West Michiganders! Count me in!

Deb - does SB 101 do prints from CDs and such? That has to be better than going to the Meijer on Seaway!

 

[ToDisney]

First on the digital issue... I agree to each his/her own. LOVE mine and won't use my 35mm anymore. Love mine so much (as does DH) that we're actually framing my prints and putting them on our walls!! (I print my own.. have the HP 7960.)

Secondly... I don't even live in MI, but I have shopped at Scrapbook101 forever!! LOL!! They used to carry a great line by Klever Kuts. It's a good thing I'm a hoarder, cuz I bought all the Disney, Pooh, Mickey and even Nascar titles when I first saw them and now they don't carry them anymore. They have AWESOME customer service and great turnaround service!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Carrie - Um, I'm not sure since I don't use that media but if you're in the area CHECK. For goodness sake, if you're getting stuff printed at Meijers in Norton Shores WHERE ARE YOU? I'm smelling a crop with WDWMom...

Diane - Actually I think they do still have that Klever Kuts line but may just not have it online? They change stuff so frequently though that it is hard to tell - her latest is to do titles from photos. Now those are way cool. If there is something you need let me know. I'm in there at LEAST once a week.

Deb

 

[WDWMom]

Deb and Carrie,

I think we should have a little mini DIS meet and do some scrapping. Been to Deb's house and only about 40 minutes for me (on a good traffic day).

Carrie, if you get down this way to Holland there are a couple great places to go. Let me know.

Amy, Never been to the Zone. Have heard it is wonderful. It is probably the only LSS I have not been to between my house and my Mom's. Have you been to the place in downtown Northville??? I do not remember the name but I loved it. Lots of neat paper. There is also a new place at 23 Mile and VanDyke. I think it is called the Scrapbook Tree. Great place to check out. If you ever come this way with DH pm me and I can try to meet you somewhere and we can go shop. I know most of the LSS's in GR.

 

[wtpclc]

Deb and WDWmom - I'm pm'ing you.

 

[Spinning]

Must say I finally love my digital and may never use filme again. Took me a long time first to just try it and then to figure it out!
It is more than just point and shoot or click and print. YOu have to play with the printer. Different settings will give you different looks same iwth paper. So I bought all different kinds of paper. Anytime I say a "free"sample pack or free prints I tried it so I could compare.
My 35mm is still great for low light or need a big zoom but for everythign else I love my digital!
I found you have to use it a lot and take tons and tons of pictures so you get use to the lag time and movement.

Also I think you have to get use to looking at digital prints. I do feel they are totally different than 35mm. Once I got over that I can hardly tell the difference. I also find when I print at home I have to wait awhile I guess for the ink to truly set to get the full feel for it.
Of course one down fall now with digital.....every move my kids make is on a file! LOL! I shoot and shoot and shooot!