Yes, you read the title right: the digital imagemaker returns to film. But not exclusively or even frequently.

Lately I have been experimenting with long exposure photography. As we all know with our digital cameras the noise level rises with the length of the exposure. So I wanted to compare this with film. I dug out my old Mamiyaflex C220, cobbled up some step-up rings and fitted my modified Cokin filter holder so I could use the Cokin 13-stop neutral density filter and went out shooting. The camera (well lens actually) is not up to general shooting. The shutter had no use for almost 10 years and so it does not fire properly and can’t take proper short exposures. But on bulb it works and is loud enough that I can hear when the stutter eventually opens and start the stopwatch.

Results on the photography are still a work in progress but I feel I am getting there. But boy was it a shock going back to film. No immediate feedback, no surety that it worked and the quickest feedback is a day turnaround on the film processing (it is 120 format, so no 1 hour shops, at least here). You have to wind the film on (what a horror) and loading the film is a hassle. Plus lack of familiarity with the camera after so long screwed up a couple of rolls.

Mamiyaflex

Apart from possibly addressing the noise issue with long exposures, I am also seeking higher resolution. This is why I am using medium format rather than 35mm. I am curious to try large format but not just yet. A twin lens reflex, like my old Mamiya is perfect if you are going to use extremely dark filters, such as heavy ND (neutral density) filters because you can still see to focus and compose with the other lens.

Of course I’ll be scanning the negatives and working on them on the computer. So at least it is half digital. More reports as the experiment continues.