The eighth installment of the One Minute Rant. Each audio is one minute or less* and focuses on a very specific topic to engage readers here on the FR to comment and start a dialogue! Just click on the RANT logo to listen.
- Note: This Rant is a bit over one minute.
Figital Revolution 
I couldn’t agree more. When I moved to Kentucky last year, I bought a new iMac, a fresh copy of LightZone, and my intention was to work ‘figitally.’ My problem was that I just could not match the results that I get using a wet darkroom. Because of this, instead of chasing the newest and best, and instead of just throwing money at the problem via a nikon scanner and a huge printer, I decided that I would work on building my own darkroom in Kentucky, and see about having my fine prints scanned and printed. My goal is to be able to sell digitally printed prints at a fraction of the cost of my darkroom prints, aiming at a market that traditionally hasn’t been able to afford fiber based fine prints, but still wants to have unique photography to hang on their walls. Therefore, my planned workflow is to produce a small handful of darkroom prints as limited editions at a higher price, while simultaneously selling prints made from scans of those darkroom prints. I have more fun in the darkroom, and I produce better work in the darkroom. When I find that I am not having fun, my work suffers, and the quantity of my work suffers. You are right on, as usual, Stephen.
As an aside, I don’t know how many members of the Revolution have heard yet, and the announcement hasn’t been made official, but Nikon reps have been telling stores that they are discontinuing their film scanner line. Bad news indeed for those of us who continue to worship at the altar of silver nitrate.
I have not heard about the Nikon scanner new yet but it would seem to be a bit early as Kodak is now set to release Ektar in 120 and Fuji/ Voigtlander are introducing a new folding 66 / 67 camera due out in June. At least there are other scanners still being made if this indeed true so we still have options.
If it is true my message to NIKON to think twice!
Viva la Revolution-
Stephen
I absolutely concur. One thing I do to increase the fun factor in my photography is to go out shooting with an old Kodak camera from the 50’s that is the same model I used in high school (a little later than the 50’s). It was my first “serious” camera.
It has scale focusing, but no rangefinder, and it has a limited range of shutter speeds to match its f/3.5 lens. I throw that into a bag along with an old light meter, a plastic camera and some film, strap the bag to my bike and take off to enjoy the weather, the afternoon light and whatever time I can find to make pictures.
i don’t need to see my results in a hurry — the film can sit for months, if need be. I don’t stress out over latent image fading. When I have time to develop the film, I do, and then it’s a fun time remembering when I stopped to make a quick “snapshot” of something that now looks like it’s going to be a happy memory to hang on my wall or put into an album.
It’s all just fun. Also, no one takes the camera all that seriously when I’m walking the street with it. It’s barely even noticable.
Dan
Thats something to consider about film scanner manufacturing. It’s disappointing that there aren’t at least a few good options out there any longer. I’ve had a V for years and think it’s great, but went and ordered (speaking of buying stuff, sigh) a 5000 because I don’t want to be without a replacement in case the V breaks down someday. I’d been waiting for the 5000’s replacement, but guess that’s not going to happen now and I plan on using film for a long time yet.
Sometimes it feels as if the whole industry is herding off in only one direction. I’m thankful for FR and other sites like this.
Sorry if I strayed off topic.
It should be abundantly clear to the folks at Nikon that film scanners are still a viable technology..That they are not selling in the numbers that they once did is pretty clear, but that there is still a reasonable demand for them is also clear..
With the loss of the Nikon scanners there is now a large void in the scanner market..There are now only two segments of the scanner market remaining..The very high end as represented by the sole remaining currently manufactured drum scanner, the Aztek Premier, the Hasselblad scanners, some high-end flatbed scanners, and used, refurbished drum scanners..At the opposite end of the market are the sub-$1000.00 film scanners, with the vast majority of these scanners selling for far less than $500.00..
The Nikon scanners represented a major step upwards in both quality of workmanship, as well as the quality of the scanning results that were achievable by the amateur photographer..Their loss will leave a huge void as to the available choices for photographers wishing to practice a hybrid work flow combining film photography with digital printing..
As to the purpose of this 1-minute rant, I agree with everything that has been said regarding bringing the fun back into photography..With only 5% of all photographers being professionals that earn 100% of their income from photography, it has always been a mystery to me why so many amateur photographers are so obsessed with their equipment and their results instead of just enjoying themselves..I learned long ago that after the basics are learned that I got far more keepers when I was having fun, than I did when I fussed with every aspect of a shot..