I am getting acquainted with my new Nikon D80. It is definitely the best SLR I have ever owned. Considerable research and review comparisons were done to arrive at the final decision and keep within budget. There are other DSLR's I want but the D80 was the realistic choice.
I also have to take a realistic look at what I want to do with my Shen Hao LF camera. I never really used it much. It is difficult for me to find enough time to do it justice. That, and it is expensive to use; at least for me.
Yet I want to hold on to it too. I am nearing retirement and I hope there will be more time to do it justice. And with the D80 as a companion I will not be limited to a one or two shot photo outings as was the case with the LF alone.
Should I sell the LF and go entirely digital? Or should I hold on to the LF and enjoy the best of both worlds of photography? I can't decide. I almost sold it once and I must say that I felt no regret when the deal fell through. Even so it would have found a good home.
Sounds to me like you really want to keep it Will. I think I might hold on to it for a while longer, see on retirement goes and if you get to use it more after retirement. If not, you can always sell it then. It'll be a lot less expensive to keep than to sell it and repurchase another later.
Will,
I would try to keep it at all costs, and I understand about not using it enought, If you decide to sell it I would certainly consider buying it to replace the calumet I have. if you ever get to Golden I would love to go and shoot with you, or a meet in Banff. Art Sevestre is here from Holland for a couple of months, we could certainly ake an intresting day of it.
Dave
Will, I would suggest keeping it for a while with the plan to use the capabilities of LF to supliment your new D80. If after a year or so you find you have not used it then consider selling it. as was mentioned you will pay more than you will get to re buy it.
If it were me I'd keep it. While I love digital, I would also like to have the time and $$ to get into large format. I've never really shot film, but I imagine there would be something very satisfying about creating that great image on LF, since you have to rely more on knowledge and skill than you do with digital. And if you sold it you would probably not be likely to buy another one later.
I used my LF camera a moderate amount as a back up to a smaller format film camera. However, since going digital about a year ago, it hasn't been out of it's case. Digital is just so fun and easy to use. I've held onto the LF but have to say that I've had some similar thoughts. A nice print from the large format is just so nice I think I might like to use it again once the digital newness wears off. I'm nearly retirement as well, and think that with a little more time I'll want to spend the extra time involved with the 4X5. So I'm hanging onto my LF for a while and see how it goes. It's not only the money that I have invested, but the time getting just the right holders, lenses and filters and the learning curve that are also investments. Of course, if you don't often print large or are satisfied with the quality of digital prints, it is an easier decision.
Retrospectively, my rate of keepers, or photos of mine that I like the best is especially high with the LF. There is something about the planning and shooting process that makes me preplan my photos and slow down. There sure is no reason why you can't do this with a digital camera, but there are inherent differences in the processes worth considering as well.
Although I do not shoot digital, except a small amount with a point and shoot, I did use 35mm film for a long time. Now that I use 4x5 almost exclusively, I have discovered that the ability to have exacting control over placement of the plane of focus and control over perspective is the main reason I use LF. This capability has allowed me to pursue opportunities that a non-adjustable camera simply cannot handle. I do love that big chunk of film, too!
I used to love the spontenaiety of 35mm, but I love the more contemplative approach of lF photography. My case is simliar to Roger's; my 'keeper' to 'trash' ratio is much better than it ever was with a small camera.
The bottom line is that I believe you should hold onto to your LF kit, and use it! I believe that when you really begin to explore the realm of LF, you'll quite enjoy it, and you'll continue to enjoy your digital camera, too.
-PB
Posted by Dan Borzynski on March 6, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Actually, you might find that if you keep the LF, especially if you have any Nikon lenses, you'll get more for it in 2 or 3 years than if you sell it now. I have been following the used market for about 2 years now for my own shooting and stuff has been selling very strongly the last couple of years. A lot of LF shooters I have talked lately seem to have seen a similar trend.
Besides, what is the worse that will happen if you hang on to it for a little while? The nice thing is that it won't be replaced by the latest and greatest wonder camera, to be worth $1.49 when it comes time to sell.
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 6, 2007 at 8:47 PM
I have both the D80 and Shen Hao 4x5. I use them for different things. The D80 is my fast shooting, highly mobile system, and my 4x5 is my "calendar shot" system. I'm keeping both. I enjoy both. I don't have a whole lot of money tied up in the large format system, relatively speaking. I don't see the 4x5 as all that expensive. Yes, the per shot cost is relatively high, but I don't take all that many shots. OTOH, I've come to see the D80 as the most expensive system I've ever owned. I'm constantly spending money for this or that with it.
It has become clear to me that I should hold on to my LF. There is no reason that I can't be loyal to both systems. I did not like the idea of it just lying there in a box, unused, forgotten, and deteriorating from neglect. So I thought that it deserved a good home. But I recall the joy I felt when I received it and when the first transparency was in my hands. There is also something, that I can't explain, about owning an LF. I won't be as prolific with the LF when it comes to shooting, but the work that comes will be special.
David, I am going to do my best to make my way to Golden, hopefully before the summer. I like the idea of us on a photography outing. It would indeed be an interesting day.
Thank you all for the encouragement and wise counsel.
Discussion
9 repliesI also have to take a realistic look at what I want to do with my Shen Hao LF camera. I never really used it much. It is difficult for me to find enough time to do it justice. That, and it is expensive to use; at least for me.
Yet I want to hold on to it too. I am nearing retirement and I hope there will be more time to do it justice. And with the D80 as a companion I will not be limited to a one or two shot photo outings as was the case with the LF alone.
Should I sell the LF and go entirely digital? Or should I hold on to the LF and enjoy the best of both worlds of photography? I can't decide. I almost sold it once and I must say that I felt no regret when the deal fell through. Even so it would have found a good home.
Thank you for your thoughts and feedback.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Congrats on the D80 BTW.
I would try to keep it at all costs, and I understand about not using it enought, If you decide to sell it I would certainly consider buying it to replace the calumet I have. if you ever get to Golden I would love to go and shoot with you, or a meet in Banff. Art Sevestre is here from Holland for a couple of months, we could certainly ake an intresting day of it.
Dave
Retrospectively, my rate of keepers, or photos of mine that I like the best is especially high with the LF. There is something about the planning and shooting process that makes me preplan my photos and slow down. There sure is no reason why you can't do this with a digital camera, but there are inherent differences in the processes worth considering as well.
Although I do not shoot digital, except a small amount with a point and shoot, I did use 35mm film for a long time. Now that I use 4x5 almost exclusively, I have discovered that the ability to have exacting control over placement of the plane of focus and control over perspective is the main reason I use LF. This capability has allowed me to pursue opportunities that a non-adjustable camera simply cannot handle. I do love that big chunk of film, too!
I used to love the spontenaiety of 35mm, but I love the more contemplative approach of lF photography. My case is simliar to Roger's; my 'keeper' to 'trash' ratio is much better than it ever was with a small camera.
The bottom line is that I believe you should hold onto to your LF kit, and use it! I believe that when you really begin to explore the realm of LF, you'll quite enjoy it, and you'll continue to enjoy your digital camera, too.
-PB
Besides, what is the worse that will happen if you hang on to it for a little while? The nice thing is that it won't be replaced by the latest and greatest wonder camera, to be worth $1.49 when it comes time to sell.
Kent in SD
David, I am going to do my best to make my way to Golden, hopefully before the summer. I like the idea of us on a photography outing. It would indeed be an interesting day.
Thank you all for the encouragement and wise counsel.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada