For years, I stubbornly refused to shoot with anything but a film camera.
And then I discovered…
Well, let me give you a bit of context first.
The origins of my photography obsessions began in college, where, in an Intro to Black & White film photography course taught by Justine Kurland, I picked up my first film camera.
There, I fell in love with my film camera. I fell in love with the weight of the body in my hands, the fact that I couldn’t see the actual images until I developed the film. I loved the darkroom, the quiet stillness I found in working with my hands to bring an image I’d photographed to life.
I was sure no digital camera would ever replace the intimate relationship I had with my film camera.
After graduating college, I stopped shooting film, and I wouldn’t pick up a camera for another 5 years, after moving to NYC. I stumbled into K&M Camera in the LES, and after harassing the guy at the counter with questions about which film camera was best, I left with a Nikon FG.
There began my renewed love for film photography. And for nearly 3 years, like an obstinate child refusing to let go of her favorite toy, I refused to touch a digital camera.
But. Several things forced my hand.
First. I was incredibly behind on my project in school. And I did not, in the eyes of my teachers, enjoy being seen as a lazy student.
Second, the cost of shooting and developing film was damaging my pockets.
Finally. I knew that to grow as a photographer and photograph as much as possible without the cost of film getting in my way, I’d need a digital camera.
After an entire summer of not budging, when I saw a Nikon marketing email for 0% APR financing for 24 months, I bit the bullet and purchased a Nikon D780 DSLR camera.
For two weeks, I let the camera sit. I wasn’t convinced it would do what film did for me. Also. After testing out the Sony a7V at a Sony Event this past summer, I knew that was the camera I wanted to buy.
But I did not have $4K or $5K to drop on a new camera, and I had Nikon autofocus lenses that could work in a digital Nikon camera. So. Nikon it was!
And it’s been a ride!!!
I absolutely adore this camera. And these days, I’m as excited to take it out as I am to take out my Nikon F3. I love the battery and how long it lasts. I love the image quality with my 50mm f/1.4 lens. I love the video quality!! The camera is amazing in low light. So amazing. I often don’t need a flash. I love the way the body feels in my hands. I’ve tried other cameras, like Fujifilm, and they’re just too small for me.
I never thought the day would come. And yet here we are. So.
Enjoy some of my fav photos I’ve taken on my Nikon D780.
