+1 for Adblocker Plus.

I can't imagine going back to a desktop. I use my laptop all around the house for all sorts of things. I can plug in an external monitor if I want better editing capabilities, just as I plug in my scanner, or data projector, or external hard disks. I haven't used a desk top regularly for maybe eight years now.

K.

K 24:



A 28:



Both seem fine to me.

I agree with dSLRs being able to create higher quality images than 35mm film. I am less sure that it is true with medium format and it is untrue with large format.

One question in my mind, however, is what film? Happy snaps junk 200 ASA colour print film, or Ilford Delta 100? Developed how? Printed how? Scanned how? Kodak Ektar 100, the new colour print film, is rumoured to have been developed with scanning in mind, for example. I also find it fascinating that one can buy software to mimic film images. Clearly there is something about film images that many enjoy.

I shoot some film because I enjoy it. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't care if it is better or worse than digital. Why do I use my Lubitel 2 instead of my Yashica Mat 124 G? Because it is basic and fiddly and fun and I have no idea what the results might be like. Why do I use a Pentax ES? Because it is a beautiful solid piece of machinery. Why am I eyeing up a FED-4? Because I'll never be able to afford a real Leica and I am curious what using a range-finder is like. The fact that I have sold my K10D and kept all my film cameras is that I have never developed the affection for the black blob that I have for my LX.

If your aim in life is to produce high quality images for photo competitions then the easiest route to technical quality is to shoot digital and Thoramay has probably made the right decision to not use her Z1. In my case, photography is fun and part of that fun is learning how to use old equipment. When photographing finds from my excavations I use my digital SLR and AF macro lens. When taking macro pictures for fun I may well use my M 100 with extension tubes or my LX with the magnifying viewfinder. I got my maths teacher to show me how to work a slide rule even though I had a calculator. Why? Because I wanted to know! One day I'll have my own darkroom. Why? Because I will enjoy it and it doesn't involve my laptop. Until, of course, I scan the prints to post on Flickr...!

We are all in this game for different reasons, some as a career, some as a way of relaxing and some for their egos. The choice of kit should be dictated by one's aims. I just hope enough of us find film fun to keep it going for a good few years yet.

K.

I have one of each of the MV and the MV1, part of my M series collection. I don't have every variant, but I do have at least one of each M series model. Doesn't the MV/MV1 have the exp.comp. hidden under the ASA dial?

K.

Higher res scans from "the Darkroom" will print to A4 quite happily.

K.

I'd second the "get a CD made" option for any further films. They can be a bit variable so you might need to try different retailers. I find "The Darkroom UK" do an excellent job of my BW negs (both 35mm and 6x6) but the scans of my 6x6 Fuji Velvia images leave a lot to be desired. My guess is that Velvia has so much detail that the 8 bit jpegs just don't cut the mustard.

K.

The K series motordrives do seem to be rare beasts which isn't helped by having to find the KX (motor) or KM (motor) bodies to mount them on. I haven't yet managed to find a nice K2, let alone a K2DMD.

K.

Thanks for posting the link Gary, interesting to see what people will pay for collectable cameras. Given these were the 3rd and 4th most expensive cameras in that sale, I wonder what the two Leicas were?

Best wishes, Kris.

Thanks all for the kind comments about the walker image. It was snap decision to try focusing on the foreground branches rather than the walker. I have tried toning the image but cannot decide if I prefer the straight conversion or the toned one. What do you think?

BTW, there was almost a disaster when I was taking the photos of the ponies. While I was concentrating on one of the ponies, one of the others tried to eat my LX...

Best wishes, Kris.