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Is There Still a Role for Film?
Last updated: 18 November 2008
Published in:
Creating new digital media |
Tags:
analogue collections |
As digital cameras become more popular, we ask whether there is any need for traditional analogue cameras and film.
Our department has a large collection of photographic equipment built up over several years. Should we get rid of it as we shift to digital capture?
A lot of your original analogue equipment will become redundant as soon as you switch to digital capture. If careful consideration is given to the choice of digital capture devices, it may be possible to incorporate some of your original equipment into the new workflow.
Most lighting equipment and camera supports should be useable and some digital SLRs can use lenses made for older film cameras.
Also some digital camera backs can be mounted on existing medium and large format camera systems.
Should we take digital or film cameras on a field expedition?
Digital photography and the accompanying equipment is very power hungry. For example, camera batteries will need to be recharged regularly. If images are to be edited and signed off on site then a computer may also be required. Digital cameras and computers are highly complex electrical and optical instruments, which may be affected adversely by the working environment.
Digital cameras should be used with care in very dusty or humid environments and should not be exposed to sudden temperature changes, which can lead to condensation building up on internal and external camera surfaces. While film cameras should also be treated with care, they are normally more robust, cheaper, less battery dependent than their digital equivalents and thus may be more suited to work in remote or harsh environments.
Some types of field work such as those covering areas of archaeological interest are photographed using dedicated film cameras. Specialist aerial digital cameras have appeared recently, though for most projects these may be prohibitively expensive.
Can digital cameras be used for forensic photography?
Yes, but this has been a controversial subject. Digital forensic images are recognised as evidence, although like all images used as evidence in court, they have to be authenticated.
A digital image can be altered or subverted with ease and so it may require more authentication than its analogue equivalent. An image's legitimacy may be authenticated by an audit trail, which has documented any alteration to the image.
There are also image authentication systems, which watermark images, so any alteration of the image will affect the appearance of the watermark.
Is film a better archival medium that digital?
While colour negative and slide films can show some signs of deterioration after only a few years, black and white film, if properly processed and stored, should last well over a century with little intervention. The storage of digital images in contrast requires careful planning to ensure the long-term viability of a collection. Some older film types are however very unstable and can deteriorate rapidly, sometimes even explosively. Nitrate film is highly unstable and should be handled with extreme care. Nitrate film was replaced by Acetate film in the early 20th Century, while this film is more stable it can degrade in humid conditions. If a collection of acetate negatives start to produce a vinegar smell you should seek advice from a conservator. Most modern films use polyester as a film base.
Last updated: 18 November 2008
Published in:
Creating new digital media |
Tags:
analogue collections |
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