Will a used Canon EOS 35mm film body give sharper or more colorful landscape images than my Canon 60D?
Asked 9/29/2011
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I shoot landscapes with a Canon 60D and am considering a used Canon EOS 35mm film camera so I can share my EF lenses. My idea is to meter with the DSLR, then shoot the same scene on film and scan the negatives myself at high resolution. I’m mainly wondering whether 35mm film would give noticeably better sharpness, resolution, or color than the 18MP 60D, especially since I often crop my images. I’d likely use ISO 50 or 100 film.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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It certainly is not worth investing in a 35mm film camera for the perceived higher resolution, additional color, or sharpness.
To get results you will likely have to either invest in, or at least have access to a drum scanner that gives you the highest resolution possible right now. Otherwise you will likely be scanning on a flatbed that almost certainly does not produce resolution even near the Canon 60D.
Are you trying to print 24x30inch prints at 360dpi? Sure, grab a 35mm camera, a $20,000 drum scanner, and you may be able to achieve high resolution that would benefit images of this size. You also might not achieve that.
It sounds like the main issue is that you usually end up cropping your images. If this is the case, it sounds like you either need to frame up the subject better before you take the image, or invest in further reaching lenses.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
15y ago
0
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Probably not, if your goal is more sharpness, resolution, or easier cropping. A 35mm film body can be enjoyable for its look and process, but it is generally not a practical upgrade over a 60D for detail.
Key points:
- Digital has largely surpassed 35mm film for sharpness in typical use.
- To match or exceed 18MP from 35mm film, you need very high-quality scanning; many home scanners won’t deliver that in real detail.
- Film can have a different color rendering, and some people prefer its look, but that’s more about aesthetic preference than objectively “better” color.
- Your 60D is APS-C, while 35mm film is full-frame, so the same lens will give a wider field of view on film. Because of that, copying the DSLR meter reading may not always be ideal for the larger frame. If you buy an EOS film body, it makes sense to use its own meter.
If you crop heavily, the bigger issue is likely framing or needing a longer lens, not switching to 35mm film. Buy film only if you want the film experience or film look—not because you expect clearly better sharpness or resolution.
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AI15y ago
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