Analog is in my blood, but I do appreciate digital when you need to overshoot a scene
(Image credit: Future / Sebastian Oakley)
As some of you might know I have been picking up my film camera more and more in this digital age as I enjoy the whole process – and the "slowing down" that it involves – but I also know many digital cameras. Recently I went on a trip where I wanted to take my film camera but was also debating taking my Leica M-E too, for digital images.
After much back and forth in deciding, I opted for my Leica M-E and three lenses, a 21mm, 50mm, and 135mm – as they all weigh the same as my Nikon D800 with some lenses – in one of the best camera bags.
Well, when I found this 'hidden beach' I could not believe my eyes. I started eyeing up competition all over the place and I soon realized that I picked the right choice in a digital camera.
Country stroll by Sebastian Oakley (Image credit: Future / Sebastian Oakley)
With many pictures later, using all three of my lenses (which is a rarity) I came back with 170 images, most I was thrilled with. If I had taken my Nikon F5 with a few bulk-loaded rolls of Fomapan 400 I would have taken some great shots I'm sure, but would I have got better than what I got from my digital camera? I'm not sure...
Sometimes when visiting new places I love to 'overshoot' a location, because I'm not sure if I will ever visit the place again. So those 170 images mean a lot to me – while at best I would have had 72 images with my film camera (likely limiting myself to two rolls of 36-exposure film).
Sea trees by Sebastian Oakley (Image credit: Future / Sebastian Oakley)
Another thing was the ability to see the image as soon as I took it. Yes, I know I sound like someone who has only seen a digital camera for the first time! But it was true, I was able to see the image I took and if I was happy with it or not, I could move on to the next one.
Another plus was a digital camera allowed me to capture black and white images to my taste, but if I felt that color was the best for the scene I simply told my Leica to shoot in color and I had the sense of color in an instant. I would not have had that with film for certain and I exclusively only shoot black and white film with my analog photographer as I develop all my rolls, and B&W is easier to do!
Couple by the sea by Sebastian Oakley (Image credit: Future / Sebastian Oakley)
Of course, there is the upload to the social media platforms Instagram and Threads – this is the only form I use to showcase my work now to anyone. Having taken these images on a digital camera I was simply able to upload them to my computer, or plug the SD card into my phone via an adaptor, do a few quick edits and – boom – they were uploaded.
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See, I'm not 'just' a film photographer, I just choose the format over digital a lot of the time, but I can, and do appreciate digital cameras for all the reasons I have stated above, and on this occasion, it was the right choice to take a digital camera with me, and I'll certainly consider it again!
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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
