We’ve been hearing a lot of ‘retro’ talk recently – most of it rubbish.
It seems people are convinced that « it was better before » so there’s been a resurgence of LP records (vinyl), radios are coming back into fashion (well, old fashion…) and cameras seem to be in the mix too.
NIKON, not to be left by the wayside, announced the Zfc in 2021
This is a half-frame (APS-C) camera styled on the FM series of film cameras which came out in the late 70’s. It has a modern ‘Z’ mount but relies more on the external dials for control (although a fully featured menu system is available too)
In 2023 this was follwed by a full-frame version, the Zf – this is a light, full featured full-frame camera and with the inclusion of a much better ‘flippy’ screen, a very useable tool.
The ‘retro’ feel doesn’t mean a lot to me – I just wanted a smaller camera – but stick ‘retro’ on anything and people seem to go mad.
Black and white is another ‘retro’ thing which drives relatively normal people completely bonkers. There’s a self-proclaimed photographer in the town where I live who maintains, to anyone who listens, that he only uses film and a film camera to make his images. And? Interestingly he uses modern computers and ink-jet printers to produce his prints, so the retro part of his workflow seems to be somewhat limited.
So what ? I can make perfectly respectable B&W images on any of my digital cameras – what’s more, I can see them, work on them, and share them almost instantaneously.
I grew up developing films and working in a darkroom to produce enlargements and frankly whilst I actually enjoyed the process, there are limits both in my time and cerainly my energy and I’m also fairly sure I could not produce any of my recent work in this way.
I’m not saying that is no merit in a well produced darkroom printed image, but I can’t help thinking that the evolutionary aspect is inate to photography (as in any art form) and just considering the process leaves a lot of the ‘art’ aspect to the wayside. Sure, it’s nice to say you’ve been able to do it…but frankly the ease and rapidity of modern processes win hands down.
What possible difference does it make what camera or what recording media is used? I’ve always maintained that the camera was the least important element – ideally it should not make any difference at all. The most important aspect, to me at least, is how the photographer ‘sees’ what he is trying to capture. Obviously a modern camera helps the process a great deal, this I would never deny, and using nice ‘machinery’ always adds a certain pleasure.
Talking of retro, an ex-pat Brit with more money than sense has just purchased a small Leica – seemingly in the hope that this will make him a world class photographer. Personally (and based on what he’s published so far…) I can’t see that this will make him any better or worse than all the other material he’s purchased since his retirement. He has an eye, and can turn out very reasonable stuff when he tries, but I can’t help thinking that it’s more the ability to show-off his gear that is foremost in the equation – 6200€ just to show off? Blimey, give me the dosh mate!
I have to say that the camera (a LEICA Q3) he has just purchased is a jewel, and yes, it must feel very nice to use such precision material, but please oh please don’t get caught up in this ridiculous idea that you’ll somehow get ‘touched’ by a creative ability unseen before your investment. (Although personally I would never have purchased this kind of camera with the 43mm lens – the 28mm is FAR more interesting….)
Typically with this sort of person, I’ve been banished for daring to criticise him – he’s allowed to criticise me and be rude etc. because he’s gay and gays can do anything they like.
Oh sorry, I thought you knew.