I shoot in a variety of formats from 35mm film through APS sized, Dx and Fx digital to 6x6cm and 5×4″ film.

I found over the years that that my taking rate rate increased drammatically even by not using the burst rate. I realised that I could afford to chance it and not really ‘waste any film’.

Since last September I have re-engaged with my original photographic skills and techniques and have shot more on film in 35mm, 120 and 5×4. Quite frankly, I have been blown away by the dynamic range in the medium and large format categories. I only started shooting 5×4 in January 2012 and wondered why I had never done this before. The joy of handling a negative that size and the information contained within it is mind blowing.

The net result is that I now shoot less digitally by virtue of taking my time. This is a lesson learned mainly from using the View camera. Obviously each format has its place but time taken to think, measure and compose is so obvious in the end result. The price of 5×4 film is the first to impact on speed especially at £3.70 per negative if shooting colour. It almost makes the £1.11 for FP4+ seem an inconsequential amount.

All things said, I cannot find an  equal to the D3S for all round capability and the price. Following on from the recent Hasselblad shoots I have done, I’d like to to do a head to head comparison with  the D3S and the H4D series.