Digital technology changes rapidly. Operating systems and software from ten years ago are now obsolete. Access to your digital library is limited to those who know your passwords. External hard drives are easily corrupted. Film is a different story.
Colour negative film can retain its colour balance and sharpness for 30 years. Slide film lasts for decades longer than that and has resolution capability that even the newest digital sensors can’t match. However, black and white triumphs over both every time.
Black and white negatives have survived centuries. Pictures taken by Civil War photographers in the 1860s are clear and sharp with amazing detail. Your 35mm black and white negatives, which are manufactured from a very stable polyester base, can be stored in a shoebox up on a closet shelf for the next 50 to 100 years.
“Digital is easier and cleaner, but even 35mm film shot on a 52-year-old camera still has more sharpness and resolution. When you click your shutter, you’re done. Period. You aren’t distracted by wasting your time looking at what you’ve already shot. This is much more deeply significant that you think. Staying focused on the subject leads to better photos.”~ Ken Rockwell
