Sad news or not?

Fact is that I have decided to give up film based large format photography. It has been a pleasure of its own kind to use the beautiful Ebony field cameras (6x9cm and 4x5") and the excellent Rodenstock and Schneider Kreuznach lenses with a nice crackingly sharp Velvia slide.

However, after much reflexion, I have come to the conclusion that I do not really need a large format camera and that the disadvantages have even become some kind of burden by now.
In so called bad weather conditions, or under fast changing light, the slow pace of large format photography has often made it very difficult if not impossible to get the shot right in time. With the digital camera, it is often much easier to nail a shot. The option to check the exposure on the histogramm is an invaluable advantage too and often brings the peace of mind that is so welcome during long shooting sessions.

It is not the best idea to go out with two different camera systems, large format and digital. Yet that is exactly what I tried to do most of the time, for fear of not being prepared for every situation. In the end, this can be a source of frustration as I was constantly switching between the two, trying to get the best of both worlds, whereas it is much better to focus on just one system.

Travelling and hiking with large format cameras is not an easy thing. The hand luggage restrictions on airplanes make it very difficult to take all the necessary gear, not to mention if you want to take your digital equipment too. I want to travel light and hassle free.

The result, the final image, is the only thing that really matters, regardless of the tools that has been used to achieve it. I am very satisfied with the results my DSLR gives me and for now, it really suits my needs.
As they say, less (gear) is often more (pleasure).