Do Nikon RFs 'like' color or BW?

thompsonks · 05-07-2012

I owned an SP 35 years ago, and have only recently started using Nikon S2 & 3 again. I initially assumed these old cameras would have a preference for BW, but I've been surprised at how much they seem to like to take pictures in color.

These are from a test roll in a new body. I'm linking to Flickr because I believe 10 images are a bit much to post here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thompso...7629944571377/

Aside from personal preference for BW/color in one's own work, I wonder which seems to work best here?

Kirk

RanceEric · 05-07-2012

You're shooting with the S3 2000 though.. That's not an old camera

My SP and S3 (both original) have gone through a fair share of color film, though I just prefer black and white, regardless of the camera:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranceer...7626380078864/

thompsonks · 05-07-2012

Thanks, but with all due respect that answers the question I was trying to avoid: regardless of personal preference for your own work, what seems to work best in these images?

(And I promise my S2 is really an old camera. With an old lens. And some geriatric health problems. )

Kirk

RanceEric · 05-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsonks

Thanks, but with all due respect that answers the question I was trying to avoid: regardless of personal preference for your own work, what seems to work best in these images?

(And I promise my S2 is really an old camera. With an old lens. And some geriatric health problems. )

Kirk

Ah. Ok. I'm not sure what you mean then.. Depends more on the lens than the body.. I've found with less contrast-y lenses, it's less noticeable with color film..

kdemas · 05-07-2012

Kirk- I actually like both the color and B&W but if I had to choose, the B&W would win out for my aesthetics. The contrast and character of the lens seems to work better in monochrome with these particular subjects.

Just my take

Kent

kdemas · 05-07-2012

PS- I miss my black S3 2000....great camera. Enjoy yours!

jsrockit · 05-08-2012

Hmmm, why would you have thought that a camera would not perform well with color film?

thompsonks · 05-08-2012

Why would you think I thought that??

I only asked which medium was more interesting or effective for a particular set of images.

Kirk

farlymac · 05-08-2012

Okay, time out! Bad science here. First, you posit that cameras have a preference for b&w or color. This is not possible, since the camera is an unthinking machine (unless it has an IC chip installed).

Whether a photo will look better in b&w or color depends on so many variables (what lens you are using, what film, were filters used, and on and on) that you can't say it's the camera's preference for a certain type.

Then you change the subject, and ask for our preferences of the photos presented. Again, an almost infinite realm of possible answers due to the varied tastes of the RFf members. Half of your photos also are a manipulation, in that the b&w's are obviously converted in whatever software you use, and would not show why you would think the camera prefers color over b&w.

It's a circular argument that will just get you nowhere. But they are nice looking shots.

PF

jsrockit · 05-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsonks

Why would you think I thought that??

I only asked which medium was more interesting or effective for a particular set of images.

Kirk

I went off the title.

dave lackey · 05-09-2012

Yes, I was puzzled from the title and that is why I avoided this thread until now. John is correct.

There are many variables in the mix and ultimately, the preference over final photos is the choice of the person looking and thinking about the photos.

The S3 2000 that I had was a marvelous machine but the m3 eclipses that camera by a wide margin for me. Still, I use it for black and white film work and prefer to leave my color work for digital cameras. That is just my own preference.

Each photographer must be his/her ownself and go with it. Whether said photographer likes this or that camera or lens or film or format, etc., it is the photographer's choice.

That said, nothing wrong with wanting our opinions for discussions. Just don't expect too much because opinions are like arses, everybody has one and usually no one cares to hear them.

Including my own opinion.

Phantomas · 05-09-2012

Just to add another flaw (sorry) you are presenting color images shot in camera and then converted in software to B&W. Thus, even if the camera did perform differently with different films, your didn't test that, you only tested color.
As for the original subject, as stated above camera body will not influence rendition of color vs B&W. Lens, on the other hand, will.