Started back into my photography after forced retirement.

[ruston]

My choice years ago was Olympus (OM1 & OM2), I also dabbled with a Yashica and an old Bronica medium format camera's.
I had a darkroom with a brilliant Phillips pcs2000 enlarger and colour analyser, the most awkward part was getting the colour balance right, it took a lot of time inc washing/drying drums etc with much wasted chemicals. The best item I purchased in the later years was a deep tank processor of which totally avoided drums etc.

It was a lot of fun, but since going digital, my main interests are in studio and lighting set-ups, and digital allows much more time to do this, as well as being able to double check exposure.
Its a different world now with more effort now spent of producing printer/paper and camera profiles and getting colour correction right at the click of a button. I can now produce prints as good a standard as some of the most expensive print houses. Playing in photoshop is another part of the process to achieving the wanted end result.
I wouldn't go back to film now.

I still have a Durst colour enlarger that has lain in a loft since the late seventies.

 

[LukeD]

Ditch digital and get some film cameras much more interesting. I have never been swayed to change even though I use one at work they are just sterile and need little skill. Here are my most used cameras, with the trend to return to film the Mamiya 7II shown here is almost unattainable now and command high value.View attachment 91972

Aperture in London are good for film stock and they get 7-2's from time to time in Good condition

 

[MoserV8]

Ditch digital and get some film cameras much more interesting. I have never been swayed to change even though I use one at work they are just sterile and need little skill. Here are my most used cameras, with the trend to return to film the Mamiya 7II shown here is almost unattainable now and command high value.View attachment 91972

I actually fully agree with your comment on the Skill Level, most "Photographers" today would be utterly lost with no rear LCD & Software that can compensate for 3 stops or more of exposure Balls Ups! There was a certain Magic with getting your Fujichrome back through the post and seeing you had nailed the shots, I have a 5D IV - However (Its technologically great) the Magic isnt there as it used to be! I very often think of dabbling back with film and id love to go 6 x 6 .