Absolutely. I use Kodak Readyload 160VC. This pre-packed film, which I've been using for the last three years, has been a revelation to me. It's a little bit more expensive, I know, but it certainly beats having to immerse my hands in a little tent to load darkslides, as I always used to. And my pictures are sharper now, I'm absolutely certain; there is a pressure plate in the holder which keeps the film absolutely flat.

Having said all this, I'm not against digital technology. In fact, some of my prints use the Lightjet process (while others are still good old-fashioned enlarger-made c-types). But as for switching a digital camera I honestly believe that the quality is still some way behind what I can achieve now, using film. I'm of the 'if it ain't bust don't fix it' mentality, so, for the time being at least I'm sticking with film.

Most of my work is made without an assistant. Photography, for me, is a solitary, contemplative activity. However, for certain assignments I will take someone with me. I get a lot of emails offering assistance, but I'm afraid I already have a couple of people who I use, and it's already difficult sharing the work I have between them.

Well, if you must... For almost all my work I use a Horseman FA 5x4, a small and compact field camera. I also have a Horseman HD as a back-up, when the FA needs fixing (it happens), although compared to the FA the HD is quite basic. I carry a variety of lenses (90, 120, 150, 210mm), but for most of the time I have an 15-year old Nikkor 135mm attached to the camera. The other lenses are a mixture of Schneider, Rodenstock and Nikon, and they're all much of a muchness. One 'luxury item' I couldn't live without is the Horseman Reflex Viewer, which turns the image on the screen the right way up, even if it's still back to front.

Back in the mid '90s, while working on The Shipping Forecast, I used a Mamiya 6, which was a beautiful camera but one that was prone to problems. I occasionally use a Mamiya 7 today, but it's hard to go back having used a 5x4 for over ten years.