Sure,
some (or even
most) photographers go through phases where they want to try analogue. I think it's absolutely understandable, if you have a passion for photography.
But, not
every photographer that decides to go back to analogue, or perhaps to try analogue for the first time, is doing so because they are going through some kind of phase or the like, or for purely commercial reasons like try and differentiate themselves from the "digital shooting masses", or something. Granted, there surely is some - or even many - falling in those categories.
But, that said, I think it's important to consider that some people actually have a real understanding of aesthetics and of what they want out of their images and they decide to use a medium over another because of that, not on a passing whim from which they will eventually recover, or because they are chasing some fad, or anything like that.
There is no argument from me against the fact that digital is more convenient and immediate, and I am pretty sure we are all ready to agree on that. But convenience and immediacy alone are neither the point nor the reason for me to chose a camera system over another - they never have been, or I wouldn't be using an IQ4 Achro on an Alpa 12 STC, and a Rm3di before that, and an XT before that. Since I was coming from a X1D before the P1, and a Leica SL before the X1D, when you think about it, it looks like over the last decade I have actually moved from
more convenience to
less convenience, to gain other things (more camera movement, less bulk and weight, dedicated Achro MF sensor, and so on).
For me, reasons to choose a system are aesthetics, first and foremost; then, XT -> Rm3di -> STC 12 -> 4x5" film being the case in point, the power of a full fledged camera with all movements, a power that is actually a game changer when you try and get used to it; the control over B&W contrast and tonal range that using single negatives offer; and so on.
As always, there are two sides to a coin. Pushing the "convenience and immediacy" argument, one could argue that digital small MF is more convenient than a P1 and a tech camera; then, that 135 is more convenient than small MF; then, that iPhones are more convenient than 135 digital... and so on. Conversely, pushing the aesthetics argument, one could find themselves using glass plates...
So, I think the point for each of us is to find the best compromise (gear choice always is) to suit our need and requirements. I am currently on the Dolomites leading a Workshop and shooting film, but that doesn't mean I don't love my IQ4 150 Achro anymore. I do, and I am not even remotely thinking about selling it, since both have a place in my Workflow.
More, during my Workshops I enjoy the extremely interesting and fun byproduct of seeing all sorts of equipment, used in all sorts of ways, producing all sorts of results. However small a sample this can be, after 87 Workshops and 130+ Alumni I can safely say that I never noticed any trend in terms of "xx camera system = better work". As trite as this may sound, is always "better photographer = better work", and often those who produce great work with "lesser" cameras choose to photograph with these cameras because they are comfortable with their tools, not because they could not afford a digital MF or a P1.
In the end, I am system agnostic: for me personally, any system one uses that one is happy with, in terms of what one is getting, is fine by me. But I wouldn't consider all people moving to large format analogue B&W, or already using such systems, as if they were a single entity, all doing that on a whim and all bound to go back to digital once they "saw the light" of digital... most of them (or of us, in the case of 4x5" B&W) already know what digital can do, and simply choose to use something else.
Best regards,
Vieri