Which are the pro's and con's between Digital SLR's and 35mm SLR's?

Answer 1

Digital SLRs have taken the photography world by storm. Even Canon and Nikon are reducing their film lines to a minimum.

Cons: I think you'd almost have to be a serious pro to find a con with digital. If a person has shot a lot of film and knows what film works best in what situation then they may not be quite as happy with digital. However I think that may be a minority of shooters.

Well, there are two things I should mention:
1. With a digital SLR you will really need a computer and some photo editing software. The better photo editing software isn't cheap. There is also a learning curve with a product like Adobe Photoshop. Along with that, the time spent post processing can really add up. There is the task of downloading the files, organizing the files, selecting keepers, editing images, etc

2. Speaking of learning curves, there is also a sharp learning curve in learning the cameras controls in comparison to an older film camera, not so much with a newer film camera that has a lot of features.

Pros:
1. Flexibility - With a digital SLR you can change ISO on the fly. Shoot low light at 1600, change a setting and shoot a portrait at ISO 200...

2. The virtually free cost of mashing the shutter button. With film you could kind of count off about 25 cents each time the shutter was pressed. With digital shooting 100 shots cost no more than shooting 1.

3. The free cost of taking a shot can help the digital shooter advance his/her skills much more quickly. For example, last night I was shooting a basketball game and crossed over my 6,000th image in less than one year. There is no way I would have been able to afford that much film and processing. Most of those 6,000 weren't so great but each one helped me learn more about the craft of photography.

Once upon a time I swore I'd never go digital. Once I did I have never looked back. I have learned more about photography in the last year with a digital SLR than in my previous 25+ years of shooting.

Answer 2

Digital SLR Pro : NO TIME DELAY in shutter like regular digital camera. Do not have to carry bulky film canisters around. Instant preview of picture. Pictures can be shared with friends and family much quicker via internet. Has most the same features of film SLR plus a few extra (depending on camera).

Digital SLR Con : Starting cost of getting set up (camera, extra battery, memory cards), more noise in low light, lens selection isn't as large as 35mm (yet and depending on camera model)

Answer 3

well, really the only differnece is one uses film whereas the other uses a digital CMOS sensor..the major con is the price, they're expensive, however, if you can swing for a digital SLR and you have no specific reason to shoot on 35mm film, then diffently get a digital. you'll have the flexability of the lens changes and all the settings you would with a 35mm without wasting film for trick shots.

Answer 4

Digital Pros: ability to shoot hundreds of photos without changing card/film, able to carry spares/extra cards in your shirt pocket (smaller and lighter than film), two large capacity cards will carry you through an entire vacation, you can see the photo immediately after shooting to check focus, composition, light, etc., you can load on your computer to minipulate (sharpen, fix light, remove things you don't want in the picture, compose), only print the ones you like after viewing on your computer, don't have to worry about heat and light ruining the film, less hassels when traveling (getting film thorugh the x-ray machines)/

Digital cons: cameras a little more expensive in initial cost, do not have the ability to take low light shoots as well as film, pictures more noisy (grainy) when shooting at high ISO (film speed), really tough to shoot very long exposures (several seconds or more), most digital cameras have a 1.5 mulitplier factor for lens (your 50mm will be a 75mm, etc.). This can be bad or good. If you shoot a lot of wide angle you loose that end. If you shoot a lot of telephoto, it will be a plus because you don't loose light like you do when adding a teleconverter.

Just FYI - I was a total film guy until the first Nikon D1 digital came out. At that time I had a F5 and the D1 in my camera bag. I always went for the D1. Sold my F5 after a couple of months.

Norm

Answer 5

If you are deciding , I would probably go with the digital. Aside from the higher up front costs, digital cameras have numerous advantages in today's electronic world.

Most of the sports photogs use purely digital equipment. They can get the photos back to the office before the game ends.

Answer 6

My biggest gripe about digital vs. SLR is the delay when you press the button to take a picture. SLR, capture the picture that instant. Digital, there's a hesitation before the picture is captured. For creative photography, you will have more control of what you really want to capture with an SLR. You will have the constant film and processing costs...

Answer 7

The greatest benefit it that you can view the photo you've just taken, and decide if you need to make changes to the camera settings to make the shot better. Other than that, digital photography grants you the ability to edit your photgraphs on your PC and make fantastic albums and displays in record time.

Answer 8

Film price and the ability to delete or edit your shot. Most magazines and newspapers only accept digital now...need any other clues?

Answer 9

It all depends upon whether you want digital photos (can go to film) or film only (hard to scan well to take to digital.)