Digital vs. Film Cameras?

Question

In this fast-paced information age we're living in, full of technological advancements, which camera wins? Is it the old fashioned classic 35mm film camera, or the digital revolution P&S and dSLR models? What is your favorite brand for your preferred type of camera?

Answer 1

I don't miss the extra expense of film, and I sort of miss the darkroom. Other than that, I enjoyed film cameras a lot more.

I like film mostly for the extra latitude that digital still can't really deliver, and I like the natural grain of many films vs. dealing with digital noise.

With film, I had no choice but to pace myself and consider my shots more carefully. The result was I had some great captures that I felt were a bit of a reward for being patient in terms of what I chose to photograph.

With digital, I still pace myself but I have to consciously force myself to do so. Since memory's cheap, 4gb or 8gb cards can be the equivalent to 9-10 rolls of 36-exp film, plus I can transfer a full card to my portable drive and start all over again. The few times where I've gone berserk with the shutter button, all that resulted was a lot of similar shots that I had to spend time culling, as well as keepers that were not among my faves at all.

Digital has its place, no doubt, and I love it for many reasons, and most dSLRs nowadays rival film output to the point where any differences are trivial, but film was more special (and magical) to me. It took more effort but the rewards were plentiful when it came to the captures.

Sigh....

Favourite cams? For film, Nikon 35mm SLRs and Leica M-series. For digital, it's virtually a tossup among the main brands but it's Nikon for durability, ergonomics and fine lenses, Canon for high ISO output, Oly and Pentax for (imo) the best optics of all. I guess the best all-rounders for me would be the Nikons.

Good post for reminiscing :)

Answer 2

Haha lets start a flame war of die hard film users and digital users :) Well I cant say much about film SLRs since I didnt have the money when I was 5 years old to get one :) (jokingg id idnt know waht made a good shot from a bad shot till I was like now)

Both has its pros and cons. Film was fun to use cause it gave you a limit on how many shots you can shoot before you have to get new film or you run out. Good and a bad thing.

Digital is by far the better of the two. Instant results, take hundreds of pictures without worring about 23cents a shot (plus the cost of printing those throw away pictures). And you can alter your pictures to your hearts content.

Answer 3

For more than 20 years, I used a Minolta 35 mm camera that I used for most of my pix. I would still be using it except for the fact that the "fuzz" around the film door was wearing off; I used black tape to make it lightproof. It could take very clear pictures; when I took photos of my son when he graduated from college, the entire auditorium was clear and in focus.
Then 3 years ago, he bought a Sony Cybershot camera for my birthday. I "retired" my old camera. With 12X zoom (more at less resolution), the ability to take thousands of photos, download them directly into my computer, the ability to take movies...Well, I have been a shutterbug for quite a long time; now I am having a blast. If I don't like what I see, I just delete it. I can e-mail the photos and arrange them how I want them.
So, digital.

Answer 4

I grew up with film cameras, had my own darkroom and everything. But I just LOVE digital cameras. A 35mm camera has a bit more resolution but modern digitals are just as good up to 8x10" prints. With a 35mm camera you have to think to yourself before you pull the shutter 'Is this worth 25 cents?' but with a digital camera you can take just as many pictures as you want and they cost virtually nothing. You can use Photoshop (or similar software) to adjust contrast, brightness and color at the touch of a button, it's a real pain in the butt with fillm.

I have a Canon S2 IS (but the S3 and S4 are out now). It has image stabilization which I love, and a 12x zoom. It's smaller than an SLR, easier to carry all day. Digital SLRs are the -biggest- digital cameras and are about the size of a 35mm. With a 12x zoom you don't really need interchangeable lenses. I have printed pics up to 8x10 and you can't tell they're digital, except that brightness, contrast and levels are -perfect-.

I think all the major brands are pretty good--Sony, Nikon, Minolta, Canon, etc. Check out http://www.dpreview.com, they have reviews of every camera and also test shots that you can download, zoom in on and look at sharpness.

Answer 5

digital works just fine for passport photos and for hire weddings where in two hours for the passport photos and five years for the wedding photos there is little to no interest in producing another image. For my family photos where my daughters greatgrandchildren may find the negatives or digital media I leave I believe it important for them that I leave a medium which will allow them to see their history. As I look back at film I see today the first negative made can still be printed. Looking back at computer technology in general I see little reason to expect the archaic media we use today to be supported in as little as 20 years . Besides I get a 14.1 megapixel image off a 35mm negative using a ten year old scanner that's having my cake and eating it too.

the big question when picking your camera is what are you trying to do? Just like when deciding whether to use 35mm 2.25 square 4x5 5x7 or 8x10 view camera one must fit the camera to the job for the best results shooting for the moment? that's a digital job shooting for history? it's still film by a long shot

Answer 6

Once you have a decent printer and learn how to use some image editting software, you will find you can produce prints as nice as those you do in the darkroom. Once you get over the hump of the initial investment, you will also realize that you're done spending money. No more film, chemicals or processing fees. You are able to take all the pictures you want FOR FREE and this is the right way to learn photography.

Here is an in-depth discussion on the topic:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhTCVUQ3G2q8KUh2Ixuq6APty6IX?qid=20070403194641AAwUtcJ&show=7#profile-info-nd2A6xfyaa

My camera of choice is the Nikon D200, but I also use a Canon SD900 when I am feeling lazy.

Answer 7

My Nikon D80 Digital SLR is the best camera I have ever owned. It's as easy or complex as I want it to be.

Answer 8

my fav is my old X700 35mm film mover, with 50mm F1.7 -F22

for my own pleasure (very rearly lately) i like to go bush and make one or two exposures, a good piece of film well exposed, scanned on a good scanner like a lamda - $500,000 always beats a shot with a tiny digital sensor

a read leica above that person knows quality

95% of my "work", work now is on DSLR its just more convienient.

so favs X700, anything medium, film for pleasure, digi for work (mostly)

nice question


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Answer 9

digital is winning and in big

Answer 10

I like sony digital cameras the best!!