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digital vs 35mm


How is digital photography affecting the future of 35mm photography?


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December 06, 2004

 

Christa
  Hi Peter, if you read through the Q&A just a bit further down, you can read some answers regarding this. There are numerous discussions about this. Hope this helps.


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December 06, 2004

 

John P. Sandstedt
  In my opinion, there will always be film photography. That's because, I don't think, digital prints [especially black and white] can touch those produced in the wet darkroom.

I often think about Kodak's forays into 110 film, followed by the APS system. These were, perhaps, gimmicks designed to get the masses into photography - and both were disasters. Not so with digital; however, Kodak missed the mark, giving control to Fuji [both in film and digital.]

The magic of digital, to me, lies in a picture of a grandchild being e-mailed to his/her grandparents. Also, digital's ability to let the photographer screen his/her results and delete poorer images, enabling another to be taken, provides a golden opportunity. Digital also replaces one of the best features of Polaroid photography - immediate gratification.

But, until one is prepared to spend relatively big bucks, print quality still may lag. And, as with anything relating to computers, technological obsolescence is "only a day away!" My 1997 computer clone is at its ragged edge with respect to imaging capabilities - I'm stuck with Photoshop Elements 1.0 or 2.0; can't use Photoshop CS or Photoshop Album or lots of other programs. But, can I justify a $1,500 computer and that $1,500 - 8,000 digital SLR [without all the accessories?]

One can purchase a great traditional [film] SLR for half of the cost of a digital. Of course, there's the cost of film and developing. If one shoots a roll of film a week, on average, it might two years or more to pay off that very expensive digital SLR.

But, it depends on one's own needs, and desires. My recommendation to neighbors [I live in an adult community (55 and up)] would be to stay with film - because most of these folks are computer illiterate. And, why is it that so many of my neighbors who own digicams can't make them work? When one reads the manuals, one gets to understand that digital might a bit more complicated. [RAW vs. JPEG. White balance???, etc.]

If Kodak stops manufacutring slide film [to match its cancellation of the marketing of slide projector,] there might be some concern. But, we're still seeing new films being introduced by Konica-Minolta, Agfa, Fuji and, even Kodak. So for the moment, at least, traditional photography should remain "safe," though limited in huge growth.

Once, again, it's just one person's opinion.


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December 06, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Can you really say what will be if you base it on the price of what it is now?
It's affecting the sales of film cameras. A digital camera is listed as the most likely xmas gift.
But for a few people, digital has caused a resurrgence of making platinum/plaladium prints.
Film's still going to be here this weekend. That's about as far as I'll predict past.


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December 06, 2004

 

Maria
  Sorry, I still can not accept digital camera.
(I have one because my friend gave it to me.)
The biggest problem(difference between digital and 35mm) is the depth of feeld.
The depth of feeld on digital is very deep, and you cannot make it shallow,and you can not make contrast with background.(I like shallow depth of feeld, and enjoy to make the background Very out of focuscwhich is nicely contrasted. Do you agree??)
Thatfs because;
The particles of digital is about 6 time smaller than 35mmfs.


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December 06, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  That's more a problem with certain types of cameras, instead of just digital.


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December 06, 2004

 

Sandra Harrasser
  I think both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is interesting that a majority of people I have encountered that shoot film have resorted to scanning negatives or prints into their desktops. They are then able to adjust, manipulate or fix their images DIGITALLY. It is a sharp learning curve if one is to transition from film to digital, I would agree. I would have to predict that my children are going to learn of film as they have records or tapes. I appreciate the art and creativity in making photos, no matter how they are achieved.


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December 06, 2004

 

Karma Wilson
 
 
  Joy
Joy
Example of a shallow DOF picture on a digital--I have a bigger gripe with my cameras lack of ability to produce a very deep DOF! But then again it was only $300!

Karma Wilson

 
 
Wow, there's lots of misinformation about digital being posted here! Can't get shallow depth of field? Must be your camera--my camera produces lovely shallow DOF. I've downloaded one example, but there's more in my gallery.

As for b/w prints--digital does great b/w prints if you process them on your computer then order them online as a print. I did b/w Christmas cards and they were so lovely and turned out so well I was very happy! I'll be doing lots more black and white from here on out. Just search around for the best online print sources. The cards I ordered could not be distinguished from a high quality greeting card. I've seen many lovely b/w prints produced with digital, especially SLR. And the newest digital SLR's actually produce higher quality images than film! Amazing!

I for one am glad. But then I came on the scene with digital and never used film. Digital is much better for my purposes anyway!


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December 07, 2004

 

Guylene M. Gadal
  Both 35mm and Digital are good cameras.
When traveling, I would rather use a digital camera for many reasons expressed above. There is an essence to taking a photos no matter what camera you have. It really depends on the quality of work you expect of yourself and your tools. If one camera cannot provide the quality you expect, then it may be time to do some research and find a camera that can provide the quality you would like. Take your time...


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December 08, 2004

 
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