 Erin J. Carlson |
Digital vs. Film Okay I am a die hard film user, I do currently have the Canon S1 with image stablization, 3.3 mp I believe and 10x zoom that I use occasionally, but not for my portrait work, I am still using film. I love film....but with the way times are changing I understand and would evenutally like to move up to the digital world. My question is this.....how much am I going to have to change the way I do things now to when I do go digital. My goal is to do this within the next two years, this will allow me to learn and save money and research all at the same time. How different is the lighting? What are some things I am going to have to look at before getting the digital camera?? Any ideas on how long film will be around? Any info will be helpfull and appreciated. Thanks Erin
|
|
|
|
||
|
Justin G. |
Film will be around as long as there is a demand for it. And boy am I going to hear about this one... When you move to digital you can forget all of your exposure techniques and lighting techniques that you've learned because when you go digital (this seems to be a prevailing technique) it doesn't matter how good you shoot because not many people shoot for a final image around here. You'll constantly hear, oh just shoot as many as you possible can and then photoslop them until you get something you like. basically you compensate for quality with quantity. anyways my recommendation: don't lose your desire to want to shoot slow ISO's (depending on style), don't get rid of your tripod, and continue to take 5-10 minutes to setup a shot as normal because one rule that will always prevail is that "a great negative (or raw image) will yield a great photograph." Good luck and be it known: "let the battle begin". just kidding everyone
|
|
|
|
||
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Not much should change. You don't have as big a room for error on exposure with digital as with film negatives. But if you shot it right before, you just shoot it right after. How you go about storage will something to think about, but not a difficult thing. And it may take a little time to find places to make bigger than average size prints that you'd be happy with going back for more. A little learning for those you can do yourself. Since film has been around so long, it has the prevalence of places to take that can make good prints. As well as word of mouth. But digital may require a couple of trials. It's not as a drastic change as some people make it sound.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Diane Dupuis |
You're going to have to learn some computer skills... unless you plan to have someone do it for you. You'll also need a fast enough computer with enough hard disk space and some kind of image editing program. How to download the pics, how to do minor adjustments (and eventually bigger ones)... Sizing for printing, etc. etc... I still love it though - because I have complete control from set up to the actual shot and post processing...
|
|
|
|
||
|
BetterPhoto Member |
Pick up a copy of Outdoor Photographer or Shutterbug and what do you see? 'The latest 14 megapixel D-SLR for under $1500.' 'This printer can turn out lab quality prints in up to a 24" x 36" size print.' 'Tips on using the latest version of software for merging landscape panoramics.' I know what you're thinking. And I shared those feelings, fervently, until recently. I have been and always will be, to a certain extent, a film photographer. In my mind there can be no match for good old silver halide and color blenders. Your 14 megapixel file, which costs hundreds of dollars up front just to click the shutter on the camera needed to produce this image, has 14 million pixels of data to be seen. A 35mm negative has at least 40 billion silver halide crystals, boosting image clarity by a factor of about, well, the math can boggle the mind. But unless you want to make prints of over 12" x 18", then this may not be a factor for your consideration as the high end digital will produce quality images at least up to 11"x14" and in some cases even greater, let alone what color coupling can accomplish with a digital file. But I rued the day that I would not be able to have my slides & negatives reprinted at the local lab. I want the control that film affords. Well, the more money you spend on your digital photography, the more control you can have. You can get a nice 3MP to 5MP camera for under $300. This and your desktop PC can produce some basic images and archival options. Spend $800 and you can obtain an 8MP camera for better large print detail. Spend $600 and you can get some pretty amazing software to edit, organize and print your digital images. Spend $300 and you can get a printer that can produce professional quality prints in your own home. Spend another $1200.00 and you can have a laptop that you can take with you on a shoot, trip or job and do all of this where you are and not have to wait until you get back to your workstation. You can upgrade the memory capacity in your camera. You can get a portable USB hookup CD burner. You can get a multimedia projector for slide shows. My dream set up would set me back about 9 large or so. There's no end to what you can do. And with the UNDO button on your PC you have a much more forgiving sustem than a personal darkroom, especially if you're just getting started. Film may eventually be equalled by the digital industry, but cannot be surpassed by it. So don't fret. There will always be folks to develop your film, though for some formats, particularly medium and large format prints, a developer may take a bit more research to find, even today. I will always do fine work with my medium format and one day perhaps even move up to a large format view camera. But I say this all to say that film will stick around. Don't think that photography is passing you by, like I did. Instead realize that there is a whole new world out there that can be used by those with the daring, and the moolah, to make it happen.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||