BetterPhoto Q&A
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Lori S. Dickman		digital versus film camera I'm wondering if anyone can help answer the question, "What are 5 differences between film cameras versus digital cameras-5 advantages and 5 disadvantages. I'm teaching a merit badge to some scouts this week. thanks, Lori To love this question, log in above March 14, 2006

Buddy Purugganan		What an interesting question---- 1. Film cameras use 35mm print or slide film with various ISO speeds 50,100,200,800 and has both manual and autofocus capabilities. The roll of film may have 12, 24, 36 exposures. 2. When you are done w/ a roll of film --some photos may look fine or there's a slight chance a photographer ( especially w/ manual cameras) would had miscalculated the shutter speed or aperture combination and sometimes 'camera shake' resulting in not-so-sharp focusing. Enter AF or autofocus cameras ---that massively became popular for its advances. ( especially w/ the novices, enthusiasts and enigmatically, the pros. ) 3.Processing takes quite awhile ( from half an hour to " I'll watch 'King Kong' while the film is in the developing room, OK? ) 4.Film cameras have cameras that function in extreme weather ( North Pole subzero levels) ---Nikon FM2 or FM2N.( and functions even without batteries! ) 5.Film cameras especially the older SLRs are large in size, have extra weight,though some, when preserved and treated with utmost care, have tremendous VALUE for collectors of archives and museum quality prices~-- 1. Digital cameras are much more CONVENIENT---no film for compact models but memory cards with different MB or gigabyte storage. ( definitely MORE shots and in cases where the photographer blunders---WHOA!!! Delete and with ease repeat, if needed--- 2. Digital cameras have LCD monitors---a big techno advantage over film cams. So with the presence of this feature---digital photographers need not squint their eyes when taking photos--- 3. Digital SLR cameras with higher megapixels are absolutely expensive. ( Any PRO will tell you this sad truth--) 4. The availability of colored printers for digital cameras in computer/electronic dealers are quite in demand these days. You can have your photos viewed immediately on your desktop/laptop ---a hassle-free advantage.( And you can put them on CD discs, floppy disks etc.!!! ) 5. The low megapixel, low shutter speed, no image stabilizer, low resolution digital camera has its limits ( especially fast moving subjects, low-light availability and in the printed photo appears 'amateur' ). I'm no guru but I know, technically, some will elaborate on my explanations. I certainly will let the photo wizards feel free on this regard. To love this comment, log in above March 14, 2006

Buddy Purugganan		What an interesting question---- 1. Film cameras use 35mm print or slide film with various ISO speeds 50,100,200,800 and has both manual and autofocus capabilities. The roll of film may have 12, 24, 36 exposures. 2. When you are done w/ a roll of film --some photos may look fine or there's a slight chance a photographer ( especially w/ manual cameras) would had miscalculated the shutter speed or aperture combination and sometimes 'camera shake' resulting in not-so-sharp focusing. Enter AF or autofocus cameras ---that massively became popular for its advances. ( especially w/ the novices, enthusiasts and enigmatically, the pros. ) 3.Processing takes quite awhile ( from half an hour to " I'll watch 'King Kong' while the film is in the developing room, OK? ) 4.Film cameras have cameras that function in extreme weather ( North Pole subzero levels) ---Nikon FM2 or FM2N.( and functions even without batteries! ) 5.Film cameras especially the older SLRs are large in size, have extra weight,though some, when preserved and treated with utmost care, have tremendous VALUE for collectors of archives and museum quality prices~-- 1. Digital cameras are much more CONVENIENT---no film for compact models but memory cards with different MB or gigabyte storage. ( definitely MORE shots and in cases where the photographer blunders---WHOA!!! Delete and with ease repeat, if needed--- 2. Digital cameras have LCD monitors---a big techno advantage over film cams. So with the presence of this feature---digital photographers need not squint their eyes when taking photos--- 3. Digital SLR cameras with higher megapixels are absolutely expensive. ( Any PRO will tell you this sad truth--) 4. The availability of colored printers for digital cameras in computer/electronic dealers are quite in demand these days. You can have your photos viewed immediately on your desktop/laptop ---a hassle-free advantage.( And you can put them on CD discs, floppy disks etc.!!! ) 5. The low megapixel, low shutter speed, no image stabilizer, low resolution digital camera has its limits ( especially fast moving subjects, low-light availability and in the printed photo appears 'amateur' ). I'm no guru but I know, technically, some will elaborate on my explanations. I certainly will let the photo wizards feel free on this regard. To love this comment, log in above March 14, 2006

Lori S. Dickman		Thank you! I appreciate your input. I'll pass this on to my scouts. Lori To love this comment, log in above March 14, 2006

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