Thinking about getting a camera (SLR vs DSLR)

[Jackthemeangiant]

I was thinking about dabbling in some amature photography, and I was browsing the cameras on Henry's website. I was originally looking at digital cameras, but then I noticed that the price of SLRs vs DSLRs was phenomenal.

For this reason I was thinking of going with a regular 35mm SLR. Canon has some nice entry level ones for around $300.

This one for example:
Cannon Rebel K2 (http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ItemsDisplay?itemID=144451&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&departmentId=10407&categoryId=10489&order=ASC&sortKey=default)
...is one of the ones I was looking at.

What are peoples opinon on this subject (digital vs film)? As I see it now, film is still alot cheaper. The only thing I can think of that the digital would have an big advantage over film is that with film, it could be expensive developing a alot of "learning" pictures I will call them, where I am just figuring out how to use the camera, and are experimenting.

Also, what is involved in developing film myself? I couldn't find any good links on this subject.

[chief]

Well, you'd have to create your own dark room, buy all the chemicals and equipment, paper and a special device that exposes the film. Or you could bring your stuff into shoppers or blacks and get it developed. IMO, thats the way you should start photography, as you get a feel for it. Digital slr's are amazing, especially the digital rebel. If money doesn't matter to you, I'd go digital.

[Mouse]

As I see it now, film is still alot cheaper. The only thing I can think of that the digital would have an big advantage over film is that with film, it could be expensive developing a alot of "learning" pictures I will call them, where I am just figuring out how to use the camera, and are experimenting.
You could build a light table, and use a glass to review the negitives before you print what you want.

Or you could get a contact print of the roll of film and just use the glass and a good light source.

Slide film and slides would be expensive without culling out the duds.

[Nuke]

Due to the very low cost of the actual film SLR cameras I would be tempted to suggest a film camera, but digital will probably be a lot better to experiment and will grow with you. Chances are that you will upgrade to digital at some point anyways. You'll also be able to take as many photos as you want and experiment without any kind of restrictions. Since you are just starting out, you could look in to an older model such as the 10D (replaced by the 20D) or any other dSLR. It's an excellent camera, and the cost will be reduced. You could also try second hand if you don't mind going that route. Lenses can really clean out your wallet so its best to get a lens that isn't too expensive but will also grow with you if you gain more skill or decide to upgrade your equipment some day. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is a really good lens and the probability that you'll ever want to replace it is very low. (Not saying that you won't ever want additional lenses) It's fixed (no zoom) but it can take pictures better than some of the far more expensive lenses.

Something to think about :)

[Rustynut]

For initial cost I like the SLR, I still like the warmth that a film strip can induce in pictures if they are propery taken.
Digital can do a wonderful job as well but the cost is prohibitive for a really good one.

I still like to use my Nikon FG and all the lenses I aquired over the years. With that said the film I waste isn't really an issue and as for the pictures that simply do not turn out, the developers usually don't charge for the print anyhow.

The best thing about the digital, is that you can review immediately the picture and fix any problems before leaving the subject.

I did look into buying a digital Nikon body that would accept my lenses ( why waste them? ) but I cannot afford the 2300 bucks ( a year ago ) so I will wait until the prices come within reach. Until then I play with my olympus digital and to my surprize it does a decent job!

[networkguy]

I used to be a photographer and I worked in various camera stores and mini labs before and up to the dawn of the digital age.

While a decent digital camera will certainly cost more then a film based camera, in the long run you will spend LESS with a digital camera. You will not have to buy film, which can spoil and is subject to scratching and many other nasty things. You will not have to wait for your pictures to be processed or worry about keeping your negatives with the pictures. You will not have to worry about carefully handling the negatives or how those minilab people mishandle them and get dust on your prints.

With digital you can view and erase your pictures right away. You can archive them to cd or dvd, take that same disc to costco or many other places and get prints for .18 You can take as many pictures as you like, limited only by the size of your memory card. You can manipulate the images on your computer with many digital imaging software packages, some more expensive then others, but you have the freedom nontheless to do it.

To me, these days, with digital cameras being as affordable as they are, film cameras are no comparison in terms of quality, ease of use and overall affordability.

NG

[Jackthemeangiant]

With digital you can view and erase your pictures right away.

But that is the one thing that I really like about film cameras. The fact that you can forget what was on the roll of film and be surprised when you get them developed.

[chief]

^^

ya, by 36 overexposed shots lol.

[networkguy]

But that is the one thing that I really like about film cameras. The fact that you can forget what was on the roll of film and be surprised when you get them developed.


Or you can take 36 pics and then realize you forgot to put film in the camera, or find out it never caught on to the spool, or see that the film got scratched by a piece of dust in the camera or...the list goes on.

I know its nice to be surprised, but you can also catch mistakes right away with a digital camera, mistakes you don't have to pay for at the photolap later on with a film camera.

NG