Film
Easy to obtain:
You can pop into stores
everywhere and buy a roll of film.
You
can't buy a digital memory card just everywhere.
Cameras are inexpensive:
A disposable film camera is
about as inexpensive as a roll of film.
Greater detail at less
expense:
The detail in a 35mm negative
exposed by an inexpensive film camera can only be matched by a top-of-the-line
digital camera.
More data at less expense:
The quantity of information
stored in a 35mm negative is essentially the same whether the film was exposed
with a $99 point-and-shoot camera or a $1999 camera.
Easy to store:
Negatives and slides are
efficient storage media, holding a great deal of data in a small space. They
can be kept in a shoebox.
Mechanical cameras need no
batteries:
Plan to carry a mechanical film camera that doesnπt need batteries or else pack
a solar panel to recharge batteries.
Easy to scan images:
Scanning pictures into a
computer is easy if and when you want to manipulate your images with a computer.
Digital
Easy to send photos to
friends:
No need to scan prints. Camera
software facilitates point-and-click e-mailing.
Images are free:
After you buy a digital camera,
accessories and batteries, the pictures are free. The cost of digital looks high
until you figure savings on film and processing.
Instant feedback promotes
better pictures:
The LCD screen on a digital
camera lets you check photos instantly. The ability to learn quickly from
mistakes is a big advantage.
Exact duplicates of originals
are possible:
You can store exact copies of
original digital images in multiple locations for safekeeping. With film you
have only one set of original negatives, which you can store only at one
location.
Change film speed anytime:
Rather than carrying multiple
cameras loaded with a variety of fast and slow films, you can change digital
camera speed as lighting conditions change. Change the ISO at any time.
Print only the best images,
save money:
Typically, a processor prints
an entire roll of film is printed, not just the good pictures. Digital avoids
printing bad photos because the photographer can review photos before printing
on the camera's LCD screen or on a computer.
Make your own prints:
You can print your on photos.
Better inkjet printers for photos make prints that rival prints processed from
film and the pictures won't fade quickly.
However, photo printers and inkjet cartridges cost money.
Batteries required:
Fresh batteries must be kept on
hand. As with any electronic device, digital cameras deplete batteries.
Electronics are delicate:
Digital cameras can be broken
or fail without warning. On the other hand, rugged and reliable manual film
cameras also can malfunction or be broken.
Shutter slowdown:
To prepare the digital camera
for an exposure, press the shutter release button half way down. Then, to open
the shutter and take the picture, press the button all the way down. Some
models have a significant lag between the time your finger presses the release
button and when the exposure is made.
Digital photos store
differently:
Organizing computer files is an
important habit to be developed. While photo prints and film negatives can be
kept in a shoebox, digital images are stored on disks, CDs or DVDs. Sorting a
thumbnail catalog of a storage medium replaces rummaging through photos and
negatives in a shoebox. Of course, a time will come when devices capable of
reading CDs and DVDs will be hard to find making it necessary to move image
files to a future storage medium.
