TAMPA BAY, FL -- A lot of things have already come and gone here in the early 21st century.
On the surface, film photography would appear to be on the ‘gone’ list. In fact, film cameras are still around, albeit in diminished numbers.
The debate over digital vs. film has gone on since consumer digital cameras became widely available and affordable about a decade ago.
It’s not unlike the long-running debate between proponents of vinyl records and fans of digital CD’s. Another back-and-forth has existed for many years between those who favor tube-type stereo systems and those who believe modern solid state units sound better.
So it goes with cameras, and the film variety is hanging in there.
The immediate popularity of the new digital format took many experts by surprise and a major bite out of the traditional film industry, Kodak being a prime example.
A quick scan of the B&H Photo Web site (B&H is one of the country’s biggest photographic equipment suppliers), shows a respectable list of 35mm cameras ranging in price from $149.95 for an entry level Cosina to $2,499.00 for a tricked-out, top-of-the-line Nikon F6. There are many larger format models offered, as well.
The F6 is listed as a ‘top seller’ on the site and gets rave reviews.
“Words cannot describe how this camera with a roll of low speed film can produce prints that often surpass my D3 in detail, sharpness and realism. I'm so happy I went back to the future with this camera.” wrote one happy owner. The D3 he mentioned is one of Nikon’s high-end professional digital cameras.
Such comments and feelings are not uncommon.
Both digital and film have advantages and disadvantages. Rather than get into a blow-by-blow summary here, Liz Masoner, a writer for about.com has already laid out many of the basic pros and cons nicely.
Masoner contends that film offers higher resolution than digital, a major point. That holds true for older digital models. But, with the introduction of higher resolution models at the rate of about once per year, many digital cameras now rival or surpass their film counterparts.
There are some exceptions. Namely, the larger film formats (2 ¼”, 4X5”, 8X10” and so forth). Relatively few consumers are aware of these bigger film sizes, but they are well-known and still widely used by professionals and serious enthusiasts. When it comes to high resolution, many experts feel that in the consumer arena, large format still reigns supreme.
In another comparison, Masoner points out that initially, it’s less expensive to shoot with a film camera than it is with a digital model. However, the cost of operating the same film camera becomes more expensive over time (you have to keep buying film and pay for processing).
If you want an in-depth, technical comparison of film and digital, R.N. Clark put some serious effort into the subject.
