I'm surprised there are so few opinions on this subject - everybody seems to be talking about the great debate digital vs SLR. So here are my few thoughts. This isn't comprehensive - never could be, but I hope it helps.
Let me structure my opinion by users - find the type you are closest ... Read review
Advantages: SLR Control creativity expandable Disadvantages: SLR Immediacy cost size
...talking about the great debate digital vs SLR. So here are my few thoughts. This isn't comprehensive - never could be, but I hope it helps.
Let me structure my opinion by users - find the type you are closest to and see if you agree or disagree.
CASUAL PHOTOGRAPHER - HOLIDAY SNAPPER
You probably want to use your camera for pictures of the kids, holidays, birthdays, weddings, friends and families ... ...and £150 or a reasonable digital camera £150-£250 (say 3 megapixels)- unlikely to ever buy an SLR. Here a digital camera could be a benefit - you get to see you pictures quickly - don't miss out because you mis-took a photo and probably if you had processed film would have thrown away 10 out of 24 because they were out of focus, frame, or just went wrong.
Now you can look at them on a computer, get the best ones printed over the web ... more
I'm surprised there are so few opinions on this subject - everybody seems to be talking about the great debate digital vs SLR. So here are my few thoughts. This isn't comprehensive - never could be, but I hope it helps.
Let me structure my opinion by users - find the type you are closest to and see if you agree or disagree.
CASUAL PHOTOGRAPHER - HOLIDAY SNAPPER
You probably want to use your camera for pictures of the kids, holidays, birthdays, weddings, friends and families - and don't need extra lenses, filters or flashes to carry around. Here you probably don't want to learn about photographic technique, wouldn't ever own or use a darkroom (wet or digital). You are looking for convenience in size, weight and cost.
Most likely to use a 35mm compact camera, maybe with a zoom, cost anywhere between £25 and £150 or a reasonable digital camera £150-£250 (say 3 megapixels)- unlikely to ever buy an SLR. Here a digital camera could be a benefit - you get to see you pictures quickly - don't miss out because you mis-took a photo and probably if you had processed film would have thrown away 10 out of 24 because they were out of focus, frame, or just went wrong.
Now you can look at them on a computer, get the best ones printed over the web or in Boots and e-mail some of them to family or friends. A friend of mine sends pictures of her new baby every day to her mum who lives a long way away - only possible with digital camera.
INTERESTED PHOTOGRAPHER - COURSE STUDENT ETC
You are interested in photography not just to record pictures of family, friends and places but because you want to learn technique and skills and understand the way cameras work to take interesting pictures. You may still take snaps but want to take your photography to another level.
Here digital may interest you but your unlikely to splash out £2000+ on a digital SLR. Best choice is an SLR with manual capabilities as well as autofocus so you can learn the skills and understand what goes into making a pictures work - such as aperture, shutter speed, depth-of-field, macro, filters, soft-focus, lighting, panning and then possible darkroom techniques on "wet-film".
You may still use a digital camera for snaps and candid shots but normally to take photographs you are prepared to carry around an SLR and some equipment to get the effect you are looking for.
WEB DESIGNER (HOBBYIST/SEMI-COMMERCIAL)
You are either shooting digital pics and loading them straight into your PC/Mac manipulating and loading onto your web site or are prepared to wait for the prints (or prints & CD) to come back from processing. Many sites that want immediacy go for digital pics as the quality required/allowable on a fast site don't require high resolution. The exception to this is a product shot that requires high quality and lighting to get the best possible image - probably taken professionally and onto slide film which is then scanned.
ASPIRING FREELANCER - SERIOUS AMATEUR - PROFESSIONAL
The answer (if the choice is 35mm or digital and not medium format) is SLR. However there is an increasing choice of digital SLR's on the market from Canon (D30, D60, D1, D1s), Nikon (D1x) and Sigma although costs are currently between £1300 and £5000. Quality on digital is high enough now for most applications - except fashion with most pro's at sporting events and reportage carrying at least one digital SLR camera. Here the benefit is that by starting with a traditional SLR and building up a selection of lenses and filters these can be shared between the traditional and digital bodies - allowing a transition to digital when the time is right.
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Questions to ask yourself when deciding.
1) Do I want to explore the photographic techniques ? 2) Would I ever want to take pictures for more then just looking at ? 3) Might I go digital SLR in the future - just waiting for the "right" technology? 4) Do I only want a camera I can put in my coat/handbag/trouser pocket ? 5) If I went digital do I have a computer, printer to get out the best pictures onto screen/paper ? 6) Do I need to have my pictures now or could I wait 24 hours ? 7) Do I want to be in control of just my picture or of my camera as well ?
Remember that the choice between digital and SLR is about what you want - for 99% of the population the quality from the average digital camera will produce 7x5" prints as well as standard print film.
You'll take better end results by understanding how to take great pictures (lighting, composition, subject choices) than just spending £1000's of pounds on expensive SLR kit and still keep randomly snapping.
If digital inspires you to take more pictures and improve - buy one. If the control and expandablility of SLR gives you an interest spend the money. But don't get too hung up on what to buy now and if it means you made a "mistake". Go and take some pictures and enjoy yourself !
Advantages: cheaper than digital Disadvantages: You need to actually think about the shots you take
...a state of the art digital machine, or the slightly outdated but considerably cheaper (cameras which use a system of mirrors to let the user see directly through the lens). If money weren’t an object, many people would choose a digital camera, however many of us don’t want to go out and blow a large amount of money on a digital camera. There may be a feeling when buying a digital camera that you are “settling for less.” This is by no means the case, ... ...with an SLR camera. Since digital cameras often have an auto focus feature, they may not allow you to fade areas of the picture as effectively as an SLR. This takes a little time, so it’s probably best to do this when taking a picture of a still image. Just point your camera at the object you want to focus on, then play around with the focus until you get a sharp, clear image of the person or object you wish to photograph, and everything else a little ...
Chaotic1 14.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Digital Vs SLR
Advantages: SLR's are cheaper! Development is cool! Disadvantages: Digital is convenient! Plus colour is easier!
...The debate shouldn't be Digital vs. SLR - it should be 35mm vs. Medium Format! Limiting yourself to an SLR is pretty constricting when you consider the options.
Digital is out of the question for anyone who wants to do anything creative with their photography - you lose access to the darkroom (unless you print transparencies on your printer), which is the best way to have fun with photography. Photoshop is a good way of getting creative with your ... ...are about £300). Meanwhile, with digital what do you get for your three tons? A crap compact. To get anything that approaches SLR quality, you are talking a number of grands worth of gear.
"You don't have to pay for film or processing with digital." No, you pay for batteries, memory cards, printer paper and (the real killer) printer ink. Meanwhile in comparison, I process colour slides at home and it costs me around 80p per roll, and a roll of Velvia ...
bigbtommy 12.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Digital Vs SLR
Advantages: Digital: Instant results, ready for web/email; SLR: Ergonomic controls, fast shooting speed Disadvantages: Digital: Initial cost, battery life; SLR: Film cost, bulky
...and I feel that 'prosumer' digital cameras like the latter have some significant advantages over wet film SLRs...
When I used the SLR, it tended to stay in a case most of the time and emerge for specific events, holidays, etc. By contrast, I now greatly annoy my friends by pulling out my Coolpix 950 at every opportunity. The only way to improve your photography is by experimentation and practice. With a digital camera, you can instantly see the ... ...exposures so far on my digital camera, and I can't imagine I'd have got through 55 36-exposure rolls in the same time. This allows the freedom to experiment. Some of my best shots are ones I could have taken on an SLR but probably wouldn't have.
Manual controls are the most commonly cited reason for sticking with an SLR, but high-end digital models like the 950 offer manual control over focus, aperture, shutter speed and metering mode albeit in ...
jonball 25.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Digital Vs SLR
Advantages: Instant photos, reasonable quality Disadvantages: little control, film is still better quality
...in the centre of the frame, and will produce pretty decent results - the only remaining decision must be between quality and speed.
I too bemoan the lack of manual over-rides on many of the affordable digital cameras, but comparing AF SLR film vs. digital is a close match. ...
jonm2001 10.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Digital Vs SLR
Advantages: Amazing quality Disadvantages: not compact in size
I am currently studying digital media at University and therefore am very familiar of the digital process, although still have a keen interest in the traditional SLR film. I reckon you get the best of the both words with the use of a Digital SLR CAMERA. Mine, A 10mp Nikon SLR d40x is the most incredible piece of technology I own. I take it everywhere with me, and the results are remarkable. When The item was bright for me nine months ago, the retail ... ...could see people finding is that they are obviously not as portable as a compact digital camera of the same side, but I believe the results obtained are of a much better quality.
I say instead of choosing either... have both... buy a digital SLR... the future of digital photography. ...
thebectoriousone 16.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Digital Vs SLR
