Digital Vs. 35mm Film Cameras

As more and more people move towards digital photography for its ease, the differences between digital and film photography are less well understood. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, which should be well understood before making a choice between the two.

35mm film for still photography

35mm gets its name from the size of the film---each frame is 35mm wide. There are other sizes, but 35mm is the most commonly used and is considered the norm. It is used for both still photography and for film. For still photography, there are typically 24 or 26 exposures on each role of film. There are different speeds of film (100, 200, 300 or 400), which reflects the film's sensitivity to light. 100 is the least sensitive, so more light is needed when taking the pictures, and 400 is the most sensitive, which means that less light is needed when taking the photo.

With a 35mm film camera, the roll of film needs to be changed every 24 or 36 exposures, depending on the roll of film. The settings on the actual camera are similar to those of a digital camera.

Digital Photography

With a digital camera, the light sensitivity is measured as ISO, and can range from 100-3200, depending on the camera. Some cameras will only have ISO as high as 400 or 800, but others will go to 1600 or even 3200, which is also often denoted as "HI".

The ISO for a digital camera can reach much higher than that of a film camera; however, the higher the ISO, the more "noise" in the photography. "Noise" refers to how grainy a photo appears.

With certain types of digital cameras, a photo can be taken without looking through the viewfinder and instead by looking at a LCD screen.

Advantages to Still/Film Photography

Since the rise of digital photography, film photography has become relatively cheap.

With digital photography, a PC isn't completely necessary, but is definitely more necessary than with film, since film photography does not need a computer for anything.

With film photography you may need less equipment for development, since photo stores can develop film for you. Photo stores can develop digital photos as well, but many people simply store them on their computer in addition to getting them printed.

Disadvantages to Still/Film Photography

When you take a photo, if you are experimenting with aperture/shutter speed or other settings, you cannot instantly see how your photo has turned out. Not only that, but if you take numerous pictures with different settings, you use up film without knowing if your photos are coming out or being wasted.

You have to pay for numerous rolls of film, and pay for developing, unless you can do it yourself---but that can also be expensive.

If your photo does not come out the first time, you don't have another instant chance at retaking it.

Advantages to Digital Photography

You can instantly see your work after you take the picture.

You don't need to keep paying for film---it's a one time cost for a memory card or SD card.

Some of the settings are easier to understand and can be easily set to "automatic," and you can see instant results and know if your settings are capturing what you want.

You can edit your photos to your liking with simple programs that come with many computers or with advanced programs.

Disadvantages to Digital Photography

Computer programs for editing can be quite expensive.

Buying equipment can initially be quite expensive when you consider buying a camera, including lenses, memory cards, batteries and other things

Digital cameras sometimes work more slowly than film cameras because they have to save to the memory card and process the shot.

References

• All Things Photography: The ISO.
• Ken Rockwell: Film vs. Digital