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Photography has become more popular because of digital cameras. Unlike SLR film cameras, digital cameras are easy to operate. They have taken the guesswork out of taking good, professional-looking photos. Armed with a digital camera, a memory card, and a photographic subject, anybody can now unleash the inner photographer in them in virtually any environment or event. However, some people still prefer traditional SLR film cameras. Unlike digital cameras, these cameras are manually operated. To take a good photograph with an SLR film camera, the user has to adjust the lighting and focus of the subject. Making these adjustments and figuring out the tricky settings can be tedious especially if you are a beginner. So, should you go film or digital? Here are a few tips to help you choose the best camera for you.
Go back to the basics
Choose the camera that matches your photography skill level. Are you a beginner photographer still in the process of learning the concept of aperture or parallax? Or are you a semi-professional freelancer dreaming in megapixels and large format prints?
If you want to learn the basics of traditional photography, I suggest that you study the SLR camera manual. This type of camera can help you appreciate the interplay of light and shadow in photography. Because it uses expensive film (and not digital pixels) to create images, it can also help you become more selective and careful when taking a photograph. Unlike in a digital camera, there is no “Delete this photo?” option in an SLR camera.
Take it like a pro
Let’s say you are done with your Photography 101 lessons. You’ve read hundreds of photography books and taken thousands of good and not-so-good photographs. You have decided that photography is your passion and you want to marry into it and make it your life. What camera should you choose?
I suggest you buy a digital SLR camera. This camera combines the manual features of a film SLR camera with the technology of a digital camera, giving you the best of both worlds, so to speak. With a digital SLR camera, you can manipulate the settings deemed untouchable in a cheaper digital camera (such as ISO setting, color mode, and aperture). And because it’s digital, you need not worry about wasting rolls and rolls of film to capture the perfect sunset. With its uploading capabilities, you can alter or improve your photos in your favorite image editor and even make not-so-good photos at least ‘good’. Be wary of the price tag, though. An entry-level digital SLR can cost an easy $450. But don’t worry, the quality is worth it. |
