Film

Nowadays, film cameras are getting rare. Even when digital cameras may have already ruled today’s photography, there are still those who prefer to take pictures the traditional way by using film cameras. And while digital cameras may give you more convenience and added features when capturing moments, there may still be instances when using film cameras is still better.

This is not to say that one is better than the other. Both have pros and cons and the choice whether to use a film digital camera is up to you. To better weigh which type of camera suits you, here are some things you need to consider for both film and digital cameras.

Sensor. The light sensitive film in a film camera is located at the back of the lens. When taking a photo, the shutter opens for a predetermined time period and the light hits the film that prints a picture on the film. Once the picture is taken, the film rolls and a new film is placed at the back of the lens. On the other hand, the CCD, which is made up of tiny light sensitive electronic sensors per pixel is placed at the back of a digital camera’s lens. When taking a digital photo, the shutter opens for a predetermined time period and then light hits the sensor. Every pixel gets its value and pixelize altogether to form one photo. The picture is stored in a digital media and the CCD is emptied electronically.

Photo capacity: With a digital camera, you can store as many pictures as you like on a single storage media. Digital photos are stored in a memory card that can hold hundreds or thousands of pictures depending on its size. With a film camera, capacity can be limited. A standard roll of film can only take 36 shots. When the roll is exhausted, a new roll is replaced which can be difficult to control in darkness or rough environment. This may cause inconvenience and impracticality considering its size and quantity.

Shooting angles: With a digital camera, you can take pictures without having to stick your eye to the viewfinder. This allows you to take photos at better angles and higher capacity.

Instant Feedback. An advantage of a digital camera over a film camera is its instant feedback feature. Digital cameras come with a small LCD screen that allows you to view the picture right after it was taken. If you don’t like the photo, you can erase it and take another one. The instant feedback feature allows you to take pictures better and spares you from worrying whether you have taken the picture right.

Depth of Field. The primary difference between a film and the CCD sensor is the Depth of Field (DoF). The depth of field in a digital camera is bigger than a 35mm film since CCD sensors are smaller. In fact, the DoF in digital cameras can even go infinitely.

Photo processing: Photos in a digital camera are essentially computer files and can be manipulated electronically such as correcting pictures and creating special effects. This is known as photo processing. A film camera, however, does not have this function.

Cost of photo. Digital photos may virtually cost nothing since they can be saved on a memory device and may be erased at your convenience. You get to choose the pictures that you like and copy it to another digital media such as a personal computer. However, films cost you money and cannot be reused as well. Once you hit the shutter button, you have already spent a fortune on a shot and you do not have as much a choice than to keep a picture even if it does not come out right.

Now that you know their differences, the choice is yours to make.