APRIL FOCUS: Film or Digital - What is Right for You?
By John Anderson

Since its inception more than 150 years ago, photography has had a tremendous impact on how we see the world. The old cliché is that a picture is worth a thousand words, and indeed, photographs offer a form of visual communication that can be "read" and understood by people throughout the world, no matter what language they speak.

Now, the methods used to capture photographs are expanding. The computer age has dramatically changed how we share information. It has evolved to not only providing flexibility and power over words and numbers, but offers a multimedia platform for the expression of thoughts and emotion. Digital cameras allow those same benefits to be applied to photographs. Digital photography represents a cultural change towards using more images in our computing workspace. In a sense, a digital camera is really a computer peripheral.

Both digital and conventional cameras each have their own place. Both offer distinct advantages, yet neither offers the perfect total solution. As technology improves, it is foreseeable that one will replace the other. But for now they peacefully co-exist. Here are a few points to consider:

Both film and digital cameras are designed to capture light and record it. The method in which they capture light is extremely different. Film captures an image with layers of silver salts. Light causes a chemical change in the silver salts resulting in a captured image. The size of these salts is very small which results in very fine color rendition and detail in the final image. Digital cameras utilize a light-capturing device called a CCD. Light is converted into an electronic signal and stored as digital information. The photosensitive components of the CCD are 5 to 10 times larger than light capturing elements in film. This limits a digital camera’s capability to record fine detail.

A digital camera’s capability for recording detail is referred to as resolution. This resolution is commonly termed "Mega Pixel." To produce a 4 by 6 inch print of "photographic quality", a digital camera would require 2.1 Mega Pixel resolution (standard photographic quality print resolution is 300dpi). This is well within the capability of current digital cameras in the consumer market. As a comparison, 35mm film has a resolution equivalent to 30 Mega Pixel CCD.

Is there a difference between the 4 x 6 print made from a 2.1 megapixel digital camera vs the print made by a film camera? Although the 2.1M digital camera has the resolution to produce a 300dpi print, there can be a noticeable difference in the quality of the two prints. The finer grain of film will yield better color rendition and detail.

Because of this, film offers the best image quality at an affordable price.

Film cameras and digital cameras have significant differences in terms of function. With most digital cameras, the photographer will notice a delay from when the shutter release button is depressed to when the image is actually recorded. This slight delay allows the camera to determine exposure and adjust its color settings. This delay can make it difficult to capture the action as it happens. With digital cameras it is important to anticipate the action and shoot ahead of it. This can sometimes yield great photographs and sometimes missed action. This gives the edge to film cameras when it comes to recording action. The flash systems of the two types of cameras also show significant differences. Film cameras have for some time used automatic TTL flash control to provide well-exposed images. Digital cameras currently cannot take advantage of TTL exposure control and are limited to manual flash. This does not mean that digital cameras are incapable of taking well-exposed flash photographs. With the ability to preview the image once it is taken and the use of flashes that have precise output control well-exposed flash photographs are possible. Once again however, if it is a moving subject and you only get one chance, TTL increases your odds. Another challenge faced when using a digital camera is viewing through a small LCD screen. The sharpness of these small screens is limited and determining critical focus is sometimes difficult.

The other consideration when comparing film and digital cameras is the cost of the system. A digital camera can cost $500 and above, while a high quality film camera will cost only $189. A digital system represents a much greater investment with significantly lower quality of image.

The exciting comparison of film and digital cameras is the image sharing capability of each format. It is here that the true benefit of the digital camera comes out. Traditional film must be chemically processed and printed for viewing while digital images can be viewed immediately in the camera, on a television, or transferred to a computer for viewing. In addition to simple viewing, digital images can be shared electronically via CD’s, websites, and e-mail. The electronic sharing of images represents a considerable time and cost savings.

If sharing prints with family and friends is what you desire, both film and digital cameras can produce the desired results. We are all familiar with the steps involved in getting prints from our film cameras. However, making prints from digital cameras is something rather new. Many people think that using their home computer and inkjet printer will provide them with the ideal solution. However, printing at home represents a significant cost with paper and ink as well as a time investment. With all considered, it is more expensive to print at home than it is to have a photo lab make prints for you.

Another thing to consider is the actual print quality. Although home inkjet printers do offer high quality, they do not compare to the quality of an optical print on high-grade paper. When it comes to enlarging, film regains its supremacy. Because of the limited resolution and color processing of digital cameras, quality enlargements are best accomplished from film.

Long-term storage can also be a concern with images. Degradation of film and prints can occur over time. Digital images however will never degrade. They can be stored in large quantities on CDs, and be transferred limitless times without degradation.

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