Saturday, February 2, 2008

which is better, 35mm or digital?

This seems to be a difficult choice for an arrangement of people. Which platform is supreme you might wonder. Mostly this debate is founded on the idea that one or the other produces a better picture quality, and end
result. What must be considered is what exactly we expect out of the camera. Maybe controls, functionality, or possibly whether it interacts well with your resources. Each type of camera will perform differently for different kinds of people. What's your goal?

The digital camera is usually uncomplicated to plug into a computer with the purpose of downloading or sharing with friends via email. If you intend to print straight from your computer the attributes of the picture are going to be substantially diminished compared with average photolab results. The 35mm is a premier option here if you're looking for a high quality print. But if you're sharing your pictures and want a quick and easy process of doing so, digital cameras are the way to go.

35mm negatives are processed using chemicals, then the prints are made in most cases with someone overseeing the color balance and different such phases. Usually this process is overseen by a professional with an understanding and keen eye of what the customer is looking for. Some such examples are sepia tone or black and white. The definitive process would also rely on whether the pictures are indoor low light photos or outdoor nature shots. All in all you would be depending on the care which is put in by whomever is processing your film, which can fluctuate dependent on where you take the negatives to be developed. Taking your negatives to the correct people at a trusted photolab can elicit superb results which will not let you down. As long as they are aware what you expect for results. Your perspective could be immensely contrary to what others would perceive.

Digital cameras on the other hand are reliant on whether you take the time to modify your own pictures. The Photoshop program for instance is a great resource to use in changing certain aspects of your image. You could tweak
the color schemes or lighten/darken your image as well as crop it to fit tight spaces. If you didn't have the time or resources, you would have to accept the image as is. Which is not necessarily a bad thing simply because
you have the ability to capture the desired image over and over again until you get what you want. You could easily delete whichever images that don't suit your needs, and keep on taking shots until you seized what you wished for. Unless of course the subject matter is time sensitive, such as sports shots or perhaps the ever elusive first kiss. Whereas being in the right place at the right time is likely of a higher importance than which type of camera you're using.

So if you are attempting to figure out which platform of camera to purchase, there are a few things to consider first. Why are you buying a camera? Ponder what it is you will be utilizing it for the most. Think about
what resources you have readily available. Do you intend to share your pics? How do you want to enjoy or view your pics? How do you aim to use the camera? Are you electronics savvy?

That said, there is but one solid recommendation that i can make. If you are an amateur who is interested in learning the fundamentals of photography, and if you want to understand the building blocks that transform a vision into a piece of art, then a manual 35mm camera is what you are seeking. Otherwise, what you are looking for is entirely dependent on your needs and ambitions. Good luck, and I hope that maybe one day you will be responsible for an image that will enlighten the masses like so many have done before.

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