Should I convert?

true_one_picture

true_one_picture

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Phil
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Hi currently I'm using the spec. in my signature but was woundering if I should go digital??

If so what camera can give me all the versatilaty of a film cam i.e. lens change, manual f/stop and man shutter speed etc...

My only reason for wanting to change is the cost of film!!! Buying & Dev!

Thanks
 
Any digital SLR will offer you that stuff..

beware.. the Canon and Nikon users are about to pounce on you! :D
 
As you have a Minolta SLR, why not look at the Sony Alpha? It uses the Konica-Minolta mount, Sony having bought up K-M's digital camera buisness, so you could probably continue using your current lenses. The Alpha would certainly give you the option to select aperture, shutter speed, ISO equivelancy, etc etc...

Or, look into a whole new setup with Nikon or Canon....
 
Convert? Hell yes! I had "messed about" with film for many years before I went Digital SLR - the new found freedom woke me up. Suddenly I could fire off 100 shots on a memory card and if they were all rubbish it cost me nothing :) Seriously - I found I learned so much more when I was free of the constraints of having to worry about dev and film costs. From your previous posts I'm sure you're a very experienced photographer but I'm sure you'll still find a whole new world out there in digital :thumbs:
 
true_one_picture said:
Hi currently I'm using the spec. in my signature but was woundering if I should go digital??

If so what camera can give me all the versatilaty of a film cam i.e. lens change, manual f/stop and man shutter speed etc...

My only reason for wanting to change is the cost of film!!! Buying & Dev!

Thanks
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work out how long it will take you to 'break even' on film and dev costs compared to replacing your gear with a new body and compatible lenses plus the cost of printing etc, and then think if its worth it :)


its more a case of "do you need to go digital, dont be pressed into it by people saying "you must you must film is so last year" consider if its right for you.


i was shooting some shots when we were out in spain last week and one of the blokes i work with was "amazed with how accurate the synthesised shutter sounds was to film camera" he didnt realise that an Dslr is identical to a film slr apart from the film and winding mechanism is replaced by a digital sensor, a memory card slot and a display on the back! changeover wont be a problem, everything else is pretty much the same, any DSLR will offer you the functionality you require

its not nearly as hard to get used to as going from digital to film like i did. theres one seriously sad thing that gets lost, and thats the anticipation as you open the backet as you leave the developing shop or as you view the negs for the first time which is magic when shooting film :(
 
The other cost you have to bear in mind going digital, unless you just use JPEG's and not RAW is the "Digital Darkroom", the processing software and computer. Unless you have an up to date computer with a reasonable sized hard disk and plenty of memory they really "run through treacle" when you start image processing.

Otherwise, as everybody says, digital's running costs are minimal that is why Kodak nearly went bankrupt when it lost the revenue from all your spoilt frames. Film is a bit like the old saying for Colmans Mustard, they did not make their profits out of what you used but what you left on the side of the plate! The film manufacturers also made their fortunes out of the high percentage you scrapped, not out of your keepers. There is no waste with digital you wipe the card and reuse it.

Any DSLR will do what you require, but don't go on specifications alone always try and get to handle the camera at a local dealers as no matter how good it's specifications if it does not feel right in your hands you will never be happy with it. Most high end camera makers make decent equipment anyway or they would not have stayed in business as long as they have.

When you have found a few cameras you are interested in compare their specifications side by side here:-

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

DaveW
 
true_one_picture said:
I have taken your advice and been looking on ebay of all places LOL, and digital seems alot of money.

Thanks all!
I may go for it yet
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If the cost of a dSLR is too high have a look at bridge cams. The fuji s6500 can be got quite cheap at the moment and will do everything a dSLR can except capture shallow depth of field. Obviously a dSLR will give better IQ and the focusing and operation will be quicker etc etc but a bridge cam will give infinitely better quality results than a dSLR you can't afford to buy :D You can also get free software that will do virtually anything PS will do esp as there is a great free raw converter/processor for Fuji raw files.

At least with a bridge cam like the fuji you can get going in digital and learn a lot for moving on to dSLR when you can afford it.
 
I took the plunge last month.Got a great deal on a Samsung GX 10 and 2 lenses. Big saving against the identical Pentax kit. Look out for the offers and bargain hard. It's a buyers market.
I am amazed at the difference I now take to shooting. I shoot off shots with no consideration for the cost of film and developing. I change ISO from shot to shot. In short I can experiment more. It really is worth the move.
 
I think that I would agree that the move is definitely worthwhile but keep hold of your 35ml stuff in case it doesn't suit you.
I wanted to go digital as I had so much photoshop experience but I really didn't like the "plasticky" feel of some digital images I had viewed. After a lot of research I went for the original Canon 1D as the parameter adjustments, sensor, noise & colour adjustments were the closest to a film look that I had found. Digital is more initial outlay but the cost is made back each time you don't have to pay for developing costs.
I'd agree with Whitewash & just see what's best for your needs, tally how much it'll cost to get you sorted & decide if you should go for it - there's loads of really helpful people here that'll point you in the right direction once you've narrowed down your requirements - good luck with your choice & I look forward to seeing some of your pics whichever way you choose to go :thumbs:
 
moomike said:
I think that I would agree that the move is definitely worthwhile but keep hold of your 35ml stuff in case it doesn't suit you.
I wanted to go digital as I had so much photoshop experience but I really didn't like the "plasticky" feel of some digital images I had viewed. After a lot of research I went for the original Canon 1D as the parameter adjustments, sensor, noise & colour adjustments were the closest to a film look that I had found. Digital is more initial outlay but the cost is made back each time you don't have to pay for developing costs.
I'd agree with Whitewash & just see what's best for your needs, tally how much it'll cost to get you sorted & decide if you should go for it - there's loads of really helpful people here that'll point you in the right direction once you've narrowed down your requirements - good luck with your choice & I look forward to seeing some of your pics whichever way you choose to go :thumbs:
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Very well said!

You should weigh up your current developing and printing costs against what financing or paying for new digital kit will set you back out of your budget. You might well find it could take you a while to break even, but from then on you save all the way

If, on the other hand, money is not the issue then go for it but DON'T GET RID OF YOUR FILM STUFF!!
 
mij said:
You must you must film is so last year.

Michael.
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:lol:


I thought this thread was about whether you should drop your sig. Which I deffo think you should.:lol:


It's all been said above. Digital has a more immediate feedback but film still has some great qualities still. This said you can achieve most of those qualities in PP if take the shot properly with a digital camera. :shrug:
 
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