Are Photo Film Cameras the Best Option?

Digital cameras have made it simple for amateur photographers to capture images and become more proficient at their hobby. However a true photographer will tell you that when you are seeking to capture the perfect photo, film cameras are still the best option.

Film cameras are completely different from digital cameras. Obviously the biggest difference between the two is the storage medium for the images. But there are other key differences that should be mentioned when talking about how to take a photo. Film cameras are time intensive. They require the user to understand not only the equipment, but also the components of a good photo. Things like lighting, atmosphere, background, etc. can be edited in digital images. But once those basics are understood, a good film camera can achieve better results than a digital and here are a few of the reasons.

First, digital cameras do not have viewfinders that can even compare to those on a good film camera. A digital camera may or may not even have a viewfinder. If they do, they are merely a hole that helps the user to frame the photo. A film camera's viewfinder is specifically calibrated to ensure that what is in the viewfinder appears in the image, and what is not in the viewfinder is outside of the image. If the contents of your image are important with a digital camera, you will find yourself having to invest in expensive secondary lenses and equipment to ensure that the image you want is the image you capture.

Second, film cameras do not become out of date and useless when the next big thing comes onto the scene. Many photographers use equipment that belonged to their parents or even their grandparents. As long as it is possible to buy film for the camera, one can continue using the camera.

Finally, remember when setting up your photo, film cameras are immediate. When you click the button, the shutter reacts. Digital cameras have a lag time between button and shutter. This can mean a big difference in the image being captured and especially in action shots; it can mean the difference between capturing the image and missing it entirely.

This is not to say that film cameras are superior to digital cameras. Instead, it is merely meant to explain that there is some seemingly minor differences between the two that can matter significantly depending on the person behind the lens.