Digital vs. Film...
ok... so it got to me too :)
two weeks back I bought a digital camera and now have an inside opinion.
here are the preliminary conclusions:
1. this particular model handles like a film camera in terms of speed. in the past I mostly complained about lags and in this camera they are on par (within reason) with a film rangefinder or SLR (less than 1/10 sec. shutter lag and ~3fps drive)... which is IMHO outstanding for a "compact"!!
2. the workflow is fast! several hours compared to several weeks if not months from shoot to a finished image (I do not shoot commercial photos as a primary bulk, thus the length :) )
3. too fast!! ...there is virtually no time to reassess and rethink the work. you have a photoshopable source just seconds after the shot! I prefer to spend some time after the shoot thinking without the ability to see the result (yes this is a habit! :) ), then think some more after you see the contact but before the scan, then think even more when the queue reaches the shot and I see it in Photoshop... then think even more after the first draft print.... but here, you can Photoshop seconds after you shoot and within minutes you see the first draft!
...and the temptation to erase half the shots within the camera is insane! :)))
4. the quality is limited. as with a careful, disciplined shot on 35mm one can get 50+ megapixels from a scan while here I am limited to an uninterpolated resolution of 8 megs (somewhere within the realm of a 21x30cm print).
5. the good part is that it is small and light! ~200g compared to over 2kg of my SLR fully fitted (that, not mentioning the bunch of lenses, gadgets, film... etc.)
6. another good side is if the image is needed fast, you get it fast!
7. the camera makes a great exposure meter (and is cheaper than an equivalent dedicated device!) and is really good for proofing!
8. it is unobtrusive!! ...with an SLR you have to work not to get noticed at least until the shot is made, with an RF you need to be careful not to physically bump into the subject... but with this device, I actually had to work to momentarily get the attention of the subject and make him/her look into the lens (as most of the tome I got completely neglected, which can both be good or bad depending on the situation)!
9. IT IS FUN!! (this is why I bought it! :) )
Conclusion:
too different to get a definite opinion this fast. though, one thing I can say: It can play a part... though what part I can not yet confidently decide!
BTW I got a black Panasonic LX-1.
two weeks back I bought a digital camera and now have an inside opinion.
here are the preliminary conclusions:
1. this particular model handles like a film camera in terms of speed. in the past I mostly complained about lags and in this camera they are on par (within reason) with a film rangefinder or SLR (less than 1/10 sec. shutter lag and ~3fps drive)... which is IMHO outstanding for a "compact"!!
2. the workflow is fast! several hours compared to several weeks if not months from shoot to a finished image (I do not shoot commercial photos as a primary bulk, thus the length :) )
3. too fast!! ...there is virtually no time to reassess and rethink the work. you have a photoshopable source just seconds after the shot! I prefer to spend some time after the shoot thinking without the ability to see the result (yes this is a habit! :) ), then think some more after you see the contact but before the scan, then think even more when the queue reaches the shot and I see it in Photoshop... then think even more after the first draft print.... but here, you can Photoshop seconds after you shoot and within minutes you see the first draft!
...and the temptation to erase half the shots within the camera is insane! :)))
4. the quality is limited. as with a careful, disciplined shot on 35mm one can get 50+ megapixels from a scan while here I am limited to an uninterpolated resolution of 8 megs (somewhere within the realm of a 21x30cm print).
5. the good part is that it is small and light! ~200g compared to over 2kg of my SLR fully fitted (that, not mentioning the bunch of lenses, gadgets, film... etc.)
6. another good side is if the image is needed fast, you get it fast!
7. the camera makes a great exposure meter (and is cheaper than an equivalent dedicated device!) and is really good for proofing!
8. it is unobtrusive!! ...with an SLR you have to work not to get noticed at least until the shot is made, with an RF you need to be careful not to physically bump into the subject... but with this device, I actually had to work to momentarily get the attention of the subject and make him/her look into the lens (as most of the tome I got completely neglected, which can both be good or bad depending on the situation)!
9. IT IS FUN!! (this is why I bought it! :) )
Conclusion:
too different to get a definite opinion this fast. though, one thing I can say: It can play a part... though what part I can not yet confidently decide!
BTW I got a black Panasonic LX-1.