Which is easier to learn photography with, 35 mm or DSLR?
Sep 27, 2011 07:34:15 #
I own a 35 mm camera and a point and shoot. Which is easier to learn with the 35 mm or a digital?
Sep 27, 2011 07:46:28 #
When you say '35mm', are you talking film or DSLR?
With a point and shoot, most of the work is done for you, so you probably won't have the functions available that would help you learn. With a 35mm (film?) camera, it may or may not be very automated at all, so you'd have to learn everything if it wasn't.
However, a more advanced P+S that lets you adjust certain settings, such as f/stop, shutter speed, exposure and such, would be a good learning tool. I don't know if any exist, but I would assume they do.
I moved from a P+S to a DSLR precisely because I wanted more control over my images. Virtually all modern consumer level DSLRs allow you to control as much or as little of your photographic experience as you like.
But your question is a bit like asking "Which is better to learn how to be a writer, a typewriter or a PC with word processing?" Either tool will do the job but the key is the user not the tool.
With a point and shoot, most of the work is done for you, so you probably won't have the functions available that would help you learn. With a 35mm (film?) camera, it may or may not be very automated at all, so you'd have to learn everything if it wasn't.
However, a more advanced P+S that lets you adjust certain settings, such as f/stop, shutter speed, exposure and such, would be a good learning tool. I don't know if any exist, but I would assume they do.
I moved from a P+S to a DSLR precisely because I wanted more control over my images. Virtually all modern consumer level DSLRs allow you to control as much or as little of your photographic experience as you like.
But your question is a bit like asking "Which is better to learn how to be a writer, a typewriter or a PC with word processing?" Either tool will do the job but the key is the user not the tool.
Sep 27, 2011 07:47:45 #
Sep 27, 2011 07:49:16 #
The 35 mm is film...and the point and shoot has some settings that I can change.....the f/stops are minimal to say the least.
Sep 27, 2011 08:33:17 #
stansgrl63 wrote:
I own a 35 mm camera and a point and shoot. Which is easier to learn with the 35 mm or a digital?
The digital photos taken must be processed by you. 35mm film and prints are generally processed by others. The digital is more versatile with multiple ISO & bracketing so with all the extra features I feel the digital takes longer to master.
Sep 27, 2011 09:13:16 #
Thank you Bob! And yes it was a trick question.....just seeing if you were awake! LOL
Sep 27, 2011 10:57:24 #
I TOOK CLASSES ON 35MM CANON REBEL,THE CLASS WAS VERY GOOD. WENT DIGITAL WITH A FUJI FINEPIX S1800. BOUTH TAKE VERY GOOD PICTURES. BEST SAVINGS IS NO FILM OR DEVOPMENT TO PAY FOR. ADDS A LOT MORE FUN TO PICTURE TAKING. THE LITTLE DSLR ( IF YOU WANT TO CALLIT THAT ) COST UNDER 200 DALLORS AT WALMART. P.S. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND HAVE FUN....
Sep 27, 2011 11:37:45 #
digital lets you see your images ASAP, which can be a plus as you can recall your settings. Film is not forgiving, which is also a plus but can get costly as you try to experiment (film and getting it developed cost $).
I have a digital DSLR and two film, I use both. Film keeps me on my toes and makes me think about the shot before I click the shutter button. DSLR lets me play around more.
I have a digital DSLR and two film, I use both. Film keeps me on my toes and makes me think about the shot before I click the shutter button. DSLR lets me play around more.
Sep 27, 2011 13:19:35 #
The 35mm film camera used in the manual mode gets to the fundamentals of creative photography but its expensive. The digital SLRs are the same as 35mm SLR without the film. If you experiment with manual mode, S mode, A mode, learn what they are what they control you will be able to apply that knowledge to either film or digital and really open up your creative side.
Sep 27, 2011 13:26:53 #
The 35mm film camera used in the manual mode gets to the fundamentals of creative photography but its expensive. The digital SLRs are the same as 35mm SLR without the film. If you experiment with manual mode, S mode, A mode, learn what they are what they control you will be able to apply that knowledge to either film or digital and really open up your creative side. The point & shoot offers no controls over lighting at all. If you want creative control buy a dslr camera rather then a point& shoot.
Sep 27, 2011 16:25:50 #
Sep 27, 2011 19:33:23 #
stansgrl63 wrote:
I own a 35 mm camera and a point and shoot. Which is easier to learn with the 35 mm or a digital?
Are you talking 35mm film camera as in pre-DSLR?
Using a 35mm film camera will teach you a lot fast. The problem is getting the film developed and the associated costs.
In my opinion, learning to be a photographer (as opposed to taking pictures) on an automatic P&S is akin to trying to become a race car driver on an automatic transmission car. I think all the automation enables you to NOT learn what you are doing.
The relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO (or film speed) isn't all that hard, but automatic cameras make it possible to take pretty good pictures without knowing anything.
Most of us learn what we have to learn and skip the rest. So for learning purposes? 35mm.
But you'll get prettier pictures faster and cheaper on a P&S.
Sep 28, 2011 00:33:12 #
Thank you fivedawgz, it is a 35 mm film camera....Vivitar. I also use the p/s but it has minimal settings.....that's why I was asking.
Sep 28, 2011 00:37:44 #
stansgrl63 wrote:
Thank you fivedawgz, it is a 35 mm film camera....Vivitar. I also use the p/s but it has minimal settings.....that's why I was asking.
Like most photographers of my generation, I learned on a 35mm that was totally non automatic. You learn a LOT shooting that way and you learn it quickly and thoroughly. Ironically, I didn't realize how much I knew and how well I'd learned it until I started sharing with people who learned on automated cameras and I realized that many of them really didn't understand the basic stuff, the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
A non automatic camera? I think it's the best way to learn, but you have to find some way to deal with developing the film. That used to be easy, but not so easy nowadays.
Sep 28, 2011 00:43:44 #
I have used the 35 mm a little, but like you said the film costs will get expensive.....But I want to learn old school so I know what I want in the photo when I get my dslr. I have been looking around for one, and I'm pretty sure which one I want now......Thanks once again!
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