Digital Cameras

Opinions about digital cameras are constantly changing as new models with improved technology make their way to the consumer. As with computers, things change so fast that by the time you get the new item home, it seems like it is already obsolete. The operative word here is "seems." The truth is, that if a device performs a task to your satisfaction and remains in good working order, then it really is not obsolete as long as it satisfies the need. Sure, you can always upgrade everything each time a new toy hits the street but the main question is one of practicality. Will the new item REALLY make that much of a difference in the completion of your tasks? Chances are that the answer will be no in many cases.

I am usually the last person on the block to buy a new toy when some new technology surfaces. I prefer to let the first units be tested by others and the bugs worked out long before I invest in something that may prove to cause me more problems than it solves. Such is the case with my computers, my computer operating system and even home stereo equipment. I prefer to buy something that has a proven track record. In short, I would never buy version "1.0" of anything. A little water under the bridge will usually help the quality and reliability go up while the price goes down. Don't jump on the band wagon the first time it passes your way. Be patient and you will spend your money far more wisely.

People are constantly asking me what I recommend. The answer is not that easy. It totally depends on what your requirements are. If you need huge files for professional commercial or portrait work, then you need to spend some serious money on a camera that will provide this sort of resolution. There are many to choose from and there are more each day so it is quite impossible to make a recommendation other than to read the reviews from independent sources and look for consistent comments in the plus column.

For me, film is still my primary image recording method because it is still superior to digital photography in spite of what many say. There are speed benefits and other conveniences with digital photography and I won't knock them. You just have to decide what is important to you. Digital photography does not have near the latitude that film photography does and it won't for quite some time. It is still much like working with transparency film. There is just not much room for error, particularly in the highlights. It doesn't matter how much Photoshop skill you or the lab has. If there is no information in the highlight area of the image, you can't wave a magic wand and make it appear. You are just out of luck. I find the idea of doing a wedding with many different lighting situations much more predictable when you have a recording medium that gives you room for variation in your exposure.

It's a big digital world out there and you have more choices that you can imagine. I think the best policy is always one of patience with a logical look at what your needs really are. Many people get into something new because of all the excitement surrounding it. While it may indeed be truly revolutionary for some, it may not be all that necessary for everyone. I frequently hear from photographers who "went digital" only to switch back to film in a few months because it was difficult to get consistent images that had good detail in both highlights and shadows. There is no doubt that digital is here to stay and is indeed a good thing but it is still in its infancy with many improvements to be made before it can truly be said that film is no longer the superior recording medium.

The choice is up to you. You can do fine work no matter what your choice is because as I have always said and always will say, "It's not what you own that makes you a great image maker....It's what you know." - Scott

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