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I would like to start photography, would it be a waste to buy a non digital camera?

Public Comments

1. Not really. It's a good way to learn. An inexpensive medium format camera like the Bronica ETR or Yashica Mat would be a good introduction to photography.
2. with the cost of cameras being so reasonable at the moment, I would suggest that you get a digital camera. Digital images are much easier to transfer without loss of quality and clarity / as well they can be enlarged without too much degradation. Buy an inexpensive one to begin with / then after you have gained some experience, you will then be better informed, as to the type and grade of camera, would be best to suite your, needs.
3. Not necessarily. Digital is cheap and easy. Go digital, then maybe play around with some non-digital cameras to see what you can come up with. They are fun and really cheap. I have 3 cameras in my bag, and 2 of them are film. The people I have worked with like the results of my film work in addition to the digital files. The film produces a whole different feel and look that I can't get with a digital. Problem is that my 120 film takes 2 weeks to get developed, while the 35mm and digital can be done on disc in a couple hours and prints only a few days (I don't print at Walgreen's, Wal Mart, or places like that). Digital is the way to go, but don't dismiss film as being a waste. Look at Terry Richardson's work and ask him if he thinks using a cheap point and shoot film camera is a waste.
4. A waste of what? Learn to use the tools you have or can afford and make quality product. Film isn't dead and it isn't a werewolf looking for a silver bullet. Learn both forms of the media if you can.
5. Not at all. Learning with a film camera teaches you to think about each shot, because there is a finite number of images for a given length of film - and you can't simply delete those that are bad. In short, you actually LEARN about photographic technique, and all those things that make for good photography. I cut my teeth on film about thirty years ago, and took a B&W darkroom course in college, in which I learned much, and which continue to benefit me nearly two decades later.
6. No it wouldn't.
7. No not at all I use both myself.I use a digital and a film camera for some different shoots. You may find yourself owning many different cameras down the line anyway so having more then one is always a plus one may have different settings then others. you may find you like one better then the other. It never hurts to have more then one camera.
8. I don't see it as being a waste. I do agree that with film photography you are more likely to not get as lazy as fast because you need to think about each shot and set it up perfectly. I personally love my film camera (SLR) that I bought for my photography class. Its one of those cameras that I will never get rid of. But it also depends on if you are willing to shell out about $8 every time you finish a roll of film. Personally I think everyone should learn on film, it makes you think a lot more about what you are doing.
9. My main camera is a 4x5 view camera that uses 4x5 sheet film. I own a Nikon D40 and D60 which are okay but film still does what I want. I have about a dozen 35mm bodies around here though I use the Pentax K1000 or the Nikon FM the most. To truly learn photography you need to learn film. Not to is like ignoring the history of photography as to how it has come to be. There is no way that photographers like Ansel Adams or Edward Weston could have done the work they have by ignoring the history of the very art they inspire. I also have a darkroom with both BW enlargers as well as a couple of color head enalrgers. There is nothing more beautiful than doing my own printing and seeing the image form as it is in the devloper. 31 years later since my first experience in the darkroom and it still fascinates me.
10. You should own both, but hands down, you will never learn from shooting digital what you can learn from shooting film. Before the digital age, photography was at least two thirds science and only one third "art". Although modern technology has allowed many mediocre photographers to pass as professionals, the two will never be equal. Photography is an art that is just as dependent on knowing the science of light as actually having artistic abilities. Buy a 35mm film camera, shoot black and white and develop your own film. Only by doing this will you ever be able to truly understand the way light works. Study what's called the "zone system". If you can learn to capture light the old way you will have a great advantage over all the photographers that depend on technology to make up for their lack of actual skill. Whether you shoot film or digital, you will never be able to fully control the way light works. By understanding the science of light you will be at a great advantage.