Bob Meier wrote:
"For the cost of a D30 I can buy almost two 1v. For a 1D (or whatever the
name will be) I could get probably 3-4 1v. Well, as a matter of
fact I am very happy with my two bodies and don't need anything new. I
rather invest all that money in lenses and film. But that's not all. A
digital camera does not allow me to project my slides. Well, I could
buy a digital projector. But for some nice resolution that would set me back
many thousands of dollars. So digital is far too expensive for me, even if I
count all the film, etc."
Once you try digital your cost comparison will be almost moot. You'll be
able to take "hundreds of rolls worth" equivalent at no cost to you. Sure
there is a much steeper start-up curve: Body, printer (The VERY capable
Epson is less than $150), memory cards (one 340 MB microdrive will handle
all but the most extended vacation, especially with Canon's RAW mode only
producing 2MB files), and a CD-RW drive for long term storage. The D30
comes with capable enough image processing software for most of us(Adobe
photoshop LE or the latest equivalent). Once you have these few essentials
your cost to make images will be NIL for that 99% of your work that you'll
never make prints of. You can pick up a new D30 for just over 2K on an
auction site. The rest is less than 1K. That makes 2 1Vs in my book. But
then you have to pay for film and processing. That limits your enjoyment of
that fine equipment and your hobby. On my personal budget I could afford
only 3-4 rolls of slide film w/processing per month. Average of about 100
photos per month, if I'm lucky. Now I can take that much in one weekend (My
large format compadres would, of course, call this a DUBIOUS advantage, at
best!) The literally THOUSANDS of images you can make for virtually NO COST
will rapidly improve your photo eye and greatly enhance your enjoyment of
the act of photography. I still take slides of the really worthwhile shots,
but I try the compositions and exposure via digital first. I've even found
I get more useable slides these days.
And lets be realistic here...How often are you able to corral a crowd to
project your images? Most of the people I can usually corral for these
shows are just as excited looking at a slideshow on my computer screen. For
that matter, you could cheaply display the images on your TV, which I
suspect friends and family spend a lot more time watching at your house
anyway. Even better, digital files allow me to share my work with people
who really appreciate photography all over the world via the internet
(provided my meager ability produces shots worth looking at). Again, that
is ALL OVER THE WORLD, not just bored friends and family who wonder why we
spend all that money and time on photography anyway because they've seen
better stuff in magazines and calenders.
Just two-cents from a bona-fide reformed retro-grouch...
B Fancher
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