How to Tell the Difference between Film and Digital Cameras
For filmmakers, it's hard enough to decide what script to produce and what team to put together to create each film. One of these decisions that you will have to make will be what camera to use. Do you use a camera that utilizes film; for example a High 8 camera? Or do you use a digital camera that either uses its own Hard drive, or you can use an SD memory card?
Whether you choose film or digital, they both provide excellent films. However, when making your choice, there are a few advantages and disadvantages for both. Here are just a few.
Film Camera
As you would suspect, a film camera requires film. The most recognized film camera is the High 8. This cameras film quality is very similar to that of a digital camera. Additional models include the 16mm and the Super 8 which are the old reel to reel cameras invented way before VCR's.
If you choose a film camera, you will find you will have a richer look to your film. Disadvantages to using film are, having to have the film sent out to be processed before seeing what you shot. It takes about a day or so to have the film processed and it's not easy to find a center who will take filmmakers on a budget. If you do, you can have an engaging and professional looking film.
Most camcorders use tapes that can fit into VCR's. These are cheap and easy to find. The disadvantages of using them are, you need to rewind the tape often to check your scenes, and if you aren't satisfied with what you have shot, you must either tape over it, or use a new tape. Tapes do wear down over time, and even after only a few tapings you will notice wear and the picture is usually not as clear.
You will also have to light your scene well. There are times with film or tape the scene will appear very dark and you can't make out anything. Light the scene so you know what's happening, but that it looks natural.
The Digital Camera
Today's technological advances have made finding new digital cameras a walk in the park. In addition, digital offers special effects and editing programs you can't get with film or tape which allows you the ability to produce a more professional looking film.
Digital does have a disadvantage. If you compare a photo taken with an old 35mm camera to one taken with a digital camera, you will see that the digital photo is excessively bright and clear and contains no depth.
Digital is very clear, depending on the pixels you have on the camera, but you can't get the same shading and light tones unless you are pretty good at your lighting and editing programs.
Digital is very easy to use as you can check your work immediately just by clicking play or hooking the camera up to a computer. If you find something you don't like, simply click the delete button and its gone. No need to worry about wearing out the film or tape.
Another fabulous advantage to a digital camcorder is the fact that all you have to do is connect it to your computer, upload your files and open your editing program. With a tape camcorder, a converter is needed in order to connect to your computer.
Adding special effects could not be easier with a digital camcorder. All you have to do is open the files of special effects already loaded on your computer and enter the ones you want to your film.
The final flaw to using a digital camcorder is the fact that ones that use a hard drive can be fairly expensive. Oftentimes, they run anywhere from $400 and up. However, there are camcorders available that use an SD or XD memory card just like your still camera. These are usually much cheaper, but their quality is just the same as the expensive ones.
In order to purchase the right camera for you, you must first ask yourself a few simple questions. Are you more comfortable with the old school tape and film cameras? Or, do you want the ease and convenience of digital?
Once you know your preference, the rest of the decisions will be a piece of cake. - 23815
Whether you choose film or digital, they both provide excellent films. However, when making your choice, there are a few advantages and disadvantages for both. Here are just a few.
Film Camera
As you would suspect, a film camera requires film. The most recognized film camera is the High 8. This cameras film quality is very similar to that of a digital camera. Additional models include the 16mm and the Super 8 which are the old reel to reel cameras invented way before VCR's.
If you choose a film camera, you will find you will have a richer look to your film. Disadvantages to using film are, having to have the film sent out to be processed before seeing what you shot. It takes about a day or so to have the film processed and it's not easy to find a center who will take filmmakers on a budget. If you do, you can have an engaging and professional looking film.
Most camcorders use tapes that can fit into VCR's. These are cheap and easy to find. The disadvantages of using them are, you need to rewind the tape often to check your scenes, and if you aren't satisfied with what you have shot, you must either tape over it, or use a new tape. Tapes do wear down over time, and even after only a few tapings you will notice wear and the picture is usually not as clear.
You will also have to light your scene well. There are times with film or tape the scene will appear very dark and you can't make out anything. Light the scene so you know what's happening, but that it looks natural.
The Digital Camera
Today's technological advances have made finding new digital cameras a walk in the park. In addition, digital offers special effects and editing programs you can't get with film or tape which allows you the ability to produce a more professional looking film.
Digital does have a disadvantage. If you compare a photo taken with an old 35mm camera to one taken with a digital camera, you will see that the digital photo is excessively bright and clear and contains no depth.
Digital is very clear, depending on the pixels you have on the camera, but you can't get the same shading and light tones unless you are pretty good at your lighting and editing programs.
Digital is very easy to use as you can check your work immediately just by clicking play or hooking the camera up to a computer. If you find something you don't like, simply click the delete button and its gone. No need to worry about wearing out the film or tape.
Another fabulous advantage to a digital camcorder is the fact that all you have to do is connect it to your computer, upload your files and open your editing program. With a tape camcorder, a converter is needed in order to connect to your computer.
Adding special effects could not be easier with a digital camcorder. All you have to do is open the files of special effects already loaded on your computer and enter the ones you want to your film.
The final flaw to using a digital camcorder is the fact that ones that use a hard drive can be fairly expensive. Oftentimes, they run anywhere from $400 and up. However, there are camcorders available that use an SD or XD memory card just like your still camera. These are usually much cheaper, but their quality is just the same as the expensive ones.
In order to purchase the right camera for you, you must first ask yourself a few simple questions. Are you more comfortable with the old school tape and film cameras? Or, do you want the ease and convenience of digital?
Once you know your preference, the rest of the decisions will be a piece of cake. - 23815
About the Author:
Marcy Burlock is a keen filmmaking enthusiast and featured writer on Clivir.com where she shares her filmmaking knowledge about Filmmaking Basics and Voice Over Work Filmmaking.
posted by X - Men at
12:12 AM
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