It has come to my attention that it may be prudent to make the switch from my 1985 Minolta X-700 SLR film camera to a semi-pro digital format. I've been holding on for some time now, because I love my camera. But film and developing costs, the time it takes to get developing done, and the lack of control I have over said developing are getting harder to deal with. I can't "compete" with people whose shots are instantly available, so some of it's probably jealousy. Yesterday I did a photo shoot of a dog I'm to do a portrait for, and was forced to use my SLR because the little digital one doesn't shoot fast enough--but this means that I have to go get three rolls of film developed to get the one shot I want to use.

I should confess that some of what's been holding me back is pure snobbery. For instance, for me to get a nice macro shot, it means screwing magnifying lenses onto my camera and taking numerous shots to get something in focus--with that magnification, breathing can throw it off. I assume that people using a macro setting on a digital SLR camera don't have that problem. I'm assuming there's autofocus involved. Therefore, when I do get something, I feel proud that it was "all me" or whatever. But who's to know that anyway, when there are so few people using film cameras anymore? No, it's not a pretty reason, but it is a factor. Another is, well, I love the way my photos look. Will they look like that when I switch?

I don't know. I still have mixed feelings about it. Which is why I bring it to you. How do you feel about your digital camera? Did you make a switch from a film camera you really liked? What was involved in that decision? And what do you have to say about the cameras that are out there now?

x-posted to LJ