I've kind of struggled with the film/digital thing, but ultimately have decided for me it's digital all the way, baby. There's just so much less BS and money spent. No film. No scanning. Instant results! If I had a darkroom, I might think differently, but then again, I doubt it. I'd probably use a darkroom about as much as I'd use a stationary bike. I think of my film camera (Minolta - bought used, still an excellent camera) as a romantic notion now. I haven't used it much, if at all, since I got my first digital camera in 98.

Currently, I'm using an HP Photosmart 912. It operates on automatic or like an SLR (specs here). The camera's only drawback (I'll have been using it for a year in July) is its 2.24 megapixel resolution. While it's fine for web stuff, I don't know about print quality. I'm getting another camera in a few months time specifically because of the print quality. In the meantime, I really love my camera.

The 912 cost over $1000 last July. The Minolta $200 US in 96. But, when I think of all the film I burned...Particularly when you're just starting out!

Not like I'm a professional photographer or anything, but I love the hell out of digital cameras. There are two major drawbacks with a digital camera, I've found, though:

a) Most of them eat batteries like we would eat chocolate
and
b) After the pictures are taken, you have no physical photograph.

a) is easily remedied by using a Sony Cybershot. Mine (an old DSC-S30) has a rechargeable battery pack in the camera, so you just plug the recharging cord into the camera and the wall, and presto, a couple of hours later, your camera is fully charged.

b) means you need to get a camera that's 3.3 megapixels or higher to get really decent printouts of your work. I wouldn't recommend anything less than 3.3. Mine is 1.3, and I've printed out a couple of things, but they were tiny prints and even then they came out a little spotty, at best.

The advantage of digital, of course, is that there's no wasting of film. You can immediately preview your shot, and if you don't like it, delete it. I could NOT go back to film at this point, because I could not lose the ability to see the shot I've just taken.

Price could be an issue, though. Digitals are, obviously, much more expensive. I spent $500 US on mine and then won another worth $500 US the next year (which is crap. I hate Olympus!). Look to spend at least $700 CAD for a decent one these days, I think.

You are invited to check the pages dedicated to... Thanks!!!