The world of film making is loaded with choices and decisions. Among those, what script to produce as well as what team to put together are very important. However, another very crucial question that must be answered is whether you wish to use a film camera such as a High 8 or a digital camera that uses a hard drive or an SD memory card.
Whether film or digital is your choice, both are perfectly fine. However, each one has its own list of advantages and disadvantages. Listed below are just a few for both methods.
Film Camera
A film camera is just that, a camera that uses film. Some of the better known film cameras are the High 8, which is a camera whose images are very clear; fairly close to digital. There are also 16mm cameras and of course super 8 cameras, these are the old reel to reel cameras created before VCR’s.
Film cameras offer a richer looking film. However, this form does require the need for processing. While this task usually only takes a day or two, it is very difficult to find a processing center willing to work with a filmmaker on a budget. If you do in fact find one, your reward will be a clear and engaging film.
Camcorders are another option and these use VCR tapes. These tapes are readily available and usually very inexpensive. However, the disadvantages to using a tape camcorder are the fact that you must rewind the tape in order to see what you have shot. If you are not satisfied with the scene, you must either tape over it or use another tape. In addition, these tapes tend to wear down over time which can lead to poor film quality.
Film and tape have an additional downfall, they most often appear dark. In order to prevent this, your goal is to provide adequate light while maintaining a natural feel.
The Digital Camera
Today’s advances in technology have made digital cameras popular, moderately priced and easy to use. With digital, you are able to implement more effects and editing programs allowing you to produce a more professional looking film than you would with tape or 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.
A digital camera is very clear, however it is very difficult to capture the same shading and lighting every time unless you are an expert at editing programs and lighting.
It is very easy to check your work on a digital camera. A quick click on play and you can watch what you have already shot. If you don’t like what you see, simply click delete and its gone. No more worrying about wearing out a tape again.
Another advantage to using a digital camcorder is it’s much easier to upload your film to your computer for editing. All you have to do is connect the camera, upload the files and open your editing program. With a tape camcorder, you will need a convertor to connect to the computer.
Special effects are a breeze with a digital camcorder as well. All you need is to open the files already loaded on your computer and simply add the effects you desire.
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.
Before choosing the camera that is right for you, you must first ask yourself some questions. Do you want the ease and convenience of a digital camera? Or, do you prefer look and feel of the old school film and tape cameras?
Once you decide this, it will make the choices much easier to make.