So, has the 35mm camera gone by the wayside

[vickistark]

I am asking because I have a really nice 35mm with lenses. Then I have a sony cybershot dcs h5. My question is would it easier for me to learn manual settings if I used the 35mm to play with or stick with the digital. I realize the downside to the 35 mm is having to process the film and the digital is more instantaneous. However the 35 mm has more in the way of lens options to offer and I be a lot less limited. If you were just starting out and the choice to make, which one would you choose?

[Jim Bryant]

Hey, so as long as there's film to be shot, go for it. You'll learn more about photography when shooting film that a dSLR that basically thinks for you. I call em (dSLR's) PhD cameras. "Press here Dummy!"

[vickistark]

I think that is what is confusing me about the digital. I adjust one thing and then the camera will automatically adjust other aspects. Well how am I suppose to learn and know what is best and why if I know I don't have to think about this if I do that. My next question would be can I post non digital pics here as well? I think I am still gonna shoot with the digital but my main camera for the moment is gonna be the 35mm until I get a better grasp on things. My reasoning is that I will put more thought and effort into a shot and try to get it right if I know I have to pay to see it. On the upside I can go on the local army post and develop them myself and get the experience of that as well!

[b4b]

Originally Posted by vickistark

I think that is what is confusing me about the digital. I adjust one thing and then the camera will automatically adjust other aspects. Well how am I suppose to learn and know what is best and why if I know I don't have to think about this if I do that. My next question would be can I post non digital pics here as well? I think I am still gonna shoot with the digital but my main camera for the moment is gonna be the 35mm until I get a better grasp on things. My reasoning is that I will put more thought and effort into a shot and try to get it right if I know I have to pay to see it. On the upside I can go on the local army post and develop them myself and get the experience of that as well!

that is because you are not using it in manual mode but some other mode, that camera comes with manual so check out

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review
Modes
• Program
• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Manual
• 7-preset select scene modes

have fun!

[Sterling]

IMO, the learning curve for a beginner is much, much longer when shooting film. Unless they take very detailed notes as they shoot, it's likely they will not remember the manual settings used when finally see their photos hours (and more likely days) later. Without timely feedback it is really tough to improve quickly. Instant feedback is a huge advantage for digital for a beginner.

[Raoul Isidro]

I still use my F2AS and F1n from time to time.
The FM3A is a good way to start to learn film.
The F2AS and FM3A can work without any batteries or electrical power.
It is fully manual.
Cheers

[BCampbell]

You can learn a lot from the Cybershot, and everything you learn will translate over if you get a DSLR. Especially important is learning details of the exposure triangle, shooting in different situations, and composition basics. You'll eventually be limited by not having other lens options, but if you don't even know how to use manual settings you go quite a while, learning a lot from that camera.

One of the things about digital photography that flattens the learning cure is EXIF data. By examing a photos EXIF, you'll know what your focal length was, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, for easy comparison. If you shoot five test shots at different apertures, the camera automatically records which was which. On film, you have to note this manually. I've done this, and it's not fun, and if you're not good at taking notes it can get really confusing.

But, taking notes while shooting can be fun, and there are few better ways to self teach. The 35mm can teach you a lot too, especially if you have a good selection of lenses, It'll just cost you some money to sustain that learning. It's sort of like driving a 1979 Rabbit with a manual transmission vs a brand new automatic Accord. They'll both teach you a lot about driving, but in different ways and the process will be different.

I would say carry both with you, unless the film camera is extraordinarily bulky. No reason you can't use both. What model is the camera and what lenses do you have?