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You'll probably go further with a DSLR because of all the ease and opportunity presented with digital!. Film is always great if you are able to use a darkroom!. If you're just going to take your film to be developed at a store, then there's no point!. Learning to develop your own film and working in the darkroom is the best part of using film! With digital, you can see your photo immediatly after you've taken it, and then learn further by decided which settings to change right then and there to better your photo!. Digital editing also goes further than film/darkroom editing, and it can be easier to learn as well!.

I would never tell someone NOT to shoot film unless they were simply getting it developed at a store!. That's like buying one of those disposable cameras!. I think to fully appreciate film and photographic history, one must develop their own film in the darkroom!.

The two best systems for beginngers are Canon and Nikon!. They are both good brands and very popular!. I believe the Nikon D40 is THE cheapest Digital SLR and a great beginner's camera!. Canon's cheapest and beginner's camera is the Canon Rebel XT!. Though, I believe they have just released a newer version of the Rebel, called the XSi!. It is the most expensive Rebel camera!. I personally have the Rebel XTi, which is an updated version of the XT and second cheapest!.
Canon: http://www!.usa!.canon!.com/consumer/contro!.!.!.
Nikon: http://www!.nikonusa!.com/Find-Your-Nikon/!.!.!.

The best way to choose is to go to a store that has the two brands on display!. Pick them up and use them!. Play with all the controls!. I have many friends that prefer Nikon!. I personally prefer Canon because it was much more user-friendly to me!. I had NO knowledge of SLR's when I first picked up the Canon Rebel XTi, but I was instantly amazed and captivated when I began shooting with it!. And when I had picked up a Nikon previously, I had actually found it boring and was unimpressed!. They are both very different systems and either one may appeal to you!. Try them each for yourself before taking anyone's opinion seriously!.

So recap:
Film - Only if you are going to develop it yourself!.
Digital - Many more possibilities!.

Canon - one of the Rebel models, like Rebel XT or Rebel XTi
Nikon - Nikon D40Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Why don't you get a film SLR!?

If you want to learn photography, you have to really learn exposure without the computer!. There's going to be many times when the computer won't work correct, and you need to be able to make manual adjustments!.

High quality film SLR and lenses are so cheap these days that you get yourself a nice pair for under $100 (see ebay link)!. A digital SLR and lens costs $1000!. You always can get the film SLR and then "upgrade" in the future!.

I still personally like film better, so I wouldn't consider it an upgrade!. Since you can't take a million photos, it makes you think a little bit more about your photo before you take a picture!. I think it forces you to become a better photographer!.

If you are into street photography, you might want to consider rangefinders!. Rangefinders and SLRs have some advantages and disadvantages (see second link)!. I can take as nice of photos with my smaller rangefinder as a big cumbersome Nikon D80!.

I don't know why toxxikk said you only should shoot film if you develop it yourself!. That's ludicrous!. Developing film and taking pictures are two separate entities!. Besides, the only realistic type of film you can develop yourself is black and white!. There are plenty of professional photographers who have their film developed!.
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I prefer digital, but film can be fun too!.

I'll tell you what I tell other people!. The best camera for you isn't the same as the best for someone else!. What you need to do is think about your needs!. You've already said that you want something easy to operate--basically a point-and-shoot camera!. Go to Wal-Mart or Best Buy (or somewhere else like that) and look at what's there!. Play around with the models (you can do it at either of those places)!. Take pictures in the store!. Then choose the one that feels right to you!. You can't go wrong!.

I once bought a camera without playing with it, and ended up very disappointed!.

A couple of things to keep in mind:
*When looking at zoom, you want a higher optical zoom and smaller (preferably no) digital zoom!.
*With your budget, you also want to think about extras--batteries, chargers, cases, memory cards, etc!.
*Most importantly: You get what you pay for!. So don't think that you're going to get the most professional photos with a $250 camera or that the camera is going to last forever!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I have just got a digital SLR today, Nikon D40 and so far I am really happy with it!. I am also just getting into photography and after my digital camera broke I decided to get something better!. My mum already has a (Pentax!?) film SLR which she has had for 20-30 years and it still works incredibly well even though it has a few tumbles over the years; but once I showed her my new camera she seemed thrilled!.

The difference is that the digital means it will be heavier and also in my opinion it is more like to break because it is electrical, so don't get it wet, protect it with your life!. With Film you can start straight away as soon as you add batteries and I have to charge my DSLR (1hr 30mins for fully charge), and it is nice to be able to get up and go!.
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it really depends if you want to work with film or if you want to do it new school

film cameras are going by the wayside!.!.which is unfortunate because I feel that when I develop my own pictures that I have a greater since of accomplishment!.

If you are working as an independent photographer it really doesn't matter what type you choose but if you plan to work for a magazine or some other kind of company they will expect you to have a digital camera!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

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