Will digital cameras ever replace film cameras?

[spectr17]

We're now up to a 14 megapixel camera. One only needs to look at where digital cameras were 5 years ago and compare that to today's cameras to see the death of film coming. Movie studios are finally moving over to digitial. The game camera community is moving over. The advantages and conveniences are just too great.

Professional photographers that have been playing around with digital say digital and 35mm will begin to get indistingushable at around 8 megapixels.

The last photographer to use silver halide has been born I dare say.

What do you think?

[shadow]

I don't think they will since the cost is probably a bit much for lower income family's. I also think the ability to stop in at the local gas station and pickup a "throw away" film camera because you forgot your regular camera at home or don't want to take the $500 digital to the lake for a day of swimming just to leave it unattended while you swim and play with the kids. Nor does everyone have the ability or have a computer to print thier own pictures in such quality to match the film quality. Cost is probably the biggest factor.

Digital (better and more cost effective in the long run and as an overall view)
$50 for extra batteries
$100 for extra memory cards
$400 for an OK digital camera
$1000+ for a computer to manipulate the digital pictures with
$250+ for a nice printer
$30+ per color ink cartridge that's only good for about 100-125 4x6 color pictures
$15+ for 20 sheets of premium photo paper, fits two 4x6 photos per sheet
Get to decide on which picture to print ~vs~ not print
Get to print what ever size you want and add whatever effects you want like shadows etc..
Ability to share photo's instantly with someone 1000 miles away.
$100 for an additional warranty to fix the camera in 1 1/2 when it breaks and the MFG warranty ran out.


Film (looks good to someone not looking at the long run picture or not wanting to spend the money on Digital)
$70 for a good point and click 35mm camera
$4 for an 8 pack of AA's that will run the camera for a year
$10 for 3 rolls of 24 exp film
$6 to have a one hour develope on one 24 exp. roll of film (at wal-mart you don't pay for the pics you don't want so the cost could go down)
Takes instant pictures to grab the exact moment in time you want to capture.
$5 throw away camera, great when you forget the expensive camera at home or don't want to expose the expensive one to the weather or public places like the beach

[traxman]

Good points shadow, but how long do you think it will be before the local drug store carries the throw away digital camera as well as the film one? My guess is that it iwll be closer to 5 than 10 years.

Nate

[martin]

Traxman, I think you are right on the money--I think that within 5 years, film cameras will go the way of button-up shoes.

[shadow]

great if it's possible to have a throw away digital camera but then you would still be left with taking it somewhere to get the pictures printed or retrieved for you. Not impossible but I think 5 years would be a reach. I think that if digitals were to ever replace film it would be more like 10 years. Look at the CD ~vs~ tapes...they are going away but tapes are still preaty strong and cd players are still optional on most cars you buy.

[AnnieAK]

It'll take time, but I think digital will replace film someday. I think pretty soon they'll have either have a place at the supermarket that will instantly print out your digital photos (aren't they working on this already?) or have a simple (drop in) gadget you can have at home that will print out photos you specify when you hook up your camera. They already have stuff like that; it's just a LITTLE expensive.

[EVAN III]

I don't think they will ever take over completely, there will always be a place for film, I don't see it being cost effective, to sell throw away digital. I think shadow has broken it down better then I could have.

[gizz]

Hmmm......i wonder if i should "short sell" some silver?

[docapi]

I guess the future is here already- I saw Digital one time use cameras at walgreens last week for $6.99. Didnt look all that close, but I did notice that it said you could preveiw and delete pictures you didn't like.

[amosgreg]

My wife and I were at Walmart and there were 3 digital Cameras for under $39 avaliable.
I think the best was 1.2 megapixels but still at under 40 bucks with software and a USB cable!
I don't think it wlill be 5 years on the very cost effective.