The $1.00 digital camera

On a recent trip I shot film and digital side-by-side for the exact same shots. In most cases, the digital was fine, but the question is: How expensive of a film do you need to get?

The answer is rather suprising. You don't need to buy Velvia. You don't even need Portra or Provia. The answer is as close as the local Wal-Mart. Fujicolor ISO-100 speed print film. I even found it for the bargain price of $2.50 for four 24-exposure rolls. Processing costs me $1.76 per roll.

How does it compare to Digital? Well look here:

Obviously, these are heavily reduced images. There is little need to look at 100% crops because there is a fixation on the known differences. What I am showing here, is how a film image--even from the least expensive film option on the market is not only a good match to a very good digital sensor, but is arguably better in colors.

When scanned properly and attempts are made to "normalize" the images to typical use, it is clear that film is still viable today.