When did digital photography overtake film?, the most frequent question asked by photography enthusiasts, is still being debated. There’s no denying that the advent of digital cameras has transformed the way people take pictures, but it’s not entirely clear when digital photography truly overtook film. This question will remain controversial until such time as digital photography surpasses film in total market value. In the meantime, the two mediums are gaining popularity.
There are still many photographers who use film, but it’s unlikely that the latter will completely replace it. Film will continue to complement digital, and will eventually disappear in areas where digital excels. For instance, in professional newspapers, film has largely been phased out, though some small towns and amateurs continue to shoot film. Digital capture systems have not yet replaced 8×10″ large format film, a type of film that is still used for big exhibition prints requiring hellacious detail.
The use of film lenses on digital cameras has also remained popular for a while. Many cameras can be used with film lenses, such as those made by Nikon. CMOS technology has made digital cameras more affordable by allowing manufacturers to produce cheap sensors. It’s also made camera phones widespread. With these benefits, it’s no wonder that digital photography has taken over film. But when did digital photography overtake film?
