Fast SD cards

twopenny

That's true.
Our local photographer only takes a good pocket camera with him.

Mine needs replacing because the rocker switches work or don't randomly and it won't connect with the computer.
I'd get the same again if it was in decent condition. A good all rounder 

Newcad

Why are the Pros better?

They have probably learned using 35mm film, you get 24 or 36 shots to a roll, and you can't see the result of a shot until the film is developed/printed.

So you learn to think carefully and compose your shots carefully before you press the button.

Speed? 100 ASA for general use, 64 ASA for stuff like still life, 200 or 400 ASA for sports/action.

You can pick up good make 35mm SLRs and lenses for a fraction of their original prices. Film can still be bought and processing/printing services  can still be found or you can still get the equipment and chemicals to develop and print yourself. (Again darkroom equipment can still be bought very cheaply).

Using 35mm film teaches you the basics of photography and how to use a camera well - and then you can apply that to digital photography.

How dedicated, how good at photography do you want to get?

Marketers wiil suggest that their equipment will make you an expert - but that's never true and you have to put the effort in to get good.

twopenny

Newcad I got certificates in photography when we were winding our own film and developing it. Borrowing top class cameras to learn on.
Had a half frame camera, cheap import with a top class lens.
An excellent freebie with cigarette coupons.
First digital s.

Weirdly I took the card out and it's a super fast - puts head in hands!!
And photographing today yes, very slow shutter speed. Probably part of it deteriorating.

MyRealNameToo

Newcad said:

Why are the Pros better?

They have probably learned using 35mm film, you get 24 or 36 shots to a roll, and you can't see the result of a shot until the film is developed/printed.

Think you are showing your age there @Newcad! 

The chap I was referring to learnt on 120 film but he would have been in his late 70s now. Digital became the mainstream in early 2000s so any pro that started in the last 20 years probably didnt start with film cameras but may have used one at some point. 

Newcad

Yep I'm 65 and still have my 35mm cameras, SLRs and compacts. Although I don't use them much at all.

As a kid in the 1960s I had a folding camera that used 120 film and a german camera that took 127 (as well as the more common 126 and 110 cameras) it was mid 70s that I got my first 35mm (not a SLR).

There is no doubt that digital photography is simpler to use, maybe too simple?
The fact that you can see the results there and then (and don't have to buy film or pay for processing) is exactly what the mass market wants.

However the discipline learned using film, composition, lighting, even timing does carry over to digital and means you can get good results with a just few shots carefully taken, rather than taking multiple shots and hoping that one or two of them will be be decent.

PS. The Manchester School of Photography runs film photography courses for anyone wanting to learn:
https://www.manchesterschoolofphotography.com/film-photography-course-1

I'm sure you will be able to find similar courses local to you wherever you live.