About 35 years ago I was heavy into film photography and really learned it both technically and artisticly. Last year I purchased a Nikon 880 and have been learning digital imageing. Here are some observations; Film is a lot more versatile than the basic element of a digital camera the CCD array......The dynamic range of a CCD array is about twice that of film.....There are almost a hundred photo manipulation tools. Most work on digital images from a camera or a scanner of the negative or print....The Nikon 995 has the minimum size CCD for serious professional work. I expect that there will be some 6.0 to 10.0 meg cameras available for $1000 to $1500 next year or so....It takes a 3.3 meg image to get a good 11" x17" print..I expect the snapshot market to be 30% digital in a few years....The digital camera gives you lots of control up front and as Jordy says, instant feedback. It is very quick to process and no messy darkroom. With a large memory in place you can shoot and shoot without incuring more cost. Throw away what is unsuitable.....Digital cameras are not much on fast moving subjects,TOO much think time in the camera.....Using a good digital camera encourages many people to take more pictures of everything they are involved in each day..... You will invest about as much in hardware for camera support and software as you spend on the camera. This does not count the computer or printer. The costs of both are coming down.....Jump in the water is fine!