Personally I’ve always been interested in photography and have had DSLRs and mirrorless cameras in the past, but am now interested in more constrained cameras like the Fuji x100v.
(The "real" camera has changed over the years; I used to shoot Nikon DSLRs but switched to a Sony a6400 [that I hate] and am contemplating a switch again, either to a full-frame Sony or a Canon R6.)
I’m especially fond of combining a5100 with compact old manual lenses like a weird 35/1.2 from a film projector, or a Minolta 50/1.7. That, or some compact telephoto like Sony’s excellent 18-135, shooting in Raw, and getting familiar with Lightroom or Darktable, and you have images impossible or very difficult to achieve with a best smartphone and endless creative possibilities of interchangeable optics. And it fits in most large pockets!
It's a feedback loop where film caused me to be more selective, being more selective means taking few pictures, including digital pictures, and taking fewer pictures reduces the economic efficiency gap between film and digital.
Which wouldn't make as much of a difference if the aesthetic experience of film cameras weren't so different from a DSLR/mirrorless camera...again for me.
And if the differences in my aesthetic experience among film cameras could not vary so widely. I recently traveled with six film cameras each of which physically makes a different type of picture because each produces a different aspect ratio...3:1, 9:4, 3:2,.4:3, 1:1 3:4 [1]
Just for clarity, one of my favorite digital cameras is the Sony NEX C3 which is a tiny 16mp APSC camera...literally about the size of a point and shoot. Put a pancake lens on it like the 16-50 PZ or 16mm f2.8 and you can put a lot of camera in a small pocket when you walk the dog.
However, I have three film cameras that fit in a small pocket and produce great negatives each of which was less than $100, doesn't require batteries and brings me joy to shoot...the NEX C3 really doesn't, it is only a better aesthetic experience compared to other digital cameras.
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All this with the caveat that if I was shooting weddings for, I'd make radically different choices. Digital cameras are great tools for commercial work. And they are great ways to chase the joy of making pictures.
Where I wound up is that part of the normal digital workflow is sitting at the computer right after making the pictures wasn't something I enjoyed. For me, it's nice to just put the exposed film in a drawer until a development day. Nice not to be in a hurry. YMMV.
Good luck.
[1]: 4:3 and 3:4 because the Chiaka exposes half frame 35mm in portrait and the Pentax 645 shoots in landscape on 120.
I wore out my Nikon D40 (not the D40x), the shutter lasted about 29,000 photos.
I really like my Nikon D5100 DSLR, but haven't been able to use it in a while due to health constraints.
The most constraining camera to have fun with is one of those little 2AA powered Nikon zoom cameras for about $100. They shoot video, megapixel images, and record to SD cards. You can probably pick one up for almost nothing these days, used.
When I want to specifically set out to exercise my photo hobby, I usually take my Cannon R5 mirrorless, lens(es) and appropriate other accessories. I picked it up last year, migrating from a DSLR.
For some time I carried a Cannon compact in my daily carry bag but I just rarely pulled it out, usually relying on my phone. So I operate at either end of the spectrum.
When I don't use my Android camera (which takes terrible photos), I use the Canon M200, usually for hiking, trips, or events. It takes excellent, printable photos. I bought a leather case off Amazon. I transfer to the computer using the SD card. Fast and simple.
When traveling and expecting to shoot landscapes, a compact with 5x zoom. If shooting in studio, then DSLR with prime lenses.
I used to shoot 35mm film, so I still spend time with framing, composition, vantage point, etc; then shoot. I find it easier to get the pix right instead of needing to fine tune on a computer.
I've heard nothing but love for the Fuji cameras, especially with regards to color science.
Ultimately it depends on what you want to shoot.
There are some "pancake" lenses available, which when paired with these older models (also the X-T30 or some other smaller mirrorless) works out to be similar to the X100 lineup
Mostly, iPhone camera, works great almost always with me.
But phones are addicting and distracting. Lately, at home, I have been carrying my GoPro with me and using that a lot more. It is especially great for making videos, stabilization is better in GoPro. Photo quality is lower though. At home, I am mostly interested in capturing moments with my kids, quality is not that important.
And my favorite camera is x100f. It is absolute joy to use. It is like driving Ferrari vs Outback. Both cars will get you there, but one is not about getting there. It is about enjoying the process.
I take it out once or twice a week, and use it on special occasions. Sometimes, I use it for kids photos and sometimes, I am just playing with it, taking random photos, at home or on walks/hiking.
I highly recommend Fuji x100 series.
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