By CHERYL ROGERS
If you're using a film Single Lens Reflex camera, you may feel like you're riding a horse and buggy in the car age. But you CAN get more mileage out of your equipment.

These sturdy 35mm cameras, the old media workhorses, are as capable as ever for high quality, professional images -- when immediacy is not essential. So you may want pay-as-you-go for film and milk them for what they're worth, instead of paying for their digital equivalents.

Make the most of your equipment by shooting slide film for more accurate, vibrant color. Then get your slides scanned at high resolutions, from 2000 to 4000 dpi, to maximize their potential. Be sure to shop around for pricing and build extra time into your production schedule.

A local service is preferable if you can get a good price, but it may be worth your time to order scanning through an online service. Be sure you are pricing comparable scans and find out where the processing occurs. Is it at their plant, or is your film reshipped, possibly outside the United States?

Expect to pay 50 cents or more online per scan, plus shipping. It's well worth it, considering larger-pixel images will help you compete more effectively with digital camera photos.

After trying a few scanned photos you'll know if the results are satisfactory for your purposes. If they are, you may want to consider shopping for used lenses to expand your capabilities. An all-purpose zoom for travel, a wide angle, a telephoto, or macro lens are good options.

Look for these lenses locally at photo stores, or online at Ebay, but check for scratches. If you expect to eventually buy a digital camera, look for lenses which can be used interchangeably with both types of cameras. This will keep costs down when you transition because you can buy just the camera body. (See shopping tips below.)

I own a Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5/6.3 XRDi lens which is interchangeable for Canon mount film and digital SLR cameras. It operates like a 44-465 mm with APS-C size digital cameras.

Those relying on a built-in flash may want to consider buying a used flash unit to broaden shooting capabilities in low-light situations.

Though you may get by awhile longer on a film camera, you may find yourself eyeing others' digital cameras. You may wonder if you can afford one, or if you can justify the expense.

Keep reading for more information about making the switch. And know that, no matter what camera you're using, you'll get the best product by improving your photo composition skills, learning more about your camera settings and how to create artistic effects.

For the hobbyist, or part-time professional, film cameras still provide a viable option -- but let's face it, a lot of folks are abandoning film!

When I visited my local photo shop recently, they had one -- yeah, you read it right -- one roll of slide film. It wasn't the kind I wanted, but there wasn't much choice. It's all they had! So I bought it and plan to shoot it, then send it off to be developed one place and scanned another.

Those with deadlines and who shoot larger volumes, may find the process just too cumbersome and retire their old film cameras...

If the truth be told, you can still get a higher quality image from a high quality scan, unless maybe you own a professional grade SLR retailing for $7,000 or so. But you won't want to pay for high-quality scans for your entire roll!

Users must ultimately make the best choice for themselves. Will they shoot just a few pictures every month, requiring only an occasional high-quality image? If so, paying $20 plus shipping for a great scan is no big deal. Or will they shoot higher volumes where medium quality is sufficient? If so, digital may be more practical. They may be in the market for an entry SLR digital camera like the Nikon D100 or the semi-professional Canon 30D or 40D.

Let's face it, if you don't have to pay for film you may shoot more pictures. That will likely improve your skill, but only you can decide if the timing is right.

Buying an SLR digital camera isn't cheap, so you'll want to do your homework before making the transition. Here are some tips to make the process easier.

* Check reviews on SLR digital cameras to determine which brand and product best meets your needs and budget. Consider sticking with your same name brand SLR camera, if lenses are compatible.

* Get prices from various resellers, but beware if the prices seem too good to be true. They just might be! Legitimate businesses can't afford to sell their equipment for less than wholesale, unless they make it up on accessories. If price is a factor, consider buying used equipment from a reputable seller. You may want to shop EBay, but consider a Power Seller, check the seller's ratings before you bid, and be sure to use your credit card.

* Know what you are getting for your money. Your SLR will require a battery and battery recharger, a flash card and reader, and a host of other possible add-ons such as a camera strap, bag, tripod, filters and lenses for assorted uses. You can choose to buy the body only or a kit with one or more lenses. You may have a built-in flash unit, or you may want to buy a more powerful flash unit.

* Don't expect your lenses to give you the same focus lengths as they did on a film camera. Even when buying new, check to find the digital equivalent. For example the Canon EF-S 17-85 mm has the focal length of a 28-135 mm on a film camera, or 1.6 times the value.

* If you're not sure what you want, consider borrowing or renting equipment before you purchase.

If your budget won't allow a digital SLR right now, you may want to consider a long-range plan, limiting your purchases to lenses which will serve you now -- and in the future.