>>2595676I used to work with digital files on a day to day basis not much long ago. And, as a matter of fact I'm looking into buying a fuji x100s.
But when we talk of starter cameras, generally, we're talking of slr. And most digital slr are not as simple as fuji, and does have a intrincated interface, especially when compared to old film ones (newer film slr are also complex, though not as much).
A canon t3i has a lot of buttons and wheels and none of them says clearly what aperture or shutter speed is set, not to mention the kit lenses (pic related). However the spotmatic has a big wheel for shutter speed, a smaller one for ISO, and a ring for aperture.
And if one take a picture with the t3i, one should dump them on a computer, and god knows what contrast and colors will a laptop screen display. In comparison, if one dumps a roll of portra at a good lab, he'll get the pictures on paper, to appreciate, with the tones well corrected by some professional - in this matter, I am picky on the workshops I give.
This is what I was talking about. It is not a matter of whether shooting digital or film is better; it is about keeping it simple at the start.
Nonetheless... I don't think a slr is a good start, because for me it isn't a good ending - I rather take a tlr or a rangefinder anyday. So, I agree with you a fuji could be a good start as well.