I want to get into photography. What is best to use? A digital camera or the older cameras pre-digital.?

15-20 years ago digital cameras were in their infancy and maybe that is where your informant is getting his/her information from.

You will struggle to buy a new film camera now (apart from Lomo fad toys) because Digital cameras caught them up and passed them 10-15 yrs ago.

Digital cameras do very well as far as color.

I would go with a digital camera to learn. You get instant feedback as to what your settings do. If you're serious about learning about photography, you will need an fully adjustable camera which means you have manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and focus. There are bridge cameras which are fancy point & shoot cameras which allow you to control the camera settings. However, most bridge cameras use a small sensor which poses some limitations. There are entry level DSLR cameras which are close in price to a bridge camera. These cameras are fully adjustable and have a large sensor which are nice pluses. The down side, you'll end up wanting different lenses which will cost more.

If photography classes are offered, enroll! Go to the library and borrow books on photography. I would stick to older books for film photography so you concentrate on the basics. Everything you learn with film cameras is the same for digital except for the sensor and a few other tidbits. Modern books spend too much time on the gadget end of the camera, and not enough info on solid basics. The Internet has lots of information for beginners and advanced shooters.

You have been told wrong digital camera are as good if not better than film camera which unless you developed your own film then the colour rendition was decided by a machine. I would advise starting out with a manuel film camera and learn how to use it properly rather than get a digital and put it on auto for all its life

I am utilizing lenses I bought in the mid 70's with my D300. So yes which you can you may not get all functions with all cameras. AI lenses is not going to autofocus and simplest meter on theD200 D300. D700.D2 and D3 . AI lenses is not going to matrix meter on the D1 however will core weighted meter and spot meter. The work in guide mode on all other Nikon DSLR but you need to use the sunny 16 rule or a stand alone meter. AF and AF-d lenses will meter on Nikon DSLR however is not going to autofocus on the D60/D40x/D40 cameras. Now not a massive deal as handbook focusing is not a really intricate ability AF-s and AF-I will provide you with full function on all Nikon DSLR Some pre AI lenses and dwelling conversions to AI may be more frustrating and there are some invasive fisheye lenses that may ruin the mirror on new Nikons so those are cautions What lenses did you get? There is some first-class legacy glass in the market that gives wonderfull results in an awfully long lasting mainly metal and glass lens ( not much plastic) These matters will last you a lifetime. Congrats on getting it. Also what film digital camera ?

Unless you have a market for pics originated on film, where the customer specifically wants film origination (very rare today) then go for digital. Buy a good mid-market DSLR and you will have a versatile camera that is capable of more quality than you will generally need. You also need a good IT system and imaging software - Photoshop Elements will satisfy most normal needs.

Don't forget to back-up all your image files! And indeed back up all your files of every sort onto a drive independent from the computer.