Hi Nigel,
Welcome back on board mate. Pun intended.
With your very sound film background you basically have a better idea of what's going on than most digital photographers these days, but I won't open 'that' can of worms.
Digital is pretty much using your prior knowledge and then suck it and see. Avoid YouTube like the plague and you will be fine.
Digital Processing is much of the same, basically walk out on the back deck, bang your head on the motor six times and jump overboard.. . . .???. . .yep that should do it!
If you can afford it, buy the latest and greatest because technology is advancing that rapidly that anything you buy today is going to be 'old' really soon and there has been
some fantastic advances in cameras recently.
FYI, for my own journey, I'm sticking with my now 'very old' DSLRs and continuing to learn from them. I need to fully understand what I am currently doing and why before
following the latest technology "down the rabbit hole" at the moment. The current crop of DSLRs, that are still available, were and still are, the best DSLR cameras that were
ever made and continue to produce amazing results, better than I am currently capable of producing. When I am as 'good' as my current cameras and actually need more from
them, then I will update. . .
Enjoy the ride.
Bruce.

Hi Bruce, Many thanks for the supportive comments, Purchased a Sony A9II with Sony 200-600 G OSS lens. Have enjoyed getting to know how to use it but must admit to searching You Tube and very soon came across Mark Galer from RMIT Melbourne. Significant knowledge base and straighforward advice re settings for birds in flight etc. As you can see I've been busy and with some images getting somewhere. In the past 5months have been to GluePot, Werribee Tx Plant, Mallacoota, Merimbula, Blue Mts, Weddin Mts and Hattah-Kulkynne. Again thanks for the support.
Nigel

Nigel,
Some very beautiful photos there mate, I don't know what you were worried about?
Bruce.