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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Is it my camera or me
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05/13/2006 09:35:39 PM · #1
Just a quick question. If my shots were taken with an slr, would they be considered better? I can't see investing in one if I don't have any ability to use the slr format based on the subjects I take. Just curious. It would seem a waste of money if it won't make me take more pleasing shots. You know what they say, it isn't the camera but the photographer. So if I can't take images with a point and shoot I probably won't be able to with an slr either. Should I bite the bullet and get a digital slr, or just keep it as is in hopes that I will one day gain enough sense to apply it.
05/13/2006 09:37:35 PM · #2
If you're photos aren't "good" with a P&S then they probably won't be "good" with an SLR.
05/13/2006 09:47:50 PM · #3
Seeing as your photo's are good then they can only get better with an slr.
05/13/2006 09:48:22 PM · #4
Hi June

After looking in your profile I think your highest rated photos are great and speak well of you as a photographer.

Seems like you can get good images reguardless of whether you're using a P&S or a dSLR. A dSLR would give you more control but also probably require more work as far as post processing and would definitly involve spending more money.

Either way I think your photos are great!

Dave
05/13/2006 09:56:26 PM · #5
You take great photos, and have a good eye. I would say yeah, go for it.

You are good, do it.

Message edited by author 2006-05-13 21:57:36.
05/13/2006 10:03:31 PM · #6
Are you passionate about photography, does it make your soul happy to have a camera in front of your face capturing images, in ways that are unique to you? Can you see any improvement in your work from the first day you picked up a camera to now?
I think if you answer yes to any of those questions then yes you should upgrade to a dslr. Passion needs to be pursued, education of new things / ideas only serve to keep us stimulated and rounded as humans.. we have a thirst for knowledge so why not challenge yourself by pursuing something that makes you happy? The thing with photography is how intensely personal it can be.. someone might hate an image you love .. but the fact that you love it.. is enough to keep on creating your visions.

Off to look at your portfolio now :)
05/13/2006 10:49:59 PM · #7
June,

A lot depends on your photographic goals. I've recently upgraded to a Canon 5D. Fine detail is important to me and I'm making 16x24 inch prints. I'd like to make 4x6 foot prints. No P&S is going to be adequate for what I am trying to achieve.

On the other hand, last weekend I went on a photographic outing with a friend of mine to Pyramid Hill, a nearby sculpture park. You can see some of our photos here. I took three of these images and she took the other three. Can you tell which images were taken with a P&S and which were taken with my 5D?

For this kind of photography with the goal of making images to display on the web, I don't think the dSLR has any compelling advantages. In fact, for one of the images, the P&S has an advantage. The "Fountain" image was taken with the P&S. My similar shot with the dSLR has a much smaller depth of field so the distant fountain is out of focus.

Another factor is the size and weight. My 5D is heavy enough so that I don't take it with me unless I am specifically intending to take pictures. This is fine for the work I want to do, but if your approach to photography is more spontaneous, you may do better with a P&S that you can have with you most of the time.

Please don't take this the wrong way. There are very clear advantages to a dSLR and it may be time for you to take the step up. But your goals and style as a photographer could make this a bad move.

--DanW
05/13/2006 11:01:04 PM · #8
My two cents worth take it at face value...

When I got my dRebel, my photography took a huge slide and my scores here showed it. Why? The learning curve started all over again. At least that's my excuse. Two years later, I wouldn't go back for nuthin'.

Message edited by author 2006-05-13 23:01:16.
05/13/2006 11:10:19 PM · #9
I feel that the biggest questions to ask ourselves when upgrading to a better camera is:

1) Is my current camera limiting my abilities to take a photograph?
2) Is the new camera going to allow me to accomplish what my current camera can't?

Basically, I would only buy a new camera if I have out-grown the one I currently own.

Message edited by author 2006-05-13 23:10:59.
05/13/2006 11:26:35 PM · #10
1. do you want one (and can you afford a "want")?
2. Are you somehow limited by your current camera?

Some things that a DSLR may improve:

1. can give shallower DOF
2. Better high-iso performance, so better action (sports) shots
3. better focusing (better action/sports shots)
4. better burst speed
5. beter range of focal lengths if you buy the lenses
6. (possibly) better dynamic range
7. has hotshoe, so you can use a better flash (flash fill may be better)
8. Mirror lock up (some DSLRs)
9. better metering modes

05/13/2006 11:28:57 PM · #11
It is a matter of making the most of whatever equipment or lens you have. Then, once you have done so, or feel the need for a step up in quality, the gear and particularly the glass matters. Not as much however as your developing the skills to use its strengths and avoid its weaknesses intuitively in harmony with your own talents, strengths and weaknesses.
05/14/2006 04:34:02 AM · #12
A dSLR is fun to learn... I bought one, and I can't make it work any better then my kodac LOL, but you know what, I am having a blast learning, and even if I stay sucky, my camera is fun.
05/14/2006 07:15:34 AM · #13
Originally posted by wheeledd:

June,

On the other hand, last weekend I went on a photographic outing with a friend of mine to Pyramid Hill, a nearby sculpture park. You can see some of our photos here. I took three of these images and she took the other three. Can you tell which images were taken with a P&S and which were taken with my 5D?

--DanW


And the answer is? What a great game!

(back on subject)

Just as some others have said...you'll have more control over your work with an SLR...lot's more. At the same time, it may take awhile to learn new techniques and get reacquainted with your style. When I first made the move, I promised myself I'd make enough money to purchase the camera back. I did, but then you have lenses, tripods, flashes, lightsphere,...it gets very addictive and can make you quite poor! :)
05/14/2006 07:24:54 AM · #14
to take good pictures with a p&s is easy, when switching to dSLR they tend to get really bad at first, but with practice they will get much better than from the p&s, you will have much better control of DOF, focus, lighting, framing and you will have much bigger files to work with in photoshop.
05/14/2006 07:52:57 AM · #15
definately upgrade. i spent every sent i had on a rebel xt, and it was totally worth it.

a) theres so many more mode on it that you just start playing around with it more

b)you never miss a shot, like you always do with those regular digitals that stall 2 seonds before you take it.
05/14/2006 08:14:13 AM · #16
Originally posted by hankk:


Some things that a DSLR may improve:

1. can give shallower DOF
...
8. Mirror lock up (some DSLRs)

I just have two remarks with regard to this:

1. Yes, the DOF is a lot shallower on a DSLR. Sometimes you can use that in your photos. On the other hand, it makes correct focusing and choosing the aperture much more important. I switched to the D50 about half a year ago and still get more shots accidentally out of focus than I used to on my Canon A510. Also if you want a wide DOF you need to step down the aperture. You then have to use longer shutter speeds which you sometimes can't handhold.
8. Mirror lock up is a cure for a problem that occurs only with DSLRs. In a DSLR when you take a picture the mirror swings up and causes the camera to shake a little. This will make your images a little blurry at certain shutter speeds. With a P&S camera this isn't a problem, as there is no mirror to induce camera shake.

Don't get me wrong, though, a DSLR is a great camera. It's just not like there aren't any downsides to using a DSLR.

Message edited by author 2006-05-14 08:17:13.
05/14/2006 08:15:02 AM · #17
Originally posted by danthesquidkid:

definately upgrade. i spent every sent i had on a rebel xt, and it was totally worth it.

a) theres so many more mode on it that you just start playing around with it more

b)you never miss a shot, like you always do with those regular digitals that stall 2 seonds before you take it.


what about those 20 sec that it takes to choose the correct lens for the shot, the extra 30 sec it takes to attach the flash and power it up, and the 1 minute it takes to set up the tripod and compose the shot ;)

never had those problems with a p&s ;)
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