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09/28/2005 10:22:43 AM · #1 |
I thought it would be interesting to find out why we choose the cameras that we use........I'll start with me.........
I have been doing alot of research lately, having been getting more & more involved with my own photography & the recent purchase of a new camera. I would have LOVED to have bought a professional SLR camera, but lack the funds. I decided to go with another digital point and shoot, but had decided to try the Canon powershot S2. I figured it would be a medium between what I wanted, until I had enough $$$ for the big one :). Well, due to some problems I have with my hands, it was too heavy for me to handle for long periods of time (some of the things I shoot can take hours of walking & taking hundreds of pics). So, I traded it for a digital point & shoot - for the obvious reason that it is alot lighter & easier to hold for hours on end, as well as the advantage of carrying it just about anywhere without the feeling of having luggage.........so it fits me for now.
I do still intend to by a pro- camera someday, but for now this is good.
Lori
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09/28/2005 10:30:54 AM · #2 |
| I have both, and have had my Canon Power Shot S400 for a couple of years. It takes good pictures, but I wanted to be able to change lenses (which I don't have yet) and to focus manually. I have always liked the quality of Canon, and have stuck with it. I was thrilled to get a Rebel XT for my birthday (and the next several "gift giving occasions") It is like having a "real" camera again! |
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09/28/2005 10:31:33 AM · #3 |
I had SLRs for years. I thought digital would be cool but refused to give up the flexibility inherent in an SLR. When the price on the Rebel got cheap enough, my husband bought me one for my birthday (I already had Canon lenses). I'm looking forward to the step up to the next level of DSLR when I can afford it but I am content for now.
My husband has had 2 P&S digitals and I sometimes get jealous. I have a 25lb back pack where his fits in his pocket and takes AA batteries.
I am uncomfortable with P&S and actually find them much more difficult to deal with. With a DSLR, I don't have to hunt around in menus to change things - its all right there. My husband is the opposite. He can't stand using DSLRs; he thinks they require too much work.
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09/28/2005 10:32:03 AM · #4 |
My wife, who is not (even by her own estimation) a photographer, bought my camera because she had a bunch of gift cards to Circuit City. I had been trying to convince her to let me buy a digital for some time and did not talk to her about the difference between an SLR and a P&S. I thought that it would be the wise thing to do (as a husband that wants to stay married) to use the Kodak for family stuff and continue using my old F3 for my fun.
Maybe all the film expenses will start to finally make her see that a Digital SLR is a logical "money-saving" decision. |
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09/28/2005 10:32:41 AM · #5 |
| Plain and simple. It was my first digital camera and it boiled down to the most megapixels for the least cost. Gateway was the answer (even though it had already been discontinued). :-) |
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09/28/2005 10:36:51 AM · #6 |
I bought the 717 because I felt that the lens did a wonderful job of catching the details. I also felt it did much better in low light and indoor situations than a lot of the others in this range. The tilt lens is also a bonus that gets used more often than I thought it would. The controls are easy and convenient and the camera feels comfortable in my hand. The battery life is beyond what I expected - incredibly good. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years now, and have been very happy with the choice.
What it doesn't do well is longer zooms and action shots. I'd like to have more range in the aperature settings as well as the ISO. It does get grainy at 400. I am hoping to get a DSLR as soon as the budget allows, but will be keeping this camera as well. |
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09/28/2005 10:47:02 AM · #7 |
Well I wanted something different then just a digital camera,
something quicker and perhaps better in my eyes.. So worked 1 full month summer job, compared some SLR and bought the Rebel XT with 1 extra lens.
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09/28/2005 10:48:28 AM · #8 |
I went from Coolpix 4500 to the D70 to get more flexibility, higher quality images and pro contracts! :-) I've been lucky enough to have my contracts pay for my equipment up to now. :-)
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09/28/2005 10:57:54 AM · #9 |
I used film until recently for SLR type pics (still do sometimes) but have used a digital P&S for a few years for snapshots.
My film camera started acting up and I saw that with the 20D, I could swap to a digital SLR with similar features to my film SLR at a price point I could afford.
I picked Canon because I already had a Canon film SLR (flip of the coin a long time ago) and had flash, lenses e.t.c. so it was not much thought. |
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09/28/2005 11:07:53 AM · #10 |
I love my little Canon S45 "P&S"...though it's a little worse for wear...thank goodness for metal bodies...it has alot of great manual features which is something that is a must for me. Between my husband and myself we have 3 SLRs, 3 medium format cameras, various ancient polaroids, and a view camera.
Message edited by author 2005-11-02 19:59:51. |
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09/28/2005 11:14:37 AM · #11 |
I ran/run a website for a hobby club, and started with a JamCam to be able to put pics on the website from the monthly meetings. I then moved up to a 1Mp Fuji 1400 back when 2Mp cams were just coming out. Cost was the reason for choosing 1mp, and it was mostly for web use and some real estate uses.
I got more into photography with that and wanted more features, manual, etc. and got a used Fuji S602z from a fellow club member...he was moving up to a DRebel and I kind of opened my mouth and inserted my foot...had to explain to the wife how i spent $400 so casually and more importantly, without discussion!
I got involved here at DPC and as my knowledge and skills grew i wanted a dSLR. Better image quality mostly, and more versatile (longer lenses, low light, etc) and the possibility of making some money to support my hobby. Also, back in college i had a Rolleiflex SLR and used the school's Canon SLRs, and well, i had SLR envy.
I still have my old Fuji 1400 and use it at times. I like the quality of the pics it gives me. |
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09/28/2005 11:54:19 AM · #12 |
I upgraded to DSLR from P & S for better image quality and more control. Higher pixel count, less noise and better optics meant larger print capabilities. The camera I had first, the Toshiba PDR-M71, had great manual controls but that only made me want more control such as increased f/stop and shutter speed range.
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09/29/2005 01:46:38 AM · #13 |
| I chose mine for size and features. I travel by bicycle or foot so I wanted something that can fit into a fanny pack or small case. I like the range of zoom on the A200- equal to 28 to 200mm range. I liked this better than a longer zoom. I also love that the LCD monitor can be swung out and rotated so I can see what I am shooting at- even when holding the camera low or overhead. I am learning to deal with some of the limitations it has vs. a DSLR and the sharper images they make are starting to tempt me, but the tradeoff in size is worth it for now. I don't want to have to haul a lot of stuff around. Eight megapixels is a bonus meaning I can crop when necessary. I used to have a Nikon 35mm but love what digital has to offer- no need to buy film and the ability to make corrections yourself. |
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09/29/2005 02:10:02 AM · #14 |
Because I'm a Rebel ;-)
Har har har...*rolls eyes at self stupidity*
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09/29/2005 02:21:27 AM · #15 |
WHAT I'M USING - a P&S camera. My new camera is coming tomorrow, yet another P&S, but an upgrade for my Dimage x31 nonetheless, with more manual controls as the dimage x31 is fully auto! Time to move on and challenge new camera categories! :p
WHY I'M USING P&S - no money for a DSLR (main reason) and also because I'm a jeans & t-shirt guy who thinks that carrying a camera on my neck looks rather geeky (not trying to insult DSLR users here, coz its just me and I'm a weird person) and a P&S provides good portability so I rarely miss a moment (blackmail friends with their drunk snapshots, lol)
WHAT I WANT - a DSLR of course! but not now, no money :( I'd probably be owning both when I have the money. a DSLR for more "serious" photography and a tiny P&S for all those sudden moments :)
SUMMARY - still wish I have a DSLR to play with!
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09/29/2005 02:24:29 AM · #16 |
Very simple:
p&S - well.. its like having sex in the same position always!!
SLR - your more involve in the sex... so you enjoy more..
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09/29/2005 02:34:35 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by jellyoooo:
Very simple:
p&S - well.. its like having sex in the same position always!!
SLR - your more involve in the sex... so you enjoy more.. |
i like that example, but since i'm using a P&S, may i edit what you said into:
P&S - having it anytime, anywhere, anyone??? (never miss a thing)
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09/29/2005 02:55:36 AM · #18 |
Initially I bought a digital P&S because I knew absolutely nothing about photography, and reckoned that the digital would give me instant feedback on what different settings did, how my picture was composed and so on. I did a lot of research and found that at the time the Canon G3 would give me what I was looking for (a good range of manual and priority settings, with a fast lense thrown in). I was very happy with it, but eventually ran into some frustrations - notably on the time to auto-focus and the difficulty to manually focus anything.
Then about 6 weeks ago I was taking some pics of my daughters birthday cake, left the camera on while I moved the cake off the bench-top onto a table, and knocked the camera onto the tiles. As a result, the lens would not retract and would not zoom. A trip to canon said I would have to pay $100 or so to have them look at it and it would probably require thereplacement of the lense drive which would cost me around Aus$400. Net result is that I had to get a replacement otherwise I would have been impossible to live with. My intention was to get an film SLR after I had 'learnt' how to take photos, but I am hooked on the digital side now.
I shopped around and got the 350D with a reasonable lens. It has a similar user interface to the G3 so I reckoned it would be easier to get to know than another manufacturers, and all the reviews were very good. So far am very happy with it.
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09/29/2005 02:59:18 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by shadow:
Originally posted by jellyoooo:
Very simple:
p&S - well.. its like having sex in the same position always!!
SLR - your more involve in the sex... so you enjoy more.. |
i like that example, but since i'm using a P&S, may i edit what you said into:
P&S - having it anytime, anywhere, anyone??? (never miss a thing) |
Great examples. But since I also shoot with both (actually 2 P&S) mine would go something like this:
P&S: 1 click "Slam, Bam, Thank you Ma'am". Done. No fuss. No frills.
dSLR: Slow and steady just trying to get the motions right. Always thinking of nailing it on one shot but usually end up doing it over amd over and over...
Message edited by author 2005-09-29 02:59:55. |
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09/29/2005 03:11:22 AM · #20 |
I have gone SLR now that the prices have dropped, this allows much more control and creativity e.g P&S don't cope well with low light and tend to have too much depth of field for many shots
Digital got me into photography - I started with an awful 1mp Kodak (it was "only" $400), then a tiny 4mp Casio (brother of the Pentax Optio S4), then a Nikon 5700 (big zoom 5mp) and now my beloved Pentax ist DS. The immediacy of digital makes for a much more rewarding learning experience. All the cameras get used evey now and again, even the Kodak - used it at work for postage stamp sized photos in ads in the local paper.
My favourite is my SLR. If only they could find a way of getting the features, zoom and image quality of the SLR into something credit card sized!
edit - punctuation
Message edited by author 2005-09-29 03:13:16. |
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09/29/2005 03:12:51 AM · #21 |
I chose NIKON because I had some glass around, I think I had an old 50mm f1.4 and an 85mm f1.4 not too sure but I that is why I went with Nikon D70, before that I had a Sony F828. I changed my D70 when I was offered a job at a football club taking pics for their website, hence I got the D2H and LOVE IT!
Before digital I always used CONTAX/ZEISS so that is the reason I still have a little CONTAX U4R P&S that takes AMAZING pics really.
I think the only reason I would ever consider to change from NIKON is when/if the new SONY body is released that can take ZEISS glass. I did look at the FULL frame sensor CONTAX N1 digital but was put off by the reviews and also the price. Ide consider buying one if the price was right though.... Anyone selling one?....lol
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09/29/2005 03:14:33 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by rikki11:
Great examples. But since I also shoot with both (actually 2 P&S) mine would go something like this:
P&S: 1 click "Slam, Bam, Thank you Ma'am". Done. No fuss. No frills.
dSLR: Slow and steady just trying to get the motions right. Always thinking of nailing it on one shot but usually end up doing it over amd over and over... |
please people, oh be-have! :p
and dont forget to use protection :$ |
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09/29/2005 03:20:53 AM · #23 |
dSLR: optical viewfinder, AF-speed, lack of shutter lag, image quality, dynamic range, better lenses, faster lenses (f/1.4), shutter response, size in hands, ext. flash system.
Downside: Big, heavy, expensive.
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09/29/2005 05:40:24 AM · #24 |
I'm was a film SLR fan, had an OM10, and two OM4ti's Plus a good collection of zuiko and two ziess lenses...
My first digital was a Kodak DC50, got it for web photos and didn't really expect much from it. Because I was shooting with a good film SLR and the DC50 was terrible quality photographically it didn't get me hooked... Skip about 7 years and I got a Nikon Coolpix 2500 as I was looking for a travel P&S when my film P&S died. Got the 2500 because it works well in your pocket, having the swivel design, and had reasonable reviews along with being available at a good price here in NZ.
It opened my eyes to the possibilities. Moved up to a Powershot G5 after about 9 months with the 2500. The main thing driving my interest was baby photos as we had our daughter in there somewhere, and film gets expensive when taking 100-200 baby photos a week. :-). Picked the G5 as it had a good manual functionality, and a reasonable zoom range along with a fast(ish) lens. No brand loyalty to the Nikon, but did look seriously at the 5700, but thought it wouldn't work well as an in the pocket camera.
Then, I decided to leap, as it were... Shutter lag and more noise than equivalent film was annoying me. Sold my OM film gear and got the 20D. Originally I was looking at the 10D, but the 20 came out while I was looking. I picked Canon as my father, and a couple of friends already had EOS gear, and from reviews etc it appeared to me that Canon had an edge in Glass and sensor technology.
Given that I had an expensive glass collection before, I knew I was just buying into a system, not buying a camera body, so the major thing for me was deciding on which of the big two provided the OEM lenses that did what I wanted, and reviewed well. I read heaps of forums and reviews on lenses, and maybe four on camera bodies. That's how I found this site, googling lens reviews.
And here I am now.....
I sold the G5, as the lens really, really, really annoyed me. Yes it has a fast lens, but the chromatic abberations wide open made it painful as I was shooting in Av mode wide open most of the time which is when CA is at it's worst, wide open. Nice camera though, and I got some really great photos with it. I've won four or five local photo competitions with images from it. (Brick and mortar competitions)
I've kept the Nikon 2500, it's still a great camera to stick in your pocket, and 2Mpx is heaps for snapshots.
I'm happy with my decision to go canon, and happy with the 20D. I almost went with a 300D so I could get more glass up front, but having now used one as a second body at an event I'm glad I didn't. The lack of second 'dial' and slower interface would really bug me. I'm happy with the lenses I've got so far, although I've been buying top shelf, so you'd expect that...
The down side. The Canon repair service in NZ is terrible... They've had my camera for three weeks now to fix a problem they said they'd fix overnight (Long story, wont bore you all). Glad I got a loaner camera before I let mine out of my sight! My goal is now to run up 100,000 shutter actuations on the loaner before they finally return mine. :-).
Man, long post for a short question!
Message edited by author 2005-09-29 05:46:24.
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09/29/2005 07:14:58 AM · #25 |
i was never into film
bought my first sub-megapixel camera in 1996ish (p&s)
bought 1 megapixel in 1997(p&s)
bought 2 megapixel in 1999(p&s)
bought 3 megapixel in 2001(p&s)
bought 6 megapixel in 2003 (SLR)
buying 12 megapixel 'real soon now' 2005 (SLR)
somebody see a trend here ?
upgraded to SLR for the shutter lag / control & to learn more about photograhpy
upgrading to D2x for the metering/fast focus/viewfinder
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