let's talk DSLR About This Page:

[~*~Michelle~*~]

Are they difficult to use? I'm kind of intimidated just by looking at them! lol

[shnewell]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT. It is not difficult to use in the sense that the different shooting modes were virtually identical to the Canon Powershot I had before that. But it is overwhelming. I can do some very basic things and have learned a little about how to adjust my white balance, ISO, etc. to get better photos. But I still feel like I'm nowhere near using it to its full potential.

I'm a hands-on learner and would like to take a class!

On the other hand, I've never regretted having the camera. I have taken some really great shot with it.

[modisney]

You'll never regret buying on once you do. Yes, there is a learning curve but there's also the auto mode. You can still get great shots while you learn all the bells and whistles. There are some that seem at bit more "entry" level and those that are more advanced. I had a Canon Digital Rebel xTi for 5 years and just upgraded to their 50D.The best thing to do is go to a camera shop and talk to the pros and more importantly, hold one and play around with it. Good luck with your decision.

[Cam22]

Luke bought me a Sony alpha 100 almost 2 years ago. We are both still learning all it is capable of, but we definitely enjoy using it and the pictures are fantastic.

[audrey77]

If you take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode or in program mode, and how photography works, you will get better images and your money's worth. If you are only going to use it in Auto, and not learn about metering, aperture, exposure, shutter speed, etc, I would get a point and shoot, because you would be doing the same thing- using the popup flash (you don't have to if you bump up the ISO and lower the aperture, speed up the shutter), and not having control over your exposures. JMHO

there are many inexpensive online courses out there to teach you :-)

[Tonichelle]

Originally Posted by audrey77

If you take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode or in program mode, and how photography works, you will get better images and your money's worth. If you are only going to use it in Auto, and not learn about metering, aperture, exposure, shutter speed, etc, I would get a point and shoot, because you would be doing the same thing- using the popup flash (you don't have to if you bump up the ISO and lower the aperture, speed up the shutter), and not having control over your exposures. JMHO

ITA, a DSLR is really only needed if you're going to take your photography to the next level... otherwise you're wasting over half of the camera's potential.. and spending a whole lot extra for a bulkier point and shoot.

[Wolfhunt]

I've had the Canon XT and recently got the new Canon T1i. They are great if you want an entry level DSLR. Although, I'll echo the responses above in that if you only use the auto modes you'll only have an expensive P&S and miss out on alot the camera has to offer. For me the Canon T1i has the options easily accessable and can be changed quickly on the fly with the tap of a button and/or wheel. This makes it easy to experiment. You can also upgrade the lenses down the road giving you more options of what you can shoot.

There is a learning curve but some of the camera shops around here offer basic photography courses at a reasonable price. They should help you get to know your way around the camera. The rest (at least for me) was a lot of experimenting (Ohhh......That's what that does) but for me that was much of the fun. Since it's digital your not wasting film and in the long run you'll get much better shots when you know how to use the settings.

Go to your local photo store. They should let you play with one and most shops will show you some of what can be done. They can also show you advantages from one model to the next. I have always used Canon because that's what I am used to but Nikon has some nice models also.

Good luck with your desicion. If you want to take your photography beyond the point and shoot level then go for it and have fun learning the cameras settings.

[LizardCop]

Originally Posted by ~*~Michelle~*~

Are they difficult to use? I'm kind of intimidated just by looking at them! lol

They aren't that difficult to use, if all you want to do is take everyday pictures. You can leave the camera set in Auto or priority mode and shoot away. You will get better pictures, normally, than you would with a point and shoot camera.

But, as has been pointed out by others, you would be buying a lot of camera to use as a point and shoot one.

The biggest drawback to a DSLR is size, and how many lenses you decide to get, along with the other accessories. You won't be able to drop it in your purse or pocket like you do with a P&S. I usually carry a P&S with me for those quick shots, or if I want to get a candid and are close to the subject. My DSLR, with the long lens, gets me great candids from a distance, the kind I like (where they don't know you're shooting them).

As others have mentioned, if you are planning on experimenting, or advancing your photo taking abilities, then you might consider going to a DSLR. The possibilities are endless, and you can tailor your equipment to your "shooting specialties". I tend to buy long lenses, but then (other than family and trip photography) I prefer scenic and wildlife photography, something I can't always get close to and need to reach out more than the normal person.

When at WDW, I almost always have a DSLR with me, but I also have my P&S in a pocket close. I tend to use the DSLR for those scenic pictures and for candid shots from a distance, otherwise I use the P&S. At 10 & 12MP, the P&S provides great pictures of family, friends, and characters!!!

Any of the DSLR brands on the market will do, if you chose to upgrade. And they all have some sort of "on-line" training available, as well as video classes on u-tube and other places. You can use it as a basic P&S while you learn to use the other features of the camera, and as you learn the relationship of shutter, f-stops, light, contrast, etc.... Mastering photography is a life long project...

Whatever you chose to do,

[Jennifer2003]

I each have a Canon T1I and I think it's great! I was always nervous about the weight of the camera, but I'm used to it now. What I'm still not used to is all the STUFF I have now...tripod, bag, extra lenses, etc.

I use the auto mode for the sports setting and the close up setting, but I use manual for everything else. I find I use autofocus more than manual focus but I like having the option to turn it off and on. I also like having the option to shoot in raw mode.

[WillCAD]

SLRs certainly look intimidating to the uninitiated. Their size alone puts many people off, and the extra cost, plus the perception that you need to keep buying lenses and other stuff for them, sink the deal for many others.

For me, buying my first SLR was not about "taking better pictures" or even about "owning a good camera." For me, it was about learning photography, which is far easier with an SLR than a P&S.

Buying a better camera will not make you a better photographer. It will not improve your composition, it will not improve your exposures, it will not eliminate shots where people have their eyes closed or where you can see the half-eaten Twinkie rolling around in their mouths. It will give you better tools with which to do these things yourself, but like any tool, it will only work well if you know how to use it properly.

Using a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being garbage and 10 being the Pulitzer Prize - If your skill level is 5, and you have a camera that's a 3, then upgrading to a camera that's a 5 will improve your pictures to level 5. But if you're a 5 and you buy a camera that's a 7, you will not get pictures at level 7 - you're still a 5, so your pics will not go above 5, no matter how good your camera is. The camera doesn't take pictures - YOU take pictures. You just use a camera to do it.

Basically, buying an SLR is not about improving your camera. It's about improving yourself. It's about learning new things, developing new skills, and deliberately creating images with your own skill and talent. If you want to do that, then go for the SLR. But if all you want to do is get a camera with more automatic thingamadoohickeys and more megapixels, and all you want to do is get pics by pushing a button without putting any thought or planning into the shot or developing any photographic skills, then the SLR is not what you want.

[Tonichelle]

well said

[Kyen]

Originally Posted by Cam22

Luke bought me a Sony alpha 100 almost 2 years ago. We are both still learning all it is capable of, but we definitely enjoy using it and the pictures are fantastic.

My dad laughed at me when I told him that Santa was going to bring me a new camera! When he asked why? I said "Well I know just about everything about my old camera so I need a new challenge"

I went from the original Digital Rebel to the 50D and I love it! It has a lot more options but still easy to use.

[pixie08]

It was a little intimidating at first but now i will never go back to my P&S lol!

I must recommend "idot's guide" to photography essentials. This is a great easy to follow book that will help you with an SLR. It helped me tons.