Comments on: “I need a new camera!”

By: Debra

Debra — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:25:52 +0000

Thanks Janet. I already invested in the DSLR a year ago, and I also have a high end point and shoot, but I’m really hoping to learn more about my DSLR. I look forward to your future posts. Also…I tried Firefox, but I was having a lot of trouble figuring out how to download kits from stores, so I went back to IE. Hopefully I can figure this out and give it another try!

By: Michelle Waite

Michelle Waite — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:58:33 +0000

I want a DSLR, but I have the highest level Cannon before going to DSLR and it has a lot of settings. I have told DH that I want to know how to use ever setting well and know how to set the camera to get the desired photos before I move up. I know I will need all these skills to get the best photos from the new camera.

By: Schmoo

Schmoo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:01:00 +0000

thanks for the great article.

I needed to buy an new camera last year because my point and shoot died. My Dh tried to convince me to buy a DSLR but I resisted based on price and I just didn’t quite want to go down that road.

I brought a Canon Powershot G9 because I wanted to be able to shot in RAW and this is one of the few point and shoots that does.

I love it. Yes my photos are a better quality than my old camera but I still have a lot to learn about taking better photos, about lighting and so much more. So for me, money spent on a photography course this year is going to be better value.

By: Joy

Joy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:34:50 +0000

I’m loving this site! You pack so much info into each post, and I find myself checking it all out each day. Thanks for the great stuff you pack in here.

By: falwyn

falwyn — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:55:44 +0000

This is a good article, though I’m always inclined to sing the praises of my DSLR to the SKY (and anyone else who will listen). And I think the option for auto as well as manual is really the best part of dSLRs – because frankly, depending on your shooting conditions, often the camera will be smarter and most definitely quicker than you are anyway. (I’m thinking of taking pictures of kids of course – it’s like wildlife photography! )

I do think that some things you’re not really going to get the hang of/understanding of without a DSLR. I also think that if you’re going to spend $500 for a point and shoot, and you’re really interested in photography, you should really just save a little more and get one of the beginner type DSLRs. For me, the “lugging it around” isn’t that serious (especially at first, I had mine for 2 years before I decided to get a point and shoot for backup/convenience), and the speed of taking shots WAY more than makes up for it, not to mention the quality of depth and texture to the photo (and that’s with the Nikon kit lens; I do love my under-$100 50mm too though).

I will say that if someone’s thinking about getting a DSLR, she should really take some time while saving up to study her own camera, learn as much about photography and composition and lighting (which imho is even more important with point and shoots than slrs) as she can, and spend at least a month taking at least one shot everyday – it makes a big difference in your experience level.

One other thing, maybe indirectly related – when you first get a dSLR, if you’re anything like me, you’re going to all of a sudden take WAY more photos than you were before. Something to think about – I know I had to change my filing system a little to deal with the difference in volume. And I had to get better at culling – deleting the no goods, or the good-but-repeats.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:43:28 +0000

Superb article! I am a point and shoot camera owner and it seems that whenever I go out with my friends who have the big, expensive DSLR’s, I’m the only one who takes the photos or even has the camera. My only comment is I’d be wary of the Nikon. I don’t have that particular model, mine is a far older, far less model, but I haven’t been very happy with it, so check into customer reviews. LOVE this article!

By: Rachael Giallongo

Rachael Giallongo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:09:10 +0000

Great article! I have the Canon Rebel XT but I am in the market for a P&S because I hate the bulk of a big camera (at least some of the time).

By: Christine (supertwinkle)

Christine (supertwinkle) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Thanks for this informative article! I used to think I wanted a DSLR, until I evaluated why and how I take photos. I’m a capture the everyday moments kind of photographer, and I LOVE having my Canon SD850 IS in my purse or jeans pocket everywhere I go. I really get some amazing everyday shots that way.

By: karin

karin — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:01:26 +0000

“MWAC”!! LOL!!!! I love it!!!! Yep, that’s me too. Thanks for sharing this info. I have a dSLR, and love it, but it has taken me a year and a half to get out of aperture priority mode and into manual. After tons and tons of books, forums, playing, I still haven’t mastered it- but I am close. I truly love my Nikon D80, but there have been many times when I wished I still had a point-and-shoot to capture the moment…not perfect it!

By: Cathy P.

Cathy P. — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:49:12 +0000

I have a canon 30D and rarely use manual. can’t wait to learn more!