Just returned my DSLR. Did I make the right choice?

chunx · Dec 19, 2011

Hi everyone. Please go easy on me!
I took photos for many years with my Kodak Easyshare Z740 5MP. Through the years I really got to know my camera, I could even manage to blur backgrounds of portraits & small objects. I only bought it to take pics of my children. As I shared my photos on my fb account (just to show my family), my friends were begging me to take their photos (even wedding). I said no to the weddings, but finally gave in to a convincing friend. I felt stupid with my small camera while this other lady was there with their huge DSLR, taking crappy photos (she posted them). I worked very hard that day, and weeks after editing the photos, and since then have had many people contacting me to take their wedding pictures, to which I say NO!
Well, after many years of great service, my Kodak finally died.
I thought the next step up woud be a DSLR, so I purchased the Nikon D3100. I found it overwhelming, but I read all the manuals, watched the DVDs and managed to take some good photos- although it was not as easy as taking pics with my P&S. I was excited to see other users of the same camera- but disappointed to find that each and every one of them mainly use it on auto. I did not pay 800.00 for a camera kit to use auto. I found that I was not taking photos as much because a) it was bulky b) it was difficult for me to achieve the desired photos, and with children I have to catch the moment. Having a DSLR & a P&S is not an option for me. Not only financially, but also because if I buy a DSLR I want to use it and not let it collect dust- which is what mainly happened to me.I returned the DSLR last week & have since then been researching for hours on end. Now, I am not sure if I made the right choice.
Do I take photos professionally? No, but I do like to produce great quality photos &do take photos for families and weddings occasionally.
I am a BIG believer in "it's the person taking the photo and not the camera". I have seen this time and time again- even with people I know who went to photography school and have great cameras . I have also seen this recently when my friend asked me to take her family photos @ low light with her cheap fuji cam (worst camera I have ever held in my hand- I still had not purchased a camera since the death of my Kodak at this point). I sent the photos to her, she used them for her Christmas cards & even had one blown up on canvas...now her friends are calling me to take their photos.Now, I have NO camera (aside from my iPhone!), and find myself back at square one.
Thanks so much for taking time to read & respond!

KmH · Dec 19, 2011

chunx said:
Hi everyone. Please go easy on me!

I took photos for many years with my Kodak Easyshare Z740 5MP. Through the years I really got to know my camera, I could even manage to blur backgrounds of portraits & small objects. I only bought it to take pics of my children.

As I shared my photos on my fb account (just to show my family), my friends were begging me to take their photos (even wedding). I said no to the weddings, but finally gave in to a convincing friend. I felt stupid with my small camera while this other lady was there with their huge DSLR, taking crappy photos (she posted them). I worked very hard that day, and weeks after editing the photos, and since then have had many people contacting me to take their wedding pictures, to which I say NO!

Well, after many years of great service, my Kodak finally died.

I thought the next step up woud be a DSLR, so I purchased the Nikon D3100. I found it overwhelming, but I read all the manuals, watched the DVDs and managed to take some good photos- although it was not as easy as taking pics with my P&S. I was excited to see other users of the same camera- but disappointed to find that each and every one of them mainly use it on auto. I did not pay 800.00 for a camera kit to use auto.

I found that I was not taking photos as much because a) it was bulky b) it was difficult for me to achieve the desired photos, and with children I have to catch the moment. Having a DSLR & a P&S is not an option for me. Not only financially, but also because if I buy a DSLR I want to use it and not let it collect dust- which is what mainly happened to me.I returned the DSLR last week & have since then been researching for hours on end.

Now, I am not sure if I made the right choice.

Do I take photos professionally? No, but I do like to produce great quality photos &do take photos for families and weddings occasionally.

I am a BIG believer in "it's the person taking the photo and not the camera". I have seen this time and time again- even with people I know who went to photography school and have great cameras . I have also seen this recently when my friend asked me to take her family photos @ low light with her cheap fuji cam (worst camera I have ever held in my hand- I still had not purchased a camera since the death of my Kodak at this point). I sent the photos to her, she used them for her Christmas cards & even had one blown up on canvas...now her friends are calling me to take their photos.Now, I have NO camera (aside from my iPhone!), and find myself back at square one.

Thanks so much for taking time to read & respond!

Let me help out with some white space in your post to make it more readable.

Making high quality images is a lot more involved than many people realize.

pgriz · Dec 19, 2011

Did you make the right choice? Only you, in the end, can answer that question.

With a P&S, most of the photographic choices are made for you and programmed in. Even if you want to, the ability to take control of the exposure, focus, and other parameters are limited. However, it takes almost no knowledge of how to use one, other than making sure you're pointing the thing in the right direction. So for those people who just want a record of an event or a place, the P&S is a good choice.

A DSLR, on the other hand, provides much choice - but requires knowledge to operate. With a DSLR, you can extract more useful information (or picture quality) in marginal situations, and you can get better results pictorially (selective focus plus depth-of-field, along with motion blur, etc.). A DSLR, in the hands of a capable photographer will be able to take very good photos in situations that the P&S just can't handle.

So whether you should go the DSLR route or the P&S route depends on how much effort you are prepared to put into learning about the mechanics of photography (exposure control, depth-of-field, effect of different focal lengths, etc.). In addition to this, you will also probably have to learn about lighting and how to use the various lighting options to give you the result you want. But this knowledge will allow you to "construct" an image (composition, light, exposure) as opposed to reacting to whatever you see or find. For some, this ability is desirable and liberating. But it is much less spontaneous, and more structured. Again, only you can decide whether this direction is for you.

While you have not posted any photos, the fact that others liked your images may mean you have enough inherent talent at composing images to overcome the limitations of the equipment you've been using. On the other hand, people are much more forgiving about image quality when they know the people in the photos, so you have to take positive comments with a grain of salt. What may work for family and friends, may not be considered very good when showing images to strangers (ie, those who have no emotional connection to the subjects photographed). A pretty good way to know if it's the former or the latter is to post some of your images on a forum like this, and see the reaction. If they are universally panned, then chances are that they are not very good as images. If it's a mix, then there is some potential to develop. If most of the comments are positive and you get only a few complaining about "lack of sharpness" or "noise", then the quality of the images is overtaking the limitations of your equipment.

In the end, if making better photos is your goal, and if you're prepared to do the heavy lifting required (in terms of understanding the photographic mechanics), then a DSLR will be a better option. Otherwise, a good P&S will give you satisfaction and provide you with images that you can share, without requiring the frustration of learning about various options and settings and effects. Of course, if you do end up with a DSLR, note that it can be a very expensive hobby, as you start acquiring additional lenses, flashes, accessories, lighting equipment, etc., not to mention post-processing software and the equipment you need to run that.

jwbryson1 · Dec 19, 2011

KmH said:
Let me help out with some white space in your post to make it more readable.

Thank you! I could not get past the first few lines...

KenC · Dec 19, 2011

It sounds to me like you've got the photography bug and will eventually end up with a DSLR to fully satisfy it. However, given that bulk is a big issue preventing you from making full use of the DSLR, a "bridge" camera might be best. A Canon G11 or G12 would be no more bulky (possibly less) than the Kodak (hard to judge because shape is quite different), but would produce high-quality images. There will be a little more noise at the same ISO setting than on a DSLR, but the images are quite good if you are not making huge prints from higher-ISO images (>400). One big reason to go with a bridge camera is that it shoots raw files and you can process images much better from raw files. You don't mention processing software, but PS Elements is relatively inexpensive and easy to use and will convert your raw files. When you see what you can do with this camera, you might be motivated to take the additional step to the DSLR, or if not, you still would be able to produce terrific images from a camera that is affordable and easy to carry.

matthewo · Dec 19, 2011

You said you liked taking pictures of high quality, so why did you return it? If you think the d3100 is too big of a camera then maybe you should stick to p/s cameras. Cause if you really get into it you will want a bigger body dslr and a nice lens, combos weighing upwards of 4 lbs.

Like said you can only answer if you made the right choice, but i feel you kinda gave up. If you only had your camera a month or so why would you expect to learn it well and take better pictures with it that soon.

Overread · Dec 19, 2011

Honestly I'd say you sound like someone that might take to the mirrorless hybrid cameras on the market. There are a range of them out there with various features and they offer DSLR like features such as interchangable lenses and manual controls; but with the size and compactness of a bridge/high-end point and shoot type camera.

That would allow you a good quality camera that isn't so bulky so you might well find it much more to your liking. Olympus and Panasonic both make micro 4/3rds mirrorless cameras, Olympus models after a wallet point and shoot so you've no viewfinder (you can buy an addon that clips into the hotshoe on top) but you've that sleek design; whilst Panasonic models more after a bridge camera in appearance.

I'd recommend checking them out in the shops and have a play with one, might be the ideal compromise for you between DSLR and point and shoot.

gsgary · Dec 19, 2011

Overread said:
Honestly I'd say you sound like someone that might take to the mirrorless hybrid cameras on the market. There are a range of them out there with various features and they offer DSLR like features such as interchangable lenses and manual controls; but with the size and compactness of a bridge/high-end point and shoot type camera.

That would allow you a good quality camera that isn't so bulky so you might well find it much more to your liking. Olympus and Panasonic both make micro 4/3rds mirrorless cameras, Olympus models after a wallet point and shoot so you've no viewfinder (you can buy an addon that clips into the hotshoe on top) but you've that sleek design; whilst Panasonic models more after a bridge camera in appearance.

I'd recommend checking them out in the shops and have a play with one, might be the ideal compromise for you between DSLR and point and shoot.

I was going to say knitting may be a better pastime than photography

Kbarredo · Dec 19, 2011

Nikon 1 my friend, nikon 1

Overread · Dec 19, 2011

gsgary said:
Overread said:

Honestly I'd say you sound like someone that might take to the mirrorless hybrid cameras ...

Click to expand...

I was going to say knitting may be a better pastime than photography

You taking up knitting now Gary?

I also neglected to put the product names in my original post
Olympus Pen series: Olympus - PEN
Lumix G series: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/1494433/module/general/compare/productsCategory.html

You might also get more help over on Micro Four Thirds User Forum
I say that only as TPF hasn't got the largest community of micro 4/3rds users at present (though I'm sure if you strike up a thread about either brand of micro 4/3rds bodies you'll draw them out of hiding).

Kbarredo · Dec 19, 2011

I find it funny though that you were intimidated by the larger camera user. Now you think the 3100 is too big. I would hate to see you with a d3s

chunx · Dec 19, 2011

So sweet gsgary! I just love asking an honest question to get a snide response.

chunx · Dec 19, 2011

Thank you so much for your input (and others with helpful comments). I was leaning toward a bridge. I don't mind the bulkiness of a bridge- but I did mind carrying around the extra lenses of a DSLR, especially when my main intention was casual photography.

I don't think that a DSLR is the only way to go for higher quality prints, I know this from experience with my 5PM camera.

I returned the DSLR not because I was intimidated (Kbarredo), but because I realized that making the move to the DSLR was only the beginning into a longer road and much bigger investment than I had intended. Did I catch the photo bug? Yes, 11 years ago, so it's not like I'm just hopping on the DSLR ban wagon because the are easily accesible. Honestly, if my camera didn't die I wouldn't be in the market.

For those of you experienced photographers who read noob posts & reply with helpful advice, thank you! Your guidance is much appreciated. All others should really get over yourselves.

Kbarredo · Dec 19, 2011

chunx said:
Thank you so much for your input (and others with helpful comments). I was leaning toward a bridge. I don't mind the bulkiness of a bridge- but I did mind carrying around the extra lenses of a DSLR, especially when my main intention was casual photography.

I don't think that a DSLR is the only way to go for higher quality prints, I know this from experience with my 5PM camera.

I returned the DSLR not because I was intimidated (Kbarredo), but because I realized that making the move to the DSLR was only the beginning into a longer road and much bigger investment than I had intended. Did I catch the photo bug? Yes, 11 years ago, so it's not like I'm just hopping on the DSLR ban wagon because the are easily accesible. Honestly, if my camera didn't die I wouldn't be in the market.

For those of you experienced photographers who read noob posts & reply with helpful advice, thank you! Your guidance is much appreciated. All others should really get over yourselves.

Oh no you misread my post. You mentioned you were intimidated by the other photographer at the wedding with the big camera. Now that you are at the same equipment level you dont like it. Its the whole grass is greener thing. One day you will grow out of the p&s. You will reach the limits of your equipment and you might get a dslr. Or maybe by that time a new style of camera might come out. Anywho best wishes on your future endeavors.

chunx · Dec 19, 2011

You're probably right. I think I did give up.

I should have come online first. I didn't realize all these wonderful forums existed! It would have comforted me, to say the least.

The learning curve for a DSLR is steep, and I didn't realize that previous to my purchase. After showing my portfolio to a local photographer he recommended the kit I purchased but unfortunately I did not do my research before hand. If I had done so, perhaps I would have felt more comfortable embarking on the DSLR adventure.

I can go back to get the DSLR, but before I make any purchase I want to be sure (this time) it is one that I will use and can use within a month. I don't have years to learn my camera, my kids are growing too fast!

I think it was a big surprise to me because I knew my old camera so well, and the DSLR had my starting back on square 1.