My little rant

[manaheim]

^ what he said.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

This is "one of those" threads

 

[MTVision]

Honest opinion, here: I think you're making a poor investment.

There's a lot more to photography than, "Oh hey, I like this, I'm going to take a picture of it." With a low-end entry level camera, you're going to find yourself very limited, very quickly.

The best advice I can offer you is stick with the camera you have until you can buy something that will not leave you limited in such a short time span.

I don't see it as a poor investment - she's going from a bridge/p+s to an entry level d5100. The d5100 has some limits but she won't hit them anytime soon. It has no AF motor so the lenses she'll need are a little bit pricier - flash doesn't have a commander mode - there are ways around that. Off camera flash is still an option. The d5100 handles high ISO's really well especially when done properly. It may be an entry level camera but it is definitely a step up from what she's been using. It's not like she's a professional photographer - and jeez even some of the "Pro's" out there use even worse entry level cameras.

It's a great entry level camera and she got a great lens with it.

 

[Railphotog]

I'm curious how the OP manages to do manual focus with the Canon SX30? I have one, use it most of the time over my DSLR, and find the manual focus option is rather cumbersome. Can't equate its manual focus with the same on a SLR or DSLR.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

The same has been said for any art for millenia. It isn't the canvas, it's the painter. It isn't the camera, it''s the photographer. It isn't the guitar, it's the musician.

And that is all very true.

The second half of your post is however total bull.

Why, then, is a Stradivarius such a prized instrument if it doesn't matter?

Is it a prized instrument to an irish fiddle player? Hell NO! Is it a prized instrument to a member of some rock band using a violin in some video? Hell no.

Is it a prized instrument to the last teenager who forgot one on the NYC subway? Hell YES. But only in the sense that they know they are going to catch hell for forgetting it somewhere...

If you don't get the difference between art and bull****, so be it, but don't try and make your views the ultimate views...

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

I'm curious how the OP manages to do manual focus with the Canon SX30? I have one, use it most of the time over my DSLR, and find the manual focus option is rather cumbersome. Can't equate its manual focus with the same on a SLR or DSLR.

Manual focus on the SX30IS is very annoying, I guess I've just have become used to it though, I use nothing but manual on that camera now. I really pay attention to the focus meter thing on the side and the distance away from the subject.

 

[manaheim]

Is it a prized instrument to an irish fiddle player? Hell NO! Is it a prized instrument to a member of some rock band using a violin in some video? Hell no.

Is it a prized instrument to the last teenager who forgot one on the NYC subway? Hell YES. But only in the sense that they know they are going to catch hell for forgetting it somewhere...

If you don't get the difference between art and bull****, so be it, but don't try and make your views the ultimate views...

Cloud are you a musician?

I am. Have been one for 30 years.

It doesn't matter what type of music you play, a quality instrument in talented hands makes a pretty significant difference.

I don't generally find a relationship between art and bull****, but I must admit that your bull**** is quite the work if art.

 

[cgipson1]

I'm curious how the OP manages to do manual focus with the Canon SX30? I have one, use it most of the time over my DSLR, and find the manual focus option is rather cumbersome. Can't equate its manual focus with the same on a SLR or DSLR.

Manual focus on the SX30IS is very annoying, I guess I've just have become used to it though, I use nothing but manual on that camera now. I really pay attention to the focus meter thing on the side and the distance away from the subject.

Has it occurred to you that you might be taken more seriously by those you complain about ... if you would use proper terminology, and not "the focus meter thing on the side, etc"? Just a helpful hint!

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

I'm not saying I wouldn't like a more expensive camera, but I'm saying no one should underestimate someone because of their tools. And yes I know my 50mm has an auto-focus motor...I wanted a lens for walking around candid shots.
I mean every camera has its potential for certain things, but automatically judging someone off their gear is a little frustrating. I'm not talking about it on this forum in particular but in some situations people wont listen to me because of my bridge camera, acting like I don't know anything about photography because I have a cheapish camera. I mean I kinda understand from certain aspect but blowing someone off is just plain unjust.

Also its also frustrating when someone has a thousand dollar camera and uses nothing but auto...but thats a different point.

You say people shouldn't judge you for your gear, and yet you're essentially judging them for theirs.

If they spent less than $1000 on a camera would it be ok for them to lock it into program mode? That also sort of implies that YOU look down on people with lesser gear, so why would you expect more of anyone else.

Face it... You're jealous and bitter that you're stuck with a marginal camera.

Wow ok bud whatever you say. I'm judging them for their gear, but I believe if your going to be spending that much money on something you should be using it for its full potential. Otherwise it's a bit of a waste. And still I do get somewhat bitter towards people who do shoot on nothing but program/auto who have entry DSLRs.
But I'm not bitter, and I wouldn't call it "marginal gear". It is something very capable of taking good pictures, and that's what I need it for. I call it living in my means. I could of bought a D7000 but that would of left me almost nothing left for glass. I'll probably upgrade later on once I have a better stockpile of money.

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

I'm curious how the OP manages to do manual focus with the Canon SX30? I have one, use it most of the time over my DSLR, and find the manual focus option is rather cumbersome. Can't equate its manual focus with the same on a SLR or DSLR.

Manual focus on the SX30IS is very annoying, I guess I've just have become used to it though, I use nothing but manual on that camera now. I really pay attention to the focus meter thing on the side and the distance away from the subject.

Has it occurred to you that you might be taken more seriously by those you complain about ... if you would use proper terminology, and not "the focus meter thing on the side"? Just a helpful hint!

I'm just not sure what its called, i'm sorry... I know most technical terms other than that. But it's an odd little widget, if he has the camera he probably knows what I'm talking about.

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

Honest opinion, here: I think you're making a poor investment.

There's a lot more to photography than, "Oh hey, I like this, I'm going to take a picture of it." With a low-end entry level camera, you're going to find yourself very limited, very quickly.

The best advice I can offer you is stick with the camera you have until you can buy something that will not leave you limited in such a short time span.

I don't see it as a poor investment - she's going from a bridge/p+s to an entry level d5100. The d5100 has some limits but she won't hit them anytime soon. It has no AF motor so the lenses she'll need are a little bit pricier - flash doesn't have a commander mode - there are ways around that. Off camera flash is still an option. The d5100 handles high ISO's really well especially when done properly. It may be an entry level camera but it is definitely a step up from what she's been using. It's not like she's a professional photographer - and jeez even some of the "Pro's" out there use even worse entry level cameras.

It's a great entry level camera and she got a great lens with it.

Thank you for the kind words, it's nice to have someone not doubting me. I believe I've met the full potential of my SX30 so its a step up. And by buying the 1.4/g i'm leaving room for use of a full frame in the future.

 

[Josh220]

But I'm not bitter, ...

Um, perhaps you missed the title and basis for your own thread?

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

Honest opinion, here: I think you're making a poor investment.

There's a lot more to photography than, "Oh hey, I like this, I'm going to take a picture of it." With a low-end entry level camera, you're going to find yourself very limited, very quickly.

The best advice I can offer you is stick with the camera you have until you can buy something that will not leave you limited in such a short time span.

I honestly am sort of confused since you have T2i, the D5100 is basically Nikons competitor for it..But ok

 

[ShutterbugSarah]

But I'm not bitter, ...

Um, perhaps you missed the title and basis for your own thread?

I'm ranting... So your saying you don't get upset and tell someone the story or reason. Doesn't mean I'm bitter, I kinda wanted to see other peoples opinions.

 

[SCraig]

Is it a prized instrument to an irish fiddle player? Hell NO! Is it a prized instrument to a member of some rock band using a violin in some video? Hell no.

Is it a prized instrument to the last teenager who forgot one on the NYC subway? Hell YES. But only in the sense that they know they are going to catch hell for forgetting it somewhere...

If you don't get the difference between art and bull****, so be it, but don't try and make your views the ultimate views...

Why don't you do us both a favor and add my username to your ignore list like I just added yours to mine?