Should I????? by Ana Carloto O'Shea

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10-SEP-2005	Ana Carloto

Should I?????

This photo is here because I am going through a big dilema these past days...
This little camera that you all see in the photo is the camera that I have been using to make all the photos that I have in my galleries.
It's a simple compact Kodak and yet I have been able to do many things with it, but now I have been thinking if it wouldn't be worth to buy a different kind of camera...
So, the question is: Should I buy a DSLR???
I think it would be great to have one, but other times I just think it would be a waste of money...

So, I am asking for suggestions here... What should I do??

Kodak DX7630
1/10s f/4.8 at 21.3mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Guest		04-Dec-2010 11:00
your so pretty

milroy de silva		26-Apr-2007 09:38
i bought a cannon rebel xt.dslr i want to know what is the lence that i should bye for 100meter distance. and i had 17mm 50mm lence.

Kimberley Hannaman Taylor		01-Jan-2006 14:02
Wow! That's a big question! I recently (this past summer) switched from a veritable point and shoot Fujifilm Finepix to a Nikon D70S (digi SLR) and it's changed my life. I definitely feel more like a photographer now and I've learned so much because the camera makes me! However, I've missed quite a few shots these past months due to my technical inexperience, but that just makes me try harder. The new camera is definitely cumbersome (and was very expensive for a poor girl like myself.) I do not recommend giving up your P&S right away, as I often wish I had a thin credit card like babycam to carry always since lugging the Nikon EVERYWHERE is getting to be a pain in the butt - especially since I'm so paranoid about losing it to the point of never leaving it anywhere, i.e. taking it into the gas station/grocery store etc. I think it's a definite turning point when you decide to go SLR. One huge advantage and the other driving force behind my decision to upgrade was lag time. Those precious seconds it takes a lesser camera to boot up can cost you great shots. Also the cheaper cameras blur a lot making any kind of portraiture difficult (unless you can get your subjects to sit stock still like in the old "brownie" days). There you have it. Good luck with your decision making. Happy New Year!! KHT

Bernd Koenemann		17-Dec-2005 16:04
Ana, I am not much of a photographer so my advice may not be too valuable. I'll try anyway. A DSLR is a totally different animal. If you carry one of those around your neck you look like a photographer. If you carry your little point-and-shoot thing around in a pocket, you are a normal person. I you take it out of the pocket you are a tourist, but still a normal person. I personaly have both, a DSLR and a small point-and-shoot affair. I almost always use the DSLR, because I find it easier to use (for example, having a zoom ring instead of little knob for the motorized zoom). However, there is some loss of spontaneity involved. You can't just pull the DSLR out of your pocket at any time for that surprise moment. Bernd

lorin niculae		17-Nov-2005 13:36
yes, you need a dsrl, even just to be able to use different dof in your photos.

Guest		23-Sep-2005 21:17
One big difference still and that is shutter lag. So much quicker on a DSLR. Not sure whether that is important for your style. You work wonders with what you've got.

Guest		23-Sep-2005 14:34
I´ve had most kind of cameras, from Hasselblad to humble Sony T7 , my present shirt pocket camera. My bet is , buy an handy DSLR , like Nikon D70 with a 28-200mm zoom and a very small one. There is a time for both. Sometimes , the SLR is a must, no other choice. But in many others, you need someting very little, not to be seen, but able to catch that very momment.A camera you put in a pocket.In present time, for example , in NY , I did about 80% of shots with Nikon and 20% with small Sony.That´s a fact of my own experience. Also, a very handy one is easier to use without tripod or with a very small one. Abraço, jorge E falando de fotos, gosto muito desta.

Guest		18-Sep-2005 23:21
You gotta do what you gotta do! I've been shooting for over 20 years.I've tried various film formats and different cameras like all amateurs are bound to do.There are always better and faster toys to play with just around the corner,every year it seems.I agree with the others in that your creative thrust is paramount.And considering a tool is just a means to the ends.If you aim to aspire to the ranks of professional photographer and need that camera and that lens to earn a living,well yes you are forced down that road with the rest of the dog pack.If you are like me and love making images for the sake of sharing life's experiences with friends,well the equation becomes one of convenience.I like the compact camera because it's fast,light and can go everywhere with me.And it does.I still have my hefty bag of 20 year old 35mm nikon gear and a medium format camera,too.But they need more time and a tripod and not everyone in my life can "just wait a minute while I..." So the camera with multiple lenses tends to be a weekend affair.Maybe you have a friend with a DSLR that you can go shooting with to give you a better idea.It largely depends upon how you operate as an artist.Personally I think that digital cameras are a money racket.The software is always changing.And we are dragged along without mercy.And it seems getting chained more and more hours onto the computer instead of participating in life.Equipment is a touchy subject.All of the best in your decision :-)

Guest		15-Sep-2005 13:51
hello ana, je pense que cette photo ressemble plus au naturel et c'est bien, les autres ne sont pas mal mais certaines ressemblent un peu trop à des clichés de pub.

Guest		14-Sep-2005 21:54
why choose when you can have both !!! hahaha!... well on a serious note... if you go thru my galleries you will notice some of the best images that you all voted on have been with a compact prosumer Canon G2.. (nowadays a new one the g6 is the best and latest) which gives me excellent auto as well as manual controls and an liveLCD feed thats missing even in the best of digital professional SLRs.. plus if you are shooting candids and peoplethe twist and turn LCDand the ability to turn off the shutter release sound is a big big advantage that is not there in themore expensive DSLR. Also as it is fixed lens sensor dust is no issue withe the smaller ones... however when you want to blow up your images large size or take extreme low light pix at 1600 or 3200 iso then a dslr comes in handy... (i recently bought the canon 350D)...but those ocasions are few and far between... and any camera like a canon G6 can handle.... alternatively the coming months are going to be flood of new "crossover cameras from kodak,canon and sony will be in the market at very reasonable prices... I know Kodak is coming out with a 12x zoom fixed lens with all pro SLR look and features with aim and shoot user friendliness for around US 500 dollars.. these will have a 5 mill pix and 8 mill pix choice too... so wait a few months and choose around Christmas... ( My work as a digital imaging consultant to various corporates helps me get advance model release info from these companies sometimes!) cheers and best wishes

Paulo Ferreira		13-Sep-2005 11:31
Olá! Penso que não precisas de fazer melhor fotografia. Se achas que a tua humilde Kodak est+a a chegar ao fim da carreira pensa em substituir por qualquer coisa equivalente mas mais sofisticado tipo Panasonic Lumix com lentes Leitz. A qualidade optica estaria assim garantida. As fotos nesta galeria são feitas com timer e possível tripé e ter o equivalente em (D)SLR é um "tijolo" bem grande e acho que ficarias frustada com o peso e tempo desperdiçado. Penso que perderias também (mais) um pouco da espontaneidade que mostras nas tuas fotos. Eu sempre usei SLR e DSLR e para mim fotografia não pode ser feita de outro modo o que me leva a ter de tomar decisões em relação a equipamento sempre que saio à rua e até em casa. Se quiseres dá-me uma palavrinha mais "privada" em relação a este tema através de correio electrónico ou messenger. Um outro conselho prático... se tiras fotos com espelho faz uma simples simetria (flip horizontal) em photoshop. Assim as letras da máquina e as tua face será a real e não a reflectida.

Guest		13-Sep-2005 08:52
People have been comparing my work to yours. I think they do your work injustice by saying that. I also use a simple compact digital camera, and I have a lot of fun using it, but I'm in need of a camera with a lot more possibilities. You are able to capture what you want with only this simple camera. It shows your talent. So whatever you decide, you work will always be great, although I would like to see what you are capable of with a DSLR.

Guest		12-Sep-2005 19:05
type error: "i dont think a compact pointNshoot camera not (NOR) a DSLR would make a big difference as long as you have it in you to produce great images." i meant it really wont make much of a difference what camera you use.but i do suggest you get yourself a DSLR - its gonna be a lot more fun!! =D

Guest		12-Sep-2005 18:58
hi ana. ive been into photography since i was a little kid and most recently found the love for photography back in my life. i got myself a small casio pointNshoot camera and came up with beautiful pictures. as you progress, you learn more and so i moved on to a casio part-time pro camera which gives me the ability to play around with the manual settings. as i went through that, i gave myself a little boost by getting myself a canon powershot G6. its a compact digital camera part-time pro and totally great! and now, after my classes and endless shoots, ive moved on to my very first DSLR - the canon digital rebel 350D!! =D as mentioned by the others, it totally depends on you and want you need and what you want to achieve with your images. a DSLR can give you more edge with quality. more options and more room for experiments. i always believe that its your ability to see what's beyond, your creativity and passion which makes beautiful pictures...which you clearly have ana. i dont think a compact pointNshoot camera not a DSLR would make a big difference as long as you have it in you to produce great images. carry on with the kodak...and yes, i do suggest you get yourself your very own DSLR. you surely deserve to hold and learn from one...a lot of money yes...but definately worth it!! =) good luck with the decision...i hope we were able to help out.

Pepe Zyman		11-Sep-2005 23:01
Not much to add to the previous comments. Just go for it! I want to see the results!

scott clarke		11-Sep-2005 16:28
Ana my background goes long before digital. You would not back then choose a throw a way film camera over a good 35 mm slr. People say the camera does not take the picture, not entirely true. When a camera is used on automatic the photographer only has a say in the observation and no say on the information being recorded. This is a very important ingredient, for me the most important part. For someone just starting you have a very good eye and some really creative ideas. To move on you have to start understanding why things are happening. The beauty of knowing manual Ana is you never have to understand automatic! Regards!

Kal Khogali		11-Sep-2005 14:48
Now you have really done it Ana! This will officially be the longest thread on any single image on the whole of pbase ;-) Does a DSLR make you a better phorographer, well you know the answer to that. What does it do? Well besides the quality improvement for printing, and more conrol (e.g. shooting RAW files and no in camera sharpening), the main change will be versatility. Speeds of up to 3200, less shutter delay, higher shutter speeds if you enjoy street photography like I do, and ultimately the choice of lens you want to use for the job. All this comes at a price, and personally I don't think of that price as financial. The price as Chris mentioned is the real risk of sensor dust, but also the wrong lens on the camera at the worng time, and most of all weight. A fast f2.8 lens on my camera (24-70mm) weighs more than the camera! I have taken better pictures with my wife's Sony P72, but I also can't use it at night as you once commented on the ISO3200 used on one of my images, and ultimately if I wanted to crop an image to taste it would be that much more difficult. There are a lot of "hybrid" cameras that you can consider that will offer you something in between, that fit your style today and will still allow you to expand in to other areas. If you intend to sell your work, and get in to this seriously, then only a high megapixel D-SLR will do. Also always remember, you won't be throwing the Kodak away, so you can chose which camera you want for what occaision.

Guest		11-Sep-2005 12:26
99% of photography is creativity of which you already have plenty of. The DSLR gives you some additional technical abilities such as bluring the background and using fisheye or telephoto lenses. It is probably worth it if you have money burning a hole in your pocket but if not you are doing just fine with your point and shoot.

Guest		11-Sep-2005 08:19
Okey..i vote for the new camera!!!:)

Guest		11-Sep-2005 04:12
Tough call isn't it? - and one I'm trying to deal with too. I love what you do with B&W and how you make graininess work so well. Can't see how a DSLR would improve your work much in that regard. On the other hand, your talents are obvious and better equipment should provide better results, overall. I'll watch with interest - good luck. John

Chris		11-Sep-2005 00:37
The one thing you hear about, but don't fully understand until you buy a DSLR is that you...will...have to deal with sensor dust, particularly if you like to swap lenses. It starts out as a few specs that you can easily clone out in photoshop. Later, you will acquire smudges that are a little harder to clone out. Eventually, you will have to send it back to the manufacturer for maintenance and cleaning because it becomes too much to deal with. Worst of all, it forces you to change the way you shoot. White walls, beautiful sunny vistas become your enemy because they betray your dirty sensor worst of all. Having said all the negatives, I love my D70 and the ability to change lenses. I've learned more in the past 6 months than I thought I would. I told myself I would continue to use my old point and shoot, but I haven't since I bought the new kit.

Guest		10-Sep-2005 22:44
Cameras are tools to help us to come up with better pictures taken. A DSRL is as you know, is a camera that you can change lences. It depends allthought what you will do with it, for instance to get good printouts you need more information to get from your digital files. To post in the pbase is ok with the camera you have been used till now. As a conclusion, my advice is you to buy the Canon 20D (8,2 MP). For the lences to accompany this camera it depends on how much money you willing to spend, so let me know your budget and I will suggest the best quality Canon lences versus the cost. I know that you are an amateur photographer and I'm visiting your galleries sometime now seeing the great improvement you are having. I'm suggesting you to go on and maybe you will use photography in a professionaly way in the near future. Amyway I wish you all the best Iannis

Pedro Libório		10-Sep-2005 21:12
olá Ana ... eu acho que vais amar a DSLR ...risos...eu pelo menos adoro fotografar com a 300D mas no dia à dia continua a ser a G2 que me faz companhia ..pois a DSLR não é tão prática para transportar ...depois temos ainda a questão do maravilhoso visor da G2 que roda a 360º que dá um jeitão em inumeras situações .. ou seja adoro as duas mas a qualidade de imagem da 300 D é superior ....o permitir fotografar com mais qualidade de imagem, a vantagem em piores situações de luz (fotograr a 800 ASA com grão mínimo....enfim...são uma série de novas vantagens ... se tens possibilidade de o fazer acho que deves optar pela DSLR ...sem dúvida !!!!! beijinhos

Galina Stepanova		10-Sep-2005 18:28
Hi, Ana, I had this dilemma a year ago... Fortunately I got my DSRL as present...Unfortunately it is big and do not fit my purse, but I like the quality of images and it saves a lot of Photoshop time. So, no advice, just wish you good luck to make the right decision.

Guest		10-Sep-2005 16:07
You are doing already a great job with your Kodak so what will happen when you use a DSLR?????? :) But seriously, a DSLR is great but expensive. I was thinking about the same recently. My reason for not bying one was because I have an analouge reflex camera which I love, so no digital one for me ! Anyway, I am sure you would love the DSLR!

Guest		10-Sep-2005 14:59
Ana, I don't know what to say. It depends so much on the persons, on your needs, on what you like or don't like to do. I bought my first digital camera (and my first "real", non only automatic, camera) in June 2004. I really began to do more with it last September. I loved it, I thought I would never buy a DSLR, because I had all in the same (a big zoom). Then I began to do more and more. Then I found it frustrating to compose in a small screen. I wanted a viewer. I wanted the feeling of the "clic". So I decided I would buy a DSLR... I just LOVE it. But still, it is a lot of money, because there are also lenses. And if you like to use many lenses, you have to carry them.

Stu		10-Sep-2005 14:46
Epa!! Uma DSLR e', certamente, mais versatil.... mas... ja apanhas imagens espectaculares. No entanto, acho que e' bem vale a pena comprar uma. Se quiseres esperar 4-5 semanas, podes experimentar com a minha D70 a proxima vez que estou em Lisboa.

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