Do I actually need a DSLR?
Discussion
Rosscow said:
What would you choose if you only had £600 to spend?
It's all well and good saying have both or nothing but not all of us can afford a decent DSLR setup and a good compact.
DSLR for majority of the time and camera phone when it had to stay at the or hotel. £550 ish got my Pentax K50, 35mm prime, spare memory card and AA battery adaptor. That was my budget blown and the iPhone got used if I was out for the night drinking. It's all well and good saying have both or nothing but not all of us can afford a decent DSLR setup and a good compact.
Far from ideal on the compact setup but camera phones keep improving, and when budget does allow a decent compact can be bought ( someone posted a link to a compact Canon with interchangeable lens that looked tempting and could be split down to fit into cargo shorts)
Get a dslr. iPhone 5 can do the 'snaps' well enough, so a compact seems less worthwhile.
How about getting something second hand from someone like london camera exchange. More peace of mind than eBay and if you decide it's not for you it shouldn't have cost you to much if you sell it on.
How about getting something second hand from someone like london camera exchange. More peace of mind than eBay and if you decide it's not for you it shouldn't have cost you to much if you sell it on.
I wrote this in a thread about a month ago - it reflects a similar situation.......
Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
mike9009 said:
I wrote this in a thread about a month ago - it reflects a similar situation.......
Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
For me, this is definitely hitting the nail on the head. Thanks for the post!Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
Rosscow said:
mike9009 said:
I wrote this in a thread about a month ago - it reflects a similar situation.......
Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
For me, this is definitely hitting the nail on the head. Thanks for the post!Hi
Just be careful about wanting a DSLR. I used to enjoy photography, general snaps, family pictures, shots of cars or whatever happened to be going on at the time. My camera used to go everywhere with me and I enjoyed using it - I was an early digital adopter and had a 0.5 MegaPixel Camera to begin with.
Overtime I upgraded the cameras until one day I thought I needed a DSLR (I was going on safari in Kenya which was the trigger point (honeymoon too)). My 400D was great for this trip and I learnt a lot from other keen amateurs on the trip. When I got back, I was taking fewer and fewer shots, as the bulk of the DSLR (lens, bags, flash, battery, etc.) meant it was a special effort to take everywhere. I lost my enthusiasm for photography (at the level I was at....)
Eventually I sold all the kit and went for a compact camera again (Canon SX220) - but have recently upgraded to a Canon EOS M. This camera, I believe, is the compromise that suits my needs perfectly. It offers the control, quality and portability that I lusted after.
The reason I say this, is the fact you are using an iPhone which presumably you are enjoying - adhoc shots as and when needed. DSLRs are great but from my perspective require planning - which removed the fun and spontaneity I enjoyed....
Mike
A spot of forethought and planning goes a hell of a long way.
I'm surprised GetCarter hasn't been along yet to show what is possible in the Highlands with a compact.
I'm in the DSLR or compact camp, if it is too big for a pocket, you may as well have a DSLR. Having said that, the points previously made about DSLRs not being quite so point and shoot, especially for landscapes where you need a tripod is valid. I hardly ever take my full DSLR kit with me if I'm out with my girlfriend, as she gets fed up with all the hanging around.
I'm in the DSLR or compact camp, if it is too big for a pocket, you may as well have a DSLR. Having said that, the points previously made about DSLRs not being quite so point and shoot, especially for landscapes where you need a tripod is valid. I hardly ever take my full DSLR kit with me if I'm out with my girlfriend, as she gets fed up with all the hanging around.
Craikeybaby said:
I'm in the DSLR or compact camp, if it is too big for a pocket, you may as well have a DSLR.
I kind of agree with that, especially if you're considering a bridge camera. Just don't go there. Get a DSLR or live with a compact. I think mirrorless cameras have a lot going for them. Yes, they won't fit in your pocket but they are far less bulkier than a DSLR in most cases. Having a mirrorless camera on a wrist strap and keeping in the hand is far less cumbersome than having a lardy lump of a DSLR around your neck or in a bag over your shoulder.
Seriously considering selling up my d7000 and lenses to go for an LX100. No, it wont fit in my jeans pocket but on a wrist strap that I can take out of a jacket or hoodie pocket. Getting the D7000 out in general has just become a chore. I've got 2 kids to entertain so having a bag with lenses or a brick flailing around on my neck doesn't appeal. I've done the whole enthusiast compact thing before and returned to a DSLR but the LX100 really looks to be more what I'm after... Even with that price tag.
Rosscow said:
I really like the look of the LX100, also. However, look at the size compared to the A6000.
The A6000 is actually slightly smaller than the LX100, 120x67x45 mm vs 115x66x55 mm.
But then you have to go stick a full APS-C sized lens on the front of it, isn't so small any more.The A6000 is actually slightly smaller than the LX100, 120x67x45 mm vs 115x66x55 mm.
The LX-100 isn't a small compact camera but it's a hell of a lot smaller than a DSLR. The RX100 even smaller but then you do away with all the external manual controls which is what makes the LX100 appealing to me.
Good site for this sort of thing... http://camerasize.com/
You put a lens on the A600 and it's going to be far bigger than the LX100, especially a lens anywhere near the equivalent of the lens you get on the LX100.
Regardless, the real size winner here is the RX100...
Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 18th February 13:15
That's a great site, thanks!
Yes I can see your point regarding the size with the lens attached. I don't think it's enough to make me choose the LX100 over the A6000, though.
The problem I have is knowing what I want from the camera, and if I want the ability to change lens.
If I don't, is the 24-75mm of the LX100 going to be enough for me.
Yes I can see your point regarding the size with the lens attached. I don't think it's enough to make me choose the LX100 over the A6000, though.
The problem I have is knowing what I want from the camera, and if I want the ability to change lens.
If I don't, is the 24-75mm of the LX100 going to be enough for me.
Rosscow said:
That's a great site, thanks!
Yes I can see your point regarding the size with the lens attached. I don't think it's enough to make me choose the LX100 over the A6000, though.
The problem I have is knowing what I want from the camera, and if I want the ability to change lens.
If I don't, is the 24-75mm of the LX100 going to be enough for me.
Yup always an issue. Current lens I have on my D7000 is an 18-50 F2.8 which works out roughly 28-75 so a similar range. It never comes off the camera really and for general use, I don't need any more. Previously had the 18-105mm kit lens and rarely used the long end. I can foresee a few situations in the future that longer reach may be needed but probably not a deal breaker. Its the sort of situation where it would be great to have longer reach but by the time you had changed the lens on a DSLR, the situation would have passed anyway.Yes I can see your point regarding the size with the lens attached. I don't think it's enough to make me choose the LX100 over the A6000, though.
The problem I have is knowing what I want from the camera, and if I want the ability to change lens.
If I don't, is the 24-75mm of the LX100 going to be enough for me.
Define 'quality'.
The main advantage of a DSLR IMHO is flexibility; ie it can do more things in more situations. But the more you want to get out of one the more you have to learn.
So if getting decent results easily in most situations is required, buy a compact. If you want to be ready for anything and/or actually learn about the subject, get a DSLR.
The main advantage of a DSLR IMHO is flexibility; ie it can do more things in more situations. But the more you want to get out of one the more you have to learn.
So if getting decent results easily in most situations is required, buy a compact. If you want to be ready for anything and/or actually learn about the subject, get a DSLR.
Simpo Two said:
Define 'quality'.
The main advantage of a DSLR IMHO is flexibility; ie it can do more things in more situations. But the more you want to get out of one the more you have to learn.
So if getting decent results easily in most situations is required, buy a compact. If you want to be ready for anything and/or actually learn about the subject, get a DSLR.
Unless you want to learn about/be ready for anything without the size and cost of a full DSLR, in which case get a CSC?The main advantage of a DSLR IMHO is flexibility; ie it can do more things in more situations. But the more you want to get out of one the more you have to learn.
So if getting decent results easily in most situations is required, buy a compact. If you want to be ready for anything and/or actually learn about the subject, get a DSLR.
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