DSLR camera

[auralia]

Have had my Sony a300 for almost three years and love love love it. Battery lasts 2 months with Normal use and it takes Amazing pics. I did some grad pics for my neice and they also paid to have them done by a professional. When they did her invites via a photo card guess who's photos were on it! They liked my photos better than the professional photographer taken ones she also chose my photos for the year book too! (it was a huge ego boost lol)

 

[wdw_monster]

i was in the same boat. i know nothing about cameras but hate the way my pics always came out. i recently bought a canon t2i and i love it!! i youtubed some "how to videos" and my pics having been getting better and better!!

 

[disneymarie]

Let me start by saying I know NOTHING about cameras... except that I can't stand that every camera I've ever owned takes terrible pictures-other than still pics in daylight! (Right now I use a canon powershot 12mp). I'm thinking of upgrading to a DSLR. Is this a good idea? I'm afraid to spend so much $$ on something I don't know how to use. Would the auto function be sufficient? Or would it be not that much different from a p&s? Any advice? Thanks!

I have sold many of my photos, and need a top quality photo for work also.

Because I need excellant photos for my work I wanted to upgrade to a DSLR. What a disaster. A DSLR does not work its best as a point and shoot. I have two lenes. The 18 - 55 makes things look so far away. The close ups have a lot of white wash to them if I am in a low light area and the flash is used.

I spent $1000 on the Sony ALT ax with two lenses and warrenty. It is sitting in my camera bag. To switch and take scenery I had to put on a second lens. A wast of time changing around.

Recently I went on a cruise and took the back up compact Camera I bought this year after the DSLR, Another SONY but the Cyber shot with a 16 mp and 10 x zoom, CMOS sensor. Great zoom and great photos in the lowest light.

I can't believe I thought I would get better photos with the bigger price tag.

From the smaller camera with the great Lens on it, I have photos from the cruise on Exhibit now. Great sunsets, beach photos were out of this world, photos of family and friends we made came out perfect no matter who took the photo. Side by side, the compact camera photos can not be picked out.

My dd had activity in the Dolphin tank and I was able to zoom in and great precious pic's of interacting and kissing the Dolphin. If I had my DSLR, unless I switched lenses, OR BOUGHT an expensive lens I would not have been able to capture those moments. Plus a cover to keep the reflection off the lens.

For two weeks I had The Cannon Cyber shot, 12mp it had a 36 x zoom would be great for my PI work, but I have a video with great zoom that is better. I returned the Cannon. The large piece of glass (lens) caught too much reflection, in low light, stunk.

I am amazed at this Sony, i take it everywhere. Mine was a package at Sears for $169. The newer one is out and I see it has 3D, no idea how it works, but if you want bells and whistles with great zoom, low light and macro shots, CMOS sensor will not let you down.

Cyber-shot® Digital Camera HX9V
Model Number: DSCHX9VModel Highlights: 16.2-megapixel, Full HD 1080/60p movies, Sony G lens with 16x optical zoom, "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, Hi-speed Linear Focus, Backlight Correction, 3D stills and 3D Sweep Panorama.

I have a second pt time job doing the insurance claims and need my items with me for emergency's. This fits in my pocket. It is not as slim as my dd Sony cyber shot 370 I gave her, and she had only a 5x zoom Carl Zeiss lens. I paid $83 on display at SAMs Club for it. New they are just over $100 and newer versions. I used this one for work when the DSLR let me down.

The video mode is great, I use a 8 g fast SDHD card, the rechargable battey last forever.

That being said, if you want to learn the manual settings, invest in lenses then a DSLR may be for you. But as a newbi.
I would either go with the Sony Cybe shot, or better yet .... A Panasonic Lumix. That is a great camera too. If I did not find shuch a great package at Sears with this one, I would have grabbed that one in a heart beat.

SO no big zoom like 24 or 36, CMOS sensor or at least the LUMIX, with some zoom and you will have a camera for life.
imho

 

[eliza61]

Think of a beautiful photograph like a yummy dish that someone prepared.
You don't ask the cook what kind of pan he used, right?

Learn the photography basics. If your camera has manual settings, give them a try. Force yourself to understand the principals.

Good luck!

My galpal Muushka is absolutely right.

I brought a Nikon D3100 this year. This is my first DSLR camera. I immediately signed up for a few on line classes there are tons of them. My favorite is called Digistal slr guide. The owners name is Chris ?? (can't remember his last name) here is the link

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/dslr-lessons.html

For I think 16 bucks you sign up and get extensive explanations and homework assignments. You can save the information and go back over it whenever you want. The explanations are "keep it simple, stupid" easy. Well worth the money. I signed up early May and I'm having a great time using my camera. I signed up for his newsletter which always has good information and his site will even help you pick out some lenses and cameras. I even found a link to a site where I can rent lenses and try them out.

You learn about
exposure
shutter speed
aperature
and much more.

The site is wonderful, I go back over my lessons all the time. well worth the money.

have fun.

 

[ilovemk76]

My DH is completely inept when it comes to cameras and photos. I went to a camera like you have for ease of use and hated the photos. I had a SLR since I was a teen so I knew lots about them. I researched and bought the Nikon D90. The first photo DH too was perfect and he said it is as easy as the other camrera to us. I have to admit the automatic does such a great job that I never bothered to take it off auto. I highly recommend this camera. I have just the kit lense (the one that comes with the body when you buy it) and it works great.

 

[Crystal824]

My galpal Muushka is absolutely right.

I brought a Nikon D3100 this year. This is my first DSLR camera. I immediately signed up for a few on line classes there are tons of them. My favorite is called Digistal slr guide. The owners name is Chris ?? (can't remember his last name) here is the link

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/dslr-lessons.html

For I think 16 bucks you sign up and get extensive explanations and homework assignments. You can save the information and go back over it whenever you want. The explanations are "keep it simple, stupid" easy. Well worth the money. I signed up early May and I'm having a great time using my camera. I signed up for his newsletter which always has good information and his site will even help you pick out some lenses and cameras. I even found a link to a site where I can rent lenses and try them out.

You learn about
exposure
shutter speed
aperature
and much more.

The site is wonderful, I go back over my lessons all the time. well worth the money.

have fun.

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have looked at most of the free stuff on line regarding basic photography. I was thinking of taking an online course, but wasn't sure which one to take. I really want to take the photography course at the local CC but that isn't offered until fall.

 

[Golf4food]

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have looked at most of the free stuff on line regarding basic photography. I was thinking of taking an online course, but wasn't sure which one to take. I really want to take the photography course at the local CC but that isn't offered until fall.

You know, we have a photography board here on the DIS full of hints and tips and tutorials.

 

[bonoriffic]

I will be taking my 3rd trip to WDW this fall and it is the first one I'm considering bringing the DSLR. The size, switching lenses, and the size of the backpack to carry it all just doesn't work with 2 little ones. There are many point and shoots that go well above and beyond traditional point and shoots, such as the Canon G series. (Which I use as my non-DSLR option, which actually is a great option for 90% of the time)

Of course, those come with a hefty price tag (almost as much as an entry level DSLR) and are not nearly as thin and pocket-able as the cheaper point and shoots. Of course it takes significantly better pictures and offers advanced features when you are ready to use them.

The best advice is go to Best Buy or some place and physically hold the camera. Check out the base lens it comes with, and see the zoom you will get. You will probably have half the range your current point and shoot has. This is why people have two lenses, or a compromise lens such as 18-135 which eliminate the need for two lenses for most people (for an extra $300). Check out the size of the camera with that lens attached, make sure you understand the size and weight.

Don't get me wrong, DSLR is the best option, even just using auto. But those great pictures come with a price, both literal and physical. Just make sure you will be happy, because it is a $1000 investment.

 

[PatriciaH]

I got the Nikon D90 as well and we love it. I keep it on Auto most of the time but play with the settings too. I had a Nikon in college and took photography/art classes but it was a film camera We have the kit lens and a 35mm that is nice for low light/portraits. This has a lot more settings-even video. Our P&S Panasonic has an awesome lens too and I get some great pics with that little one (and HD video.) Most of the Disney photographers (professionals not Photopass) use Nikons.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

A DSLR isn't going to make you take better pics. Whatever camera you use, you need to know how to use it for what it is. I don't know your particular camera, but suspect it could take great pics if worked right.

Check with your local camera store (not Best Buy/etc, an independant sort of store.) Ask if there is any place local that has a BASIC photography course. Assuming your camera has manual settings (most do), you could learn plenty of the basics of photography with that.