Help choosing a camera... P&S or Dslr?

[webejoys]

Hi folks!

It's my first time on the Photography Board so a quick hello to everyone! I am an art student and need to take lots of pics for my portfolio. They will mostly be stills of the actual projects. I don't know anything about photography so I was hoping for some help choosing a camera. First off, I am not sure which camera type to choose. I know point & shoots will be easier for an amateur, but my concern is quality. That's why I'm leaning toward a Dslr; I'd like to get as close to professional shots as possible. Any thoughts on which to choose? Recommendations of actual camera models would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

webejoys

 

[Princess.Neve]

Hello!

Just to start things off, I think your primary concern should be how willing you are to carry the model around. DSLRs really require your dedication and willingness to carry them around all the time. It is a big change from just throwing a PnS in your bag and heading out.

Now, I know this is not a hugely popular camera around here, but if you do end up leaning toward the PnS route, I cannot recommend the Canon PowerShot SD990 strongly enough. It is a great camera that takes high performance photos. It has a very high mega-pixel count without much of the addition 'noise' that is commonly found with such values in a PnS.

 

[ukcatfan]

It really sounds to me like you should go DSLR. I believe any p&s might leave you wanting more. I am extremely impressed with the Pentax K-x that just came out. I am biased towards the brand, but this thing is simply the most bang for the buck in the entry level DSLRs right now. The Canon Rebel T1i is probably the closest in specs (some better some worse), but it costs enough more that I feel the Pentax is the better choice. Plus, if you are going to stay inexpensive at first, I believe the Pentax kit lens is built to a much better quality than Canon or Nikon's. Hopefully my C&N friends will not flame me for saying that as they all should know that C&N do that on purpose to encourage the upgrade.

 

[Frantasmic]

Are most of your projects table-top size that you would shoot indoors with some sort of lighting? If so, then an entry level dslr would work. Mr. ukcatfan's suggestions above are good for that.

If not, I'd suggest the Canon S90 or Canon G11. Those are bridge cameras that will be smaller in size, single lens, but will still give you better quality photographs than the average point and shoot.

 

[mrodgers]

....I'd like to get as close to professional shots as possible.

That would be up to you and what you are willing to learn, not the camera.

A dSLR will obviously get better quality results than a P&S, but for "professional shots" as you put it, that is up to your knowledge of photography, not the camera.

If you are willing to learn about photography, then what you need is a camera with manual capability. You can go inexpensive with a "bridge" camera, or otherwise known as a superzoom, or even inexpensive with a beginner dSLR such as the Nikon D40. When I started playing around with photography, I purchased a superzoom. I used it to learn about exposure and how the shutter, aperture, and ISO relate to each other to get the "correct" exposure. I also used it to learn the rules of composition, which is the most important part of "professional" looking shots.

The composition aspect is the part that is learned no matter what camera you choose. A coworker and I both bought cameras at the same time 2 years ago. I bought a $200 superzoom and he spent $1500 on a dSLR package. He leaves his in auto mode everything and I learned the various aspects of photography. Guess which camera produces better shots? Yup, the $200 superzoom because I apply the knowledge of photography to the shots while he lets the camera decide everything and just points and shoots.

That said, you do outgrow a superzoom quite quickly. I outgrew mine in less than a year and it no longer can do what I want. I would like to go dSLR, but funds were not there. Now funds are going to be there for me next year, but instead I am taking the family to Disney for our first vacation ever. I still use that same $200 superzoom and it still does many of the things I want to do. That was two years ago I bought it and the superzooms of today are far greater in capability than mine is.

That would be my recommendation depending on budget. You can get a superzoom and learn about photography that way very cheap. That way you won't have the hindrance of carrying around several pounds of gear and you will learn where you want to go in the future. Or, you can go for a budget dSLR (less than $500 for a Nikon D40) and utilize that to see how far you want to go with it. I wouldn't recommend spending $1000 on a camera that you will just use as a point and shoot such as the coworker I mention above.

For the record, with learning with my little superzoom, I got to understand the limitations of my camera so that I know what I want in a future camera. This will allow me to make a more informed decision at purchasing something much more expensive in the future rather than buying a dSLR based on price then having to sell everything because I found out about a feature I want/need in another camera system.

 

[tiggr33]

A dSLR will obviously get better quality results than a P&S

I'm sorry, but that simply is not a true statement. There are way too many variables to consider then to simply say one is better quality of the other. I can shoot my Nikon Coolpix s210 alongside my Canon Xt or Xti and get very comparable shots depending on the settings and the glass (both on the cameras, and enviromental settings like light, and lens choice has a huge bearing on outcome).

Guess which camera produces better shots? Yup, the $200 superzoom because I apply the knowledge of photography to the shots while he lets the camera decide everything and just points and shoots.

This is conflicting to you earlier statement that a dSLR is better to a P&S, But you hit the nail on the head, in that is your knowledge and understanding of the camera and it's limitations that produce better quality output.

What is your medium? What type of art you will be photographing may influence the type of equipment that will work best for you. I shoot both a P&S and a dSLR. Many people discount a P&S, I am not one of them. I have success with both and have won numerous awards with images I have taken with P&S's.

 

[anewpage0]

 

[tiggr33]

Duplicate post deleted. Gremlins are in my laptop today.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What type of art?

As a general rule, a DSLR can take a much better picture than a P&S. They use much bigger sensors and tend to have better lenses. However, the biggest differences are seen in the most challenging conditions. If the lighting conditions are ideal, a good P&S can get a picture that is practically indistinguishable from a good DSLR.

The great thing about taking pictures of still life is that you can usually create "ideal lighting conditions." Instead of spending a lot of money on a camera, I suggest that you focus on learning to create ideal lighting conditions. Read books on lighting (Light: Science and Magic is my favorite). You don't need fancy strobes or flashes. Just can some reasonably powerful lamps and make sure that the bulbs are color matched. Instead of buying softboxes, reflectors, gobos, snoots, etc, just make your own out of card board, paint, and foil (you are an artist, after all).

I guarantee you that a person that understands lighting and is willing to spend a little time and effort getting the light just right will get a better picture with a decent p&s than someone who just takes the light as is and uses a $10,000 camera setup. The lighting is much more important than the camera (as long as the camera isn't too bad).

 

[webejoys]

A big Thanks to you all! I am Fashion Merchandising major and I live in Miami so needless to say we have a lot of natural light here.

What type of art?

Fashion. I do a lot of Merchandising projects. Something similar to what is found in the pages of Vogue, Elle, etc. I tend to work with inanimate objects rather than live models. However, there is a project coming up that requires an actual photo-shoot with a live model, hairstylist, makeup, etc.

Are most of your projects table-top size that you would shoot indoors with some sort of lighting?

Yes. Most of my projects are either handmade shadowboxes, miniature store windows or trend/runway reports, business plans, advertising campaigns, etc. We do have a studio set up in the university with the proper equipment that I may use if needed.

That would be up to you and what you are willing to learn, not the camera.

I am willing to learn it all if it means I get to take great pictures! That's why I came to you guys! I lurk around this board quite frequently and am amazed at the quality and level of expertise available. I just knew you guys would know your stuff and give some great advice!

Thanks for the recommendations on the books. I will go out to Borders this week and pick one up.

By the way... I was in Best Buy and happened to hold a Canon Rebel XSi and loved it. I saw it for $699 but a local Walmart has it for $599. Is this too much camera for me? Am I better off with something less expensive to start with?

Thanks again,
webejoys

 

[GrillMouster]

If your main interest is not photography itself, but, rather, just documenting your fashion projects for your portfolio, then you might want to consider having someone else do the photography. If you cannot afford to pay someone, you may be able to find another student who would be willing to help. You'd both benefit, because (s)he would get some practice and possibly some shots to use for his/her portfolio.

 

[Frantasmic]

The Canon XSi would be great for your purposes. However, as others have indicated, you could accomplish similar goals with less expensive equipment and better attention to lighting.

Please don't infer that you will automatically get better pictures from a dslr. As stated, generally that may be true, but since you are probably on a budget, you may consider a good point and shoot or coordinating with another student to do the photography.

However, reading between the lines, if you have already caught the "I NEED a dslr camera to do my work properly" bug, you have our collective permission to get a good dslr starter kit and join this happy family. Afterall, the economy needs all the help it can and one more person with Nikon/Canon/Pentax/Sony/name your brand Acquisition Syndrome will help make a dent.

 

[boBQuincy]

Ah, now there's something I know a bit about! I bought a Xsi about a year ago and have a little over 6000 photos from it now, which rates me as kind of a slacker in this group.

The camera can be used in Auto mode and will do just about everything for you, and can progress through Program mode all the way to fully manual. It is not too much camera for anyone who cares to read the manual and learn a little about photography but it is also very capable of some advanced techniques. I usually leave mine on Program mode but don't tell anybody!

The Xs version looks and feels the same, has a few less features, a few less megapixels, and is a few $$$ less.

 

[webejoys]

Actually, I had no intentions on purchasing a Dslr, but when I came on the board and saw the Canon pic of the day thread, I was amazed. It seemed like an obvious choice in terms of quality. However, I realize now that no matter the type camera, great photography has a lot to do with the skill of the person taking the picture! I am going to read the book recommended by MarkBarbieri, then I will price out cameras depending upon my level of understanding. I'll just practice with my sisters new Nikon S220 Coolpix in the meantime; this just may become my new favorite hobby! Thanks for all of the help. I do really appreciate it! I'll post pix of my experiments when I get the hang of it!

webejoys

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Keep in mind that the book I recommended is not a general photography book. It is a book dedicated to understanding how lighting working works in photography. It takes a lot of effort to work through it. I think that it is very worthwhile, but if you are expecting a book on general photography, you'll be disappointed.

 

[boBQuincy]

Keep in mind that the book I recommended is not a general photography book. It is a book dedicated to understanding how lighting working works in photography. It takes a lot of effort to work through it. I think that it is very worthwhile, but if you are expecting a book on general photography, you'll be disappointed.

Oh great, I ordered the book based on your glowing review and *then* you mention "it takes a lot of effort". Where is the easy, no effort at all lighting book?

 

[Frantasmic]

Easy Lighting 101, Fran Version

On or around June 21/22 each year, when the sun is at it's highest in the sky, outside, if no clouds are present, you will have some decent lighting.