Question for Any/All DSLR Owners.

[annnewjerz]

I was all set to shop for a PnS that I could throw in my purse and have for quick snapshots. Instead, I bought a camera bag that looks like a purse and carry my D300 everywhere I go. LOL

My normal purse is actually plenty large enough to carry my D90, but I do worry about protecting it (there is no padding in my purse) and also---with all of the stuff I carry in my purse it weighs about 10-15 pounds as it is , I kid you not, so adding another 7 pounds of camera and lenses to the bag just isn't an option my shoulder likes to deal with anymore.

Maybe I should just learn to carry the camera with one lens attached and spare myself the added bulk of everything ese.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I sometimes stick my dSLR in my pocketbook, too. But only for quick trips if I'm sure there's something I want to shoot that doesn't require the other stuff I have in my bag.

I swear, between my work bag, my camera bag and my pocketbook, I'm starting to "lean". (Oops - almost forgot, the diaper bag for twins.)

 

[wenrob]

I sometimes stick my dSLR in my pocketbook, too. But only for quick trips if I'm sure there's something I want to shoot that doesn't require the other stuff I have in my bag.

I swear, between my work bag, my camera bag and my pocketbook, I'm starting to "lean". (Oops - almost forgot, the diaper bag for twins.)

How old are your twins? I bought each of mine the preschool LL Bean back packs and make them carry their own stuff. I started this when they were around two, they love it and everyone thinks it's totally adorable, lol. We keep them packed and in the truck so they're always ready to go.

When I don't feel like hauling the D90 around I throw my Canon S2 IS in my purse. However eldest DD has asked for it and I want to encourage her to learn it so have told she can have it. Perfect excuse for me to find a nice little PnS to toss in my purse. I really, really like the SX110 IS when we were playing with them the other day and seeing Jeff's pics has just about sealed the deal for me. Of course I'm not near as skilled as he is but I can aspire to be.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How old are your twins? I bought each of mine the preschool LL Bean back packs and make them carry their own stuff. I started this when they were around two, they love it and everyone thinks it's totally adorable, lol. We keep them packed and in the truck so they're always ready to go.

Mine are 11yo now, a boy and girl like yours (I see in your siggie). Love them to pieces!

I'm currently in the market for bags for WDW for both of the kids, something they can sling over their shoulders and put their own stuff in. They have old backpacks but I was thinking more along the line of messenger type bags.

DH and I have each always just carried a bag and that's worked out fine, but this year I had the bulging dSLR bag already and DH hurt his back so it was kind of difficult - carrying what amounted to mostly the kids stuff (hats, colored sharpees, lanyards, jackets, mittens, etc) - around. Plus, we'd give DS the bag and five minutes later we'd look and he'd have handed it off to DD, the little bugger. Slick.

Sorry OT, Ann.

 

[ssanders79]

I prefer to lug my DSLR with me to take photographs. There are some occasions where I go out and grab our old Sony Cybershot when I just need to take a snapshot.

 

[boBQuincy]

We have some P&S cameras but don't use them much. They are good for parties, informal gatherings, things where a SLR might look out of place. The shutter lag is bad, the power zooms are awful, and the high ISO is noisy. Ours all have viewfinders, I just can't get into looking at the LCD (and can't see much in it anyway).

I carried a P&S on a business trip where I went to Disneyland, I sure missed my SLR! Now I carry one on all trips.

 

[DSLRuser]

I have both. My Fancy DSLR with all my lenses and such, and a simple 2 meg apixal Nikon Coolpix I have had for 8 years.

IMHO you need both.

 

[annnewjerz]

Sorry OT, Ann.

No problemo---have all of the OT conversation you would like in this thread, it's interesting to read.

 

[Todd_H]

My DSLR is a Canon 40D, but I also use a Canon SD850 IS when I don't feel like lugging around a backpack full of gear. However, if I think I'm going to be in a place where I might want to get creative, I don't take the p&s.

This one was taken with the 850 IS which I thought turned out pretty well

 

[fitzperry]

I guess it's something to think about, but I doubt I will purchase anything soon. I mean c'mon...almost $400 for the Canon S5 or a new lens??? I know already which one I'll end up picking.

This is why I don't have my own p&s and just borrow one of the kids' or dh's when I want to use one. I've considered one of the Canon G9's or something along those lines, but when it comes down to it, I'd rather spend my money on dslr gear.

 

[Gdad]

...and then there are people like Jeff...

Hey now- I went out with just a P&S camera ONE TIME!

 

[DisneydaveCT]

Before I bought my K100D last fall, I went through 3 PnS cameras. Each time I upgraded to more MP's, I gave my old camera to a friend or relative. In fact my last two PnS cameras are now with my oldest DD and my DF . In addition, my other two DD's have their own PnS cameras. So I am never far away from a PnS if I need to take a quick photo when my DSLR is not with me at that moment.

Last week during our very special trip to WDW , my DF and I each carried our cameras. This was my first trip to WDW with my new DSLR and its lenses. At one point, I said to my DF that I remembered why I replaced my old SLR with a DPnS...the added weight . But I was truly enjoying getting to know my DSLR and its various lenses. It was a very exciting learning opportunity. I now have a much better understanding of JPEG vs. RAW, Manual vs. Auto, ISO settings. Now I can't wait to get back to WDW with my DSLR and this improved knowledge. But I am sure there will be future times at WDW that I will not bring my DSLR into the parks and just use another family member's PnS.

 

[jann1033]

My normal purse is actually plenty large enough to carry my D90, but I do worry about protecting it (there is no padding in my purse) and also---with all of the stuff I carry in my purse it weighs about 10-15 pounds as it is , I kid you not, so adding another 7 pounds of camera and lenses to the bag just isn't an option my shoulder likes to deal with anymore.

Maybe I should just learn to carry the camera with one lens attached and spare myself the added bulk of everything ese.

huh, this just made a light bulb go off as to why my left shoulder, where i carry my camera bag, hurts constantly. i really thought i must be sleeping on it funny

 

[bnorm27]

I always keep the P&S at the ready around the house. I also use it for work. ( I don't want them to think I get paid too much if I break out the DSLR and the 70-200 f 2.8!).

We went to see the Jonas Brothers last year. Instead of trying to deal with getting the DSLR in, and potentially having to trudge it back to the car, I brought the Kodak Z750. It does have some modes that you can get creative in. It generally takes very nice pictures.

 

[annnewjerz]

Hey now- I went out with just a P&S camera ONE TIME!

Even so, you shared the pictures with us from that one time---and now you've got all of us (especially us ladies who cart around 25 pounds of junk everyday without the camera ) looking for new lightweight options that may produce better results than our basic p&s cameras.

I don't think I'll be jumping back on the p&s bandwagon anytime soon since I just got my first dSLR and really like it way too much to give it up even occasionally yet, but still plan to bring my very old Canon (I know! ) SD300 4mp p&s, as well as my Oly 1030 SW underwater p&s with me to Disney juuuuuuust in case.

 

[annnewjerz]

huh, this just made a light bulb go off as to why my left shoulder, where i carry my camera bag, hurts constantly. i really thought i must be sleeping on it funny

You aren't kidding!!

When we go away for the weekend, DH (as well as anyone else in my family) always complain about how they don't feel like carrying the shopping bags any longer, or their carry-on luggage is getting heavy and I just Between my huge tote-bag purse with books to read, notebooks to jot down lists on, cell phones, wallets, etc. and my camera bag----I honestly feel like a pack mule most days.

I just wouldn't be able to survive without all of my stuff. I have been told I could survive weeks on a deserted island with just what's in my bag everyday...maybe one day I'll leave everyone at home, go enjoy some peace and quiet and test that theory.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The funny thing is, on our trip, I let my DD use my old HP 3.1MP camera, which was my first digital camera. Damn, that thing took great pictures! DD loved it because it's really easy to use. Unfortunatley, it died on the trip. I'm actually thinking of trying to find another one for her somewhere. It was heavy, but did a great job. (My MGM winning photo from Aug, 07 was taken with it.) My second HP also took great pictures, but had horrible battery life, so although I still have it, I don't want to get into using it again. She's not as into learning about photography as my son is, which is fine. We do have Canon S2 and S3s which are great, but I'd like to get DD something of her own. Thoughts are welcome.

 

[My2Girls66]

Hey now- I went out with just a P&S camera ONE TIME!

Canon appreciates you! You may have just boosted sales for them
Nice shots, btw. I have 2 friends with that camera. They both love it. One went to Africa and on a safari with it.

 

[annnewjerz]

The funny thing is, on our trip, I let my DD use my old HP 3.1MP camera, which was my first digital camera. Damn, that thing took great pictures! DD loved it because it's really easy to use. Unfortunatley, it died on the trip. I'm actually thinking of trying to find another one for her somewhere. It was heavy, but did a great job. (My MGM winning photo from Aug, 07 was taken with it.) My second HP also took great pictures, but had horrible battery life, so although I still have it, I don't want to get into using it again. She's not as into learning about photography as my son is, which is fine. We do have Canon S2 and S3s which are great, but I'd like to get DD something of her own. Thoughts are welcome.

You said you have the Canon S2 and S3---so I thought I would just back up the fact that I love my Canon p&s. If it wasn't for the fact that I wanted something that would work underwater, I don't think I would have ever bought another one. I have some shots from vacation that I really like. The little modes on the dial really do a great job (got a nice shot of some flowers in Aruba using the macro mode).

Anytime I buy a p&s from now on, I think I will probably go Canon. I'm trying to find a reason to buy DH the S5 even though he never takes pictures on trips because he knows I'll spend all of my time doing it.

All of that being said, when I was trying to decide between upgrading a dSLR and just sticking with a p&s, one that I found and was really considering buying was the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. I liked the small size, the IS, the 10x zoom and the sample photos from it that I saw looked really nice (quality-wise).

Here's a link. It's $275ish on Amazon right now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011Z8CCG/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I liked the Lumix, too. I'd also love to get an underwater camera, too, for cruising. Then again I like the micro 4/3s, would like to pick up a second dSLR for my DS, and have my eye on a new tele lens. (Hmm, I always thought I didn't have Aquisition Syndrome. Maybe I do, just another form of it. AAS - Atypical Aquisition Syndrome, LOL.)

I picked up the S2 on CL, really just for video on one of our trips, but it turned out that DH really liked using it. He and DS go back and forth now between the S2/S3, with the Olympus thrown in for good measure.

This can get nuts, can't it?