Serious amateur

[BrerMama]

One of my co-workers had a book on digital photography yesterday (intro level book) and I picked it up. It showed my camera (Fuji FinePix 5100) in the section where it was explaining different types of cameras -- P&S, prosumer (that was mine) and dSLR. Next to the Prosumer type, the description read "For serious amateurs..."

I laughed because that perfectly describes me. I'm all about taking photos, and for most events, it's the photo taking that I enjoy the most. We have a wedding coming up (my BIL) and I can't wait to go, just so I can take pictures. Figuring out cameras and equipment has been a big part of my Disney planning -- can't just have the Fuji, have to take the Panasonic (Lumix DMC-TZ1) because it has better low light capabilities and you know those character meals are dark. I hate flash, so gotta have the bitty camera.

I've been having a little dSLR envy. I was feeling like you're not really a "serious" amateur unless you have a serious camera.

Then I was reading a review of a book on photography that was just released (written for scrapbookers, but still a good book) that said you shouldn't buy a new camera until you've maxed out the capabilities of your current camera. I'm not there yet. I get great photos out of my camera, but I could still get better.

So I just want to say, I'm firmly in the serious amateur category. I love this board, love looking at the photos and trying to remember what shots I want on my trip. But I'll stay happy with my little prosumer/P&S combo and see what I get. There's always another Disney trip down the road, should I decide I'm ready for a dSLR.

 

[DueyDooDah]

This is the kind of logic I just fail to comprehend. Why stick with what you have if you have the opportunity to spend more on camera equipment? Retirement fund? I don't need no stinking retirement fund!

 

[Gdad]

It's interesting you mention you hate the flash on your current camera. One of the best features of a dslr is the option of a good speedlight so you have some versatility with the flash, bouncing it, etc. I hated flash pictures as well on my P&S and even the onboard flash on the dslr. Getting a real flash made a huge difference in achieving natural looking pictures in these settings.

It sounds to me like maybe you have "maxed out the capabilities of your current camera" at least as far as the flash is concerned.

 

[jann1033]

good for you to know what you want..i on the other hand am a seriously immature amateur and proud of it

 

[ndelaware]

If you want great low light/no flash pictures get a DSLR. Then you wouldn't need to take a second camera.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

How does a serious amateur compare to a frivolous professional? Are those equivalent?

 

[PoohJen]

oh, I understood "hate flash, have to have the itty bitty camera" to mean she doesn't like to look flashy.

Sounds like your camera is perfect for you right now! I 'upgraded' to dslr for action shot needs, and I love my Rebel XT, but I so woefully underuse its capabilities out of sheer ignorance on how to use the camera to its fullest potential!

 

[BrerMama]

My Panasonic can take pictures up to ISO 1600, so excellent in low light and no need for a flash. I prefer a more natural light look to my photos, and would rather use Neat Image and PSE to edit out the noise than take a photo with red eye and a flashy-look. I originally just planned to take only the Panasonic P&S on the trip, then decided to take my FinePix as well.

Just no desire to upgrade to a dSLR. I can easily see myself becoming addicted to needing new lenses, new equipment. Right now I'm happy being addicted to new photo effects and filters for PSE.

 

[tinksdad]

How does a serious amateur compare to a frivolous professional? Are those equivalent?

Hmmmm, could be close.......... but not equal.

serious amateur needs to "have" more equipment, frivolous pro doesn't even use what they have??

 

[jann1033]

oh, I understood "hate flash, have to have the itty bitty camera" to mean she doesn't like to look flashy.

Sounds like your camera is perfect for you right now! I 'upgraded' to dslr for action shot needs, and I love my Rebel XT, but I so woefully underuse its capabilities out of sheer ignorance on how to use the camera to its fullest potential!

well then no giant hunking white lenses with red lines for her for sure

 

[jann1033]

Hmmmm, could be close.......... but not equal.

serious amateur needs to "have" more equipment, frivolous pro doesn't even use what they have??

so is there a frivolous amateur category for the rest of us who buy tons of stuff we don't know how to use ?

 

[BrerMama]

well then no giant hunking white lenses with red lines for her for sure

Um, you do realize I'm still here and reading this, correct? I can't decide if I'm being made fun of, or just not one of the cool kids, or both.

 

[brack]

... serious amateur needs to "have" more equipment, frivolous pro doesn't even use what they have??

I must have graduated to "frivolous pro" ....

 

[MassJester]

How does a serious amateur compare to a frivolous professional? Are those equivalent?

"frivolous professional" -- I love that. I'm speaking to my boss in the morning about a title change.

He'll likely agree...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Um, you do realize I'm still here and reading this, correct? I can't decide if I'm being made fun of, or just not one of the cool kids, or both.

No one is making fun of you. We're just making bad photography jokes.

"Giant white lenses" refer to the Canon telephotos that mare sort of a light ivory color which stands out because most lenses are black. Canon says that it is done so that the lens doesn't get hot.

The "red lines" refers to the little red ring that Canon puts around their "L" series lenses. These (and the green ringed DO lenses) are their most expensive. I guess they figure the little red line makes it sort of a status thing. I'm sure that it makes it easier for the thieves to know who to whack.

Someone who says that they "hate flash, have to have the itty bitty camera" would definitely not want a large, expensive looking lens like one of the big white lenses with red lines. Trust me, I walked around WDW for a couple of days with one and it definitely attracts of lot of "what a wacko geek" stares. It takes nice pictures though.

The "frivolous amateur" line was just my twisted way of wondering what the low end of pros would be if the high end of amateurs was "serious." I just looked up the antonym for "serious" and stuck that in from of pro.

 

[ukcatfan]

Um, you do realize I'm still here and reading this, correct? I can't decide if I'm being made fun of, or just not one of the cool kids, or both.

As Mark said, you are not being made fun of and we are welcome to anyone joining us around here. There is actually another thread going right now about what other boards people post on and many of us only post here b/c we hate how other photo boards are so rude.

Your original post really did not seem to have a question, so the thread sort of went its own way with the replies. Are you thinking about getting a DSLR and wanting some support on if you should or not? I did recently, and I will never look back. It is a world of difference and I even went on the cheap side with my Pentax K100D.

Kevin

 

[Gdad]

I kind of (mis)interpreted your first post as maybe you were thinking of a dslr- or wanted some help in talking yourself into one. The bottom line is the best camera is whatever kind you will use and enjoy. I certainly don't think anyone here is poking fun of you. As ukcatfan said- this is the nicest board I have ever seen.

 

[Lachesis00]

I like that, frivilous pro That seems to fit me as well.

 

[jann1033]

Um, you do realize I'm still here and reading this, correct? I can't decide if I'm being made fun of, or just not one of the cool kids, or both.

sorry brermama, wasn't make fun of you,,,a couple of other threads have mentioned how with the canon white l lenses people look at you due to the huge white & very usually expensive lens. when the comment was made you might not want to draw attention to yourself that is the first thing i thought of.