To all you Canon SLR owners

[Cinbride]

I currently have a SX10IS. I bought it bec/ I was scare of learning how to maka rebel work. I have currently been using my sx10 in P more. But not adjusting all the other things. I mess with the iso a little but not much. I have 2 kids and am afraid if I get one i will never use it because it will be too much work. Do they still auto focus and would you use that more than manual? I guess that is one of my biggest issues? I like my sx10. However, in sunlight / outside in the shade my daughters face is either washed out / white. Help sway me either way. Is it that hard? Can I do great things w/ the camera I have now? I want to set up a little studio just backdrop and simple lighting(posted on board about this also) I don't know my husband will kill me if I get another. I have an sd870is, sd1200, sx10, and then I bought a jvc camcorder. Its my thing instead of buying purses I guess. However, we do use the small ones a lot for our business picture taking items. If you do sway me, I may just ask for one for our upcoming anniversary 8 yrs equals electronics, right??

thank you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you're willing to put some time and effort into studying photography basics (which would benefit you whichever camera you're using), you'll see there's a lot more you can do with your current camera. Then take it from there. But give it a shot first...

 

[VVFF]

My photography skills developed most on a Canon S3 IS, very similar to your current camera. There is still much you can learn about your current camera. Learn Av, Tv, and M modes and when to use them. Learn to evaluate shutter speed to know if its hand holdable. Learn to use fill flash, learn to control depth of focus(to some extent), learn the best settings for challenging situations. This can all be done on the camera you have now and it will make the eventual transition to a more complex camera much easier.

 

[ukcatfan]

In good lighting, a DSLR is not going to do much better than your camera. It is in difficult lighting that they really show their advantages. I agree that you can probably be happy with your current camera if you learn more about using it.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I have 2 kids and am afraid if I get one i will never use it because it will be too much work. Do they still auto focus and would you use that more than manual? I guess that is one of my biggest issues? I like my sx10. However, in sunlight / outside in the shade my daughters face is either washed out / white. Help sway me either way. Is it that hard? Can I do great things w/ the camera I have now?

You've asked quite a few questions, so I'll try to answer as many as I can...

Auto focus:
Yes, all DSLRs have autofocus. I would actually be very surprised if any DSLR does NOT have autofocus.

(although I think there's some issue with certain Nikon DSLR bodies + cheaper / older Nikon lenses, like the 50mm f/1.8 lens doesn't have autofocus on certain Nikon DSLR bodies. The Nikonians on this board should be able to provide more specifics about this.)

I believe a great majority of folks with DSLRs use autofocus a great majority of time. There are very very rare instances where you'd actually use manual focus. You'd use manual focus if you're doing macro photography, where exact focus is critical. You'd use manual focus in very very dark (or near-dark) situations (such as in certain areas of the Haunted Mansion ride), where your camera might have difficulty getting a good focus lock. Otherwise, 99.9% of the time, I use autofocus.

Fill Flash:
In the situation where you're outside but your daughter's in the shade, I would have expected your daughter to have appeared darker than the rest of the photo. In this case, you should use flash so that your daughter appears brighter. This is considered "fill flash".

However, you mentioned that your daughter's image is actually "washed out / white". Can you post a sample picture? This might have happened if most of the scene was in the shade, but your daughter's face was in a brighter / sunny area. If you know what settings your camera used / guessed in "P" mode, you can use the "Manual" mode to override your camera's settings so that your daughter's face is properly exposed. But if you could post a sample picture here, it would certainly help so we can tell what your camera may have done.

Can I do great things w/ the camera I have now?
Yes, as everyone else has mentioned above, you can already do great things with your current camera. Your current camera should be able to take the pictures you want, and your photography skills have plenty of room to grow using your current camera.

With a DSLR, you can certainly continue using the "P" mode, but I'm not sure you'd necessarily get better pictures. On "P" mode, you're depending on your camera to guess the settings, so you'll encounter the same problems with a DSLR as with your current camera.

 

[Frantasmic]

http://http://www.shortcourses.com/store/canon-sx10is.html

Besides reading the manual that came with my S5, the short course for my camera ($20.00 for an interactive PDF download) helped me make the most of my camera's abilities. The short course gives you detailed instructions with interactive graphics how to perform various things with your camera.

It sounds like you are really invested in your children's lives and activities. Since it sounds like they are younger, as of now, your current camera should suffice. The photography problems you describe are easily fixed without further investments in money really. It is when your kids get older, play basketball in dark gyms, sing in dark auditoriums, dance in unlit stages, etc that you will benefit from a dslr.

 

[Amy]

My photography skills developed most on a Canon S3 IS, very similar to your current camera. There is still much you can learn about your current camera. Learn Av, Tv, and M modes and when to use them. Learn to evaluate shutter speed to know if its hand holdable. Learn to use fill flash, learn to control depth of focus(to some extent), learn the best settings for challenging situations. This can all be done on the camera you have now and it will make the eventual transition to a more complex camera much easier.

http://http://www.shortcourses.com/store/canon-sx10is.html

Besides reading the manual that came with my S5, the short course for my camera ($20.00 for an interactive PDF download) helped me make the most of my camera's abilities. The short course gives you detailed instructions with interactive graphics how to perform various things with your camera.

It sounds like you are really invested in your children's lives and activities. Since it sounds like they are younger, as of now, your current camera should suffice. The photography problems you describe are easily fixed without further investments in money really. It is when your kids get older, play basketball in dark gyms, sing in dark auditoriums, dance in unlit stages, etc that you will benefit from a dslr.

You're getting some sound advice. I too have the SX10is - upgraded from an S3. I also used to use a film SLR - Pentax MeSuper - many years ago, so I'm also semi-familiar with SLR's, although mine was pre-digital.

Before plunking down the $$ for a dSLR, get out of the P mode on your camera. There's an exposure compensation button on the back of the camera (I believe it's the 2nd button down on the right) - you can still be in P mode but can adjust the exposure + or - 2 full stops (in 1/3-stop increments). See what that does to your photos.

Try Av mode for a while - this adjusts the aperture and the "bokeh".

For your daughter's face - try diff. metering modes. (The function button in the middle of the dial on the back of the camera.) There's evaluative, center-weighted and spot.

What Frantasmic mentioned above - taking photos at sporting/dance events - that's what I've found to be the biggest limitation on my SX10. My boys are in marching band (I guess I should saw "WERE" since my youngest is a senior and marching band is done for the year), and taking pictures at afternoon band practice/competitions was no problem, but the evening competitions on the field under the lights.....hit or miss.

My advice would be to get a copy of the Short Courses book (MUCH more valuable than that dinky owners manual that comes with the camera) and get the most out of your SX10. Then when your kids get older and involved in more activities, you'll know the limitations of your camera and can make a more informed decision on whether to move up to a dSLR or not.

 

[Bstanley]

One point about waiting that hasn't been mentioned - now that DSLR systems are basically 50/50 Electronic/Physical - the electronic portion will be getting steadily cheaper/better/faster. So by waiting you will end up buying will an improved version over what's available today.

Don't wait beyond when you need it - but for example the original Digital Rebel was introduced in August 2003 at a $1,000 price point - today the Digital Rebel XS is a much improved camera (including a better lens actually) and can be regularly purchased for $500 ($425 if you get a special deal).

 

[SrisonS]

My photography skills developed most on a Canon S3 IS, very similar to your current camera. There is still much you can learn about your current camera. Learn Av, Tv, and M modes and when to use them. Learn to evaluate shutter speed to know if its hand holdable. Learn to use fill flash, learn to control depth of focus(to some extent), learn the best settings for challenging situations. This can all be done on the camera you have now and it will make the eventual transition to a more complex camera much easier.

My thoughts exactly. I had an S3 before upgrading to the Rebel T1i. They function very much alike, actually. The Rebel is definitely better is low light situations; but I'm sure your camera is fine for now. Just experiment with the settings on your current camera first. You don't wanna spend the money for a dslr and not be able to take full advantage of it. And to further push the idea of staying with your SX10IS for now, you might also wanna think about the price of lenses too. Some people, including myself, might not totally factor that in when thinking about making the jump.

 

[Cinbride]

wow guys. A million thank you's to all. Some really great info. I'm the type that needs to be shown what to do. When reading the manuals my head spins. However, I received a lot of very useful information. While its just my kids, its all about my kids. I love taking pictures always have. Getting unique and different angles on things. I don't know there is just something about it. Maybe someday my passion will go deeper and get involved in other projects. My biggest problem is getting them developed. I have sooo many to get done and never do it. I'll try and dig up those pictures for you. Again, you all have made me think I made a good choice in the sx10. I shoot mostly with that outside or if I do milestone/monthly pictures; sometimes I use just to grab a take a quick indoor pic. I do find that most of the time my sd works better for that. and that is probably bec/ I'm not setting it up correctly; simply p&s. Thanks again. My hubby and his wallet thank you.