Why do I want an SLR?

[kdibattista]

We are in the market for a new camera and I seem to be drawn to the bodies and feel of the SLR cameras but I'm not sure what exactly they are . Can someone give me a quick rundown of why I would want a SLR vs. a regular digital camera... in non professional photographer terms ?

Thanks!!!

 

[Master Mason]

Well,

Reduced Shutter Lag
Faster Frames per second
Larger Sensor = better picture quality
Abilty to change Lenses = better ability to get pictures you would want to keep
More Creative Control (there are some bridge cameras that are pretty good, but they do not have as much control as a dSLR
Better low light performace (this is achieved by better high ISO and more control)
You like how it feels in your hand
You spent a boat load of money on it, so it becomes important to learn how to use it
Because you want it.


And probably the biggest reason, because you can't get the pictures your trying to take with the camera you currently have. And this is true in every case, because if you were happy with the pictures you were currently getting, then you would have no need to look at other options.

 

[deletedpenguin]

^ Master Mason summed it up well, but ultimately if you're already asking the question as to why you'd want it, refer to the last reason.

Because you want it.

 

[tinksdad]

^ Master Mason summed it up well, but ultimately if you're already asking the question as to why you'd want it, refer to the last reason.

Because you want it.

I was going to be a wise guy and say "Cause they're Cool"

but you beat me..... (being a wise guy/gal)

Seriously, you have to look at your photography desires and aptitude for learning and spending the time/energy to learn. If you don't want to be bothered with all the aperture, shutter, depth of field, white balance, etc. Then a DSLR is probably not your cup of tea. If that intrigues you and you desire to learn more about photography, the by ALL means get one!! You won't regret it.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks guys... I do want it but only because of the way it looks & feels and I want to make sure it's worth it. I'm really only familiar with a point and shoot digital.

 

[Master Mason]

If you have a friend that has one borrow it for the weekend, if you don't then rent one for a weekend, go out and use it, then you will really know if it is something your into, or something you will find to be a hassle.

 

[tinksdad]

Thanks guys... I do want it but only because of the way it looks & feels and I want to make sure it's worth it. I'm really only familiar with a point and shoot digital.

You can rationalize that you're going to need a "good camera" for the new baby!!

 

[claribella]

I'm looking into a Canon Rebel but the price is what is stopping me.

 

[ukcatfan]

If the feel is the main thing, look around b/c there are p&s cameras that come pretty close to the size and feel of a DSLR. I believe that Fuji has some.

One very important note to add:
There is much more control over the depth of field with a DSLR. This is both good and bad. If you understand how the exposure settings control it and what you need to do to get the right shot, then it is a powerful tool. If you do not and plan to shoot auto, then you are likely going to get a number of shots where you think that your old p&s did better and wonder why you paid so much for a DSLR.

This stuff really is not that hard to understand and there are a number of good resources to learn it. I did see some very good advice earlier; only move to a DSLR when you feel like you have grown out of what a p&s has to offer.

Kevin

 

[photo_chick]

You want the best baby shots? Get an SLR and a 50mm f/1.8 lens (or any lens with a good wide aperture so you can get a decent shutter speed in this light). Then you can take great shots of your baby inside with natural light. Something I regret not being able to do with my p&s when my kids were babies.

Here is one of my newest nephew and BIL I have to show off...

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm looking into a Canon Rebel but the price is what is stopping me.

Then take a look at the Pentax K110D and K100D. They are much cheaper than the Rebel XTi and still somewhat cheaper than the XT. If you are thinking XT, act quick b/c they were discontinued and the current stock is all that is left.

Kevin

 

[deletedpenguin]

Then take a look at the Pentax K110D and K100D. They are much cheaper than the Rebel XTi and still somewhat cheaper than the XT. If you are thinking XT, act quick b/c they were discontinued and the current stock is all that is left.

Kevin

What's the difference between the XT and the XTi anyways?

 

[tinksdad]

Then take a look at the Pentax K110D and K100D. They are much cheaper than the Rebel XTi and still somewhat cheaper than the XT. If you are thinking XT, act quick b/c they were discontinued and the current stock is all that is left.

Kevin

We're going to start calling you the "Pentax Pusher"




sorry, couldn't help myself......

 

[ukcatfan]

We're going to start calling you the "Pentax Pusher"




sorry, couldn't help myself......

I think Groucho has earned that title hands down. Maybe I could be "Deputy Pentax Pusher". I did offer advice that if the XT is desired, then act quick.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

What's the difference between the XT and the XTi anyways?

The XTi is newer, has more MPs, no top LCD, larger LCD, sensor cleaning (aparently worthless from reviews), and costs more. There are probably other things, but those are the things off the top of my head.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

I think Groucho has earned that title hands down. Maybe I could be "Deputy Pentax Pusher". I did offer advice that if the XT is desired, then act quick.

Just call me the general of the Pentax Army. Now I can sit back and have my soldiers all deliver the firepower for me. $399 for a DSLR with lens, no rebate needed - what more convincing do you need? $50 for the K100D with lens. Both also are the only entry-level DSLRs with all of the following... 2.5" LCD, second LCD on top, spot metering, DoF preview, and a kit lens with a metal mount, real focus ring, and a non-rotating front element. Really, they sell themselves once you do the research.

Anyway, there are three big reasons for a DSLR in my opinion:
1) Feel. No PnS, even the best bridge camera, had the feel of an honest SLR. Real zoom rings, real focus rings, real mirror, real shutter, etc.
2) Control. Control over the photo and the ability to mount a lens that can accomplish a specific effect not possible with another lens, like a very short DoF, or a macro, or a fisheye, or whatever.
3) Image quality, and this comes down to the sensor.

The usual APS-C sensor in a DSLR is about 10x larger than even the larger sensor you might find in a PnS, and about 15x larger than the common 1/2.5" that you'll find in most PnSs, even the expensive long-zoom ones. (Fuji being the exception, but they're far smaller than a DSLR sensor as well, maybe 9x smaller.)

It's all about the sensor, baby!

 

[Master Mason]

It's all about the sensor, baby!

psstt Canon is the only one with a full frame sensor, so if that is what it is all about then Canon must win right??

 

[DizGeek]

Ive got a Canon 10D and a Canon G5...I use the G5 when I dont want to carry around my SLR. When on vacation, I bring both but only carry around one at a time. The one I carry usually depends on the situation. Once we were in Epcot and there was something I wanted to shoot, I quickly whipped out the camera I had with me at the time (G5) and took the shot. Doah! Not quick enough. Blah! Since then, the G5 has been collecting dust.

Theres a reason to get the SLR!

 

[Groucho]

psstt Canon is the only one with a full frame sensor, so if that is what it is all about then Canon must win right??

A fair point except that given a choice between a $4k full-frame Canon and a cheap kit 18-55mm lens, or a K10D with $3,250 worth of nice lenses.................... well, that's an easy choice. It's also not as rough to carry around all day.

But actually, I shouldn't say that it's all about the sensor, it's all about the sensor to megapixel ratio, which I think isn't dramatically different on the FF cameras vs the crop ones. Both destroy what you find on a PnS, though.

 

[Master Mason]

A fair point except that given a choice between a $4k full-frame Canon and a cheap kit 18-55mm lens, or a K10D with $3,250 worth of nice lenses.................... well, that's an easy choice. It's also not as rough to carry around all day.

But actually, I shouldn't say that it's all about the sensor, it's all about the sensor to megapixel ratio, which I think isn't dramatically different on the FF cameras vs the crop ones. Both destroy what you find on a PnS, though.

I know I was just stirring the pot a bit on you you have to compare apples to apples.