Transitioning from point & shoot to DSLR...

[deanx0r]

I started digital photography with a point & shoot, then bought my first DSLR two years ago and still cannot get over it after all this time.

I know I know... DSLRs are technically vastly superior to point & shoot. They are faster, more responsive, more accurate, better for low light etc, but they do also come with a lot of luggage.

My main issue is framing. Framing with a point & shoot just requires to move your arms around as you live view the final image on the LCD. A DSLR requires so much more effort as you have to glue your eye to the viewfinder. Any change in the framing requires you to move your head around, thus your arms, body are shifting all over the place. That is a whole lot more of work!

It doesn't seem much, but it makes my framing sloppy on DSLR, I am unwilling to explore more framing possibilities, because it takes so much more effort (and partially because I am a bit lazy). I thought live view would help, but a 5 lbs DSLR really offsets your center of gravity compare to a point & shoot, making extremely uncomfortable to wave it around with your arms extended.

I've tried to go back to point & shoot, but then I was really missing all the goodies DSLRs are about. The viewfinder, the accuracy, the controls... It's like a curse, and I am stuck between two worlds.

Well, that's my rant.
Anyone shares the same feeling?

 

[996GT2]

5 lbs? Are you shooting a D3 with 70-200 f/2.8 or something?

Most entry level DSLRs weigh about a pound with lens, which is quite reasonable for handholding.

Sounds to me like a Panasonic G1 would bridge your needs nicely. It's got one of the best live view systems around (no mirror box, actually) and is quite responsive.

 

[yllus]

I have to say, moving my arms more was probably the least of my regrets when I moved from a P&S to a SLR camera. I much prefer using a viewfinder than the LiveView of my 40D - the LCD for me is there to use to look at the histogram and check for sharpness of photos I've just taken.

The thing I tell people to prepare for is the likelihood that you will take worse photos when you start using a SLR than with your old pocket camera. While the advantage of responsiveness is great, most people start out having no idea how to utilize the new freedom in the kinds of exposures they can take. People also rarely post-process (sharpen, tone) starting from day one - something that P&S's do in-camera. Lastly, SLRs are just a bunch harder to lug around with you. One of these days I'm going to put down the cash for a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 for casual use.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I miss the compactness and being able to just stuff the thing in your pocket. Having to carry a heavy backpack is sometimes a PITA.

Otherwise, no regrets.

Dream camera:

A "larger P&S" say the size of the Canon G10, full-frame 35mm CMOS sensor at 12 MPX, fixed telescoping lens capable of 16-300mm F1.4 constant, IS, weather sealed, made of light-weight titanium and carbon fiber, ISO 50-12000, 10 FPS (RAW), swivel VGA screen, 100% clear view finder, and costs under $1000.

 

[twistedlogic]

No regrets. I sold off my P&S right after purchasing my first DSLR to pay for a lens.

Just this weekend I used a P&S for the first time in a couple months and I found myself bringing the LCD up to my eye, doh.

Originally posted by: deanx0r
My main issue is framing. Framing with a point & shoot just requires to move your arms around as you live view the final image on the LCD. A DSLR requires so much more effort as you have to glue your eye to the viewfinder. Any change in the framing requires you to move your head around, thus your arms, body are shifting all over the place. That is a whole lot more of work!

Working for a great shot can be really rewarding. To me its part of the fun/challenge of owning a DSLR. I've taken many shots without looking through the viewfinder with great results.

I don't think you can attribute this to buying a DSLR, but my framing has gotten better. Maybe because before I was just shooting "snapshots" where now I actually think before pulling the trigger.

I've been debating about getting another P&S just to leave in my car, but that could be used to fund a new lens, .

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: deanx0r
I started digital photography with a point & shoot, then bought my first DSLR two years ago and still cannot get over it after all this time.

I know I know... DSLRs are technically vastly superior to point & shoot. They are faster, more responsive, more accurate, better for low light etc, but they do also come with a lot of luggage.

My main issue is framing. Framing with a point & shoot just requires to move your arms around as you live view the final image on the LCD. A DSLR requires so much more effort as you have to glue your eye to the viewfinder. Any change in the framing requires you to move your head around, thus your arms, body are shifting all over the place. That is a whole lot more of work!

It doesn't seem much, but it makes my framing sloppy on DSLR, I am unwilling to explore more framing possibilities, because it takes so much more effort (and partially because I am a bit lazy). I thought live view would help, but a 5 lbs DSLR really offsets your center of gravity compare to a point & shoot, making extremely uncomfortable to wave it around with your arms extended.

I've tried to go back to point & shoot, but then I was really missing all the goodies DSLRs are about. The viewfinder, the accuracy, the controls... It's like a curse, and I am stuck between two worlds.

Well, that's my rant.
Anyone shares the same feeling?

DSLR's are not just better "technically" than P&S. The IQ is far better, as is the creative control. However, if you are using your DSLR as a glorified P&S, then maybe you should switching to something like the Panasonic LX3 or Canon G10. Lots of controls with those 2 digicams.

My Pentax K100D - no lightweight - weighs 2.1 lbs w/kit lens attached. Even with a "quality" lens - like the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 - the total weight is ~ 3 lbs.

Honestly, it sounds like you are more than "a bit lazy". But that's OK. If using a DSLR is not your cup of tea, then you should use something else!

Originally posted by: twistedlogic
Just this weekend I used a P&S for the first time in a couple months and I found myself bringing the LCD up to my eye, doh.

I do this, too! :laugh:

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: yllus
The thing I tell people to prepare for is the likelihood that you will take worse photos when you start using a SLR than with your old pocket camera.

This was absolutely true for me when I got my SLR and I tell people this as well.

As for the OP, I don't regret it because I still use both. With my SLR, taking it out always seems like a whole production. I need the bag, the camera, the lenses, the flash, etc. With a P&S, I just slip it into my pocket. So I still use both, since a SLR is not always necessary.

Other than that, I've never preferred a P&S more than an SLR. I look at all the P&S photos my friends and I have taken in the past and I realize how many of them missed focus, are overly noisy, overly processed to remove noise, underexposed, etc. I typically discard those types of photos when they come from my SLR now. The photo quality just doesn't compare.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: deanx0r

Originally posted by: twistedlogic
Just this weekend I used a P&S for the first time in a couple months and I found myself bringing the LCD up to my eye, doh.

I do this, too! :laugh:

Me three...I don't know what the hell I was thinking lol.

 

[IronWing]

I continue to use and enjoy both. I use a G9 at work and love the one handed operation, the ability to shoot from odd angles, and "shove" the camera at stuff and click. I use a D90 at home and love the dynamic range, speed, and ability to customize exposures w/o menu diving.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ironwing
I continue to use and enjoy both. I use a G9 at work and love the one handed operation, the ability to shoot from odd angles, and "shove" the camera at stuff and click. I use a D90 at home and love the dynamic range, speed, and ability to customize exposures w/o menu diving.

Yup, both is a great way to go. You can keep a small P&S with you at all times, then the bigger dSLR for photo trips or events.

 

[ElFenix]

i've got both. a little panasonic deck of cards camera that resides in my car (i need a case, maybe a cigarette case will fit? altoids tin is too small), an LX3 for when i have pockets or maybe a girl's bag to put it in (cargo pants are dorky as hell but about the most useful thing on the planet), and a 40D for everything else. sometimes i take out my rebel 2000 and wonder at how light it is compared to the 40D's brick-like mass.

 

[randomlinh]

the only thing i miss is portability.

my dream p&s is the sigma DP2... but with canon's sensor (from the XTi is fine) and pentax's "hand's off" noise. And canon's interface. And at $500 =)

 

[AndrewR]

I miss my P&S because it was far cheaper to shoot with that than my current appetite for new lenses and other toys to go with my DSLR, like the new awesome little "softbox" that fits over my flashgun. Works great!

 

[shortylickens]

Balls no.
Even with a kit lens I have many more shooting options and image quality is always superior. I kinda miss live view, but most of the newer SLR's have it and I think it will be the standard on all cameras in the future.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i've got both. a little panasonic deck of cards camera that resides in my car (i need a case, maybe a cigarette case will fit? altoids tin is too small), an LX3 for when i have pockets or maybe a girl's bag to put it in (cargo pants are dorky as hell but about the most useful thing on the planet), and a 40D for everything else. sometimes i take out my rebel 2000 and wonder at how light it is compared to the 40D's brick-like mass.

For those using a compact P&S camera, a generic cell phone holder makes an awesome camera case. I know our compact P&S at work is housed in a generic $5-10 dollar cell phone holder. Just clip it to your belt and it's ready to use.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: akugami

For those using a compact P&S camera, a generic cell phone holder makes an awesome camera case. I know our compact P&S at work is housed in a generic $5-10 dollar cell phone holder. Just clip it to your belt and it's ready to use.

i'm looking for a hard case. and i don't want anything clipped to my belt while in a swanky bar. or anywhere else for that matter

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: akugami

For those using a compact P&S camera, a generic cell phone holder makes an awesome camera case. I know our compact P&S at work is housed in a generic $5-10 dollar cell phone holder. Just clip it to your belt and it's ready to use.

i'm looking for a hard case. and i don't want anything clipped to my belt while in a swanky bar. or anywhere else for that matter

Otter Box.

 

[Munky]

That's why I didn't buy a heavy a$$ camera like a D700, and instead bought a lightweight D40 to take everywhere. Even with a kit lens it blows away any compact in IQ, and is light enough to carry around all day.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: munky
That's why I didn't buy a heavy a$$ camera like a D700, and instead bought a lightweight D40 to take everywhere. Even with a kit lens it blows away any compact in IQ, and is light enough to carry around all day.

still need a bag though. I can slip my SD1000 in my back pocket =)

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: munky
That's why I didn't buy a heavy a$$ camera like a D700, and instead bought a lightweight D40 to take everywhere. Even with a kit lens it blows away any compact in IQ, and is light enough to carry around all day.

still need a bag though. I can slip my SD1000 in my back pocket =)

If I want to travel light, I just use the kit lens, and carry the camera without a bag. Doesn't fit into a pocket, but it's easy to hang it by the strap.

 

[andylawcc]

never looked back and rarely use P&S.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I miss the compactness and being able to just stuff the thing in your pocket. Having to carry a heavy backpack is sometimes a PITA.

Otherwise, no regrets.

Yeh no regrets. But you shold just buy a cheap p&s for times when you don't want to lug around a large camera and lenses.

 

[AkumaX]

good to have both, but even prefer lugging the DSLR around

A300's live view spoils you / makes you lazy sometimes

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I miss the compactness and being able to just stuff the thing in your pocket. Having to carry a heavy backpack is sometimes a PITA.

Otherwise, no regrets.

Yeh no regrets. But you shold just buy a cheap p&s for times when you don't want to lug around a large camera and lenses.

Or, you can just bring the dslr with one lens, and still blow away any p&s. Just because you have a bag-full of lenses doesn't mean you should carry all of them around.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I miss the compactness and being able to just stuff the thing in your pocket. Having to carry a heavy backpack is sometimes a PITA.

Otherwise, no regrets.

Yeh no regrets. But you shold just buy a cheap p&s for times when you don't want to lug around a large camera and lenses.

Or, you can just bring the dslr with one lens, and still blow away any p&s. Just because you have a bag-full of lenses doesn't mean you should carry all of them around.

Yeah, but you still can't keep it in your pocket.