Comments on: Derek’s Rant… on buying a new digital camera…

By: arjun

arjun — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:16:35 +0000

I don’t dare not bring my DSLR on a trip, or an event where I am the only or main photographer! The inability for instant review on a film camera and the versatility of a DSLR makes it a ‘no contest’ for me. To me a camera that allows for interchangeable lenses, gives a WYSIWYG preview (i.e. no parrallax error), allows in-camera change of ‘film type’, instant preview, has quick auto-focus, allows manual and auto exposure settings, is the epitome of camera development.

So for me:
cannot fail = digital
artistic = film

Not that digital cannot be artistic, but film does make me think more before I shoot, and I shoot film to express rather than to record.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:57:14 +0000

I finally broke down and got a DSLR because my fixed-lens ultra-zoom became obsolete. I love using the DSLR (a used Nikon D40 that I got in May) for family shots and for moments when it is imperative that I get a ‘great’ shot (that is, in focus and properly lit). When I do take the DSLR with me I bring along my favorite toy camera as well and try to get the same shot just for comparison. It can be a really useful tool. I don’t ‘see’ things the same way through the DSLR either, nor do things look the way I want them too when I shoot digital. Nick’s comment about lenses is right on and as long as you aren’t a gearhead (which it seems you aren’t) than forget about your DSLR being obsolete. If it works well you should still use it, just like old film cameras. Imagine the looks on people’s faces 10 years from now when you’re still using a DSLR purchased in 2009?

By: Andrew(Admin)

Andrew(Admin) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:53:24 +0000

You hit the nail on the head re:test rolls. I feel like I spend my life running test rolls and never fully exploring a camera. My flickr is littered with photos entitled ‘blah blah first/test roll’. I think I need to concentrate on a camera or two and use them. I found that Large Format helped with the camera problem too; I don’t have to fret about what camera to take out, and I can spend time composing at taking shots.

By: Derek Von Evil

Derek Von Evil — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:00:07 +0000

Thanks for the comment Jacob, I snuck the SD1000 in with all the vintage and retro cameras, it’s a great pocket camera, I normally have it with me at all times. It pulled double duty as a light meter for a long time.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:19:50 +0000

Many ideas here. On a side note, I always find it somewhat surprising to find someone on the web musing about similar things that are bouncing in my head.

I am similar in that I just don’t see the same or shoot the same with my dSLR as my SLR. I don’t know what it is, but it’s true.

As far as the dSLR goes though, I disagree a bit with you. When you buy a $1000 dSLR, you’re really investing in the lenses by your choice of manufacturer. After the body, 2 or 3 good lenses can easily set you back just as much. Plus, I think that my 40D will be taking just as good pictures on it’s 10th year as it does now.

While the noise performance isn’t the same as newer models, that’s a precarious game to play. There’s always a longer lens, wider lens, less noise body, etc to fool people (myself included) into thinking that it’ll make or break that one shot.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:17:44 +0000

I definitely sympathize with you. When i was about to go on a trip recently, i was deciding what camera(s) to bring, and i was debating between my 35mm SLR or my dSLR for my main camera. I eventually realized that if i’m mostly going to be shooting vacation pictures, it might as well be on digital. Here’s my quick reference:
artistic = film
vacation/family = digital

Now, that’s not to say that i won’t take the Holga out to take some fun shots of my neice, but if everyone’s gathering for a family picture, i’m going to use my dSLR.

Also, is that a Canon SD1000 in the picture for this post? I have one just like it, and it’s a very nice little P&S