2 ms·

But if you're actually going to invest time in learning the craft of photography, an SLR makes a world of difference. It doesn't have to be a high-end SLR by an

by mcav 16y ago

But if you're actually going to invest time in learning the craft of photography, an SLR makes a world of difference. It doesn't have to be a high-end SLR by any means, but it does enable you to capture many things that a point and shoot would not.

iuguy 16y ago
I absolutely agree, but there's no point buying the SLR until you're comfortable with concepts like composition, exposure, lighting and colour theory. If you take poor pictures with a point and shoot, all that will happen with an SLR is that you'll continue to take poor pictures in more detail. One day I will buy an SLR, but I'm not good enough (IMHO) nor do I have a particular preference for certain types of shot that justify it.
- rbranson 16y ago
  I also think that being able to carry around a P+S in your pocket (like my credit-card-sized Panasonic DMC-FX35 -- with it's fantastic 25mm-equivalent Leica Lens) gives you more opportunities to take shots you would have not been able to take otherwise. Most of the time, a $200-$300 pocket-sized P+S is going to focus and expose your photos way better than you'd ever be able to do manually. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3620370987_e9a89ca652_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3620370987_e9a89ca652_b.... http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2761953972_e1844d6c60_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2761953972_e1844d6c60_b....
  - iuguy 16y ago
    Actually I use a Panasonic P&S with a Leica lens too. Fantastic piece of kit and not too pricey. I've been using Digital cameras since I first used an old Nikon that took floppy disks (the first camera I bought was a Kodak DC215 that could play MAME roms) and the Panasonic is the best I've had.
- sophacles 16y ago
  One problem with p+s vs slr I always had a problem with was "when to press the damn button". With p+s you have to press the button an absurdly long time before you want the picture taken, while with SLR it is closer to instant. This is a key step when dealing with situations where the right picture is bracketed (in time) by the wrong picture. This more than anything else is why I recommend moving to SLR fairly quickly for people.
  - joshu 16y ago
    This. A million times this. Shutter lag makes me want to rip my hair out.

by mcav 16y ago

iuguy 16y ago

I absolutely agree, but there's no point buying the SLR until you're comfortable with concepts like composition, exposure, lighting and colour theory. If you take poor pictures with a point and shoot, all that will happen with an SLR is that you'll continue to take poor pictures in more detail. One day I will buy an SLR, but I'm not good enough (IMHO) nor do I have a particular preference for certain types of shot that justify it.

rbranson 16y ago
I also think that being able to carry around a P+S in your pocket (like my credit-card-sized Panasonic DMC-FX35 -- with it's fantastic 25mm-equivalent Leica Lens) gives you more opportunities to take shots you would have not been able to take otherwise. Most of the time, a $200-$300 pocket-sized P+S is going to focus and expose your photos way better than you'd ever be able to do manually. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3620370987_e9a89ca652_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3620370987_e9a89ca652_b.... http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2761953972_e1844d6c60_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2761953972_e1844d6c60_b....
- iuguy 16y ago
  Actually I use a Panasonic P&S with a Leica lens too. Fantastic piece of kit and not too pricey. I've been using Digital cameras since I first used an old Nikon that took floppy disks (the first camera I bought was a Kodak DC215 that could play MAME roms) and the Panasonic is the best I've had.
sophacles 16y ago
One problem with p+s vs slr I always had a problem with was "when to press the damn button". With p+s you have to press the button an absurdly long time before you want the picture taken, while with SLR it is closer to instant. This is a key step when dealing with situations where the right picture is bracketed (in time) by the wrong picture. This more than anything else is why I recommend moving to SLR fairly quickly for people.
- joshu 16y ago
  This. A million times this. Shutter lag makes me want to rip my hair out.