What SLR Camera? (1 Viewer)

Craig Rogers

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Digital Photo mag gives Gold Award to Nikon D3100 as a first serious D-SLR

:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

Think that's enough, oh hang on.


:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

That'll do.

Serious camera all bundled in a not so serious package.

Can do some serious photos, but without the complications of all the extra features that the higher end cameras have. Purely for the level entry SLR.

As a beginner, if you can get a kit version with the kit lens and compliment it with the 70-300mm then you're all set to start with.
 

beachcaster

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It is true, butnot quite.
Without good tools you can not do a good job.

I can say, it is much easier to make good pictures with an SLR - if you have find your SLR and not a Profi-SLR.
And the most important is a good lens (not the biggest zoom) and not a hightech-Profi-SLR.

It is totally true especially when you read the original post...and read what the OP asked.
And small automatic cameras like the canons and the panasonics
are great tools.I have all my nikons and loads of lenses for my studio at home but wouldnt bother to take them out 9 times out of 10.

People love their gear.....but its just not about the camera.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/not-about-your-camera.htm
also
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-learn-photography.htm


ORIGINAL POST

"I am looking to enhance my already crap photography by purchasing an SLR camera. I don't have a great deal of funds available for this project. Although I love seeing some of the pics on here, I have a decent digital camera with 10x optical zoom. Although the pictures are good, they are not spectacular.

What would take my photography to the next level for a small price? "
---------------

If the original poster of the thread is a "crap" photographer it will be a waste of time....is a SLR going to make a "crap" photographer better...no ! Taking loads more pics and working on design and composition and developing a critical eye will slowly improve his output..as will understanding light...and the potential for post processing.None of this needs a SLR.

It depends what you mean by good photos.I know people with all the gear who have no idea. I have been an art director for decades working with top specialist photographers all over the world. And many top "photographers" in the commercial world
are technically good but need art directors to tell them what to shoot and what looks right.
Good photographs have very little to do with good gear... or makes of camera......good lenses do not automatically make for good pictures the lenses that really matter are the ones in your eyes.............and your ability to see.

barry:Smile:
 

sedge

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My dad could take a blooming good pic on his Box Brownie - pictures of his family relected in a shiny hubcap; waterfalls - sunsets etc because he could 'see' what he wanted the end result to be, and often got it, with patience and the right exposure!

The old photos without my dad in were consequently far better specimens than the ones he did appear in! Sadly, no evidence now as my ma must have ditched all the old photos when the jolly old dementia set in ...... :cry:

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Craig Rogers

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Hang on though, the specific question was "I want an SLR" and then everyone starts shooting the poor guy down telling him he's not worthy.

Although spending more money won't make you a better snapper, if you want to become a better photographer than you need to understand the physics behind it. It's easier to understand the physics with an SLR camera as getting to grips with one almost forces you to understand to take it off Auto mode. Yes, the high end point and click and Bridge camera can do this, but usually all these settings are hidden in menus which make it all the more complicated.

A camera such as the D3100 is the perfect tool for getting to grips with photography and one that'll also allow you to play with some more features once you're up to speed.

The argument about a camera not being important is only half right. Laughed when I saw the link to Ken Rockwell's site. Great guy, strange critic. He's generally known as loud mouth in the industry and a lot of people think his thoughts (including himself sometimes) are nonsense. The guy is banned from photo.net for example sor self confessing that he makes things up! :roflmto:

If the original question was, I'm looking to improve my photography, so I'm looking to buy a Nikon D4 to improve it, then yes, shoot the guy down. However, SLR is defo the way to go to get off the bottom step.
 

beachcaster

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Hang on though, the specific question was "I want an SLR" and then everyone starts shooting the poor guy down telling him he's not worthy.

Although spending more money won't make you a better snapper, if you want to become a better photographer than you need to understand the physics behind it. It's easier to understand the physics with an SLR camera as getting to grips with one almost forces you to understand to take it off Auto mode. Yes, the high end point and click and Bridge camera can do this, but usually all these settings are hidden in menus which make it all the more complicated.

A camera such as the D3100 is the perfect tool for getting to grips with photography and one that'll also allow you to play with some more features once you're up to speed.

The argument about a camera not being important is only half right. Laughed when I saw the link to Ken Rockwell's site. Great guy, strange critic. He's generally known as loud mouth in the industry and a lot of people think his thoughts (including himself sometimes) are nonsense. The guy is banned from photo.net for example sor self confessing that he makes things up! :roflmto:

If the original question was, I'm looking to improve my photography, so I'm looking to buy a Nikon D4 to improve it, then yes, shoot the guy down. However,is defoway to go to get off the b S the LR ottom step.

No you are wrong..

I can find almost nothing in your post that I agree with ..I actually think you are offering the wrong advice.

And Ken Rockwell is right... predictably you go talking about gear..........The D3100 (or any other SLR) with all all the nobs and controls and understanding the physics will not make you a good photgrapher.


Good photography is not about cameras...and buying a SLR is not the way to go to get off the bottom step..and make the transition from "crap to competent"

I was trying to expalin that the OPs idea of getting a SLR before he understands the fundamentals of photography would be a waste of time.No one was shooting the guy down ....on the contrary I was trying to help him...and save him money as he was about to fall into the trap of believing "good" photography is about good gear ....I was telling him the right path to becoming a good photographer at his level.

I am not a great fan of all Ken Rockwells work but his views are self evidently true. So dont attack the man.....just where his views are wrong in this area of improving your ability an becoming a better photographer??

Most pro photograhers will take better photos with a £150 camera than the majority of amateurs armed with an SLR and all the gear.......now I wonder why that would be?

People who dont understand the reason for that will forever be damned to carry around heavy bags of gear and turning out sub standard photography:Smile:

barry

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Craig Rogers

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You're now getting me all wrong.

I think Ken is great, love the controversial things he says and have always used his Lens reviews as almost gospel.

Understanding fundementals of photography is all about learning how light works. If you are looking to take a step further (as is suggested by the original question) then a SLR is good a step.

I didn't say getting a good camera is going to make you a better snapper, I actually said the opposite (read it again). What I said was to understand the way light works and in photography, it's all about exposure right? Right! Having a point and click or bridge camera (unless you spend a lot of money) doesn't beg you to take the camera out of Auto mode. Some of them allow you to, but they are not really aimed at this market.

Pointing and Clicking is not going to make you a better photographer (apart from composure), you need to appreciate why the camera is making these decisions and mostly getting them wrong for fantastic pictures, they are pretty good these days, but not perfect, but then will they ever be?

Jumping to a basic SLR (for instance the D3100) will give you the possibilities to explore different exposure settings, getting out of Auto ISO, getting out of Auto WB, getting out of Auto Shutter, getting out of Auto Aperture. Of course, giving you the option to just leave it in Auto, but as you know, it still won't make much of a better job as a Point and Click.

So, to recap, I'm NOT saying that buying gear will make you a better photographer, I'm saying that buying a level entry SLR will give you the tools to further your knowledge and understanding on how light hitting the back of a light proof box works.

Point and click/Bridge have their uses, brilliant uses, but stepping up the ladder and learning how exposure works can only really be appreciated on an SLR. This DOESN'T make you a better photographer. I can appreciate that you are saying it's all about composure, but then being an art director, fair point, but you've either got that or you haven't that comes with time and agree has nothing to do with the camera you are using. However, you can look at a shot think what a great photo, but then not be able to capture it is down to exposure.

It's the usual debate though isn't it, you are looking at it from a arty angle whereas a photographer wouldn't as you say. This is an age old argument that goes on and on.

It's just like the Architect verses the Builder and there'll be no winner in this one, but the fact of the matter is, to understand exposure and have the tool to try and better yourself, you can't go wrong with an SLR.

You mention pro's taking better photos with a point and click over am's using a SLR, you are probably correct. To a point, if you can't take the camera out of Auto, then only the composure will be right.

Again, you are getting what I'm saying all wrong...........! If you wanted to learn to drive and learn in an automatic, you are not appreciating how gearing in a car works. Then if you wanted to better your driving, yes, the line's you take on a road are the same, but you can better control the car in a manual...........
 

beachcaster

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Again, you are getting what I'm saying all wrong...........! If you wanted to learn to drive and learn in an automatic, you are not appreciating how gearing in a car works. Then if you wanted to better your driving, yes, the line's you take on a road are the same, but you can better control the car in a manual...........

I never knew that if I went back to driving a manual it would make me a better driver :Smile:
Both our cars are autos as is my motorhome !!! Oh no !!!!!

Good photgraphy is all about the art.........not the technology...and I still think that most of the points you make are wrong.

Cameras are not photography.
And there is a big difference between wanting a new camera and wanting to be a better photographer.

I understand what you are saying Craig and why but perhaps you are bringing a more expert view.......the OP needs to concentrate on composition at his point of development before exposure... modern cameras do that for you.....and for him importantly just "seeing " the shot.

Anyhow enough of this jousting..... I expect by now he has bought his SLR.......spend many hours trying to understand the manual....then bought another 2 books to explain the manual...and has a secret hankering to buy two more lenses !
He is probably spending more time reading than taking shots :Smile:

all the best

barry
 

Craig Rogers

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:ROFLMAO: He's probably chucked his old camera in the bin and gone looking for another hobby!:roflmto:

I due agree with what you're saying, but also what I'm saying, so we'll say win win.:thumb:

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sue1959

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non as yet, hired in Canada a couple of times. hope to buy in the next few years.
The date of the original post was 12/12 2010 and if I remember rightly Paul got his pressie from Santa!
 

SuperDuty

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It is totally true especially when you read the original post...and read what the OP asked. . .
ORIGINAL POST
". . . What would take my photography to the next level for a small price? "

. . . barry:Smile:

Yes, I forgot it. From page 1 to page 4 it was a long way :Smile:
Alzheimer?

In Germany, there are cheap photography courses at community colleges (Volkshochschule).
And you can find good books for hobby photographers (Internet). :thumb:

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