Need your advice – To remain or jump over, when am I ready?

[velasco]

Wow it’s been almost 3 years now that I have used a P & S camera.
Been using the Powershot A520 for 2 years, bought the Canon Powershot S5 IS in April this year.

Is it too early for me to jump onto the DSLR bandwagon now, should I wait for some more time? I know you guys will prolly say it all depends on me, but I’m really stuck in a dilemma. I don’t even think I’m ready to shoot with a DSLR.

A friend once said, “You should get a DSLR already, your camera is hindering you to stretch your horizon” whilst another said I am already niche in using the current cam and a DSLR won’t mean that you will get better photos.

Is that true that some DSLR won’t guarantee better turnouts with all the clichéd but true, the equipment does not matter notion. But theoretically, a DSLR will guarantee be better than a P & S right? –scratches head-
Then, I will have to crack my brain to decide which DSLR. grr:nono:

Judging from my works here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophomoremoira/sets/
could you guys guide me to the right path? lol. Just continue with this type of standard or get a DSLR already? I am in dire need of fuzzy purdy bokeh balls. HOHO and, this is a national crisis, my friend!​

 

[ortega]

there will be a learning stage, where you will be frustrated
but once you get the hang of things ...

jump once you find your P&S holding you back
but there are some things that a P&S can do easier than a DSLR (deep DOF for instance)

 

[Flashbulb]

Just ask yourself, do you need a DSLR and willing to commit time and patience to learn to use?

If yes then by all means get one or two or three.

 

[zac08]

Why don't you rent one (DSLR) for the weekend and see if you would like it?

 

[velasco]

there will be a learning stage, where you will be frustrated
but once you get the hang of things ...

jump once you find your P&S holding you back
but there are some things that a P&S can do easier than a DSLR (deep DOF for instance)

its frustrating but I can feel the excitement of exploring new boundaries. i will take note, Sir.

Just ask yourself, do you need a DSLR and willing to commit time and patience to learn to use?

If yes then by all means get one or two or three.

Well, at the present situation, I believe it is a more of a want than a need, does that penalize me slightly into getting a DSLR? I want to have one some day i guess, but i don't know when is the right time.I just dont know that if I have outgrown my P & S.

Why don't you rent one (DSLR) for the weekend and see if you would like it?

I will try consider that I guess =D I'm so scared to hold my unit's D300 :bsmilie:

 

[Yapster]

Hey bro,
Just some of my views.

I don’t even think I’m ready to shoot with a DSLR.

Are you shots mainly shot using auto mode?
If not, i guess you have some knowledge of controlling the camera using shutter priority,aperture priority or even manual mode.
And if so, i guess you can handle the dSLR for a start already.

A friend once said, “You should get a DSLR already, your camera is hindering you to stretch your horizon” whilst another said I am already niche in using the current cam and a DSLR won’t mean that you will get better photos.

True. A dSLR may not produce better photos. Seriously, i feel your shots really put a lot of dSLR shooters to shame already. In terms of composition and you really got good eyes to see lights man.

It really depends on how you would like to stretch your horizon.
For example, longer exposure for nightshoot, more specialize lens usage like wide angle, sports with telephoto lenses at faster speed, more control of DOF using wider aperture lenses etc.

This part, you got to answer yourself.

Don't forget to cater these into your budget as well.

Is that true that some DSLR won’t guarantee better turnouts with all the clichéd but true, the equipment does not matter notion. But theoretically, a DSLR will guarantee be better than a P & S right? –scratches head-

Very true. Shoot in RAW and you may faint when all the colours, saturation and enhancement you get in jpeg are all gone!:bsmilie:

But then, it does give you a better control over these enhancement.

Theory of "i got big big dSLR,i will get better shots/i am a pro" will guarantee so only. :bsmilie:

Then, I will have to crack my brain to decide which DSLR. grr:nono:

Hmm, since you are using Canon Prosumer PnS, maybe you will be more use to Canon system?

If not, as most will tell you, go down, try it and get the one you feel most comfortable with.

My friend was contemplating between Nikon and Canon and after i told him to go down and try, he ended with an Olympus which is a good system as well!

Judging from my works here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophomoremoira/sets/
could you guys guide me to the right path? Just continue with this type of standard or get a DSLR already?

Hmm, from your works (i cannot judge cos i am not good enough), i feel you tends to boost the saturation and contrast of your shots. Some of them, tends to be a bit over. I am not sure if it was cause by the enhancement of jpeg in PnS system. I PPed shots from my Ixus 40 before and i would say, the in cam enhancement plus external enhancement will pretty much give an "over" feel to the output.


Also your HDR shots, i feel some of them are over (you can check with night86mare on this, he is good in it, and he give sincere comments).
And this is when better ISO control of dSLR and RAW may be helpful.
But how frequent do you do it? You need to answer the question on top lor.
But i am not suggesting you die die must shoot in RAW la. I took like 6 months before i dare to attempted RAW. And i am still not good at natural colours...:embrass:


Just my 1 cent of RMB...

By the way, i got my D80 cos i was siao about gadgets last time . *Theory of "i got big big dSLR,i will get better shots"
i know nuts about shutter speed, aperture, blah blah blah when i started.
But i am enjoying it, no doubt~

 

[velasco]

Are you shots mainly shot using auto mode?
If not, i guess you have some knowledge of controlling the camera using shutter priority,aperture priority or even manual mode.
And if so, i guess you can handle the dSLR for a start already.

yup 99% manual mode and the 1% movie mode hehe.
I believe I have the basic knowledge to work around the cam for now.

True. A dSLR may not produce better photos. Seriously, i feel your shots really put a lot of dSLR shooters to shame already. In terms of composition and you really got good eyes to see lights man.

Wow. haha, where got? Anywho thanks. Thats right I think one of the push factor is the disappointment I'll face if my DSLr don't live up to my visions. Either way, I'm still keeping my S5 so I can always fall back on that.

It really depends on how you would like to stretch your horizon.
For example, longer exposure for nightshoot, more specialize lens usage like wide angle, sports with telephoto lenses at faster speed, more control of DOF using wider aperture lenses etc.

This part, you got to answer yourself.

Don't forget to cater these into your budget as well.

Okay. I want a new standard to my photos. I dont think I'll short sports, very into macro photography, conceptual pieces, nature and street stuffs.I want a very shallow DOF, with great bokehs those that can take beautiful wedding shots. My cousin wants me to shoot his wedding next year, which I politely rejected seeing how silly it is for me to shoot such a once in a lifetime ceremony. Lol a PnS photographer for a wedding? imagine that!

My budget revolves around 800 -1.3k i guess. If I buy it by next week I can use my $150 reimbursement so yup I need to make a decision.Argh, I need sponsors hehehe.

Very true. Shoot in RAW and you may faint when all the colours, saturation and enhancement you get in jpeg are all gone!

But then, it does give you a better control over these enhancement.

Theory of "i got big big dSLR,i will get better shots/i am a pro" will guarantee so only. :bsmilie:

Hmm, my S5 now has the RAW function. I did the CHDK hack so yup its very manually and all but its odd. Its so confusing since its not officially planted into the cam so the controls are all over the place.

Hmm, since you are using Canon Prosumer PnS, maybe you will be more use to Canon system?

If not, as most will tell you, go down, try it and get the one you feel most comfortable with.

My friend was contemplating between Nikon and Canon and after i told him to go down and try, he ended with an Olympus which is a good system as well!

The Olypus DSLRs have amazing colours right!?!?!:thumbsup: Ironically, I'm suddenly fond of Nikon gears. I have a Nikon tripod so better complement them :bsmilie:

Hmm, from your works (i cannot judge cos i am not good enough), i feel you tends to boost the saturation and contrast of your shots. Some of them, tends to be a bit over. I am not sure if it was cause by the enhancement of jpeg in PnS system. I PPed shots from my Ixus 40 before and i would say, the in cam enhancement plus external enhancement will pretty much give an "over" feel to the output.


Also your HDR shots, i feel some of them are over (you can check with night86mare on this, he is good in it, and he give sincere comments).
And this is when better ISO control of dSLR and RAW may be helpful.
But how frequent do you do it? You need to answer the question on top lor.
But i am not suggesting you die die must shoot in RAW la. I took like 6 months before i dare to attempted RAW. And i am still not good at natural colours...:embrass:

Yup, the saturation are pretty intense with this Powershot. Coupled with the fact that I love vivid colours, they looked heavily over and stuff. I know, nightmare has been giving me constructive critics on the RAW issue. I hope I can master it someday

Thanks for your indepth advice, bro!

 

[Yapster]

yup 99% manual mode and the 1% movie mode hehe.
I believe I have the basic knowledge to work around the cam for now.

Haha, then no prob with the basic controls liao. Haha, i started off with manual mode (cos of The Theory) and basically screwed my shots up. Even up till now, i don't go manual unless i am doing night landscape shoot or playing with flash. Haha, see, you are even better than this dSLR user typing this reply right now. Hahaha.

Wow. haha, where got? Anywho thanks. Thats right I think one of the push factor is the disappointment I'll face if my DSLr don't live up to my visions. Either way, I'm still keeping my S5 so I can always fall back on that.

Ya, keep it la. It is better to have a backup PnS system. For portability.

Okay. I want a new standard to my photos. I dont think I'll short sports, very into macro photography, conceptual pieces, nature and street stuffs.I want a very shallow DOF, with great bokehs those that can take beautiful wedding shots. My cousin wants me to shoot his wedding next year, which I politely rejected seeing how silly it is for me to shoot such a once in a lifetime ceremony. Lol a PnS photographer for a wedding? imagine that!

hmm, no harm helping out to take a few shots la. Cos the main may not be able to catch creative angle given the same time, same place, same scene. But rule of being backup shooter, don't interfere or disturb the main while he is shooting la. For me, when i help out to take some shots, i won't fire my flash when the main is firing his or stay too close his/her subject when he/she is shooting.

Hmm, if you wanna shoot events, you will need a flash. You won't wanna risk it without a flash even if your camera cam allows you to use very high ISO.

My budget revolves around 800 -1.3k i guess. If I buy it by next week I can use my $150 reimbursement so yup I need to make a decision.Argh, I need sponsors hehehe.

How about a 2nd hand? A lot of goodies in BnS wor. With your budget, you can get the D80 or D200 leh. The rest of the money can go to accessories like flash, lenses, filters etc.

Hmm, my S5 now has the RAW function. I did the CHDK hack so yup its very manually and all but its odd. Its so confusing since its not officially planted into the cam so the controls are all over the place.

Oh, i am noob with this camera. haha, paiseh.

The Olypus DSLRs have amazing colours right!?!?!:thumbsup: Ironically, I'm suddenly fond of Nikon gears. I have a Nikon tripod so better complement them :bsmilie:

Err, not sure leh, i never really tried 1 before. But i know quite some good shooters use Olympus.

Yup, the saturation are pretty intense with this Powershot. Coupled with the fact that I love vivid colours, they looked heavily over and stuff. I know, nightmare has been giving me constructive critics on the RAW issue. I hope I can master it someday

Yup, he helped me a lot. But i still didn't get it right. Hahaha.

Thanks for your indepth advice, bro!

Welcome, bro~

 

[Yew Fai]

Is it too early for me to jump onto the DSLR bandwagon now, should I wait for some more time? I know you guys will prolly say it all depends on me, but I’m really stuck in a dilemma. I don’t even think I’m ready to shoot with a DSLR.

there is no time like now. btw, i always hear this common phrase - not ready to be (a husband, a father, a president, etc). truth to be told, you only learn to be a good father after you become one. you cannot learn from books or others' experience alone. in that same light, you will never be ready for a dslr if you never start with one.

A friend once said, “You should get a DSLR already, your camera is hindering you to stretch your horizon” whilst another said I am already niche in using the current cam and a DSLR won’t mean that you will get better photos.

both of them are speaking truthfully. a dslr gives you more control over the camera settings. but it is the man behind the camera box that determines whether the photos will be great

Is that true that some DSLR won’t guarantee better turnouts with all the clichéd but true, the equipment does not matter notion. But theoretically, a DSLR will guarantee be better than a P & S right? –scratches head-
Then, I will have to crack my brain to decide which DSLR. grr:nono:

depends on what qualities you are looking for in a dlsr. if it is just the megapixel size alone, then it's not worth it. megapixels doesnt equate to quality of photos. many new pns these days have enormous megapixels. dlsr normally have better noise control, and higher range of useable iso, and higher fps. and of course the flexibility of the range of lenses that goes with them. all these factors mean the ability to take photos in challenging lighting conditions which may render most pns unuseable.

Judging from my works here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophomoremoira/sets/
could you guys guide me to the right path? lol. Just continue with this type of standard or get a DSLR already? I am in dire need of fuzzy purdy bokeh balls. HOHO and, this is a national crisis, my friend!

if you have a deep pocket, you may consider jumping onto the dlsr bandwagon as you put it. with your creativity, you will continue to produce many more good photos to come, with or without a dslr :thumbsup:

 

[velasco]

there is no time like now. btw, i always hear this common phrase - not ready to be (a husband, a father, a president, etc). truth to be told, you only learn to be a good father after you become one. you cannot learn from books or others' experience alone. in that same light, you will never be ready for a dslr if you never start with one.

hahaha true, i guess the explorations will only commence once you face the challenge.

depends on what qualities you are looking for in a dlsr. if it is just the megapixel size alone, then it's not worth it. megapixels doesnt equate to quality of photos. many new pns these days have enormous megapixels. dlsr normally have better noise control, and higher range of useable iso, and higher fps. and of course the flexibility of the range of lenses that goes with them. all these factors mean the ability to take photos in challenging lighting conditions which may render most pns unuseable.



if you have a deep pocket, you may consider jumping onto the dlsr bandwagon as you put it. with your creativity, you will continue to produce many more good photos to come, with or without a dslr :thumbsup:

i think the lowlight tolerance, the crazy DOF and the flexible lens system just interest me.
well, my pockets have holes at the moment, i dont even have money to mend them.
Erks. Tough life.

 

[velasco]

hmm, no harm helping out to take a few shots la. Cos the main may not be able to catch creative angle given the same time, same place, same scene. But rule of being backup shooter, don't interfere or disturb the main while he is shooting la. For me, when i help out to take some shots, i won't fire my flash when the main is firing his or stay too close his/her subject when he/she is shooting.

Hmm, if you wanna shoot events, you will need a flash. You won't wanna risk it without a flash even if your camera cam allows you to use very high ISO.

No, by that I mean I'm the main photographer. The HORROR! :sweat:

 

[HaimE]

Great picture collection you have there..

I got not much to say and i dont think i can comment much of your photo collections.. If those picture collections are really from a P/S camera.. i would say just one word.. Damm you are good.. And surprisingly your P/S can really create such good quality picture shots.. with some help of Colour saturation and photo editting software you made it look better...

so either to jump to dslr or not?? I think you can answer yourself.. with the knowledge you have you can create more better picture....

This is the 1st time i see some great collections from a P/S camera.. if its really from one...

 

[sherchoo]

Don't mind me saying, I think you're thinking too much.

I think sometimes, it's just complicate matters if you over anal-yze.

Personally, the best way to know whether or not is just to 'try'.

Juz my opinion.

 

[night86mare]

personally i'd tell you to jump.

you can read this though, i've been in the position so i know exactly how you feel.

some things to remember when you think of the jump:

1) maintenance
2) $$$ (largest factor)
3) iso performance
4) size
5) handling
6) versatility

there have been people who upgrade to dslr, sell it off and start using prosumer again. if you can live with the limitations - i.e. no need flash, no need high iso, etc.. there is nothing wrong with sticking to a prosumer. it's after all, your camera, and it's you behind the camera, not the camera.

also note that dslrs are significantly different from the s5 is you are using. i suspect most people prefer the former though. :bsmilie:

 

[KsterK]

welcome to DSLR BBB bugs:bsmilie:

 

[PyeeL]

This won't answer your doubts but I know we'll see better works from you if you switch to a DSLR.
Then if you ask yourself what DSLR to get, I'll say go for entry level still, that's a level up from P&S, you still have room to upgrade in the future. Go Canon, 450D!

 

[xylestesins]

You've served well, for three years.

I dub thee, DSLR knight, Sir Velasco!



* really - just go for it.
But to contradict what your friend says - Getting a DSLR may actually bring you down as well.. That's if you are way too much into the gear.
But seeing as you've held out for a pretty damn long time, 3 years is most definitely enough to save you up for a top-of-the-line DSLR now if u did save. And you are still holding out now. You'll be less likely to suffer from GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) than the rest of us.

For me, i do my pictures with a MTL50 praktica, CZJ Tessar 50m. Legendary German optics with a nice solid body that doesn't even dent when dropped on a road. This setup costs me only 200$. I don't need to worry about expensive lens options (m42 mount), how many megapixels is enough to qualify for my needs when i choose a body. Or worry about the latest gear bringing down the resale value of my body.

Nope. Nada.
Upgrade?
I'll just pass a few bucks over the counter for some slide film.


(Though i am guilty as charged for dipping my hands into MediumFormat. Just ordered a Pentacon Six. If budget allows i might dip my other hand into rangefinding next year as well. The Bessa looks mean. So with three formats, i'll just lug along a suitable one which fits my mood for the day )

 

[velasco]

you guys have been giving great inputs! I'll weigh all the pros and cons now

 

[calebk]

Please remember to do your homework on prices if you do jump, and we'll all be welcoming you with open arms.

 

[velasco]

Please remember to do your homework on prices if you do jump, and we'll all be welcoming you with open arms.

hahaha after the whole fiasco of silly overpaying, i know im equivalent to a dumb blonde now :angry: