Still Finding it Difficult to Handle the Size.

[Mummygirl]

Yes still find the DSLR a bit too clever for me. And heavier. And bulkier.
The small cameras are so more user friendly. DSLRs weigh a ton. I find that if I use it I tend to keep it on sport mode alot so I never miss a shot. They are designed for men I reckon.

I can use apertures and understand about what they are for but it takes twice as long to press all the buttons than an old SLR ever did. With the slr you just looked through the viewfinder and turned a nob without looking. And so much less bulk. Sad really.Just wish they were simpler to use. Still getting to grips with modern ideas. But not always with any progress. I found manual slr a bit simpler. Odd I know.

I can quite easily teach to a class of kids using Smartboard and put together Powerpoints happily enough, but for some odd reason DSLR is proving to disappoint me. I think its the bulk and weight of them.

I have already lost an expensive mobile phone due to the amount of clutter I need to carry together, including gadget bags that are twice the size of the camera due to padding.
To me it seems to have become too big and unnecessarily bulky. A bit like television sets before they made flat panelled ones cheaper. They just dwarfed everybody's livingrooms with the massive rear tubes. Lucky for us we had already bricked up our fire place years ago, so we had a place to mount our new flatter tele.
Lets hope the zoom lenses will go the same way.:confuse:

[munchycarrot]

It's more a case of their abilities though Bev. DSLR's aren't the old type of camera vs the neat point & shoot little compact, they are more kit for the serious hobbyist/pro togger. In terms of results, some P & S are said to perform well but try blowing up a pic & put it on your wall, one person's 'top quality' isn't the same as the next person.

The TV comparison you made, that was for improvement to the technology, they were meant to replace the big bulky ugly TV's unlike P & S cameras, they are just a different type of camera & is rather dependent on what the user wants from it.

It's not a case of some P & S can take 12mp so what's the point in getting a £2,000 Nikon top notch DSLR when you can get a good little cam from argos for £90, like I said, it's what you want from it & what you are able to get from it.

If your driveway isn't big enough for a Ferrari, buy a fiesta. The fiesta will still get you to Asda but performance it aint :D

[badbadman]

There is no questioning the fact that DSLRs are heavy and cumbersome at times, after a day traipsing round in the sun with my camera kit over my shoulder I feel like I have done a yomp in the sahara desert.

It is the quality of the images that the sensor produces and the flexibility of the system that makes it an essential for me.

The interchangeability of lenses, the flash system (especially Nikons commander mode) and the balance of the DSLR in my hand mean a P+S doesn't come anywhere close to one.

I have a range of 15mm to 450mm with my lenses (taking the crop factor into consideration) and to get that on a P+S means compromising glass quality which is not an option for me or most Pros.

Stick with it, keep learning about it and if you are happy in Manual mode then use it...I do. :)

[Mummygirl]

In the old days I would just set my slr to f22 and use a 100asa film. Point and focus at the subject and never ever needed to take my eye away from the viewfinder, instead I just turned a nob a few clicks keeping the light metre needle in the centre, All without relooking or recalculating anything. Then click!

DSLR's have fantastic capabilities I do agree but have become more select. Most people I know who use them just say. "Oh! I just stick it on auto or fast mode, otherwise I miss the shot."
Usually mostly men own them too. Though funnily enough I did comment to my hubby just recently that I do tend to see some younger women now using them but oddly they are usually Japanese students at college here I guess.

Judging by what you said about feeling exhausted carrying it about all day, that must clearly mean that only strong people can seriously get the better pictures. This Saddens me as I love photography and its made it more selective. Unless you have the muscles or the helpful mule to assist it makes it tricky for some.

Yes I know that there are many fellow female toggers in the forum who think its for them too and so do I.
But for the females to actually get out and about for their different types of subject matter must be awkward to do this alone up a mountain side unless they take companions with them or help to carry stuff.
I have felt quite vulnerable carting my camera and stuff about ALONE as a female. I guess I will end up doing SAFER subjects eventually if it gets any worse. Felt a bit like that taking the ducks, that I had thrown in the towel and opted for a safer choice of subject though they do tend to move about a bit.

There is no doubt that some women do feel more vulnerable, and not as physically strong, even though they know that they can take dam good photo's....:headbanger:.....:top:


Kind Regards to you All :top:
Bev

[Pipeman]

In the old days I would just set my slr to f22 and use a 100asa film. Point and focus at the subject and never ever needed to take my eye away from the viewfinder, instead I just turned a nob a few clicks keeping the light metre needle in the centre, All without relooking or recalculating anything. Then click!

Bev

You can do exactly this with your DSLR Bev, except that you don't have to twiddle any knobs if the light changes.

Your photography is good Bev, and deserves the quality that a DSLR can give you. OK, it's bigger than the old film SLR's but one gets used to it, especially as one gets used to using the camera - it just becomes part of you - like your handbag!

I know that you don't like manuals, but on this occassion I think that you are going to have to bite the bullet to progress, as in the end the more confident you feel with the camera, the less you will notice that you have it with you.

Out of interest, what was your film camera?

[JamesStan]

it doesn't have to be so bad bev. Why do you have to take out all your kit every time in a big bag. why not get yourself a stay on case and just go out with camera and nifty 5o or kit lens. you'll find with only one lens you'll concentrate on only one type of picture and therefor will et better results rather than swapping lenses every two seconds looking for a shot that will be gone by the time you do. or how about the new micro 4/3ds range of cameras. you can take camera and 2 or 3 lenses around with you and not even notice your carrying anything at all.

And no more "us women are week and feeble", "only men are strong enough to carry cameras and lenses". My gf trapes her stuff round with her all day as im sure stef and many other female togs on here do. women are just as capable. its like the lee evans joke about how mums can carry twenty bags of shopping home on the bus no problems but guys winge about it, swapping hands, complaining the bags cut into they're hands. and ive seen women with hand bags bigger and more full than my camera bags lol, they're not complaining. You also say clearly only people with muscles can take good pictures, well not true but like anything in life certain levels of fitness, strength, dexterity are required to do certain tasks. you have to have muscles to be a weight lifter, you have to be fit to be a marathon runner, you have to be dexterous to be a gymnast (i know these are all sporting examples but it goes for every day tasks as well) i dont have enough of any of those qualities to do any of those tasks so i dont. but i have just enough to play rugby so i do that. and i am strong enough to hold a camera up so i do that too. im sure if your honest with your self your strong enough to carry yours round with you too.

AS for old slrs against new dslrs, not sure how you can say the old ones were easier. the difference between turning an aperture ring, or rolling a selector dial to change your aperture is absolute minimal and does the exact same thing. with your description of how you used to operate you manual dslr it appears you were only interested in getting the exposure correct and not how the picture will look, aperture changes more than just the exposure, it effects DOF and this should be taken into account too. i use dslrs and slrs to this day and if i had to only take one with me to guarantee the shot i wanted in the style i wanted it it would be the dslr every time.

[Mummygirl]

What is Dof? Not so technically clever I'm sorry to say. Not dishing woman at all. We are often considered to be good at multi-tasking. Afterall there are probably several ladies on Tog who have to juggle children and careers on a moment by moment basis.
But nature never gave us the biceps or physical appearance like males unless we take the steroids.
:o

[Mummygirl]

it doesn't have to be so bad bev. Why do you have to take out all your kit every time in a big bag. why not get yourself a stay on case and just go out with camera and nifty 5o or kit lens. you'll find with only one lens you'll concentrate on only one type of picture and therefor will et better results rather than swapping lenses every two seconds looking for a shot that will be gone by the time you do. or how about the new micro 4/3ds range of cameras. you can take camera and 2 or 3 lenses around with you and not even notice your carrying anything at all.

And no more "us women are week and feeble", "only men are strong enough to carry cameras and lenses". My gf trapes her stuff round with her all day as im sure stef and many other female togs on here do. women are just as capable. its like the lee evans joke about how mums can carry twenty bags of shopping home on the bus no problems but guys winge about it, swapping hands, complaining the bags cut into they're hands. and ive seen women with hand bags bigger and more full than my camera bags lol, they're not complaining. You also say clearly only people with muscles can take good pictures, well not true but like anything in life certain levels of fitness, strength, dexterity are required to do certain tasks. you have to have muscles to be a weight lifter, you have to be fit to be a marathon runner, you have to be dexterous to be a gymnast (i know these are all sporting examples but it goes for every day tasks as well) i dont have enough of any of those qualities to do any of those tasks so i dont. but i have just enough to play rugby so i do that. and i am strong enough to hold a camera up so i do that too. im sure if your honest with your self your strong enough to carry yours round with you too.

AS for old slrs against new dslrs, not sure how you can say the old ones were easier. the difference between turning an aperture ring, or rolling a selector dial to change your aperture is absolute minimal and does the exact same thing. with your description of how you used to operate you manual dslr it appears you were only interested in getting the exposure correct and not how the picture will look, aperture changes more than just the exposure, it effects DOF and this should be taken into account too. i use dslrs and slrs to this day and if i had to only take one with me to guarantee the shot i wanted in the style i wanted it it would be the dslr every time.
My cameras were Nikon FG20. Nikon F50 and Pentax slr. Used some old Leica lenses too with adapter rings. For some weird reason the DSLR is begining to feel bulky and catching it alot on things. Plus dropping/losing other stuff whilst lugging it.
Have now dumped the kit bag so if it rains then its a tescos plastic bag for protection. Such a shame to ruin it...Bev

[munchycarrot]

I have one bag, a rucksack

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/munchycarrot/KataDR465open280.jpg

Camera in the bottom, lenses either side, butties, bacca, drink in the top, monopod slid in the side strap. I put this on my back & can carry it around the zoo comfortably for an 8 hr day. We go on loads of walks, long walks. I don't have to get a man to come with me to carry my stuff & if i did i'd give up & learn knitting or something.

My cam weighs 840g vs your Canon 450D at 475g and i am not a russian weightlifter, nor have I taken steriods to get big biceps. You just gotta organise properly & get on with it, that's my way of looking at it anyway.

As for the people who ''stick it on auto'' they might as well go buy a point & shoot than have all the gear & no idea. I used auto mode the day i got my camera to get used to everything, then got into what f5 or f16 does with what shutter speed & which ISO to use.

Thankfully i don't have 'firework mode' or 'sports mode' on my camera, i decide for myself what settings i want or we go full circle again, back to the p & S :) That's what being a photographer is, not just someone who can afford a big 'boys' camera

[Jeni]

my camera is similar to yours Bev, but an entry level Nikon rather than a Canon. I have five lenses, although i only carry four around with me. it all goes in a bag on my back - this one:

http://www.bccamera.com/images/flipside300.jpg

i can carry it for hours with no problems, i will walk for miles some days, other days im just taking photographs of my local cricket team. (and perving at the men according to my mother!)

i dont have to look down at my camera to change aperture or shutter speed, ive used it long enough that i now know where all the buttons are. if i had an slr i wouldnt know what i was doing with it. you need to use your camera to learn it and then you will learn what it can do, its limitations and eventually, where everything is on it without having to look.

DoF means 'depth of field'. in landscapes you want a greater depth of field, so everything is in focus, something like f/16. for portraits you want a shallow depth of field, keeping the subjects face sharp and the background blurred. my maximum f/stop on the majority of my lenses is f/4-5.6 depending on the focal length so i keep it turned right down for portraits (and check the screen to see if it needs adjusting at all).

the way you have described using a slr sounds to me exactly like how to use a point and shoot, did/do you never get creative with apertures and shutter speeds?

[Mummygirl]

Impressive kit ladies.

Jeni I am inclined to agree over the experimenting with various settings. But as I tend to use the 50-200 sigma it gives blurred images unless its on fast shutter. Not easy to balance I guess and I've had the repeat shutter coming on a bit by its self. It takes 2 frames which is good I suppose but the shutter seems to create its own camera shake or noise on at least the first frame then rectifies its own blurr.
Must keep clicking on a bit by mistake.

Went outside doing photographs yesterday changing setting and gently squeezing the shutter and the only shots unblurred were the sport mode. Tried f22 and f5.6 etc using program too. Its just takes so long to take a picture that looks remotely sharp without getting a tripod I reckon. I've either got a dud one or I cannot get to grips with it.

:oI have a new iphone 16gb sitting in my bedroom drawers doing absolutely nothing. I might trade it in for a laptop instead. I find a basic Nokia more friendly. Iphone makes noises and shines alot but the Nokia gets to boot up faster and I charge it just once a week. The iphone can only last out a day. My teenage daughter(14) keeps telling me "Mum we live in the 21st Century its all about how things look." The Canon does have a good battery though I must say but at £40 a throw I will have to save up my pocket money if it ever dies.

Thanks for the chat all of you.....Bev

[munchycarrot]

It sounds like you have your cam set to continuous shooting Bev.

Blurred, handheld images start when you get a shutter of around 1/30 or less, depending of course on how much you move but thats a general ish speed i find i get camera shake & blurry shots.

There are many factors to what is happening when you press the shutter. eg. if you are using aperture priority and you set a low f number like f 4 (big aperture) you will gets lots more light into the camera than on f 11, f 16 and so on. This will bump up the shutter speed to what the camera thinks it needs to expose correctly.

If the camera only gives you a slow shutter & blurry shots, it's not getting the light it needs to have the shutter any faster. In these cases I would up the ISO to 400, 640, 800 whatever it needs

This also depends on available light, flash, ISO etc. A lot to take in but the only way to get out of the DSLR the shots you want.

I could go on and on and on.... but i wont :D

[Jeni]

what Stef said!

i was shooting the cricket yesterday. i was in full manual mode and taking exposure readings from the grass (a tip i was told last week!). i knew i needed around 1/500sec shutter speed to get the action properly without blur and i also knew i didnt need a large DoF so i kept the aperture as wide as i could - f/5.6 at 300mm on my lens. once i had set that i checked the exposure meter and adjusted the ISO as required. it was lovely, warm and bright when i got there, so i was on ISO 200, sometimes 400 as there was a little hazy cloud about. it got gradually more cloudy though so i started upping the ISO. i finished up on ISO 1600 at the end of the match.

i have never used f/22 without a tripod. if im at f/16 its because im looking at a landscape and most probably am using a tripod, or something to support the camera. the majority of my photographs handheld are with a large aperture so that i can get a shutter speed that wont give me blurry pictures. again, its another practice thing. as you take more pictures you learn what shutter speeds you can manage without blur, and in what conditions so then you know when to increase your ISO.

[badbadman]

My comment about the weight of my camera bag was not intended to put you off using a DSLR Bev.

A lot of pro toggers use large format cameras and drag them into some pretty remote places for their art, the end justifies the means sort of.

The DSLR body and one lens would suffice, this would enable you to learn a lot about boths abilities (and yours) if you used them exclusively for a period of time.


I drag my gear about because that is my decision, get knackered doing it but get the shot, others one body and one lens, personal choice. :)

Check out this youtube footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3t4U78DakI

[sharkbait]

about the shutter speed/hand shake debate... the general rule i try and use is my shutter speed must be faster than my focal length... so if i'm racked out to 300mm then i try and shoot 1/500 or faster... even on my 17-85, i try keep the speed up above 1/80. Sometimes that means bumping my iso up but i generally try keep that as low as possible. Generally if i am walking around, I normally stay in aperture mode and let the camera set the speed. i only use full manual if i'm on legs. Sometimes I use exposure setting for sport but only is it's slightly dark and i want to make sure i keep the speed up...

[Hicarrumba]

This may seem a little strange but, have you tried a battery grip, I found going from a 400D to a 450 it was to light especially with a zoom on, got lots of shake and blur, so bought a grip and the balance feels right, I use a 18 200 Tamron and a 75 - 300 Canon zoom.

Like Dave I try to get at east 1/80 by using different ISO and aperture.

Although I have to say I still keep trying to move the aperture ring, even though they are not there anymore