Weekend Open Forum: Do you use a dedicated camera?

User Comments: 60

1. August 11, 2012 4:05 AM
   Guest said:

   It amazes me how many people that buy a DSLR are not willing to read a couple books to get better, they expect to get great photos when using the full auto modes. (Here's a tip, the full auto often works better on a point & shoot compared to a true DSLR)

   Exactly. If you shoot auto with your DSLR, then you don't need a DSRL.

   Reply
2. August 11, 2012 5:04 AM
   fida1989 said:

   I am an old 7mp Canon. I hardly use it, I even forgot when I used it last. My Galaxy SL does it's job well.

   Reply
3. August 11, 2012 6:06 AM
   Guest said:

   lol @ knocking filters from a free smartphone app to equipment used by actual photographers. *smh*

   Reply
4. August 11, 2012 6:57 AM
   Guest said:

   no

   Reply
5. August 11, 2012 8:39 AM
   

   mike1959 said:

   I have long had interests in motor racing and aircraft, and I see a day out at an event as a 'misson' to get the best photos I can, with whatever camera I have.

   My first good camera was a 35mm AE1, then I spent £100 on a Fuji 4MP digital camera in '05.

   I could not believe how good the images were, I am still surprised at the quality on screen.

   Have gone through a Fuji S5700d and now have a Fuji HS10 (x30), have good days out at many events, recently in the crowd with the Olympic flame being brought through my town.

   It's as much the day as the camera.

   Reply
6. August 11, 2012 8:40 AM
   Denooon said:

   I would agree with authors point, can't stand the greany pictures, but at the same time DSLR are to big to carry around. That why I upgraded to a new Sony Nex-5 N, small size, good picture quality, it would be nice to go all the way up to Sony-Nex 7 but they as way to much money for it.

   Reply
7. August 11, 2012 8:47 AM
   

   SNGX1275, TS Special Forces, said:

   I have a Canon S3IS that I use as my primary for anything I deem important. I have a slim 12MP Sanyo that I take if I want a backup or just don't want to take a bulkier camera. The 6MP S3IS takes far better pictures.

   Reply
8. August 11, 2012 8:58 AM
   

   eurodj101 said:

   I have both a 4s and a Gs3 so either would do if I need a quick pic but when I plan for it I take my trusty NEX-3 and I absolutely love it!

   Reply
9. August 11, 2012 9:25 AM
   

   jobeard, TS Ambassador, said:

   I had a P*** poor Kodak on my first trip to Europe and missed several shots due to the poor response time at power-on - - Corrected that mistake with a Lumix Z58 which is ready in millseconds

   I has the point-shoot for the wife and I use the P.A.S for low light indoors w/o flash. It's just great and

   love the color balance and sensitivity - - clear up to ISO 1600. With a pouch on the belt, I can take it anywhere.

   Reply
10. August 11, 2012 10:33 AM
    

    slh28, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    I have a Nikon D90 and carry it around with me on all my trips, events, etc. After 2 years my iPhone only had about 100 pictures on it. In my opinion a decent camera is an essential for everyone, they capture memories forever.

    Still cracks me up when I see tourists taking pictures with their iPad

    Reply
11. August 11, 2012 11:50 AM
    Staff
    

    Jos said:

    I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, which I take with me on trips. But nowadays most of the time I just use my phone for convenience.

    Reply
12. August 11, 2012 11:56 AM
    Staff
    

    Shawn Knight said:

    Oh yeah, I totally forgot to touch on the iPad camera users. I saw this probably half a dozen times during vacation and always made a note to point out how silly it was to my friends

    Reply
13. August 11, 2012 12:05 PM
    Guest said:

    No, I don't.

    Reply
14. August 11, 2012 2:44 PM
    madboyv1, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    I'm looking to upgrade to the Nikon D600 if it ever comes out, but if not I may end up saving for the D800.

    Here have some unsolicited advice. TL;DR: D7000 might be your next go-to DX camera.

    The D7000 would be a fair DX to DX upgrade from the D5100. It's basically a D300s with better video, better metering and better noise control, while shooting slightly slower (6fps max vs the D300s's 8fps with the vertical grip). The D700 (if you're willing to buy used) is a better all around camera than the D800 in terms of absolute versatility; the later is basically a studio camera (and a really, REALLY good one at that), but both will let you take full advantage of your 50mm and 85mm in their full frame glory. Your tamron and your 35 will make you suffer in DX crop mode most likely on a full frame, and you use your 35 the most so that might be detrimental.

    Can't make any comments about the D600 as it has yet to be announced.

    I hear you. If I stick with DX, I'll pick up a D7000, or whatever its successor turns out to be. If I end up buying a full frame camera, I'm still going to keep the D5100, as it performs brilliantly for such a low end camera, so lenses aren't really a major concern for me. Like you said, my 50mm and 85mm should get me started just fine. Lens shopping is one of my favorite things to do though, so I know I'll be declaring a Jihad on my checking account before the dust settles from my next camera purchase.

    Sounds like a plan. I too know the feeling of molten hot plastic burning a hole through my pants whenever I start looking at camera gear. =p

    Reply
15. August 11, 2012 2:59 PM
    

    Gars said:

    you guys (above) just explained it to me

    thanx and get the better /shot/equipment/time/

    shot

    ofc that matter

    Reply
16. August 11, 2012 5:15 PM
    

    LinkedKube, TechSpot Project Baby, said:

    No but I'd like to. I'm in the market for a good used dslr

    Reply
17. August 11, 2012 9:30 PM
    

    Tekkaraiden said:

    If I want a quality picture I do, if I just want a picture my phone works fine.

    Reply
18. August 12, 2012 2:24 AM
    p51d007 said:

    To add to that..."if you shoot with nothing but an all in one lens, by a digi-superzoom, you don't need a dSLR.

    Reply
19. August 12, 2012 3:29 AM
    ET3D, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    "I also don?t understand why someone would want to remember timeless events like a graduation, wedding or family vacation with grainy, low-quality mobile phone pictures."

    From a practical point of view, I very very rarely look at photos at all. And when I do look say at a black and white picture of my parents or myself as a kid or an off colour grainy video from those days I never think "I wish I had that in HD". It simply doesn't matter. The pictures I took with my first < 1Mpix digital point and shoot are just as valuable as those I take with my current 12Mpix (IIRC) camera. In fact I usually reduce the resolution of the camera, because I think anything over 5Mpix isn't really worth the space.

    I still appreciate having a wide zoom range and decent light sensitivity, which is why I still think that having a camera outside a phone is useful, but in case when the phone works, that's good enough.

    I can understand photography as a hobby, and why people might want really good quality cameras, but I think it's more about the satisfaction of getting good picture than how the photos might look a few years down the road.

    Reply
20. August 12, 2012 3:32 AM
    ET3D, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    (Wow what a bunch of typos. Where's that edit function?)

    Reply
21. August 12, 2012 10:37 AM
    madboyv1, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    (Wow what a bunch of typos. Where's that edit function?)

    If you go into the forums, you can edit there. here's a [link] that'll take you to your post.

    Reply
22. August 12, 2012 11:21 AM
    

    Burty117, TechSpot Chancellor, said:

    I'm no photographer, my Dad is one of them so I try to stay out of that area of expertise as much as possible however, I hav eto admit I have been rather impressed with my iPhone 4S's camera, for instance we went to an aqarium and the iPhone was taking pictures that even my Dad was supprised as to how well they came out for a phone camera.

    So the answer is no, I don't bother with a separate camera, my Phone camera is awesome and I don't need another item in my pocket / something else I can drop and break.

    Reply
23. August 12, 2012 11:21 AM
    Ubwarcher07 said:

    I have been using my cellphone's 3MP camera just until last month. I decided to buy a Sony Nex 5n 16MP with the 18-55mm lens kit. Now when I look back at my old photos, I'm horrified at the amount of noise and motion blur. What was I thinking!? Apparently not clearly, no pun intended. I now have an urge to bring my dedicated camera everywhere!

    Reply
24. August 12, 2012 11:30 AM
    Guest said:

    Heck yes, photography is a great hobby. It gets you out from behind the computer where you can get a view of real life!

    I started out with a 35mm film SLR when I was a kid (hmmm, that was a Minolta SRT-101...it's been a while...), and have gone through all sorts of medium- to high-end 35mm and medium format gear through the years.

    Now I shoot a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, a fabulous piece of technology. It's more fun now than it's ever been!

    Reply
25. August 12, 2012 1:42 PM
    KidChaos said:

    uh.. I have 3 cameras: point n shoot pocket Sony for just fun; older Canon SLR fixed body/lens; and Canon 40D. Phone just used when don't have any of the others handy. Honestly phone pics are horrible no matter the brand; ok for getting "something" but can't even come close to a good shot through a DSLR or SLR 35mm

    Reply

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