Is it time for an SLR?

boycee

boycee

boycee

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23 Mar 2005
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969
Location
Colchester, Essex
Ok, I'm still very new at digital photography, but already finding limitations with my current camera, Fuji E550.

Even though it has loads of manual features, I'm finding there’s already things it can't do that I'd like to be able to...

First off, manual focus. Ok is has the option but it's literally impossible to see anything on that little LCD screen. It's fine for focusing on subjects that fill the viewfinder. but when i want to focus on something about 1m away, it's almost guess work.

Secondly, exposure limitations, 2 seconds is good for most things, but night shots, and flowing waters are a no go really.

Focus range, it does appear a little limited, but that might be due to inexperience...?

Do these points make sense?

I'm still learning, but as I'm planning a "round the world" trip this summer, i want to get good at photographing techniques and get plenty of practice in before i go.. :D
 
All through that post I was a little unsure as to whether or not what you need is an SLR... Right up to the end, the bit where you say you're gonna go on a round the world trip.

Now, unless you're stinkingly rich, that's a once in a lifetime kinda thang, and personally, i'd want some stonking photos to remember it by.... So i'd say yes, it is SLR time.

Obvious questions would be budget and whats most important to you in a camera, but aside from that, i'd recommend getting an SLR sooner rather than later. It's not hard to learn to use one, but it does take some practice... So some general shooting before your big trip is a good idea :)
 
Definitely get your self a DSL if you can. Sounds like you have already covered the basics and you have time till the summer to practise with your new camera.
I went to Ecuador with a compact digital camera last year and was planning to go bigger later. Big mistake. I have some decent shots from my trip but they are nowhere near shots from my D70.
Going “around the world” is usually a ones in a life time event.
 
Yep, probably time to go SLR and now some advice.....Potentially you want two bodies; you will kick yourself if one goes wrong and you have a problem. Now personally, I would look at taking a dSLR and an ordinary SLR (a lot less to go wrong with an ordinary SLR)...you can pretty much always get hold of 35mm film anywhere in the world. Keep your E550 as a back-up as well.
 
spell said:
I would look at taking a dSLR and an ordinary SLR (a lot less to go wrong with an ordinary SLR)...you can pretty much always get hold of 35mm film anywhere in the world. Keep your E550 as a back-up as well.
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agreed

I have just taken the dslr plunge and I love it! Its a real steep learning curve but its been well worth it
 
Round the world trip, yer get and SLR. I was thinking of upgrading my A70 before I went to Scotland for a week and I knew that if I went with an A70 when I could go with a 10D then I should go with a 10D. I would have hated to miss shots due to the camera speed. I had a great time and got some stunning shots that would have only been possible with my 10D due to the IR filter, lens and camera speed.
 
boycee said:
I'm still learning, but as I'm planning a "round the world" trip this summer, i want to get good at photographing techniques and get plenty of practice in before i go.. :D
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For me this would depend on the purpose of the round the world trip...

link to photo.net, what camera should i buy

it's a bit old (mostly going on about 35mm stuff) but it's still all valid.
 
Don't worry about hijacking, it's all good information.

I think I'm going to go into a camera shop and have a play with some of the DSLR's, it appears the canon 350D appears to be a popular choice. I won't obv buy anything straight away, need to save up some money hehe.

I'll let you know how i get on :)
 
Right I'm looking at things, as you do :p and have noticed that a lot of you get good night shots from using very large appartures (12+ etc) and long exposure times. I notice though that the lense that comes with it has a range of F3.5~F5.6 which seams rather small? or am I completely getting the wrong end of the stick?

Chris
 
boycee said:
Right I'm looking at things, as you do :p and have noticed that a lot of you get good night shots from using very large appartures (12+ etc) and long exposure times. I notice though that the lense that comes with it has a range of F3.5~F5.6 which seams rather small? or am I completely getting the wrong end of the stick?

Chris
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Wrong end of the stick.

The 3.5-5.6 is the largest appeture possible. You can stop it down to a lot lower (Depends on the lens but I think the kit lens goes down to f/32)
 
Aperture has a seemingly weird relationship between physical size and numerical reprisentation. Well, it's inverse so not all that weird!

Anyhoo, this is a nice, if wordy, explanation of why aperture numbers are what they are. Good for reading before bedtime.
 
I'd say if you are even considering getting an SLR then that's a good enough reason to get one, you'll not regret bringing it along on a round the world trip. Like said before if you do bring a spare 35mm body make sure it's the same make/mount then you can just swap the lenses.

I've just upgraded from a Canon EOS 500 to a EOS 350D and it's a cracking little camera and can cater for absolute beginners upto to serious amatuers, well worth a look :)
 
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