We occasionally get posts from new users who see all the wonderful professional images posted on the internet and want to improve their work.
I think it would be useful if we could list some of the issues and the good things that a person switching from a small sensor P&S to a DSLR should expect.
I've bought a number of DSLR's barely used locally by disillusioned photographers who went back to their P&S. For them it was likely the right decision. I'm sure we could all expand on this, and perhaps a Admin will make it sticky so new users can take advantage of it, kind of a FAQ for those upgrading from P&S to DSLR or even large sensor P&S like the G1X.
Things that new users find disappointing:
1. The main complaint I hear is the pictures are blurry, or not in focus. The fact is, small sensor cameras usuallly are very easy to focus and have a huge depth of field to hide any focus errors. This is a big factor that buyers did not realize.
2. The Kit lenses are plenty sharp, but are not suitable for low light photography wothout supplemental light or a steady tripod and long exposure. New users do not understand the need for external flashes, or wider aperture lenses in low light.
3. Weight and size. Lets face it, its a pain to carry a big rig and heavy lens or set of lenses with you, and it might just make you a target for thieves.
Benefits of a DSLR:
1. Speed: By that, I mean that you can usually take photos as fast as you can press the shutter. Many P&S cameras take about 2 seconds between shots.
2. Shallow depth of field. This is something that P&S users intrepret as a blurry image, but once you understand it, you can use distance, focal length and aperture to create a 3d look where a subject is in focus and the foreground and background are smoothly blurred.
3. Low light photography using no supplemental lighting. Sometimes the use of flash or other supplemental lighting is banned, or would ruin a image. A DSLR with a much larger sensor has better low light capability by increasing the ISO setting. Its also possible to gain advantage with wider aperture lenses, but you do have to understand how to use that f/1.4 or f/1.2 lens to get depth of field and sharpness by selecting the right lens for the subject distance.
The Best Lenses Under $500 for Crop Bodies (EF is fine)
18-55mm IS - Standard zoom, sharp but limited to good light, and inexpensive construction.
55-250mm IS - Telephoto zoom, sharp but limited to good light, and inexpensive construction A good buy.
50mm f/1.8 Standard Prime lens, wide aperture good sharpness, inexpensive construction and a good buy for the performance.
50mm f/1.4 - Standard Prime lens,wide aperture good sharpness, better construction. Performance is not a lot better than the f/1.8
85mm f/1.8 - Short Telephoto Prime Lens Wide aperture and very good sharpness. Excellent performance for the price.
please add more.
The Best Under $1200 for Crop Bodies:
17-55mm f/2.8 High Quality Standard Zoom with excellent sharpness and the widest aperture found in a zoom. If you can afford it, get it.
lots more to add
I think it would be useful if we could list some of the issues and the good things that a person switching from a small sensor P&S to a DSLR should expect.
I've bought a number of DSLR's barely used locally by disillusioned photographers who went back to their P&S. For them it was likely the right decision. I'm sure we could all expand on this, and perhaps a Admin will make it sticky so new users can take advantage of it, kind of a FAQ for those upgrading from P&S to DSLR or even large sensor P&S like the G1X.
Things that new users find disappointing:
1. The main complaint I hear is the pictures are blurry, or not in focus. The fact is, small sensor cameras usuallly are very easy to focus and have a huge depth of field to hide any focus errors. This is a big factor that buyers did not realize.
2. The Kit lenses are plenty sharp, but are not suitable for low light photography wothout supplemental light or a steady tripod and long exposure. New users do not understand the need for external flashes, or wider aperture lenses in low light.
3. Weight and size. Lets face it, its a pain to carry a big rig and heavy lens or set of lenses with you, and it might just make you a target for thieves.
Benefits of a DSLR:
1. Speed: By that, I mean that you can usually take photos as fast as you can press the shutter. Many P&S cameras take about 2 seconds between shots.
2. Shallow depth of field. This is something that P&S users intrepret as a blurry image, but once you understand it, you can use distance, focal length and aperture to create a 3d look where a subject is in focus and the foreground and background are smoothly blurred.
3. Low light photography using no supplemental lighting. Sometimes the use of flash or other supplemental lighting is banned, or would ruin a image. A DSLR with a much larger sensor has better low light capability by increasing the ISO setting. Its also possible to gain advantage with wider aperture lenses, but you do have to understand how to use that f/1.4 or f/1.2 lens to get depth of field and sharpness by selecting the right lens for the subject distance.
The Best Lenses Under $500 for Crop Bodies (EF is fine)
18-55mm IS - Standard zoom, sharp but limited to good light, and inexpensive construction.
55-250mm IS - Telephoto zoom, sharp but limited to good light, and inexpensive construction A good buy.
50mm f/1.8 Standard Prime lens, wide aperture good sharpness, inexpensive construction and a good buy for the performance.
50mm f/1.4 - Standard Prime lens,wide aperture good sharpness, better construction. Performance is not a lot better than the f/1.8
85mm f/1.8 - Short Telephoto Prime Lens Wide aperture and very good sharpness. Excellent performance for the price.
please add more.
The Best Under $1200 for Crop Bodies:
17-55mm f/2.8 High Quality Standard Zoom with excellent sharpness and the widest aperture found in a zoom. If you can afford it, get it.
lots more to add