I have an old Nikon D40 that only has 6.1mp and i love it, ive had some of my shots enlarged to 20" x 30" but they can all be done to A2 size, i have them checked for printing quailty and they look great. I dont do much cropping or processing because the camera does everything i want it to do. Having a fancy camera doesnt mean that you take fantastic shots, its what you see through the lens and the settings that you use that matters. @michellina
@michellina My camera is a little P&S which is about 5 years old now. I'd love a DSLR but that's going to have to wait for a while until I can afford it. I think it takes really good photos especially macro
My camera is a Canon PowerShot A550,I have it for a few years now.I have the impression that then I was doing better pictures with it,but I guess it was only about the settings.I try to put money aside to buy a camera but it's kinda hard,i have other priorities now. @Victoria Roberts :The picture from your 365 project are done with your 6.1 mp camera?I really wanna see them. @Lisa Pouncy :Who doesn't want a new camera ?:(
@Muse :you're right.but with a camera that has good lens for example,when you make portraits,you can focus better,so that the background is blurred.But with a typical camera,I for example,can't do that.That's only for portraits,'cause other things are great with a typical camera.
@psychographer I agree with Lisa. I've only just moved up to DSLR but I was very happy with my P&S and quite proud of some of the shots I took with it. It works the other way around too - an expensive, fancy camera doesn't mean brilliant photographs. I think it's key to understand where the camera's limitations are and work with what you've got. You can tweak exposure and colour in processing, but not subject and compostion, so if you get the latter two right, you're onto a good thing. Good luck!
I've complained about my camera to my 365 friends and a couple of them said to me "it's not the camera, it's the person behind it".
As much as I'd love a DSLR now, I'm managing with a P&S. I've also seen quite a few people on here who only use phone cameras and they can take amazing photos.
@scatcat ... Well said, Muse! A camera is only as good as the brain behind the eye that guides the finger on the trigger ... and a Nikon or Canon with 7-8 mpx is neither old nor typical, but modern and advanced, and they were not even invented when most of the world's greatest photographs were taken.
I love camera gear. I love buying expensive kit, and I love using it. I love discussing the merits and limitations of the state-of-the-art products.
But, it's not about the camera.
A competent photog can create a great image with any (working) camera, and you definitely don't need "the best gear" to take great shots.
To paraphrase a very successful photographer - why do people say things like, "Your camera takes great photos!" Would they say to a chef, "Your oven cooks great meals!"?
People don't pay me good money because I own an expensive camera. They pay me because I know how to make photographs they'll want to hang on their wall for years and years. But that's not to say that expensive equipment doesn't help. It does - it allows the photog to do things that a lesser camera would fail at. It allows for greater control, better clarity, sharper images, and a host of other things that assist us to see our ideas made real. Could I shoot a client's wedding on my old Canon 20D? Of course I could (in the past, I have!), but would I want to now? No - my 5D Mark II gives me far more options and flexibility. The old camera is as good as it was when I was using it for that, so its ability to do the job hasn't changed, but now I can make use of even better technology, so why shouldn't I?
Whenever I upgrade, I ask myself if I can justify the expense. Is my current gear holding me back? Is there something I can add to my repertoire by buying it? Will it pay for itself in either more sales or saved time (or even simply more enjoyment in its use)? If it won't do any of those things, it is just something I want because it is new and shiny, so I won't buy it - I'll wait for something that will actually achieve something useful.
I've been taking a few iPhone shots lately, just because. Even while I'm holding a DSLR in my hand! Maybe they're not suitable for sale (at least, for my target client), but I still enjoy the art I am able to create.
@michellina I agree with you too! From your initial question I did not really understand that you were wondering whether or not to buy a new camera. I took it more in the sense: is it possible to make good photos with more simple cameras than the last brand new equipment? I agree that you will get pictures of better technical quality with a DSLR and good lens than with a P&S with only auto modes. And you will have better flexibility to adjust the desired settings. But I am convinced (and there are many examples on this site) that you can make very powerful pictures with an iphone or another simple camera. The camera takes the picture, the photographer makes the picture :-)
Recently my partner managed to get a blurred picture of my daughter and I with my Nikon D90, he focused on the ground between us :-)))
And just another example: after years of photography with a Canon 5D and great lenses, my BIL sold everything and decided to shoot only with a film rangefinder camera (leica M3) and a P&S. He's happy to be able to bring them everywhere and has re-discovered photography.
The answer to your question all depends on what you want. If you feel you are limited by the camera to develop your photo skills, then you are right to go for better one or DSLR. Jinx has raised very interesting questions you should ask yourself before deciding what to do.
I love my canon bridge powershot, but it is starting to not work as well after seven years of loyal service. I have a dslr but find it heavy to carry with lenses, filters and such (I have a bad hip) and I find that i take a lot of my photos for this project with an iphone4, which is a pretty basic as you get camera. As long as you use your point and shoot for all it is worth you pictures will still turn out fantastic. I think a lot of people here see dslr's and think that those are the only way to go. I think those people would take excellent photos with any camera and also have some impressive editing skills to clear up any flaws. If the dslr is out of the budget now, look for another point and shoot but one that has settings for shutter and aperture and that takes macros. You may find it a great camera that will meet all your needs.
Taken with Iphone4 and Slow Shutter App
Taken with Iphone4 and no apps or edits and was on the popular page
These are a few pics, i only bought my camera at the beginning of April ( second hand) before that i used a P&S. I can honestly say its the best money i have ever spent, i have so much fun with it. @michellina
@Christopher :Yes,that was good:)) @Muse :Yes,I was wondering whether I can make good photos with a simple camera.
Guys,I think we can agree that a Iphone makes great pictures:d
The other day my 6 year old and I went to photograph the same field. He had his 6 year old hand me down camera 5 megapixels, and I had my brand new T1i and he took the better photo. I have learned the hard way that great photos come from the person, not always the gear. However, when you are capturing children, you will have more to chose from if you have a fast camera.
I think it may be a bit easier to get some shots with nice lenses and a nice dslr, but it's not necessary. I have a point an shoot and I feel that I get some really nice shots occasionally.
@jinximages "Your over cooks great meals." - thanks for that. I feel so dismissed when people say that my camera takes good pics. I know they probably don't realize what they're saying, but I'm going to use that line to help them see.
I'm with @jinximages, but I do think an SLR takes you that bit further sometimes. But yes, your eyes matter more than anything.
I've recently upgraded my phone to a Samsung Galaxy S2, and I've posted a few photos from it including my last two. It was about understanding composition and lighting, and being there for the moment that mattered most:
I agree it is not the camera, it is the person behind it. I have had many pro slrs and in the film days medium format, but I have gotten just as good or better shots with a variey of point and shoots a lately my phone is my favorite camera!
I have a kodak easyshare & it's 14 Mega pixels. I have a nice Nikon but it's being repaired.
The past 44 days have been taken with the kodak & i've had 3 on the popular page! I believe you don't need to have 1,000 dollar cameras to take amazing photots.
Mostly I keep the point and shoot for fun photos , kids use camera too, no worry shots, no planning or thinking etc. I got lots in the picture album using this one.
i keep my dslr for my hobby and special occasions for pictures I want to frame
I'm another one using an old point and shoot - I would love to be able to control aperture and timing at all, and focussing more than using the preset settings, but
As has been said, the photographer is the most important part of the equation. My most popular photo posted on this site was taken using my phone.
That said, the better the equipment the greater the possibilities. My DSLR can do things my pocket camera cannot, And the phone h serious limitations. Still, what is behind the camera is still the key.
A tool is only as good as the person using it. If you know an older camera well, you will get better shots that a new camera with an inexperienced user. You are the artist, the camera is just the tool.
I agree with most of the posts here that say it's not the camera. I would love to get a DSLR, and I will one day, but in the meantime, I upgraded to a better P&S, one that has totally manual control over the settings. That makes all the difference in the world to me. That, and the fact that my camera has a highly rated, fast lens. The only huge pitfall, aside from the size of the sensor, and the other obvious differences, is my camera doesn't have much of a zoom. But I don't let the "lack" of the camera I want stop me, I just work within the capabilities of my camera. Having said that, there's no doubt in my mind that a DSLR could help me achieve things that I can't achieve with my P&S--but the outcome still begins inside my head.
Like most of my photos I took this with my iphone. Got to the popular page with 32 favs. I used to have DSLR but I sold it for a point and shoot, which I use when I need to enlarge the prints. I never took it anywhere as it was too big to fit in my pocket and too fiddly to get out when you need a spur of the moment shot (which lots are). I am firmly of the belief that you don't need fancy pants bits of flashy equipment to take fabulous and creative shots. Well done for starting this thread btw
My photos are taken on a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS and is only 8mp. But on occasion, I get a shot that exceeds even what I think would be the quality I'd get from just my little point-n-shoot.
I have had the camera since 2008 and it has traveled the world with me, so it has had better days. But I too hope to one day have a DSLR. I have a brother-in-law who was kind enough to let me borrow his Nikon DSLR for a couple weeks. I was hooked from the moment I took my first photo with it; so crisp and clear.
(Top photo from point-n-shoot. Bottom photo from DSLR)
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
@michellina
@Victoria Roberts :The picture from your 365 project are done with your 6.1 mp camera?I really wanna see them.
@Lisa Pouncy :Who doesn't want a new camera ?:(
As much as I'd love a DSLR now, I'm managing with a P&S. I've also seen quite a few people on here who only use phone cameras and they can take amazing photos.
But, it's not about the camera.
A competent photog can create a great image with any (working) camera, and you definitely don't need "the best gear" to take great shots.
To paraphrase a very successful photographer - why do people say things like, "Your camera takes great photos!" Would they say to a chef, "Your oven cooks great meals!"?
People don't pay me good money because I own an expensive camera. They pay me because I know how to make photographs they'll want to hang on their wall for years and years. But that's not to say that expensive equipment doesn't help. It does - it allows the photog to do things that a lesser camera would fail at. It allows for greater control, better clarity, sharper images, and a host of other things that assist us to see our ideas made real. Could I shoot a client's wedding on my old Canon 20D? Of course I could (in the past, I have!), but would I want to now? No - my 5D Mark II gives me far more options and flexibility. The old camera is as good as it was when I was using it for that, so its ability to do the job hasn't changed, but now I can make use of even better technology, so why shouldn't I?
Whenever I upgrade, I ask myself if I can justify the expense. Is my current gear holding me back? Is there something I can add to my repertoire by buying it? Will it pay for itself in either more sales or saved time (or even simply more enjoyment in its use)? If it won't do any of those things, it is just something I want because it is new and shiny, so I won't buy it - I'll wait for something that will actually achieve something useful.
I've been taking a few iPhone shots lately, just because. Even while I'm holding a DSLR in my hand! Maybe they're not suitable for sale (at least, for my target client), but I still enjoy the art I am able to create.
Taken and edited with the iPhone:
Taken with the iPhone, and edited in Photoshop:
@michellina I agree with you too! From your initial question I did not really understand that you were wondering whether or not to buy a new camera. I took it more in the sense: is it possible to make good photos with more simple cameras than the last brand new equipment? I agree that you will get pictures of better technical quality with a DSLR and good lens than with a P&S with only auto modes. And you will have better flexibility to adjust the desired settings. But I am convinced (and there are many examples on this site) that you can make very powerful pictures with an iphone or another simple camera. The camera takes the picture, the photographer makes the picture :-)
Recently my partner managed to get a blurred picture of my daughter and I with my Nikon D90, he focused on the ground between us :-)))
And just another example: after years of photography with a Canon 5D and great lenses, my BIL sold everything and decided to shoot only with a film rangefinder camera (leica M3) and a P&S. He's happy to be able to bring them everywhere and has re-discovered photography.
The answer to your question all depends on what you want. If you feel you are limited by the camera to develop your photo skills, then you are right to go for better one or DSLR. Jinx has raised very interesting questions you should ask yourself before deciding what to do.
Taken with Iphone4 and Slow Shutter App
Taken with Iphone4 and no apps or edits and was on the popular page
These are a few pics, i only bought my camera at the beginning of April ( second hand) before that i used a P&S. I can honestly say its the best money i have ever spent, i have so much fun with it.
@michellina
@Muse :Yes,I was wondering whether I can make good photos with a simple camera.
Guys,I think we can agree that a Iphone makes great pictures:d
These are just a few of mine that are sooc.
all taken and edited with iphone:)
this is my most recent
another one i'm very proud of
and another one that i like that was taken on my phone so very basic indeed
I've recently upgraded my phone to a Samsung Galaxy S2, and I've posted a few photos from it including my last two. It was about understanding composition and lighting, and being there for the moment that mattered most:
The past 44 days have been taken with the kodak & i've had 3 on the popular page! I believe you don't need to have 1,000 dollar cameras to take amazing photots.
@jinximages
i keep my dslr for my hobby and special occasions for pictures I want to frame
I'm a p&s user and proud to be one, at least until my dslr arrives! =))
That said, the better the equipment the greater the possibilities. My DSLR can do things my pocket camera cannot, And the phone h serious limitations. Still, what is behind the camera is still the key.
I have had the camera since 2008 and it has traveled the world with me, so it has had better days. But I too hope to one day have a DSLR. I have a brother-in-law who was kind enough to let me borrow his Nikon DSLR for a couple weeks. I was hooked from the moment I took my first photo with it; so crisp and clear.
(Top photo from point-n-shoot. Bottom photo from DSLR)