My mom has a nice SLR. I AM TEMPTED to buy one myself. But my Canon powershot does the job just fine. I am not a pro photographer so what can I use a SLR for being photography is a hobby to me? Should I continue to use my Powershot or buy a Canon Rebel T6 SLR?
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Buy a Canon SLR?
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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What do you hope or plan to shoot? There are a lot of advantages to a dslr. I am only a hobbyist and have lots of gear. But the gear is only as good as the photographer and you would have to be willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to shoot manually.
if you check out the photo of a day threads, most (not all) of us are hobbyists with various skill levels and interests.
If you don’t want to learn how to use a SLR then you are better off sticking with a point and shoot.
if you check out the photo of a day threads, most (not all) of us are hobbyists with various skill levels and interests.
If you don’t want to learn how to use a SLR then you are better off sticking with a point and shoot.
Is there some reason why the Canon Rebel T6 is in your sights? iirc, it wasn't a particularly innovative camera when it first came out, and it's even older now. The trend now is "mirrorless", mostly because of video-- 4K, especially.
What model of powershot do you have now?
Do you have some idea what sort of lenses you'd like to purchase?
I used a Nikon dslr-- haven't gone out much because the Coronavirus closed the local parks.
What model of powershot do you have now?
Do you have some idea what sort of lenses you'd like to purchase?
I used a Nikon dslr-- haven't gone out much because the Coronavirus closed the local parks.
Frankly, if I were looking at getting into photography now, I would skip the DSLR generation altogether and be seriously considering going the mirrorless route, which is the direction things are going in the future.
Important questions have already been posed in the earlier posts, and I will just expound on that a little:
What (or who) do you want to shoot? Why? What are you interested in exploring visually and photographically through a camera's lens?
How do you see yourself approaching this? Buying a camera body and one lens and that's the end of it or getting a couple of different lenses with different focal lengths so you can explore the possibilities?
Would you, do you, have the time and interest in taking an online class or two in the basics of photography, or watching a few videos or buying a few books to learn more about this creative art form?
What about the weight and heft of serious photographic gear? Does the idea of something you can just stick into your pocket appeal to you more than the idea of having an interchangeable lens body and various lenses of varying weights and carrying that around?
Beyond that, there is the whole aspect of post-processing/editing one's images, and for some people that can be a real challenge and a sticking-point. What's your thinking on how you will approach this?
Molly's suggestion of looking in on the Digital Photography Photo of the Day thread is a good one, as it will definitely give you an idea of what kinds of images can be the results of different cameras, different lenses, and most importantly, different photographers' perspectives and technical skills.
Buying a camera and a lens or two is only just the beginning.....
Important questions have already been posed in the earlier posts, and I will just expound on that a little:
What (or who) do you want to shoot? Why? What are you interested in exploring visually and photographically through a camera's lens?
How do you see yourself approaching this? Buying a camera body and one lens and that's the end of it or getting a couple of different lenses with different focal lengths so you can explore the possibilities?
Would you, do you, have the time and interest in taking an online class or two in the basics of photography, or watching a few videos or buying a few books to learn more about this creative art form?
What about the weight and heft of serious photographic gear? Does the idea of something you can just stick into your pocket appeal to you more than the idea of having an interchangeable lens body and various lenses of varying weights and carrying that around?
Beyond that, there is the whole aspect of post-processing/editing one's images, and for some people that can be a real challenge and a sticking-point. What's your thinking on how you will approach this?
Molly's suggestion of looking in on the Digital Photography Photo of the Day thread is a good one, as it will definitely give you an idea of what kinds of images can be the results of different cameras, different lenses, and most importantly, different photographers' perspectives and technical skills.
Buying a camera and a lens or two is only just the beginning.....
I need something simple and I like Canon. I hate Nikon and other camera makers. I am not sure of the power shot model but it’s one that lacks WiFi and is 12.1MP but I mostly shoot at 5MP.
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Oh I won’t use it for video as I already have a dedicated camcorder.
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Perhaps I may be better off sticking with point and shoot. Not as good as SLR but much better than a stupid phone.
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What’s the mirror less cameras?
Canon also offer mirrorless choices. I don't know much about them since I have never shot with Canon, but a couple of friends who do have the mirrorless options really like them a lot.
you didn’t address my questions but a dslr is not simple. I don’t think a dslr or mirrorless camera will be beneficial for you.
Perhaps you are correct. I am no pro just a hobbyist. At least my 12.1MP Canon is better than a dumb phone.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-cameras/mirrorless/mirrorless
The M Series uses the APS-C sized sensor (somewhat comparable to the T6), the R series uses the larger full frame sensor (expensive).
But both will let you select focus, exposure time, f stop and iso.
The M Series uses the APS-C sized sensor (somewhat comparable to the T6), the R series uses the larger full frame sensor (expensive).
But both will let you select focus, exposure time, f stop and iso.
What do you want to shoot? Do you want to learn photography?
this sort of thing?
bear in mind that it's a $400 lens.
The kit lens that comes with the m50 is (apparently) soft in comparison.
To answer your question about mirrorless, a DSLR uses a mirror behind the lens to route the image to a focus screen then through a pentaprism so you see the image through the viewfinder. When you take a picture the mirror flips up and the shutter fires to record the image on the sensor. A mirrorless skips the mirror and focuses the image directly on the sensor. That is then copied to the rear screen or the viewfinder. A typical point and shoot is in effect a mirrorless but lacks interchangeable lenses.
The DSLR can be noisier and have some camera shake due to the mirror flipping up. A mirrorless is quieter and has less bulk. I much prefer a mirrorless.
The DSLR can be noisier and have some camera shake due to the mirror flipping up. A mirrorless is quieter and has less bulk. I much prefer a mirrorless.
This! Couldn’t agree more. It’s about the photographer not the gear.
I stand strongly against your attitude about cameras on the modern phones. They’re plenty capable of taking good shots, especially if you’re not doing professional work or need them printed on huge canvases and you know what you are doing.
For the type of usage you mention any point and shoot / good camera phone, if you already have one, will suffice.
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Don't be so fast to write off dumb phones, these are all taken by dumb me using a smart phone! Considering the extreme low light conditions and harsh daylight of some of them, they have turned out pretty well, all things considered.
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*** Update ***
I failed to mention that these images taken about 15 minutes after sunset, handheld and are using the widest lens on the current flagship iPhone, so have no image stabilisation. The first one is in a corridor of a house that I could barely see anything in when I first stepped inside. The only light was that peeping in from above the doorway in the small gap there and again is handheld using the widest lens on the current flagship iPhone that has no image stabilisation. That these low light images are slightly soft is to be expected, considering I didn't work from a tripod! That the native camera app performed as well as it did under such trying conditions is testament to how much these tiny optics and sensors have progressed to date!
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*** Update ***
I failed to mention that these images taken about 15 minutes after sunset, handheld and are using the widest lens on the current flagship iPhone, so have no image stabilisation. The first one is in a corridor of a house that I could barely see anything in when I first stepped inside. The only light was that peeping in from above the doorway in the small gap there and again is handheld using the widest lens on the current flagship iPhone that has no image stabilisation. That these low light images are slightly soft is to be expected, considering I didn't work from a tripod! That the native camera app performed as well as it did under such trying conditions is testament to how much these tiny optics and sensors have progressed to date!
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You seem to think that only pros deserve to use better gear? And you also seem to think that camera phones are not adequate. In a lot of cases, camera phones truly aren't adequate, although modern camera phones are better than older P&S cameras. But as shown above, camera phones can be amazing tools and they are something most people always have with them. We have several iphone only photographers on the POTD thread (@akash.nu comes to mind).
I guess I'm just confused because you seem to have a lot of preconceived notions about cameras and who uses them that I am left scratching my head why you want a better camera. Apparently only Canon makes good cameras? Have you done any research on cameras? We've given you a lot to think about, but mostly you just rebut with a negative, not really saying what more you want out of a camera other than to shoot mountains and lakes.
I guess I'm just confused because you seem to have a lot of preconceived notions about cameras and who uses them that I am left scratching my head why you want a better camera. Apparently only Canon makes good cameras? Have you done any research on cameras? We've given you a lot to think about, but mostly you just rebut with a negative, not really saying what more you want out of a camera other than to shoot mountains and lakes.
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True. I have made the decision to stay with my Powershot.
I made this image with a 4 or 6 megapixel Canon point and shoot camera. That was a fine camera for vacation memories and carrying in a pocket, but I realized I was always trying to do things the camera just couldn't do, or were really frustrating to accomplish.
I say keep working with what you have. You will know if/when you need to move up to something better.
I say keep working with what you have. You will know if/when you need to move up to something better.
this was a very odd thread. so much advice. so little taken.
Do you not read previous posts? I cleary stated I am staying with my power shot as a SLR would be too much for me.
On a well designed dlsr (or mirrorless), the learning curve isn't really all that steep. Want to learn what fstops really do? Pop on a $99 50mm f1.8 lens, and the difference between f 1.8 and f16 very quickly becomes apparent.
Moreover, at least in my hemisphere, it's summer. A great time to learn photography, since there's enough light to avoid using the grainier ISO levels (probably around ISO 1600-3200 on a Rebel T6).
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These questions can always bring out interesting opinions.
I had always "wanted" an SLR, and could finally afford one when digital started taking over in a big way, was only really good at the high end, and old film SLRs were inexpensive. At the time, I was in an "only Canon, nothing else" mindset, and ended up eventually building a nice FD mount(manual focus) kit that I felt like I learned to use decently well. I also developed some other pretty harsh stances then like "Just say no to zoom lenses."
Fast forward 10 years, and I still love playing with old cameras, shooting film, etc but REALLY GOOD DSLRs became affordable. Around that time, someone gave me some really nice Nikon stuff to play with(an F3, which is a camera I've actually grown to despise
plus some really good lenses). I expanded out a bit more, and the next thing I knew I had basically rebuilt my manual focus Canon kit in the Nikon system(still missing one old favorite-a 135mm f/2) plus complemented it with a bunch of other stuff. I also revised my hard-line no zoom stance when I realized that most modern zooms were better than the old primes I held in such high regard-the only thing they loose is often 1-2 stops of speed, but then I've also found that fast glass is almost dangerous with digital because you realize how little DOF you actually have. Nikon makes the most sense for me to integrate both together into one system(I can have an F2AS and D810 sitting in my bag next to each other, and with the right lens selection to go along can use the same lenses on both cameras without any loss in capability).
Along the way, I've dabbled in almost every make of SLR, and also owned quite a few medium format(film) SLRs. I've paired down, and aside from some Mamiya RB67 stuff that is spoken for but I still haven't been paid for, I've paired down to two systems-my Hasselbad V system stuff and a Pentax 67.
First of all, the single most important variable with a good photograph-whether with a box brownie or a digital Hasselblad-is "the nut behind the shutter." Learn composition, framing, lighting, and the like and you can get compelling results with anything. Good equipment allows you to do some things better with lesser cameras or does a better job of getting out of your way, but at the end of the day if you don't know what you're doing nothing is going to help you.
Lower end DSLRs(and film SLRs) often offer both a simple "auto" mode and a variety of "scene" modes. Folks who never move their camera out of those really only get the benefit of slightly better DSLR autofocus(which is not superb at the low end), somewhat less shutter lag, "real time" viewing, and an ability to change lenses that often is never utilized. Move up the food chain a bit and all of these variables get better, but somewhere or another the full auto modes drop out and you're left with a camera that makes you actually understand what's going on and probably worse results if you don't understand that. Sorry to be a snob, but I've seen some unmitigated junk turned out by people using a Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm f/2.8E VR(about $5K worth of camera and lens) because of that, while I've seen amazing smart phone work like the above.
With people shopping for a DSLR, I usually suggest going to a store that has a selection on display(even Best Buy is decent about this, but a real camera store is best) and seeing both what fits your hand best and also what starting kit makes the most sense. Someone who THINKS they want a Canon may find that they "take" to how a Nikon handles, or vice-versa, and trying out in a store lets you find this out before making an expensive investment.
At the end of the day, though, just pay attention and learn how to put together a good composition!
I had always "wanted" an SLR, and could finally afford one when digital started taking over in a big way, was only really good at the high end, and old film SLRs were inexpensive. At the time, I was in an "only Canon, nothing else" mindset, and ended up eventually building a nice FD mount(manual focus) kit that I felt like I learned to use decently well. I also developed some other pretty harsh stances then like "Just say no to zoom lenses."
Fast forward 10 years, and I still love playing with old cameras, shooting film, etc but REALLY GOOD DSLRs became affordable. Around that time, someone gave me some really nice Nikon stuff to play with(an F3, which is a camera I've actually grown to despise
plus some really good lenses). I expanded out a bit more, and the next thing I knew I had basically rebuilt my manual focus Canon kit in the Nikon system(still missing one old favorite-a 135mm f/2) plus complemented it with a bunch of other stuff. I also revised my hard-line no zoom stance when I realized that most modern zooms were better than the old primes I held in such high regard-the only thing they loose is often 1-2 stops of speed, but then I've also found that fast glass is almost dangerous with digital because you realize how little DOF you actually have. Nikon makes the most sense for me to integrate both together into one system(I can have an F2AS and D810 sitting in my bag next to each other, and with the right lens selection to go along can use the same lenses on both cameras without any loss in capability).Along the way, I've dabbled in almost every make of SLR, and also owned quite a few medium format(film) SLRs. I've paired down, and aside from some Mamiya RB67 stuff that is spoken for but I still haven't been paid for, I've paired down to two systems-my Hasselbad V system stuff and a Pentax 67.
First of all, the single most important variable with a good photograph-whether with a box brownie or a digital Hasselblad-is "the nut behind the shutter." Learn composition, framing, lighting, and the like and you can get compelling results with anything. Good equipment allows you to do some things better with lesser cameras or does a better job of getting out of your way, but at the end of the day if you don't know what you're doing nothing is going to help you.
Lower end DSLRs(and film SLRs) often offer both a simple "auto" mode and a variety of "scene" modes. Folks who never move their camera out of those really only get the benefit of slightly better DSLR autofocus(which is not superb at the low end), somewhat less shutter lag, "real time" viewing, and an ability to change lenses that often is never utilized. Move up the food chain a bit and all of these variables get better, but somewhere or another the full auto modes drop out and you're left with a camera that makes you actually understand what's going on and probably worse results if you don't understand that. Sorry to be a snob, but I've seen some unmitigated junk turned out by people using a Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm f/2.8E VR(about $5K worth of camera and lens) because of that, while I've seen amazing smart phone work like the above.
With people shopping for a DSLR, I usually suggest going to a store that has a selection on display(even Best Buy is decent about this, but a real camera store is best) and seeing both what fits your hand best and also what starting kit makes the most sense. Someone who THINKS they want a Canon may find that they "take" to how a Nikon handles, or vice-versa, and trying out in a store lets you find this out before making an expensive investment.
At the end of the day, though, just pay attention and learn how to put together a good composition!
My reason for switching to Canon DSL was shutter speed. The point and shoot cameras at the time couldn't catch a fast image to save their lives. I'm sure they're better now. I have a Canon 16D.