I'm new around here. Got to Ask a Question

As you can see from my inflated post count, I've been around this forum for a while, just not in this section of it.

Entertain me for a moment. I mean this in the spirit of friendliness and with absolute no pomposity at all.

1. Are people, in general, who own only P&S cameras less knowledgeable about the ins and outs of photography than those who own SLR's?

2. The reason I ask this question is: I go often to concerts, as I did this past Friday night at Madison Square Garden. (Faith Hill & Tim McGraw). It seems that everybody has a P&S. It's just seems accepted as there is just no way to police it. I think it's great.

But, you knew there had to be a but: Almost everyone I see uses the camera in P mode or Auto mode which causes the flash to fire. Unless I know nothing (and I don't know a heck of a lot more than nothing) the flash is not only useless at those distances, but often render the pictures completely dark, blurry, or otherwise useless.

Go ahead, answer me, but do it nicely. I've got thin skin.

mark

First you are on the G camera forum. not the small camers forum
Most members are very knowledgable on things photographic, or are serious enough to want to be so.
Most like my self have chosen to use a G camera in preference to a Dslr or even have a DSLR as well.
People who use flash at concerts are like those who leave their mobile phones on.
either thick or inconsiderate or both.
The above behaviour in no way catagorises serious non DSLR users.

MDJAK wrote:
Entertain me for a moment. I mean this in the spirit of friendliness and with absolute no pomposity at all.

Go ahead, answer me, but do it nicely. I've got thin skin.

mark

Photography is a hobby, a passion. A photographer is considered an artist. Mediocre photos is never enough. If you are not contented on your pictures, what's the next thing to do? Learn it. After learning something, you demand more. A more state of the art equipment unfolds.

"Are people, in general, who own only P&S cameras less knowledgeable about the ins and outs of photography than those who own SLR's?" I think yes. Why? People in general use P&S because it's cheaper,easier to use and it's more convenient. BUT, it doesn't mean that people who own SLR is superior than those who use P&S. Some P&S users can't afford / doesn't have the tool but they have the talent.

Almost everyone I see uses the camera in P mode or Auto mode which causes the flash to fire. Unless I know nothing (and I don't know a heck of a lot more than nothing) the flash is not only useless at those distances, but often render the pictures completely dark, blurry, or otherwise useless.

I have to disagree on this comment. I have a lot of friends use P&S going to concerts. Yes, the morning after the concert, they show us on what they took. They like it and I can't complain. Maybe if they used an SLR with a telephoto lens in it, it might be better. Will I suggest them to buy an SLR? No. They can afford it but it's just a waste of money if they only use it once a month lol.

--sophie

Thanks for the responses thus far. I thought I might have had the wrong portion of the forum, but it says for the powershot series also and that's why I posted it here.

I agree, it would certainly be better to use a SLR with telephoto, but unless you're real good at sneaking it in, you're not going to be able to.

mark

I think that those guys try to use what they have in the best possible way.
Arguably using a compact digital camera with flash gives slightly better results than without flash.
It never ceases to amaze me when I see the flashlights going off on the stands of a football stadium...

As to your first question ... my best guess is that very many people who use compact P+S cameras do not know as much about photography as DSLR users or G-series users. My main reason for that belief is that very many compact P+S cameras (excluding G-series cameras, A- and S-series) do not even offer the possibility to select anything else than 'Auto' or 'P' mode, as they do not have AV, TV or manual modes. That does not mean that they can take great images that look better than those of a person who understands everything about photography but does not have 'the eye'

Best regards,
Andy

New things need to be learned. It needs perseverance, talent, and skill. You can say that everybody is good in computer. But when you give them a new software, it's another situation. It's not only about camera per se.

Most P&S users use P & Auto Mode. But not all SLR users are better than P&S users.

--sophie

Most DSLR users use P and auto modes. Most DSLR users are novices.
In the same way that most P&s camera owners are novices.
Most of both are very happy to stay that way.
They spend a lot of hard earned cash on a camera that can do the thinking for them.
And why not?

I think people that are serious about photography are knowledgeable to a point no matter what camera they use, I don't think you ever know everything.
I have a G5 and I love it.......I do a lot of macro and close work and it does fine for that, BUT....I want to do more portrait and landscape shots and this camera doesn't do as good as I would like for that so I'm looking into a Dslr.

To me photography is my form of expression and I always want to get a better shot. I love to hear compliments on my pics and that drives me to do better and better......OF course with better and better comes money and more Money!!

Of course! Generally speaking the people who are the most serious about photography own the more serious, expensive cameras - same in other professions and hobbies that use other types of equipment.

That being said, many experienced photographers are taking superb pictures with small digital cameras these days thanks to the portability and control these now give.

Like you, though, I have no patience with those ignorant people who use flash in the most inappropriate venues, such as concerts and funeral services. And recently I saw someone with an expensive SLR taking pictures af a sunset using flash, so owning an SLR does not confer intelligence on the user

Mark, There are actually two catagories here that can be discussed. First, there are those that puchase a small, inexpensive camera that has an auto mode on it because they simply cant be bothered with things like shutter speed, F stops, etc, but the kid behind the counter told them that this camera XYZ has a high megapixel count, and theoretically can compete with Digital SLR's.
Now, You ask this question here, and simply by being a member here, I believe these folks have a genuine desire to learn photography with their chosen camera, be it compact, or DSLR. Bearing this in mind, I also believe it's possible for a lot of these "serious" photographers to take their compact cameras out and exceed the capabilities of what some folks with a 30D set in the Green zone can do. I've actually read cases of photo Journalists using P&S cameras with the flash turned off, and taking award winning image's.
This, IMHO, makes it awfully tough to lump everyone into the same kettle simply because they are using a compact camera.
-Bruce

People have always loved taking pictures and they bought the most automatic camera they could afford whether film or digital. I do believe that the majority of people that buy cameras have no idea how to use them except on auto and if the flash pops up then that is the way they use it. I have a wife and 3 daughters that take pictures that way. My daughters have a lot of friends with cameras that take pictures that way. I have explained to several people that the flash is only good for 15' or so but it doesn't matter. A small percentage of people really get into photography and they learn how to use most of their cameras functions. I do know several people that have a DSLR and they always shoot on auto and if the on board flash pops up they take the shot even if the focal point is far beyond the range of the flash. I also know a couple of people that mount a big flash on top of their DSLR but they still shoot in auto and use the flash regardless of the lighting or distance to the focal point.

This is not just a P&S issue it happens with DSLRs also. The people that use this forum either know how to use their cameras or are interested enough to try to learn and are more likely to use their cameras on a setting other than auto. However I still use auto a lot if I am just taking snap shots.

By the way, those people that shoot with the P&S and flash don't get just a black or blurry picture. Usually they get a pretty good shot of the backs of the heads of the couple of rows in front of them.

MDJAK wrote:
As you can see from my inflated post count, I've been around this forum for a while, just not in this section of it.

Entertain me for a moment. I mean this in the spirit of friendliness and with absolute no pomposity at all.

1. Are people, in general, who own only P&S cameras less knowledgeable about the ins and outs of photography than those who own SLR's?
I think generally yes (remember, I said generally). I would think most go from having a digicam then move up to a dslr or have owned slr and then buy dslrs.

2. The reason I ask this question is: I go often to concerts, as I did this past Friday night at Madison Square Garden. (Faith Hill & Tim McGraw). It seems that everybody has a P&S. It's just seems accepted as there is just no way to police it. I think it's great.

But, you knew there had to be a but: Almost everyone I see uses the camera in P mode or Auto mode which causes the flash to fire. Unless I know nothing (and I don't know a heck of a lot more than nothing) the flash is not only useless at those distances, but often render the pictures completely dark, blurry, or otherwise useless.
A small flash from a small camera from far away in a dark concert may illuminate the head in front of you and may be just enough to show some motion blur. I think only Auto but not P mode has auto flash, as with P mode, you have to turn the flash on.

Go ahead, answer me, but do it nicely. I've got thin skin.

mark

I see these things all the time. It doens't bother me, but I think it can be a bit annoying to see flashes continuously go off I guess.

When I got my first DSLR I REFUSED to use anything but manual. (although the G series helped me with the basics BIG TIME) I would rather take 200 crappy photos in manual and learn something than take 20 great ones in full auto and learn to push the shutter button