What do you tell your P&S friends?

I am sure that most of you, at one time or another, have had someone with a P&S ask you why it is necessary to spend so much on your gear. Most P&S-ers cannot understand the (to them) vast amounts of money that are spent getting (to their eyes) pictures that are no better than theirs. You know the sort of thing - "My camera cost one twentieth what yours cost, I can slip it in my pocket, it is ready for action at any time, and I don't have to carry around all those lenses. And it takes pictures just as good as yours!".

Yes, we all know the answers, but how do you go about explaining it quickly and easily?

different strokes for different folks -- besides, they have a point, why not also carry around a small p&s to slip into your pocket?

for me, it's mostly about control; the ability to have total control of the whole photographic process.

Well, I don’t, but I do understand their point. I do have a compact and it does slip in my pocket and go with me way more often that the SLR equipment, and in certain circumstances it can take a picture every bit as good as a SLR especially if it is to be viewed on a computer screen or printed as a 5x7. But when questions like that come, I just ignore it. These folks are just itching for an argument.

I ask them how long there start up is, what their fastest shutter speed is, what their max ISO is, and if there lens has IS? Oh and I ask them why it takes 5 seconds for the flash to fire on their P&S The list goes on...

I also love the control..... I havent had anyone argue with me about p&s vs slr yet. I am sure its coming one day.

all i have to say is " have you ever seen any PRO with a P&S camera at a special event like weddings, sport events? there's where you and i are different and for you to say something like that, you'll just never understand " and they all just come to a hault and have nothing else to say after that LOL

but dont get me wrong, i do also carry a P&S when i go skiing or somewhere that wont allow me to carry a huge bag with all my gear

ErikM wrote in post #2741545
Oh and I ask them why it takes 5 seconds for the flash to fire on their P&S

LOL........you oughta try asking them why it takes up to 3 secs for their P&S to write the data to their card!


(yes, i know. i like to do that especially when i'm shooting fast action lol)

deprived wrote in post #2741499
for me, it's mostly about control; the ability to have total control of the whole photographic process.

EXACTLY.

my image. not the camera's.

I haven't encountered this yet.

ErikM wrote in post #2741545
I ask them how long there start up is, what their fastest shutter speed is, what their max ISO is, and if there lens has IS? Oh and I ask them why it takes 5 seconds for the flash to fire on their P&S The list goes on...

That made me laugh!

Just tell 'em it's a curse. You are so unfortunate to see more than the average P&Ser that you can't be satisfied with the little camera's result. It's a shame, but you notice the difference in DOF, bokeh, color clarity, and a plethora of other things they probably wouldn't notice. Not to mention that some of your pictures actually turn out so nice that someone actually wants to print a poster-size version to hang on their wall, whereas the P&S stuff is good for a 4x6 album. The curse can go on even after the shot is taken. Sometimes you might actually have to clone out that pimple on Uncle Frank's nose that a P&S wouldn't capture.

On the other hand, if you wouldn't want to be so facetious, you could just challenge them to a quick contest. Somethinig like, "Alright, let's each take a picture of that bird over there in the tree, then lets get this bee as it hovers over this flower."

Wow, guess I really got into that. Maybe you should just send them my way...

Of course, you'll always have the ones who will only understand if you whisper, "It's compensation for other deficiencies."
`marty

This is a fascinating discussion. I was talking with my nephew on IM last night and showed him my photo galleries of landscapes and family photos taken with the D-SLR and he was amazed. He replied, "WOW - I can see the difference. WOW, amazing ... the colors, the clarity, the background blur WOW. Now I know." This is a 15 year old kid and *he* could see the difference.

I've had conversations with my family members and when they see my photographs, then they 'see the light' as to why DSLR. Yes, P&S is convenient but when I want control, out comes the big boys.

Let the images talk. It's the only way...

Actually I still own a P&S, well its the Canon S3 powershot so not entirely Point and Shoot.. .but it does have advantages over my SLR on ocassions. For macro its much easier to achieve a reasonable depth of field and higher magnification (using a Raynox DCR250) and its Image Stablised. Of course my 100mm f/2.8 macro and EOS wins on quality and manual focus, but I still enjoy the S3. The P&S also gives you real time preview, and with a flexible LCD you can frame shots above your head or on the floor, not so easy without a step ladder or waterproofs with the SLR! The P&S is obviously easier to carry, and so on.
Of course this thread isn't to compare both, so in terms of what I tell others when they ask why I carry so much kit around with me... well it depends on what my purpose is at that time. If I'm just out at a social event or a quick day out, then I'll probably favor the P&S for portability and would tell them the P&S is the perfect tool for that occasion. On the other hand, if I go out with the purpose of photography, then I'll tell them its the control I can get from the camera, higher quality, lower noise and choice of lenses.. not to mention more control over depth of field, an optical viewfinder that I can manually focus and see the world in real life, oh and it looks good!

Simon

P&S friends? What are those?

Most of my friends actually use DSLR's. It's my family that uses P&S cameras.

Mark

When shooting motorsports, it is never a question at the track when there are many other people shooting with the same equipment. I also shoot nature and macro - mostly in state parks which is where I usually encounter the P&S'r. When in the state parks I typically have two camera bodies (a 1D and a 20D with grip) visible on me with white lenses attached (or the big Macro rig) - people just get out of the way

I have had people ask how much money my gear costs and I tell them somewhere in the 5 digits. They ask if I'm a professional, and I say no - I'm an addict - it is safer than crack <with a smile>. Nobody presses much after that.