No longer an invite only party...

We just got off a cruise and it was amazing how many DSLR's were being used. Even little kids running around with a Nikon or Rebel.....

Now it's not the medium. Not the equpment.

Now it's truly the talent that sets you apart.

I like it.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #5761803
Now it's not the medium. Not the equpment.

Now it's truly the talent that sets you apart.

I like it.

That is a very accurate statement.

Everyone has to start somewhere. If it wasn't for those inexpensive consumer dSLR's I would not have gotten into photography (many of you probably wish I hadn't). Most people will start with a Rebel or D40. Maybe they actually learn how to use it or maybe they just leave it on the green box.

99% of these people will never do anything to take money out of a pro's pocket. They just want more than a typical P&S can give them. Like not waiting 2 minutes for it to start up or 4 seconds for the shutter to work. Seriously, those two reasons are the only justification I had to purchase an XTi.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #5761803
Now it's not the medium. Not the equpment.

Now it's truly the talent that sets you apart.

I like it.

I like it too. But hasn't it always been this way? There may be more equipment around now but it's always taken talent. I also think that the really good photographers actually benefit from this. There is so much crap around and more people are better educated. It may actually allow a skilled photographer a better and bigger audience.

I find that most people buy this gear strictly on advertising and having a sales guy "help" them choose a "good" camera. 9 times out of 10, its always set on P mode and no ones knows what the other modes do. They all magically think that a more expensive camera takes better pictures...

cory1848 wrote in post #5762667
I find that most people buy this gear strictly on advertising and having a sales guy "help" them choose a "good" camera. 9 times out of 10, its always set on P mode and no ones knows what the other modes do. They all magically think that a more expensive camera takes better pictures...

Oooh... the resentment.

If they're wrong, then the opposite must be true.

Meaning cheaper cameras produce better pictures that expensive cameras.

So, Cory. Is it true that cheaper cameras make better pictures? Do you really believe that? Do explain.

Why did you buy that 30D with all those lenses? Why aren't you shooting with a cheaper camera?

They all magically think that a more expensive camera takes better pictures...

Now that's an odd coincidence. The pro's second shooter at our nephews wedding was shooting with a PowerShot a530.

For the money they paid I expected something else.

I was unsure of the reason at the time-- but now I understand.

_aravena wrote in post #5760978
So I was on my honeymoon this past week in St. Augustine and I noticed that, given this maybe the worse ratio ever given, 3 out of 5 people had an DSLR. Most were Rebels or D40s with the occasional xxD series and I even saw a few gripped (idk why I singled this out, just seemed interesting because what standard consumer knows of grips). Seemed like everyone had one now! OMG! I was really surprised how the market has turned and no longer do you get the looks when you have your own big ole' camera out.

So yes, I felt a little forgotten, until the 70-200 or 430EX came out showing that I Mean Business. I just found it very interesting to finally go to a tourist area and see what has become of the tourist camera. I still saw many super zooms, although no S5's only quite a bit of Fuji's, Panasonics, and a few Sony's. Then there were the SX100's and A720's.

What was the best was the people shooting with...crap, forgot the names. The old screw in lens SLR's. *bangs head* And a few film P&S.

So, yeah, just something I noticed. By the way, this was only when we were out and about, I did not forget the importance of the trip, just another thing to list under, "You Know Your Photography Crazy When..."

Owning a Canon or Nikon DSLR doesn't give you any kind of exclusivity..Here in Vientiane Laos I have seen a young Buddhist monk with what looked like a 20D or 30D with 24-70mm F/2.8L attached ( didn't get a close look)..The street photographers here use XT, XTi and various Nikon DSLRs,,for around a dollar they will take your photo and print you a copy on the spot..Remember I'm taking about the poorest country in Asia..

DSLR's in the US have become a status symbol more than anything IMO. It's what they see the "pros" use so it's gonna make them look and shoot like a pro....until they get home and realize their expensive camera is making them no better a photographer than they were with their Cyber-Shot. But they'll still tote it around for the appearance....lol, always set on the green box.
I didn't say ALL I was saying MOST people that have them.....
Some people do actually take the time to learn about the equipment and do get great shots. But that's the exception, not the norm.
At least in my experiences.
And you should have asked the guy with the mkIII if the camera came with a manual.

Shutterbug Doug wrote in post #5763421
DSLR's in the US have become a status symbol more than anything IMO. It's what they see the "pros" use so it's gonna make them look and shoot like a pro....until they get home and realize their expensive camera is making them no better a photographer than they were with their Cyber-Shot. But they'll still tote it around for the appearance....lol, always set on the green box.
I didn't say ALL I was saying MOST people that have them.....
Some people do actually take the time to learn about the equipment and do get great shots. But that's the exception, not the norm.
At least in my experiences.
And you should have asked the guy with the mkIII if the camera came with a manual.

Doug,,,have a look through this forum,,you will find more viewers in the Equipment Talk Section than the Photo Sharing Section..What does that tell you?? Is everyone so wrapped up in talking about who has the biggest this or best that than actually looking at photographs and appreciating the craft??

I'm not certain what you're driving at but if you're saying my opinion is wrong then it's good to know yours is right. I'll track you down next time I need one.

Shutterbug Doug wrote in post #5763487
I'm not certain what you're driving at but if you're saying my opinion is wrong then it's good to know yours is right. I'll track you down next time I need one.

Nothing like that Doug..What I'm saying we are often getting too wrapped up in our tools and forgetting about our art..

Roger, I got it that time. The main reason I cruise these areas and not the photo sharing section so much is I'm here to learn to be a better artist by learning more on how to use my tools. All I was saying is the majority of the people you see with DSLRs in the US would be in the sharing section getting back slapped for that one great shot while I'm here trying to learn how to get 50 of them. How about them apples!

**EDIT** And the equipment talk section is a good place for me to help ensure I'm getting a good piece of equipment that will help me and not hinder me.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #5762770
Is it true that cheaper cameras make better pictures?

In some cases, yes.

The greater DOF inherent to the small sensors of P&S cameras makes focusing less critical and aperture choice less important.

This forum is full of threads from people who upgraded from P&S to DSLR and are find that their pictures are worse, and they don't know why.

Green box or not, DSLRs are more difficult to use, regardless what Canon's marketing department says. Those who aren't willing to dedicate some time to learning photography are making the wrong choice in buying one.