This is a really miserable post, I know, but I've been astounded at how few people have high quality SLRs but don't actually know the basics of photography. 20 years ago you saved up for an SLR but now people will buy one at £500 plus a throw with the spare cash in their back pocket, then ask questions like "what is a shutter speed?" and "if it's dark can I still take pictures or do a need a much more expensive lens?" If you are in this position my advice would be don't buy any more expensive new gear, just read up and understand photography basics before blowing any more cash and boasting about the equipment you have. Experiment, and then if results aren't quite right do some research and find out where you are going wrong. Yes, I am fairly ancient (nearly 50) so that does explain a lot.

what are brains?

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My Gallery

Go on, be a devil and name names. You're absolutely right of course but those to whom your sentiments are directed will undoubtedly think you're referring to someone else - they themselves being so deeply entrenched in the belief that the purchasing of a Nikon D3 or a Canon 1Ds Mk III will help in their compositional skills, give them a better understanding of colour and we won't mention words like 'Exposure'.

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"Being a Pro doesn't mean you're better. It means you get paid" - David duChemin

OK, so playing the Devil's Advocate here...

What's the point of this forum?  Is it not to ask questions and get the benefit of more experienced people so that one can improve?

I for one do try and go off and read/research things first, but also find this place to be a valuable source of information and answers to questions that I have.

Sometimes I just don't have the time to fully research a certain topic and if I am looking for the answer to a "quick question" I'll post on a forum (not just this one, I also post on Mini forums - I am restoring a classic Mini at the moment, football forums etc etc).

In this day and age of technology the online forum has become a valuable tool to people in their quest for information.

So am I one of these people who think that you are referring to some one else and not me?  Nope, I know that I have a lot to learn and that I do sometimes ask questions (some of which may seem dumb to other folk, but it's important to me at the time) on here instead of perhaps "Googling" what I want to know, but it's the easy option and almost everyone will take the easy option every now and again.

Of course, that's just one side to the story...

Cheers
Ian

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In search of that magic moment...

I understnad what you are saying, but I disagree with you and think that you are wearing rose tinted glasses of 20 years ago.

15 years ago I bought my first SLR and it cost £500 then.  I saved for it and knew I had an interest in photography.  But you can't really learn the basics without having the camera to try them with.

If your comments are because of the cost of DSLR's now, then I don't think it's relevant as disposable income these days is higher than in the past for many.

So we are left with the "no idea" part of your posting.

Ok, I agree that many don't know the basics of photography and ask what we would consider simple questions.  But how did you learn?  20 years ago I imagine it was by reading the 35mm SLR handbook and chatting with friends and family who have been into photography for a while.  The internet replaces the 35mm Handbook and the forum replaces family and friends.

We have to remember when reading threads that the forum is used by many newbies and amatures.  I understand the basics of photography but have had a lot to learn about going digital for which I am very grateful to the forum!

 

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Forseti:

Go on, be a devil and name names. You're absolutely right of course but those to whom your sentiments are directed will undoubtedly think you're referring to someone else - they themselves being so deeply entrenched in the belief that the purchasing of a Nikon D3 or a Canon 1Ds Mk III will help in their compositional skills, give them a better understanding of colour and we won't mention words like 'Exposure'.

And I thought I was making the right move by buying a D3?

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SK
The Best Photographer in the world 4th November - 5th November 2006 & 17th-18 November 2007
Oldboy’s Gallery

copemacro:

This is a really miserable post, I know, but I've been astounded at how few people have high quality SLRs but don't actually know the basics of photography. 20 years ago you saved up for an SLR but now people will buy one at £500 plus a throw with the spare cash in their back pocket, then ask questions like "what is a shutter speed?" and "if it's dark can I still take pictures or do a need a much more expensive lens?" If you are in this position my advice would be don't buy any more expensive new gear, just read up and understand photography basics before blowing any more cash and boasting about the equipment you have. Experiment, and then if results aren't quite right do some research and find out where you are going wrong. Yes, I am fairly ancient (nearly 50) so that does explain a lot.

 

Is there a little green monster in there somewhere?. I suppose you know all about it then!. When people buy cameras in large quantities it helps to keep the prices down, so that is ok by me. Does it matter if they know how to use it. So I suggest you stop being a photographic snob and let the good folk spend their cash how they wish.

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Be nice to each other


My DCM Gallery

I happen to agree to a certain point.

I come across plenty of people, on here, on other sites, and just my friends in general, that shed out tons of cash for DSLR, but have no idea what they're doing. Most of which are just taking snapshots.
Hell, I know alot of people that buy DSLR's to take their Myspace photos with.
Lots of people on here talk about how they want to upgrade their DSLR because they feel its holdings them back, or because this new one has this thing which is so rad.
If you know what you're doing, you can take great shots with any equipment, wether its a D3 or a pinhole camera made out of a cardboard box.

It actually gets me down to a certain point, as pathetic as that sounds, hearing people go on about how they want a D300 or a 70-200 2.8 and all this, when they cant take decent photos with the kit they have, which is good kit already.
I've been into photography for a while now, starting with film and now digital, and I've seen some amazing tallent come through since digital equipment became available to the general market, especially in my generation, the late teens/early 20's, but some people...
I'm a strong believer in learning the basics, composition and exposure, especially composition first, cause other wise, no matter what gear you're using, you're just goin' to be shootin' snapshots, with a big camera.


But oh well. Each to their own. If people want to spend their hard earned cash on expensive glass and state of the art cameras, let them.
Camera and lens envy is a cruel thing.
But then look at their gear, and then look at their photos, and imagine what you could do with gear like theirs, and sit back, and laugh at their punyness.
Thats what I do anyways.
Like this.
-relaxes- Muahahahahahahaha.
Something like that.
Cause I for one would love to take 1 amazing, mind blowing, earth shattering photo, with a crap camera, then spend all my money on glass and technotidbits and take cardfulls of crap.

My 2cents.

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The all new Matt Harris Photography
DCM Gallery

Now your making me feel bad for ordering another camera

 

But then I know im still gonna be crap with a new camera.

 

Do you think a new keyboard would help me spell better?

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TBPITW 13-14th Sept 08

adesw:

Do you think a new keyboard would help me spell better?

No, but it might improve your music ability!!!!

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SK
The Best Photographer in the world 4th November - 5th November 2006 & 17th-18 November 2007
Oldboy’s Gallery

With a budget DSLR costing not too much these days then it probably makes sense for someone to buy one rather than a bridge camera if they want more than a point and shoot. Just as easy to use in the auto modes - often more so - and much less frustrating for any kind of action. It does help to do a bit of research first though to establish just what you want and what's the best value. The person asking the basic question might want to photograph things like their kid playing football etc. and have been advised that a DSLR is the way to go - better advice than telling them to get a compact with shutter lag and a 35 - 110mm zoom.

 

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a few mediocre pics

Whenever I read a thread like this I am reminded of my early days trying to play golf when there very few public courses available for those who couldn't afford to join a "proper" club.

We used to assemble at the crack of dawn to queue up to get a tee-off time. In the queue was always a small man with a huge bag of the latest clubs, dressed in black and with his own trolley, the only thing he didn't have was a caddy. From a distance he looked exactly like Gary Player, who, along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, were the big three in golf in those days. Whilst queueing he would hold court about all the latest club and ball technology and the way the course would be playing after studying the weather and overnight temperature conditions.

He would get to the first tee, loosen up with a few excercises and practice swings, place his ball carefully on the tee, address the ball and nine times out of ten his first swing resulted in an air shot. If he did manage to hit the ball it usually trickled about 50 yards along the ground, off to the right.

The analogy I'm trying to make is if you can't play golf, you can't play golf. Looking like a golfer, acting like a golfer, having all the latst golfing gear doesn't get the ball in the hole! Still he was happy with his pastime and that's what counted.

P.S. I was crap at golf as well!

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FACES,STREET,PROTEST & CANDID
A BLOG
My Flickr

What a daft post, although I can see the sentiment ment.

People buy what they can afford and for a number of reasons. DSLR's are now comparatively cheap and what with the pressure from sales staff it's not suprising people buy equipmeent or comodities beyond what they may actaully need.

I very much doubt people learn to drive in super fast sports cars but once past the test quite a few buy them. Why? Because they can and that's what they want. Yep it makes them dangerous and they can an do kill/hurt themselves /others but if they want to buy these cars they can.

From basic principals it doesnt matter if you have a simple point and shoot or a top range DSLR. Both do the same job - take pictres - one is maybe easier to handle than another - it's as simple as that. The only difference is that having bought a DSLR you are very unlikely to actually hurt anybody with it.

Take it to the extreme and we start to dictate what type of house people can buy as a first home! As a single person why have a 20 bedroom mansion but some do - Why? because they are successful and have the money to do so.

 

The argument isnt limited to cameras it;s the world we live in and I agree the "green eyed monster" is probably at play here.

Oh dear! I've got a D3 and must clearly plead "guilty as charged!" ....What makes matters even worse? ...allegedly, I do have a brain and must admit to knowledge beyond the basics of photography. Despite this I subjectively continue to commit the cardinal sin of "exposing" "D3 snapshots" in public! I must therefore be classified as little more than a persistent ("flasher") offender with little hope of rehabilitation! One of my snapshots made MPOD on Friday April 25th at 12.10 precisely! I sincerely hope that doesn't make JD an unwitting accomplice?! I suspect that I am now beyond help...Nikon have just announced the D3X...with this upgrade its surely only a matter of time before one of my "snapshots" makes RPOTD?!!!! Perhaps I should sue??!!!  Rgds Sharon

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Capetown's DCM Gallery

Depends what you want to do - here is a link here to the Digital Picture site - which has quite a nice comparison between various (Albeit Canon) cameras - including the G9 compact.

If you are into taking shots with High ISO settings - I know what I'd choose! Even if I was nothing more than a happy snapper!

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Mark

Digital Photo Group
My Website

Ne nuntium necare