Don’t Shoot Me
I remember while I was getting serious about photography I only had a point and shoot camera that was along the lines of 4 mega pixels. I only realised how frustrating working with one was whenever I had that perfect picture just waiting for me to point and shoot (hence the name these cameras developed). But not every picture would wait for me. (Major stress attack).
Like the perfect moment with a groom and bride looking at each other; it’s a perfect shot, but it’s very likely that it will not last the whole evening. So you rely on your camera to capture this moment- a moment that may seem like an eternity when you press your button to capture your photograph.
And you wait, literally. It’s a few seconds, but when you’ve got that perfect shot and you’re terrified that it might pass- that’s when a point and shoot camera can be a test of your patience. Or the time a flock of birds migrated- it’s an amazing sight, but will your camera let you take it? The stand-by time in point and shoot cameras make you wait from the moment you press the capture button to the moment it finally takes the picture. That’s when a few seconds can feel like a lifetime, especially when you really want to get a shot that won’t be around forever. When I once wanted to take a picture of a bird flying, the stand-by time was an obstacle.
But with a DSLR, you just have to click on your button and presto, you’ve got your picture. (Of course in some instances there can be stand-by time, like in night shots on your tripod with a low ISO- but that’s different for me since I don’t always take night shots). No stand-by time. It was only a while ago when a friend gave me her point and shoot camera that I realised how thankful I am for DSLRs. I pressed the button of her camera and completely forgot that it wouldn’t take the picture straight away.
That said, point and shoot cameras are not bad, I still own one, but I’d prefer SLRs any day so that I am able to take the perfect picture without having to wait. And I absolutely love the continous shooting mode. That’s when you can take picture after picture after picture, without having missed a second of whatever it is you are taking.
I was surprised to discover this lag time in my new digital point and shoot camera. I missed many a shot of my grandkids, as their expressions and actions changed with split-second frequency.
Years ago I used an SLR, and I’ve decided I’ll have to save for a DSLR.
Marahm
October 22, 2008 at 5:16 am
Aaaah! You are so correct, I own a point and shoot because I am not really serious about photography, or not serious enough to pay for the more expensive DSLR models
. So for now I can live with the latency, besides I mainly use it to entertain my daughter who loves to pose.
jessyz
October 22, 2008 at 6:28 am
I am in love with the SLR technology.
You’re so right about the point-and-shoot delay; birds? Humans are even harder, I tell you!
misspecs
October 22, 2008 at 9:56 am
You know, i have kinda simple cameras all have. Not a DSLR. But practising with my camera, i prefer to have this one for now. Bcs it helps me to be so quick, bcs my camera is not quick. I have to predict the scenes and the events. I should be always on alart for a foto.
It’s good to practise. Then when i buy a DSLR, i will take fotos much easier.
Shahrzad
October 22, 2008 at 10:48 am
Shahi has a good point. Actually, I feel the same way. I want to get as much practice and skill out of my point and shoot as I can before going for the DSLR. The kids, however, won’t wait. I wish they’d learn how to pose!
Marahm
October 22, 2008 at 4:18 pm
i struggled with lag when i had my first son. i could never get him smiling or in focus! this is one of the many reasons i love my DSLR
Shawna
October 22, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Your right, its frustrating!
like uve totally lost that moment, and know it wont happen again, or wont rewind itself for you!
i agree with Spec’s its harder with humans, because just a second could alter their facial expression and ruin the picture, its happened too many times to me, i end up hitting the delete button!
[[[ x Smiley x ]]]
October 22, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Yay finally you’re back!
I need a new camera..
'liya
October 23, 2008 at 4:03 am
I want to get a DSLR but for now…..ignorance is bliss?
GeekiSiddiqui
October 23, 2008 at 7:30 am
Although i’m not very good at photography, and rarely do it, i hate it when you try to capture something, but it passes just like that. And as i am inexperienced then it takes me even longer.
outcastrebelchic
October 23, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Salams Sis,
I have just dicovered your blog and I love it!!!
regards from Poland
Amina
ps. i luv photography, especially black and white pictures. i would love one day to be more professional. I had cool camera but still need to crack how to use it
Amina
October 28, 2008 at 11:31 pm
lol I dont know
Smiley Amal !
October 29, 2008 at 12:07 am
Thanks for the comments guys! Shoot and point cameras are still great cameras- I’ve seen brilliant photographs produced by them. And ignorance in this case can be a bliss! But now that I am not ignorant of such issues, I cannot part from my dear DSLR!
Unique Muslimah
October 30, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I got into photography in the summer ‘o5, when I finally got my very first digital compact camera (Nikon E. With its 4,0 Megapixels and 3x optical zoom and all those mysterious features it opened a whole new world for me.
It was love at first shot, so to speak.
Now, after making sure that my interest towards photography is more than just a passing whim, I finally went and bought myself a DSLR – a beeee(au)tiful Nikon D200. Though I am still in process of learning how to handle it correctly, I can say that the word ‘phtography’ takes a whole new meaning when shooting with a DSLR.
There are times, though, when carrying the D200 is impractical, so I carry my tiny Canon Ixux 70 with me wherever I go. Just in case, you know :3
MushuThaLohari
November 2, 2008 at 7:54 pm