Posted by Sonja Otto on November 29, 2011 at 3:36 PM
I do not have a very good camera so have not submitted any pictures that I have taken. I have a Canon PowerShot SX30IS. Canon has come out with a new SX40 that is to be much better in picture quality than the 30. I really thought by now I might have a DSLR but the financial thing has kept me from upgrading. At this point I really only want to make cards as I think my ability is at least that good. I could get away with the camera that I have or get the SX40 for even better picture quality.
I would like to begin to acquire my "setup" such as camera and editing software. I don't want software that is too difficult to figure out. I'm just learning my way around that.
My dilemma is, do I buy the upgraded SX40 (at around $400) to get the better quality pictures or do I just keep my SX30,learn all that I can about shutter speed,aperture,etc., and somehow try to save for a DSLR...which realistically isn't going to happen soon. I like that I can zoom out with one lens on the 30 and with a DSLR I will need multiple lenses.
So you see, I don't know where to begin so that maybe I can start participating on this site more. I look at all the wonderful pictures and wish I were close to that good.
Any comments/opinions on how you would approach the camera/editing software issue would be greatly appreciated.
Sonja
Posted by Barbara Graham on November 29, 2011 at 6:44 PM
Sonja, my recommendation would be to start posting images here and post them and get feedback and get better with the camera you have for six months or so, and then decide about the camera. That's what I did with my PowerShot S5IS. If you go to the last page of my gallery you can see some of the images from that camera. Most of the earlier ones are not in my gallery anymore, but some are. But there is no better way that I know of to both see what you can do and to improve than to go ahead and start posting images for critique.
As far as software, for what you describe as your experience and desire I'd very strongly recommend Photoshop Elements 10.
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 29, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Sonja--
Sometimes I shoot with a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye made in 1959. The camera goes for $5 on eBay. I've posted photos from it in the Roadkill forum here. Camera doesn't matter so much. Learn how to make interesting compositions. Most of all, learn how to see and use Light. That's the whole thing. Having a great camera & lens won't help you if you can't do that. OTOH, if you know how to use Light, you can make an interesting photo with ANY camera.
A link to one photo made with the Brownie on the Roadkill forum:
Posted by Luke Ormand on November 29, 2011 at 7:05 PM
I agree with what others have said... when I started here I had a cheapo Nikon kit camera and lens... still produced some fine images though and my skills improved vastly with help from other NPNers. Save your money for a DSLR and lenses in the future - max out the cameras capabilities and when you really know everything there is to know about it and how to use it and you feel as though you are being held back, then make the upgrade to a DSLR.
Posted by Sonja Otto on November 29, 2011 at 9:51 PM
Thank you to all who responded. It was all so overwhelming and I am a bit clearer now on it. Barbara, I have been following you since the beginnning and have seen improvement in your photos. I have also watched as you bought each of your cameras and certainly drooled over your last purchase. Many of your questions were ones that I had been wondering about over time too so I could/can really relate to you.
Kent in SD, I will certainly go and take a look at that photo to see what a $5 camera on eBay can do, and of course your ability to make it work.
Thanks Luke for the suggestion of maxing out the cameras capabilities and learning all there is to know about it before upgrading. Great advice.
I look forward to contributing to NPN and taking everyone's suggestions on how to improve my images.
God Bless,
Sonja
Posted by Gary Minish on November 30, 2011 at 4:08 AM
Sonja; Since you're working with a small budget, you really ought to go look at Corel PaintShop Pro X4 for image processing software. It's on sale right now for just under $40. It's way more powerful than Photoshop Elements and can do just about anything you can do in Photoshop plus it can use most Photoshop plugins. I've been using PaintShop Pro for years and have never felt the need or the urge to spend $700 for Photoshop. I also have never owned a DSLR but I shoot completely in manual mode because it gives me total control and predictable results. Definitely don't let your camera stop you from participating in NPN. It's the best way to shorten your learning curve!
Posted by John Tobias on November 30, 2011 at 7:51 AM
Sonja, You have received some good advice. I also have along with my DSLRs the PS SX30 IS. Unfortunately, I have found it is not as good as the one before. I have found at long telephoto ranges the quality is poor. If you understand the limitations of this model and stay within them while following the advice given here, you should see improvement in your photography. I get my best results with the SX30 by using it for close-up work and avoid long tele shots. Just my 2 cents worth. Hope to see more of your photos on NPN.
Posted by Jim Bullard on November 30, 2011 at 8:13 AM
I will echo all that has been said above. Making the best use of the equipment you have is what produces great photos, better equipment is secondary. Dewitt Jones (National Geographic photographer and Outdoor Photographer columnist) has released an ebook through Amazon that is an album of 50 photos made with his iPhone. He even did all the post-exposure processing on his iPhone. It is your eye, your imagination and your skill that makes the image. The rest is just tools.
That said you might look around for a used DSLR that was within your budget. I just surfed ebay for used Canon DSLRs and you can buy a 10D body for under $200 and a used 28-135 IS for $125-$200. That will do modest macro work and with extension tubes will get as close as you will ever want. The 10D with a 28-135 IS was my first DSLR outfit (I still have it along with an XTi and a 7D) and I have printed many 12x18 prints from its files a couple even larger, the biggest was 32" wide. A lot of the photos in my portfolio were made with that combo.
Many people will rush to buy the latest, greatest, most mega-pixel, face detecting, video making wonder camera out there and as a consequence there are lots of no longer used but excellent older cameras available for a fraction of what they originally cost. The original price of the 10D for example was $1200. That was just for the body, no lens. For your $400 you could conceivably put together a very decent used DSLR kit that would be fine for learning on. You don't need the newest and the best camera is the one you have.
P.S. The Nicholville Barn with Storm Clouds photo is the one I printed 32" wide http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=vp&pr=83186&pi=ADKJIM&CGISESSID=6669e8bdb7e42c6f8328ef6d640d3e2a&u=12543
For what it's worth, I would second the suggestion of using Corel over Elements. I also prefer Lightroom over most Photoshop products. It just seems more intuitive to me.
I would also second (or fourth?) the idea of keeping your Powershot and saving for a DSLR. $400 is a lot to spend for a similar point and shoot, and I'm guessing the image quality is imperceptibly improved. Your money will be better spent if you keep your powershot, use it on manual or av/tv modes to learn about exposure, save for a used 10D, 20D, or 40D (all should be under $700 now) or get the base model DSLR from new from Canon or Nikon (usually around $650 with a kit lens...but ask here about the lens to make sure it's worth it).
Does your Powershot have RAW capabilities (I think it does)? That is another thing to play with while you are saving up for a DSLR. Once you get into processing software, you'll want to start using RAW to avoid degrading your images with successive processing sessions.
This might all sound a bit overwhelming, but the good news is you can get a used DSLR and decent lens for about what you were ready to spend on a newer Powershot. The 28-135mm lens is a great one (I've missed mine since I traded it for the 24-105L) so you will be very happy for a while with a 10D-40D body and that lens. I had a 40D and only that lens for 2 years before I got the itch for a wider or longer lens.
Posted by Sonja Otto on December 2, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Thanks all for your wonderful suggestions. Gary, I will certainly look at the Corel Paint ShopPro X4. I would like to find software that also has the video editing capabilities too, just so I have the option of playing around with that too for my own personal fun.
I agree with you John that the SX30's picture quality is not as good as the SX20 was. At least that is what I thought with my limited perception.
Wow Jim, your Nicholville Barn w/Storm Clouds is dramatic! Very nice. It showed me what an "older" camera can do. I guess it really is the person a lot of the time. I definitely will look at the Amazon site for the ebook of pictures that were taken with an iPhone!
Marylynne, no the Canon SX30 does not have RAW capabilities but it sounds like I will have enough to learn as it is.
Again, thanks to all for your knowledgeable input.
Posted by Andy Richards on December 4, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Jim said what I was thinking. As a "new" photographer, you are on a "learning curve" and will no doubt change camera and lens combinations over the years. There are many used bodies out on the market and if you are looking at the ability to have control over the elements of shooting (shutter speed, aperture, etc.) that a DSLR gives you, that would be the way to go.
I also agree with the comments that you should be able to use the gear you already have to make nice images.
Posted by Jim Sabiston on December 4, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Sonja,
Great responses here. I will just add my two cents by giving an example of a cell phone image I posted here that was given an Editor's Choice:
The one point I would actually emphasize- as other have - is to use a camera with manual adjustments on it and master it before upgrading. You will get two benefits from this - a better understanding of what you want to do photographically and, accordingly, what camera and lenses will work best for you when you do upgrade.
Discussion
11 repliesI would like to begin to acquire my "setup" such as camera and editing software. I don't want software that is too difficult to figure out. I'm just learning my way around that.
My dilemma is, do I buy the upgraded SX40 (at around $400) to get the better quality pictures or do I just keep my SX30,learn all that I can about shutter speed,aperture,etc., and somehow try to save for a DSLR...which realistically isn't going to happen soon. I like that I can zoom out with one lens on the 30 and with a DSLR I will need multiple lenses.
So you see, I don't know where to begin so that maybe I can start participating on this site more. I look at all the wonderful pictures and wish I were close to that good.
Any comments/opinions on how you would approach the camera/editing software issue would be greatly appreciated.
Sonja
As far as software, for what you describe as your experience and desire I'd very strongly recommend Photoshop Elements 10.
Sometimes I shoot with a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye made in 1959. The camera goes for $5 on eBay. I've posted photos from it in the Roadkill forum here. Camera doesn't matter so much. Learn how to make interesting compositions. Most of all, learn how to see and use Light. That's the whole thing. Having a great camera & lens won't help you if you can't do that. OTOH, if you know how to use Light, you can make an interesting photo with ANY camera.
A link to one photo made with the Brownie on the Roadkill forum:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=67045&CGISESSID=fa8328199ce26972442ef1aded09642a&u=23343
Kent in SD
Kent in SD, I will certainly go and take a look at that photo to see what a $5 camera on eBay can do, and of course your ability to make it work.
Thanks Luke for the suggestion of maxing out the cameras capabilities and learning all there is to know about it before upgrading. Great advice.
I look forward to contributing to NPN and taking everyone's suggestions on how to improve my images.
God Bless,
Sonja
That said you might look around for a used DSLR that was within your budget. I just surfed ebay for used Canon DSLRs and you can buy a 10D body for under $200 and a used 28-135 IS for $125-$200. That will do modest macro work and with extension tubes will get as close as you will ever want. The 10D with a 28-135 IS was my first DSLR outfit (I still have it along with an XTi and a 7D) and I have printed many 12x18 prints from its files a couple even larger, the biggest was 32" wide. A lot of the photos in my portfolio were made with that combo.
Many people will rush to buy the latest, greatest, most mega-pixel, face detecting, video making wonder camera out there and as a consequence there are lots of no longer used but excellent older cameras available for a fraction of what they originally cost. The original price of the 10D for example was $1200. That was just for the body, no lens. For your $400 you could conceivably put together a very decent used DSLR kit that would be fine for learning on. You don't need the newest and the best camera is the one you have.
P.S. The Nicholville Barn with Storm Clouds photo is the one I printed 32" wide http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=vp&pr=83186&pi=ADKJIM&CGISESSID=6669e8bdb7e42c6f8328ef6d640d3e2a&u=12543
I would also second (or fourth?) the idea of keeping your Powershot and saving for a DSLR. $400 is a lot to spend for a similar point and shoot, and I'm guessing the image quality is imperceptibly improved. Your money will be better spent if you keep your powershot, use it on manual or av/tv modes to learn about exposure, save for a used 10D, 20D, or 40D (all should be under $700 now) or get the base model DSLR from new from Canon or Nikon (usually around $650 with a kit lens...but ask here about the lens to make sure it's worth it).
Does your Powershot have RAW capabilities (I think it does)? That is another thing to play with while you are saving up for a DSLR. Once you get into processing software, you'll want to start using RAW to avoid degrading your images with successive processing sessions.
This might all sound a bit overwhelming, but the good news is you can get a used DSLR and decent lens for about what you were ready to spend on a newer Powershot. The 28-135mm lens is a great one (I've missed mine since I traded it for the 24-105L) so you will be very happy for a while with a 10D-40D body and that lens. I had a 40D and only that lens for 2 years before I got the itch for a wider or longer lens.
I agree with you John that the SX30's picture quality is not as good as the SX20 was. At least that is what I thought with my limited perception.
Wow Jim, your Nicholville Barn w/Storm Clouds is dramatic! Very nice. It showed me what an "older" camera can do. I guess it really is the person a lot of the time. I definitely will look at the Amazon site for the ebook of pictures that were taken with an iPhone!
Marylynne, no the Canon SX30 does not have RAW capabilities but it sounds like I will have enough to learn as it is.
Again, thanks to all for your knowledgeable input.
I also agree with the comments that you should be able to use the gear you already have to make nice images.
Great responses here. I will just add my two cents by giving an example of a cell phone image I posted here that was given an Editor's Choice:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=160576&CGISESSID=2baca22887c9c0ffee1b71cf1c7a9de1&u=28454
The one point I would actually emphasize- as other have - is to use a camera with manual adjustments on it and master it before upgrading. You will get two benefits from this - a better understanding of what you want to do photographically and, accordingly, what camera and lenses will work best for you when you do upgrade.
Good luck and remember - have fun!