Anyone have regrets about moving to SLR system from a point/shoot?

I am often called upon to use p&s cameras in order to write about them. I confess I find it much more of a challenge to get good pictures than I do with a DSLR. Maybe I'm an old dog who can't learn new tricks.

I am often called upon to use p&s cameras in order to write about them. I confess I find it much more of a challenge to get good pictures than I do with a DSLR. Maybe I'm an old dog who can't learn new tricks.

Have you used a G9 or G10?

RAW + Full Manual Control + Feature Set of an Advanced DSLR ... they sit in a class of P&S's that definitely stands apart from the pack. There's a few others, but not too many like that. For example - the G9/G10 has a live histogram ... nice feature that I'd love to see on my DSLR. They do exposure bracketing. They can sync strobes at any shutter speed. They can control off-camera TTL strobes.

One thing it won't do - annoyingly - is TTL strobe control in Manual. Intentionally left off - I think - to keep it from being TOO good.

That said, when a JPEG and program mode with exposure compensation is good enough, I've gotten stellar results from a true pocket camera like the SD800.

I'm not arguing that these camera stand up pixel for pixel - they clearly don't ... but for web galleries and prints up to 16 x 20, they do an outstanding job ... paerticularly in the hands of "most" people who aren't necessarily capable of maximizing all the inherent advantages of a DSLR setup.

Have you used a G9 or G10?

 

RAW + Full Manual Control + Feature Set of an Advanced DSLR ... they sit in a class of P&S's that definitely stands apart from the pack. There's a few others, but not too many like that. For example - the G9/G10 has a live histogram ... nice feature that I'd love to see on my DSLR. They do exposure bracketing. They can sync strobes at any shutter speed. They can control off-camera TTL strobes.

 

One thing it won't do - annoyingly - is TTL strobe control in Manual. Intentionally left off - I think - to keep it from being TOO good.

 

That said, when a JPEG and program mode with exposure compensation is good enough, I've gotten stellar results from a true pocket camera like the SD800.

 

I'm not arguing that these camera stand up pixel for pixel - they clearly don't ... but for web galleries and prints up to 16 x 20, they do an outstanding job ... paerticularly in the hands of "most" people who aren't necessarily capable of maximizing all the inherent advantages of a DSLR setup.

What about shutter lag with G9/G10 compared with DSLR? That is what always drove me crazy every time I tried a P & S.

Andy

Have you used a G9 or G10?

I bought one!

Took it to DEMA because it seemed so convenient.

As I said, I'm just not clever enough. The D700 seems OK though!

I still use both my tiny SD630 P&S (with internal strobe and with a YS-27) as well as my 20D with 2 DS125 strobes. If I am out with students or just don't feel like taking the big rig, I use the small P&S. If I leave the external strobe at home, it even fits in my BC pocket.

As for picture quality: it depends on what you are shooting. I use the little one lot for small critters or extreme close-ups and I am getting some very nice results. The small package fits in nooks and crannies that I just can't get the dSLR in and it scares the sea life less than the big rig.

I still love my 20D, but I am considering getting a used G9, both with an Ikelite housing as well as a Canon housing. This would give me the flexibility to go compact or use the big strobes and wet-lenses, while still getting better quality than with my SD630.

I am not regretting going dSLR, but I am longing for something in-between for some dives where the conditions don't warrant taking a dSLR (or make it dangerous to the equipment given the weather in the channel) and yet still have a decent setup for that once in 100 dives shot that only comes around when you did not take any camera.

No regrets, in fact it was because of uwphoto that I became a better topside photographer, and I have much better pics of family and travel!

Ok, so at this point I think I've decided to purchase a Sea&Sea MDX-40D system for my Canon 50D with just a macro lens (Canon 100mm) configuration and hold off on the WA lens configuration for the time being. The WA lens configuration will cost an additional $2300 over the basic macro configuration. In addition we will be purchasing a new point/shoot system (Fisheye G10 or S&S DX-2G) for my wife (primarily) that I will be able to use if/when I want to shoot non macro or if I don't want to deal with the size/weight/complexity of the SLR system. Of course these decisions are still quite fluid and apt to change at any moment.

Thanks for all the interesting comments and opinions! And please keep them coming!

Doug

Though I briefly used a Sea&Sea P&S underwater and I am much happier with a DSLR, when I see the images posted by Ed_DMan with his Canon G10 it's hard to argue that one can do much better with a DSLR than a P&S.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...mp;#entry209330

What about shutter lag with G9/G10 compared with DSLR? That is what always drove me crazy every time I tried a P & S.

Andy

Yeah ... like I said in an earlier post, that's the biggest difference for me - not image quality. There's a difference in IQ - but to my eyes, not as big a deal as you might think if you are printing at 10 x 15 or 8 x 10 or whatnot.