File :-(, x, )
DSLR Anonymous
So I'm new to photography and I'm planning on getting my first DSLR. Any suggestions for someone starting out?

(pic I took in China)
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakePanasonicCamera ModelDMC-LZ7Camera SoftwareVer.1.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)127 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:06:27 10:50:34Exposure Time1/500 secF-Numberf/3.7Exposure ProgramNormal ProgramISO Speed Rating100Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length21.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3072Image Height2304RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalImage QualityFineWhite BalanceAutoFocus ModeAutoSpot ModeUnknownImage StabilizerMode 1Macro ModeNormalShooting ModeUnknownAudioNoFlash Bias0.00 EVColor EffectOffContrastStandardNoise ReductionStandard
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
yeah, dont.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
I agree with Butterfly. This picture suggests that your camera's not the thing holding you back yet.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
Holy Crap. Smog Much.
>> else !L6xabslN96
>>107167
dunno, could be alrite...i might be compelled to open it if it were resized.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>107236
noisy, foggy, uninteresting. There saved you.

at least the horizon is level.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
     File :-(, x)
Here's the resized version. Also: postprocessed it to make it not quite so dingy.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakePanasonicCamera ModelDMC-LZ7Camera SoftwareGIMP 2.4.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)127 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:01:01 16:55:30Exposure Time1/500 secF-Numberf/3.7Exposure ProgramNormal ProgramISO Speed Rating100Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length21.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3072Image Height2304RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalImage QualityFineWhite BalanceAutoFocus ModeAutoSpot ModeUnknownImage StabilizerMode 1Macro ModeNormalShooting ModeUnknownAudioNoFlash Bias0.00 EVColor EffectOffContrastStandardNoise ReductionStandard
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>107237
Horizon's not really that level. Flagpole's crooked.
>> Anonymous
those lamp posts look like flying robots...
>> Anonymous
OP here,
China is a shitty place to live. Was there for ten days around the country and on only ONE day was there no smog. Smells like you ate shit too
>> Anonymous
they're just being mean because this is probably the worst question you could ask in /p/.

i suggest you take a few classes, flip through a few books, and pick up some good composition techniques.

somewhere along the way, you'll decide what kind of photography you want to get into. This will save you $$$ in the long run.

Also, you will learn how to see the world through a particular lens instead of making the bad mistake of buying a cache of lenses attempting to capture the image you see in your head.

keep in mind that it doesn't matter which dslr you buy since the are all pretty equal in quality. It is the lenses/sysem that you should really pay attention to. In that respect, I recommend you researching the lenses offered from each party and seeing if it fits the style you want to shoot.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>107246

>>Smells like you ate shit too

You ate shit?... whaaat?

Lighting lighting lighting, the smog is bad but that can help you get a better shot.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>107271
True. For portraits, it's like the entire atmosphere is a softbox. Sucks for things other than portraits though...
>> Anonymous
>>107167

Never come back to /p/. We don't want your kind.
>> Anonymous
Why get a DSLR? Cause everyone says so?

So.. SLRs were great for film cameras, where your only other choice was a viewfinder that didn't actually show you what you were taking pictures of. It was all guess work for exposure and focusing. SLRs allowed you to look through the lens, so you could focus and properly expose your shots.

With compact digitals, the LCD replaces the viewfinder, and you can properly expose your shots with it.

Then came digital...

DSLRs have 3 relatively minor advantages over a compact digital... they offer less noise at higher ISO, and you can get a whole bunch of lenses for them, and they have faster burst mode pics...

The disadvantage is, that DSLRs come with really substandard kit lenses out of the box, and you need to upgrade. To buy the lenses capable of working with their big ass sensors, you have to spend tons of money on all kinds. They are huge, they are limited in range, and you gotta carry three or four... or you can buy a all in one lens... which makes it nearly as good as a point and shoot compact.

You can buy a compact digital with a lens thats 2.8 - 5 or so..., has IS, will do macro shots, and has 12x zoom, for $250-$500. You can buy the same range in a DSLR for $1000 at the least, and way up...

You get one or two stops better performance because of the faster ISO, and your picture quality is noticably better, if you blow it up huge on your computer monitor, and look at the pixels REALLY HARD. Unless you are making huge prints, no one will notice your pics are from a DSLR.

So if you are new to photography... and want to spend your money wisely... don't buy a DSLR unless you have a reason.

Pay someone $2 a day to carry a sign around behind you, saying you are important and have a huge schlong (for a chink), take pictures with a crappy point and shoot. It will accomplish the same things a DSLR will, and save you money.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>107316
a XT + 50/1.8 > any point and shoot in quality ever.

Printing anything biger than standard photo size? DSLR > *

Shooting sports / Action?
no p&s matches the speed of a dslr.

Shooting stuff far away?
no p&s has the tele capabilities of a DSLR

Shooting architecture?
No p&s has tilt shift or 10mm lenses, or ISO 80 and ZERO noise.

Want to use a flash?
No p&s has wireless flash and most of them dont have hotshoes.

P&S = pictures
DSLR= photographs
>> Anonymous
>>107324
Butterfly made an intelligent comment?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>107325
i try to keep the trolling/random bs for the what camera threads, i can be a useful poster outside of that.

Also related I see none of you have slammed my locale pic..
>> Anonymous
>>107326
This is a what camera thread. You fail at trolling, again.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>107342
well shit. Anyway i think from the 1st reply onwards it wasnt about cameras, so its a draw..
>> Anonymous
>>107324

just trying to save the OP some trouble. New to photography + DSLR is a waste. Even people with a DSLR have point and shoots. Learn to use that first, then move up. Take the P&S with you when you don't want to lug a bigger camera...

Besides if you can't answer your own question about what DSLR you should buy, you don't need one.

True on most your points about a DSLR.. you didn't mention bracketing, autofocus speed and points, or using extrem shutter speed.

All very important, but not to those new to photography.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>107246
Ewww... you ate shit, you must of really got fooled as a tourist.