No, it wasn't just josh to buy a DSLR, but the story goes something like this ....
I own a Kodak DX6490 camera (now discontinued by Kodak), which I had bought sometime around July or August 2004 (yes, its been more than five years the day I write this!). If you read some of the reviews about this camera, you'll soon see that Kodak DX6490 was one of the most advanced "prosumer" (professional-cum-consumer) cameras in market at that time with a 4 Megapixel resolution and a 10X optical zoom! Though it wasn't exactly a SLR and was categorized under the "compact" cameras, it was bulkier than most other cameras in the same range. It also came with a 'manual' mode with partial flexibility to play around with aperture and shutter speed settings, apart with the ease of the 'auto' mode. It also offered multiple shooting options which most modern digital cameras today offer namely portrait, still-life, landscape, night and moving object. It could record movies in MPEG-2 format. In short, this camera offered most of the features of a modern camera combined with easy-to-use flexibility.
You can check out some of the photographs I have taken using this camera in India, Europe, the US and South-east Asia. I was very satisfied with the image quality of the photographs, considering the ease with which the camera could be used.
However very recently (2009), during my Vietnam and Cambodia trip, I realized that the shutter-release (click button) was getting stuck and the camera was over-exposing some of the photographs. The over-exposure reduced the charm and the real "feel" (the mood) of these places in the photographs. So, the decision came down (apart from getting my camera serviced) to two things -- buy another prosumer camera or upgrade to a DSLR.
There are several advanced prosumer cameras in market now (2009): Nikon is offering Coolpix P90, Coolpix L100 and Coolpix P6000 (you can see and compare their features here), while Canon is offering PowerShot G10, PowerShot A590 IS and PowerShot SX120 IS among few others (you can check the features here). These compact cameras are highly advanced and have almost everything what a casual photographer can ask for. My friend recently bought a Panasonic Lumix LX3, which with its 10+ Megapixel image resolution, ultra-wide-angle capture and easy-to-use customizable buttons can be a good bet for anyone.
On the other hand, nothing can beat the picture-perfection and the infinity flexibility of a DSLR provided you know how to use it! DSLRs are bulky and often one needs to carry a big bag with multiple lenses and accessories to capture pictures at the right time with the right mood. Apart from the physical energy needed to move around with bulky hang-ons, you also need a lot of patience (a lot more when you are learning to use one) to use a DSLR properly. With its multiple flexibilities (technicalities and settings), the learning curve can be very steep for a casual photographer. Though most buttons are very strategically placed on the camera body, knowing which to press when and for how much duration requires lot of practice.
In spite of these difficulties, nothing can be more satisfying than an amazing shot that captures the right colors, brightness, movements and most importantly, the real feel of the place; a second person seeing the photograph should get the feel of how its to actually be at that place at that time (the mood of the place)! So, a DSLR can take photography from just casual shooting to an experience endowed with pleasure, creativity, expressiveness, appreciation and of course satisfaction. You can take photographs that you'll cherish for a long time; that would enliven your memories for many years!
So, thats how I decided to go for a DSLR. But, like most amateur photographers who are stepping into SLR photography, I decided to go for a second-hand Nikon D60 DSLR. I got a good deal on clubSNAP, a public forum in Singapore for buying and selling second-hand cameras and accessories. But, what were the considerations that got me buy a DSLR instead of a prosumer camera? Firstly, I am quite serious about photography. I would love to take and see good photographs that capture the event/place in the right mood. So, sooner or later I had to upgrade to a DSLR to keep my interest alive! Secondly, though my experience with prosumer cameras has been good, if you really aspire for that extra bit of flexibility in shooting, a DSLR is the best option available. Thirdly, due to technical reasons; a DSLR has the single-lens reflex lens that enables one to capture exactly what is seen, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras. Finally, I have used my Kodak DX6490 for five years and it has helped overcome the fears at least to some extent of handling a complicated and bulky camera.
Photography, as I learn....
I will keep posting photographs as and when I take in the below list of links. I will also mention the technical settings used
(as in mode - P, A, S, M,
f-stop, shutter speed, exposure composition, white balance, ISO, etc.). This will not only help me keep a record of my learning
experiences, hopefully it will be helpful to motivate newbies. By going through the mentioned settings, one can get to see how
image properties can be changed by manipulating the settings. Though jumping into the arena and start shooting is the best way for anyone
to learn photography, these posted photographs
will at least give an initial idea as to how to play around with your DSLRs. I am also open to comments, suggestions, criticisms, opinions, etc.
I am myself learning and would therefore love to hear your feedbacks in order to improve my skill in DLSR photography.
Location: NUS campus.
Date and time: 12-Sep-2009 around noon. General comment: Bright and sunny day.
Location: Chinese Garden. Date and time: 12-Sep-2009 evening. General comment: Some late evening and night shots.
Location: Clark Quay.
Date and time: 13-Sep-2009 late evening and night.
Location: Sri Perumal Temple. Date and time: 13-Sep-2009 evening.