Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I ask this question because of me experience with both groups. This does not include ALL DSLR owner but in general. I have noticed that when I am watching a couple of FB pages of people who mainly use Bridge and P&S camera for their photography, they seem to enjoy Photography more than those that "invested" so much money in DSLR's and lenses. I never see them fight or argue about the technical aspects of Photography, mainly what brands we have, which camera we have and what camera is coming out next. They seem to be busy taking photo's and less time thinking about the next lens or camera that's about to be released. Have any of you experienced this as well?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Just shows they're not that much into it, it's more like fun on the surface without digging in any deeper. But IMHO, the fun starts a little deeper and makes for a far more happy person too!

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Ya I was thinking that also, you maybe right.

10MPlayer Loc: California

To each his own. Photography can be fun on a superficial, shoot a selfie on a cell phone level or on a semi-pro, mega-expensive equipment. Not everybody wants or is driven to become totally consumed by a hobby. For most it's an amuzement.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Agreed,
I believe that most of the people who are always posting photos on F.B. and other social media sites aren't really into it for the photography, they're just wanting to have a good time and share their experiences. I have thousands invested in my gear and my daughter-in-law probably shoots twice as many photos as I do with her cell phone.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Rac, by your standards, phone users are TWICE as happy as bridge and P&S shooters.
Ever seen a group of kids taking selfies? Bridge shooters are incapable of having that much fun!! :lol:
Your personal experiences and observations, facts do not make. And opinions are a dime a dozen.
I took a couple of vacations, before I had a DSLR, and refused the hassle of carrying a film SLR, convinced I could replace it with a P&S. Not hassling with, as you say, "all that stuff", trying to be happier.
NEVER, NEVER again. I took several prize winning shots, and they are absolutely useless, other than digital projection.
If taking low resolution crappy shots makes you happy, be my guest. P&S, bridge, 4/3, whatever, if it makes you happy, go for it!
Give me a REAL camera, I'll be happier. :lol:
SS

amehta Loc: Boston

I think there may be several factors at work. First, the cell/P&S/bridge camera shooters are often not really trying to take a great photograph, they are recording a memory. This means they aren't as interested in the gear, naturally, but they also aren't so interested in the photograph. Second, the ILC photographers I think are predominantly male, who like arguing about gear of all sorts. Meanwhile, the cell phone and P&S users, in particular, are much more gender balanced, and I think women tend to argue about electronic gear less (they argue about other things). Third, the cell/P&S/bridge camera users are almost always taking pictures for themselves and to "share" with friends. There are plenty of ILC photographers who are sometimes shooting for others. Not just the pros, but the amateurs who occasionally get asked to do favors. I think that puts a little more pressure to take better pictures, and use better equipment. Fourth, as others have mentioned, the ILC users tend to be more passionate about photography, that's why they've invested in the gear and learning how to use it.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

To me photography is about scouting out your location, sitting down looking over the subject, then picking your shot. Next is setting up your equipment, choosing your lens, then enjoying the moment. To me it is not just the shot but all the enjoyment of the full experience.

Pappy

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Not sure if I agree or disagree, I do know that I have seen some wonderful captures from people with bridge cameras and they are serious about Photography. On the other side I see wayyy too many who spend thousands on DSLR's and lenses and they would never win any awards at any level. So who is really serious about capturing award winning image? Everybody seems to quote "It's the photographer not the camera" then go on to say that if you are serious then you will have a DSLR or 2 and 47 lenses to go with it. All I am saying in my observation is why do people who are so serious seem to fret on the camera outfit? Doesn't sound like fun to be, it actually stresses me out lol.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Well, remember that on the technical side if the goal is to display images on an e-frame or FB page, pretty much any device capable of grabbing a digital image will likely do. But if the hope is to produce a poster sized print to hang on the living room or office wall, then the "lesser gear" (so to speak) will simply not allow it. You say you have seen lovely shots, but I'm guessing they've been on computer screens, which haven't got nearly the resolution of printing processes (inkjet, dye sub, whatever). So for those striving to produce something "big", their P&S or cell phone is unlikely to make the cut.

That said, for others it might be "the journey, not the destination" - in other words, the pleasure of noticing and capturing a scene or moment to share with others, even at the cruder level of a web screen. When I lug loads of gear on a business trip in the hopes of having the opportunity to catch a shot (like sunrise over Manhattan as seen from Hoboken, or mother consoling her baby on a train in India) I figure it's worth the hassle of extra poundage in case something presents itself. Someone else taking the same trip might consider that "price" to be too high for the art.

Finally, consider the notion that there are always the gear heads, pretty much in any hobby situation. For them, talking about the specific gears and arguing about which is better, Canon or Nikon (obviously it's Nikon :-D ) is in itself pleasurable.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Rac, you are not wrong. But photography seems to be a philosophy as much as a pursuit. With each practitioner pretty much believing that what they do is best. For me, I tend to study those that are doing what I do, but doing it at the highest levels, and I do as they do. When they start to use bridge cameras and 4/3, I will too. :lol:
SS

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Ahhhh.. I think you made some good points there f8lee, thanks for that excellent response. :)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

f8, hey, you really had me going!
For a minute there, I thought you were a real photographer. :lol: :lol:
SS

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

Ignorance is bliss. :thumbup:

tdekany Loc: Oregon

While I have never seen any of your photographs, I am pretty sure that some of the M4/3 that I HAVE SEEN, would give a run for your money or more, from both pros and amatures. On another note, Fred Miranda himself uses a Sony A7r for his landscape shots nowadays. Not his canon camera. What say you?