Are Cameras Becoming Too Complicated? The manual of my new camera has over 500 pages (all English). I'm not about to read it cover to cover. Watched an Art Wolf video where he admitted...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

The manual of my new camera has over 500 pages (all English). I'm not about to read it cover to cover.

Watched an Art Wolf video where he admitted that he only uses about 4% of his camera's features.

Are we paying for things we'll never use?

I know I am.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Quite frankly they are as as simple as ever. Just switch to full manual and throw away the book.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

joer wrote:

The manual of my new camera has over 500 pages (all English). I'm not about to read it cover to cover.

Watched an Art Wolf video where he admitted that he only uses about 4% of his camera's features.

Are we paying for things we'll never use?

I know I am.

I, for one, always want a camera that exceeds my capabilities, otherwise I would have nothing to grow into or look forward to discovering.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Yes. Most of the time we end up paying for things we'll never use. I've have my 5200 for a year and a half or so and not once have I touched the video function on it. here have been several photographers here ask about getting a camera without video, there are a few out there, but not many anymore. Why? Because then it appeals to a wider population people purchasers. Companies want to sell as many of their products as they can so adding in one feature that might get a few more buyers of their product is what they'll do even if 99% of the buyers won't use it.

MT also has a point though. What good would it do us to get a camera that we already knew how to use every feature on? We wouldn't have anything new to do with it that we could look forward to.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

to my it's a case of something for everybody. no one person is likely to use all the features on a modern camera.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

to my it's a case of something for everybody. no one person is likely to use all the features on a modern camera. even the "best" camera is as simple as you want it to be.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I like knowing I have all the bells and whistles. The more it will do the happier I am.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

MT Shooter wrote:

I, for one, always want a camera that exceeds my capabilities, otherwise I would have nothing to grow into or look forward to discovering.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Rongnongno wrote:

Quite frankly they are as as simple as ever. Just switch to full manual and throw away the book.

That's one solution. In fact, I tend to do this for flash.

My solution to the complexity is to purchase either Darrell Young's or David Busch's book on whichever camera I'm shooting.

Most of the menu items can just stay in their defaults, but Darrell often suggests some setting that makes a big difference.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

But... but... but...

Manual does everything the camera does in auto mode and better and so does the off camera PP so why wanting all these options???

Shall we not be learning photography's evil triumvirate instead of a camera???

I know I am going the grain but honestly if we are into photography knowing what to do manually is more important than letting some corporate engineer decide for us.

Results? Shoot raw and shoot in (or semi-)manual.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

joer wrote:

The manual of my new camera has over 500 pages (all English). I'm not about to read it cover to cover.

Watched an Art Wolf video where he admitted that he only uses about 4% of his camera's features.

Are we paying for things we'll never use?

I know I am.

Since so many of the features that come with a modern dslr are software driven, it makes little sense for the manufacturer to put out dozens of variations at different prices just because you might not ever use one of them.

Yes, the sheer number of possibilities for settings can be confusing and overwhelming if you are a beginner or don't go off to some specialized area of photography. For many the cameras default settings are perfectly alright. But if you need to make some specialized adjustment it's nice to know it is available.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Wouldn't having a camera that does not exceed your capabilities make you a better photographer because it will force you to be more creative and over come those camera in-capabilities? Just asking is all :)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Racmanaz wrote:

Wouldn't having a camera that does not exceed your capabilities make you a better photographer because it will force you to be more creative and over come those camera in-capabilities? Just asking is all :)

You do have a point as going manual exceed many folks capabilities which means hand holding is needed and so is reading the manual...

Well, we are all assisted one way or another.

EddieC Loc: CT

It's just like computer programs like Word, Excel or PowerPoint. How many people actually use them to their full potential? The companies keep upping the features and the prices. But, it is nice to know some specialized things are there if you need them. It's all about marketing too! If you think too much about the machine, you'll miss the most important thing---the picture.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Just about anything with a circuit board in it has more capabilities then the average consumer will ever use. Even my coffee maker.