Non DSLR user (not yet, but getting closer)
Jan 5, 2015 14:05:14 #
Quick intro - Back in the late 60's I thought I'd get into 35mm photography (urged by a friend who sold me his old rangefinder) and bought a Miranda Sensorex with extra 135mm lens. It didn't take long to discover that my sense of timing was not good if I was looking for action photos of people. But, it was fun and I have a ton of slides that I absolutely never look at, but film was just too expensive for my teacher's budget. Miranda as a company apparently died and I put the camera away, where it still resides.
Zoom forward into the digital age and I discovered that it didn't cost anything to take a bunch of pictures, so the film budget issue became a moot point. But, little point and shoot cameras were all I knew, along with the image quality limitations. Still, my theory was (is) that if you take enough pics you're bound to get a few good ones. My interest is in landscapes and wildlife, with very little in the way of people photos except for my grandkids. I guess I'm simply a snapshot shooter when it comes to people.
Anyway, a couple of years ago I was sniffing around the cameras in Fryes and a salesman did a good job of selling me on a Sony DSC-HX200V. It was the best thing I'd experienced since sliced bread. All of a sudden I could take better pictures and I absolutely loved the superzoom feature. But, I found that even though the salesman talked about the manual control, it's not all there. No RAW (not that I even know how to deal with that yet), hard for me to manually focus, no luck yet shooting action shots. Just a lot of stuff that I'd like to get into. So, I'm beginning to learn as much as I can about DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
I don't remember how I came across this forum but I immediately suscribed to the daily digest and now it's my favorite forum. There's simply so much experience available. Right now, I'm still at the very confused state, having to learn/relearn things about good photography as well as trying to decide what my next camera will be. My wife is very supportative of my late-life interest and I've started a camera/lense budget. My hope is to have the $$ available when I've finally learned enough to take the next step.
One of my problems is that I have a pretty wide range of interests that vie for my funding. I like motorcycles, guns, archery, bicycles, and woodturning. All those things take $$$. Woe is me...
So, in advance, I'll apologize for any and all dumb questions and statements. I don't like making a fool of myself but it's happened enough in my 72 years that at least I've getting used to it.
That's me in a nutshell - thanks again.
ron
Zoom forward into the digital age and I discovered that it didn't cost anything to take a bunch of pictures, so the film budget issue became a moot point. But, little point and shoot cameras were all I knew, along with the image quality limitations. Still, my theory was (is) that if you take enough pics you're bound to get a few good ones. My interest is in landscapes and wildlife, with very little in the way of people photos except for my grandkids. I guess I'm simply a snapshot shooter when it comes to people.
Anyway, a couple of years ago I was sniffing around the cameras in Fryes and a salesman did a good job of selling me on a Sony DSC-HX200V. It was the best thing I'd experienced since sliced bread. All of a sudden I could take better pictures and I absolutely loved the superzoom feature. But, I found that even though the salesman talked about the manual control, it's not all there. No RAW (not that I even know how to deal with that yet), hard for me to manually focus, no luck yet shooting action shots. Just a lot of stuff that I'd like to get into. So, I'm beginning to learn as much as I can about DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
I don't remember how I came across this forum but I immediately suscribed to the daily digest and now it's my favorite forum. There's simply so much experience available. Right now, I'm still at the very confused state, having to learn/relearn things about good photography as well as trying to decide what my next camera will be. My wife is very supportative of my late-life interest and I've started a camera/lense budget. My hope is to have the $$ available when I've finally learned enough to take the next step.
One of my problems is that I have a pretty wide range of interests that vie for my funding. I like motorcycles, guns, archery, bicycles, and woodturning. All those things take $$$. Woe is me...
So, in advance, I'll apologize for any and all dumb questions and statements. I don't like making a fool of myself but it's happened enough in my 72 years that at least I've getting used to it.
That's me in a nutshell - thanks again.
ron
Jan 5, 2015 14:41:34 #
Welcome to the Force...
You have entered an addictive land of truths, myths, fantasies, ghosts, goblins and good old fashioned advice (whether you want it or not)...
Seriously though - the folks here have lots of good advice and a couple of days of experience and are willing share what they can - don't hesitate to ask detailed questions, in fact, the more details, the more accurate the answer ;)
A couple of links to help you navigate the forum and a couple of resources to hopefully answer your questions or guide you in your quest...
Looking forward to seeing some photos.
You have entered an addictive land of truths, myths, fantasies, ghosts, goblins and good old fashioned advice (whether you want it or not)...
Seriously though - the folks here have lots of good advice and a couple of days of experience and are willing share what they can - don't hesitate to ask detailed questions, in fact, the more details, the more accurate the answer ;)
A couple of links to help you navigate the forum and a couple of resources to hopefully answer your questions or guide you in your quest...
Looking forward to seeing some photos.
Jan 5, 2015 14:50:01 #
Welcome! Your story parallels a lot of folk here, including me. since you seem to indicate you've been lurking before joining, UHH, no use telling you what a fabulous learning source it is! All questions are smart!
Jan 5, 2015 14:51:08 #
cucharared wrote:
...One of my problems is that I have a pretty wide range of interests that vie for my funding. I like motorcycles, guns, archery, bicycles, and woodturning. All those things take $$$. Woe is me...
First of all, I don't recall seeing anything in the rules that mean you have to have a DSLR to take pictures.
Second, photography is certainly one of those things that use up "excess" income. I'm happy to see that you didn't list boats as one of your interests.
Finally, welcome, have fun, and show us the pictures.
Jan 5, 2015 15:12:47 #
Welcome aboard and whatever you do, have fun! I've taken some great shots with P&S and with superzoom cameras. Get something that feels right to you and won't wear you out. I'm a DSLR guy now, but the day may come when I can't lug all that gear around anymore. Will I quit photography at that point? Not on your life!
Jan 5, 2015 15:23:08 #
welcome to the Hog...
Take your time looking before you jump because the whole camera business is changing - new bridge cameras are getting better, compact full frame or interchangeable lens are on the market and mirror-less allows lots of frames per sec and zoom view to focus.
Its an interesting time to start as you can choose from a wide variety of really good makes.
Have fun thinking
Take your time looking before you jump because the whole camera business is changing - new bridge cameras are getting better, compact full frame or interchangeable lens are on the market and mirror-less allows lots of frames per sec and zoom view to focus.
Its an interesting time to start as you can choose from a wide variety of really good makes.
Have fun thinking
Jan 5, 2015 16:54:22 #
Jan 5, 2015 17:29:49 #
Hey, I appreciate all the replys. I knew this was a friendly forum but now I feel like a part of the family already.
thanks again,
ron
thanks again,
ron
Jan 5, 2015 19:24:47 #
cucharared wrote:
Hey, I appreciate all the replys. I knew this was a friendly forum but now I feel like a part of the family already...
It's your turn to wash the dishes.
Jan 6, 2015 06:52:07 #
Jan 6, 2015 07:37:58 #
Jan 6, 2015 07:47:53 #
Jan 6, 2015 09:48:16 #
Welcome to the Hog Ron, you will do just fine here, I too am 72 with not a whole lot of $$$, so I buy used, pawn shops, E bay, garage sales and anywhere I can find it. There is nothing wrong with yesterday's tech if you know what you are looking for. I am a Nikon man at heart, bought a Nikon D90 on E bay, great camera, now I am waiting for my Nikon D7000, also from E bay.
Jan 16, 2015 12:30:30 #
Welcome aboard Ron... You are way older than me... I am only 70... just a youngster still trying to find out what I want to be when I grow up... they say that it is in the chase/search that is the most thrilling... once your trophy is bagged then what??? On to the next chase/search... learning is a never ending search for the truth... and that is the truth!!! OK its your turn now... I yield the soap box... :)
P.S. You can learn a lot from the members on this site... I have...
P.S. You can learn a lot from the members on this site... I have...
Jan 16, 2015 12:33:22 #
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