How can I make a DSLR easier to carry so I use it more often?
Asked 2/1/2011
2 views
2 answers
0
I moved from a compact camera to a Nikon D5000 with the 18-55mm kit lens, and while I like the image quality, I’m finding the size and bulk make me carry it less and shoot less. I especially miss how easy it was to use a compact for street shots, crowds, and quick photos of energetic kids. Are there practical ways to make a DSLR more portable and convenient to use day to day—such as different carrying methods, straps, holsters, or smaller lens options—or is it more realistic to keep a compact camera as a second camera for everyday use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
20
Don't get tied down to thinking you only need one camera. Each camera has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. I highly recommend:
- A small point and shoot camera for those always ready snapshots you want to take
- An SLR camera for when you need more quality and control. You can capture motion very well with these things, and the control you have over exposure really can make or break a picture.
I also have a large format camera that shoots 4x5 film. I'm not recommending this for everyone, but it has a completely different style of taking photographs than either of the smaller cameras. The quality and control I have with the large format camera is its major benefit, but the fact that it weighs 12.5 lbs without the lens is one of its major drawbacks.
At some point you will need to get over being self conscious with a camera. I still deal with that myself. The fact that you can't hide the SLR and it's always visible makes you more conspicuous. However, in the right setting, I'm right at home to whip out the SLR take my pictures.
Originally by user3631. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3631
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A practical answer is that you may not want just one camera for every situation. A compact camera is often the best choice for everyday, always-with-you shooting, while a DSLR is better when you want more control, better motion capture, and higher image quality.
If you keep the DSLR, the biggest help is to simplify how you carry it. The more accessories and bagging you add, the less likely you are to use it. Keep it accessible and ready rather than packed away. Some photographers find they shoot more when the camera is in hand instead of hanging on the shoulder or buried in a bag.
If the DSLR still feels too bulky, a smaller interchangeable-lens system may suit you better. A Micro Four Thirds camera with a small pancake lens was specifically suggested as a way to keep much of the image-quality advantage over compacts in a much smaller package.
So your main options are: use a compact alongside the DSLR, carry the DSLR more simply and accessibly, or switch to a smaller mirrorless-style system.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
What pancake lenses are available for Canon EOS DSLRs?
Which compact point-and-shoot cameras can shoot RAW?
How useful is a DSLR top LCD panel?
How can I carry a DSLR with a heavy lens more securely while hiking?
What common mistakes and new capabilities should I expect when moving from a compact camera to a DSLR?