Should I buy a DSLR to learn photography seriously?
Asked 7/15/2010
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2 answers
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I’m interested in learning photography more seriously, possibly even professionally. I’ve been reading about aperture, shutter speed/exposure, and ISO, and I want hands-on practice seeing how changing settings affects an image.
My point-and-shoot has a manual mode, but whenever I try to use it, the results seem worse than just leaving the camera in auto. Some people say manual mode on compact cameras is very limited or not very helpful for learning.
Do I need to buy a DSLR or other “real camera” to properly learn photography, or should I keep practicing with what I have first? What are the main pros and cons of moving from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR for a beginner?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
15
You might want to try borrowing or renting a camera first. Even the cheapest DSLR will cost several hundred dollars, which can be a lot of money if you aren't sure it is right for you.
That being said, DSLRs now are a lot better than they were in pure auto mode, which can make it pretty easy to jump right in. I went from a P&S to a DSLR not all that long ago and really enjoyed it pretty much right away.
One big consideration when thinking about switching to a DSLR is the pure size of the camera. You will no longer have something you can stick in a pocket or throw in a bag. They are much bigger, much heavier and much more fragile. They are also a lot more expensive to buy, repair and upgrade.
Originally by user95. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user95
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A DSLR can be a very good learning tool, but it won’t automatically make your photos better. In fact, your results may get worse at first while you learn.
The main benefit of a DSLR is easier, more direct control over exposure settings and generally more room to grow. That can make it a strong choice if you want to seriously study photography and practice manual control.
But the bigger issue is still practice and study. A better camera raises the ceiling of what you can do; it does not replace learning composition, light, timing, and exposure.
Also consider the tradeoffs: DSLRs are much larger, heavier, less pocketable, more fragile, and more expensive to buy, maintain, and expand.
If you’re unsure, try borrowing or renting one first. If you’re committed and want a camera that gives you more hands-on manual control, a DSLR is a reasonable next step. If not, keep practicing with your current camera—good photography skills matter more than the body itself.
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