Do I need SLR for this course?

[digishooter]

I'm just wondering what kind of cameras you guys are using in this course. I'm also thinking about buying an SLR but that could be for Xmas. Is is a good idea to start the course right now with just a compact Canon Powershoot A630? Thank you.

[admin]

Digishooter, I'd like to assure you that Canon Powershot A630 is good enough for our photography course. It has more than all the requirements: manual mode as well as shutter priority and aperture priority modes.

Plenty of PP students use compact cameras. Some of them want to upgrade to SLRs because they feel they have outgrown the compact and want to move on, get better lenses and accessories, they demand higher quality and even more control.
Bottom line is - learn all the basics on your compact camera and when you're ready, you'll know it's the time to upgrade to an SLR.

[starstuff]

I've been taking photos intermittently for decades (originally with one of the original Pentax Spotmatics), and I want to put some energy into this, I want to be a better photographer. I own a DSLR (Pentax *ist-DL), but use it very infrequently. What I'm looking for is a course that will be compatible with P&S digital cameras: I currently own a Canon SD600 and may soon upgrade to SD870.

Is this course appropriate for me? Thanks.

[admin]

I've been taking photos intermittently for decades (originally with one of the original Pentax Spotmatics), and I want to put some energy into this, I want to be a better photographer. I own a DSLR (Pentax *ist-DL), but use it very infrequently. What I'm looking for is a course that will be compatible with P&S digital cameras: I currently own a Canon SD600 and may soon upgrade to SD870.

Is this course appropriate for me? Thanks.

Hi starstuff,

Canon SD600 and 870 are both ultra compact cameras with no manual exposure controls. They don't offer much input from a photographer other than point and shoot really. Neither has manual focus and you cannot control shutter speed for fast action shots.

Having said that - it does not mean you cannot take excellent photos using these compact cameras. But if you want to get into photography a bit deeper I'd rather recommend a camera with some manual controls than have everything set for you by "auto". You have plenty to choose from in the Canon P&S range, e.g. PowerShot A720 IS - even cheaper compact with 19 different shooting modes.

Our course will teach you how to use different creative camera settings, most of which Canon SD600 and 870 don't have. Should you decide to take the course you'll discover new possibilities and will find yourself soon limited by the ultra compact camera's possibilities.
I'd recommend one of the 2 options for you:

1. take up the course with your DSLR Pentax at least for the sake of learning and improving. After you're done with the course, you can easily go back to compact if you like and apply all your skills to any compact camera any time (only limited by the camera's capabilities)

2. buy a better compact camera with more manual control. The upgrade from SD600 to SD870 is not a major improvement for you as a photographer to be honest. I can recommend more on request.

[starstuff]

Thanks. Keeping in mind that one of my goals is a small camera I can keep with me (although it doesn't have to be an ultracompact), what would you recommend? It doesn't have to be a Canon, and I'm willing to pay a bit more for features & small size.

[admin]

I've sent you a pm with my recommendations.

[starstuff]

Peter's private messages have been very helpful. Because I'm guessing I'm not the only one in the market for a compact camera with full manual controls, I thought I'd make a report:

I finally found a camera store yesterday that stocks the Canon G9, the Canon A650 and the Nikon P5100 -- the three final contenders for me -- so I was able to compare their "look and feel".

The A650 had been a hands-down winner based on what I'd read; the flip screen is a very appealing feature. There's been a product recall on the A650 (light-leak problem), so I figured I might have to wait awhile, but no big deal. Unfortunately, at the store I discovered that, with batteries, the camera is about as heavy as a brick, and the "handle" that contains the 4 AA batteries (accounting for a substantial portion of its weight) protrudes from the body: The A650 is about the same size as the camera body of a DSLR. I need a pocket camera I'll carry around with me a lot of the time, but there's no way that this camera would live in my pocket, not even even an over-sized overcoat pocket. It seemed to me too heavy even for a belt case.

The G9 is lighter and smaller, but not much. Unlike the A650, it didn't feel particularly comfortable in my hands... it *felt* like a brick.

In sharp contrast, the Nikon P5100 is, while not as small and light as an ultracompact, very easily pocketable. And so, after diligently reading through the forums on dpreview.com and elsewhere, I decided to order a P5100 yesterday.

The moral of the story, to me, is: Although I prefer to do most of my shopping online, there's nothing quite like holding equipment in your hands to make a buying decision.

[Snappers]

Your quite right starstuff, Something may look appealing on an internet site but there is nothing quite like seeing it in the flesh and holding it to see what it feels like.

I'm glad to hear you got yourself sorted out, how are you finding the camera now you've had time to have a play with it?

[LensBaby]

That is what I did. I held every camera, and the way that mine fit in my hands was perfect. It felt nice to me. One of the Canons I looked at as far as the camera was nice, but it was too heavy also 3,400.00 at best buy. A little too much for me at the moment