Calling All Camera Owners!

I need your advice!

In our twelve years of marriage, Steve and I have owned just about as many cameras as we have children.  And all the while we continued to upgrade our photo-snapping gadgets, we have never made the jump from point-and-shoot.  But with a new baby on the way, and five other good reasons to take the best pictures possible, I have started to consider a digital SLR.  I'm thinking about asking Santa for an upgrade this year, but I'm just not sure it's in the budget.

So I come asking you, friends, family, and strangers alike for your expertise.  Now I know that some of you who read our blog are very talented professional photographers, and I value your opinion greatly.  But I would also like the amateur photo-snapper to grace me with your advice:

What type of camera do you own?  Why did you choose this particular model?

What features do you consider most important when upgrading from a point-and-shoot?  How much "extra" would you pay for them?  I myself would like to be able to adjust the aperture to provide for "softer" pictures where the background is sometimes blurred.  I would also like a camera that does better in lower-light setting such as indoor gatherings.  What else should I consider?

Almost all the pictures I post are from our Panasonic Lumix, which is not a bad little point-and-shoot.  How much "better" would these photos have turned out if taken with an SLR?

Do you feel the better features of your SLR merit its higher price tag?  In other words, is it worth the expense investment?

For the pictures you see us take, is there a particular model you would recommend?  (Perhaps I would venture out more with a fancier camera and some photography classes under my belt...)

And to clarify, I'm planning to use this camera for personal photos...  I'm hoping simply to breathe a little more life into the memories we make so that when our children are old, grown, and hairy, I'll remember the sweet babies they once used to be!

Thank you for your advice and comments, and stay tuned...  if Santa has me on his "nice" list there will be more pictures to come!

Comments

  1. Colleen KevaneSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Hey Michelle!!!! Congratulations! I am so happy for you, Steve and the 5 boys! A new baby, a new addition to the family is such an exciting time. Take care and feel better soon. I know too well how morning sickness takes over (I couldn't go anywhere without a bag in hand just in case), but so well worth it! I don't know anything about cameras. I just bought a Fuji HS20 on sale after cringing at DSLR prices. I am very happy with the picture quality.
    Love,
    Colleen

    ReplyDelete
  2. MiriamSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I bought a Cannon T2i and I *LOVE* it.

    It does not replace my point and shoot (which fits nicely in my purse and is with me at all times). I still use that quite a bit.

    I love...

    - The super fast shutter speed. It is so much easier getting action shots!

    - The ability to shoot BETTER pictures without flash in low light settings (something my point and shoot is TERRIBLE at).

    - I dabbled quite a bit in photography before kids. I'm very happy to have that ability again, even IF I don't really have the time to get out there and shoot creative pictures. Just knowing I *can* (because I have the tools) somehow makes me feel better. ;-)


    The things I dislike:

    - The size. Really...it is large to carry around. I'd probably take it more places if I wasn't also carrying a baby.

    - The cost. I'm terrified I'm going to break it (and therefore bought it from best buy WITH their warranty).


    I scoured CNET for probably 2 wks by the time I was ready to purchase, reading reviews and comparing products before purchasing. I <3 CNET! It gives pros/cons, compares shutter times etc etc on various camera products. It helps you compare apples to apples.

    I do NOT regret my purchase whatsoever. I am planning on upgrading my point and shoot very soon, because my current one is just plain frustrating (it is soooooo slow!). I'd like to get something a little faster. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. MichelleSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Thanks, guys. Miriam, quite informative! I'll do some more research. It's a BIG chunk of change that I'm not sure we can afford right now, but maybe in time for my bday (which is also baby's due date...) And as for your point-and-shoot... look into the Panasonic Lumix line. Steve (you know, the anal engineer type) did LOTS of research before getting ours and it seemed the very best features and value at that time. I think it's a DC-3 or something like that. It has 10X optical zoom and several different scene modes. Does GREAT outdoors and so-so inside. Also has sequential shooting (several shoots per second)--great for action! Right now I'm just looking for the "finer touch."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelly BinaSeptember 14, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Michelle,
    We made the SLR switch last spring and everyone recommended the Canon Rebel to us - we have been very happy with it! It takes pictures so quick and so clear compared to our point and shoot! I barely know how to do anything with it, but the little I know, we have been very pleased. However, I do miss the convenience of being ablet to put our point and shoot in my pocket!

    ReplyDelete

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