If you already are using a compact "pro-sumer" digital, then this article is perhaps preaching to the converted. You already understand
If all you have is a hammer then every job starts to look like a nail
What I mean is that if all you have is an SLR it starts to shape how you see the world and as a photographer its my "vision" of the world that is what I record
The SLR became popular from the 1960's mainly for its ability to handle telephoto lenses, close-ups and photomicrography. Definately when taking macro shots the ability to see what the lens is seeing is important.
In this page I will try to explain why SLR style camera is not always a tool for every job and why there are now good alternatives to them.
First, just in case, I'll remind you that SLR means Single Lens Reflex and the reflex is talking about the use of mirrors to bend the light from where it would normally land on the image recording area (film or sensor) and into the view finder where you can see exactly what is happening through the lens. I've tried to represent this in the diagram below.
Behind the lens, there is a moving mirror, which reflects the light from the lens up onto a small screen. Of course this would get in the way when taking a picture, so mirror moves out of the way briefly then. In the figures below I've tried to show what happens at these two times. But if you have never seen this, try and get your hands on any SLR and see.
Notice how the mirror flips up and blocks out the viewfinder? So at the moment of exposure:
Putting a camera to your face to take a picture is a good way to record what we see< STRONG>but its not the only one. There are other situations where looking into the viewfinder on the back of a camera is not the best situation:
Thinking about it, the major benefit of the SLR is the ability to see through the lens. This is no longer a feature unique to SLR's and a point seemingly lost on most who are new to photography. It seems that everyone aspires to own a DSLR, yet it might just be that you get what you need more from something else. You see, in the digital camera world, the viewfinder camera comes with new advantages over their film cousins.
The early digital cameras introduced a LCD screen on the back to allow us to see what the picture was going to be as we were taking it. This system does not need a mirror, as we have both an optical viewfinder and a screen to see what the lens is taking.
So, technology has moved along since 1960, and you no longer need an SLR to get the major benefits of one.
If you see the world differently, take macro photographs of things in the ground, work with copy stand, photograph through a microscope or even hold the camera over your head in a crowd then a SLR style offers quite a few dis-advantages, as the eye piece will be nowhere near your eye for you to see into it.
Try taking an image like this one below with an SLR. This was taken with a Nikon Coolpix 990, with the camera sat on my foot (for support) while I kneelded down to get the camera close to the scorpion. To get anything like this with an SLR you would have to buy an expensive 1:1 macro lens, lie on the ground to see and focus, and have enough light to get the depth of field needed.
She was also on the run from some ants, who seemed keen on making lunch out of her babies which she has packed on her back.
So before you rush into buying a $1000 DSLR, ask yourself what it is you're looking for in a camera? Perhaps some of these points may help you.
| feature | viewfinder compact | DSLR camera |
|---|---|---|
| live lens view on the LCD screen | yes | maybe one model |
| excellent macro | most | only if you buy another lens |
| silent operation | yes | no |
| fit easilly in your backpack or carry around easilly | yes | no |
Don't get the idea that I don't like SLR's, I do, I even own 3 of them. Its just that after having started using compact viewfinder digitals I have found that they are better for more than 90% of my photography.
But this is not to say that all compact cameras are created equal, far from it. If you're after something more than a pocket point and shoot, and you want to have a camera that will help you learn more about photography you need a camera that will have the following features: