DPReview readers are not typical DSLR users

[rnc]

Green square- that did make me smile!

There is also the view it makes the camera quite versatile in that it can be used on green initially while the user is learning progressing up to aperature/manual etc. Also as a 'family' camera - i.e. another member who doesn't know it so well can use it with it on a more general purpose mode if they wish.

 

[Philllister]

Excellent point about being able to share the camera! Only problem I've had is getting P&Sers to support the lens instead of holding camera by its sides.

Phill
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philllister/

 

[MM1]

Of course, it would make more sense for these people to buy
themselves a simple p&s, but the materialism kicks in convincing
them to buy only the best of the best. It's that same drive that
convinces people to buy houses 5 times bigger than they need or
expensive sports cars even if they only drive the speed limit.

On the other hand, with the film cameras, you could load the same quality film at will into both film p&s and film SLR and get the same "recording media" performance (although the lens IQ affected the resulting picture). This is not possible with todays' p&s digicams. What you get is unreasonably big image of horrible quality, created by very small lens unable to provide good resolution for the sensor with tightly packed pixels. And sh*tloads of noise unless you shoot 2-number level of ISO in the bright sun.

Some people with small artistic ambitions, using the camera as "recording tool" are practically forced to buy DSLR if they need reasonable high(er) ISO performance for whatever reason. Although generally, all they'd need is p&s.

I'd buy digital model of my beloved Olympus XA-2 with fullframe 8MP sensor immediately as a pocket camera to complement the 350D. Immediately.

--
Cheers,
Martin

 

[Clint Sanders]

I was making a joke you are taking my comment way too serious

This is the Internet.

This is very serious business!

 

[Clint Sanders]

I got a DSLR because it gave me control.
I got one because it was complex, and had a bewildering array of lenses.

I liked how what I saw in the viewfinder was the imagine on the sensor (not as big a deal with todays digital point and shoots where the LCD display does the same thing, but that always fascinated me back in the film days)

I like learning the complexity, and how to control it. That's what makes it my hobby.

 

[Hellashot]

session. Everyone starts somewhere.

 

[photoguynorth]

that others have the same priorities as w do? I agree that a DSLR offers much more control, but there are way too many posts talking about 'green box' users like they are sub-human, and they all should be using the camera like we do. The cameras are capable of taking high quality images in all modes, even with (gasp) the kit lens. If some (or most) DSLR owners use it that way it does not mean they are stupid, or materialistic - it means they bought a camera that takes better pictures than a P&S, and they use it to take those pictures.

I've said this before - I'd rather look at a well composed picture with technical flaws than a technically perfect but boring shot. I have seen many many of the latter posted here by people with thousands of dollars invested in gear.
It is always a bad idea to judge everyone else by your own arbitrary standards.

 

[z_diver]

It would be funny if one of the new photogrphers won a conrtest
with the green square over someone that thought they knew it all

Now that would be an interesting theme for a contest. MUST USE GREEN MODE.

Maybe once you absolutely master the camera you can figure out what green mode does too. : )

 

[z_diver]

OK. I understand the value of the green square now. But I would hope that we can all still indiscriminately discriminate against non-Canon DSLR users that use green mode. I mean they must be REALLY bad!!!!

 

[Gary Hunt]

The 400d is a beginners DSLR, it is nice but nothing special so there is nothing wrong if people just want to pick it up & shoot on Auto all day.

They still have the advantages of owning a DSLR but just don't want to spend hours fiddling with it & most likely have more time to enjoy themselves instead of mucking about with buttons & knobs like we all do here.

Being interested in photography does not always involve hours of practice & loads of expensive gear it involves taking a good picture, to most people & I am sure that can be done on Auto why wouldn't it.

Many here, including me, often go way too far into things when we could just get out & shoot on any mode & enjoy with good results.

Now I am waiting for those who are going to lecture me about needing a degree before you can even look at a DSLR & how anyone who shoots on Auto should go buy a P&S Why would they need to do that you can't change a lens on a P&S & that is perhaps why these people wanted a DSLR & they have no wish to take it any further.

 

[formerpro]

Actually, I use program mode when I'm just snapping pictures. I'll slip into manual mode when doing portrait sessions (with a Sekonic lightmeter). But for just snapping the camera out, Program mode is convenient! I get the RAW file, and just glance at the shutter/aperture, and then I'm ready to go!

With my old Powershot S40, I soon left the green mode. The autofocus wasn't all that reliable in that mode. In program mode, it was much better (just one small focus area, instead of three).

I used to be a pro, and might go back to being a semi pro. And I still use program mode for miscellaneous shooting - though green box is too confining for me.

For some types of shooting, I would probably go to Tv or Av, but it would depend on the subject - if I did a shoot without the Sekonic, I'd go out of program mode.

 

[jsalt]

I find there's one big problem with green box. A few times I have handed the camera to friends so they can try it out. They start pressing the buttons, and before you know it, the flash pops up, making them -almost- drop the camera! (no one has actually dropped it yet). Is it only my friends that are clumsy, or has this happened to others? (That's why I always set the camera to P when handing it to someone now)
--
JS

 

[zpptydooh]

I agree completely.

The same applies to all the "The whole point of a DSLR is ..." type of posts here.

 

[JohnAugust]

I find there's one big problem with green box. A few times I have
handed the camera to friends so they can try it out. They start
pressing the buttons, and before you know it, the flash pops up,
making them -almost- drop the camera! (no one has actually dropped
it yet). Is it only my friends that are clumsy, or has this
happened to others?

Whenever I hand my camera over to someone else, I ALWAYS ask that they put the neck strap on. Most people are happy to oblige.

 

[hopkinsg]

There have been some contests/challenges here where you can only shoot in green box mode. Very nice results! I believe the topic was called something like "Green box challenge" .

--
Gary H

 

[Steve Russell]

Give em a break folks, it's not much different to the old 'set it to f8 and be there' maxim.

Now, if they haven't selected RAW+JPG, thats a slapping offence ;-)

Regards

Steve

 

[hopkinsg]

Can't select RAW+JPG in Green Box mode....

Give em a break folks, it's not much different to the old 'set it
to f8 and be there' maxim.

Now, if they haven't selected RAW+JPG, thats a slapping offence ;-)

Regards

Steve

--
Gary H

 

[Bob Sakamano]

Especially since the green box folks were probably nice to each other and were actually trying to learn how to take a good picture rather than bicker about camera functions.

We could pick apart and complain about how 99% of people drive their cars as well. Let's not even begin to talk about how much money is wasted in most people's attempts at cooking, especially considering how much most have spent on a stove and the most expensive knives and pans.

Take some pictures!

What was this super duper photo op anyway?

--
These comments are to be used for entertainment purposes only.

 

[JohnAugust]

If some (or most) DSLR owners use it that way it does not
mean they are stupid, or materialistic - it means they bought a
camera that takes better pictures than a P&S, and they use it to
take those pictures.

My materialistic comment earlier was by no means targeted towards all green box shooters. I have plenty of friends and family who only shoot in auto mode who aren't materialistic by any means. Some may be misguided, but definitely not materialistic.

I think you touched on an another interesting topic when you mentioned how "[a DSLR] takes better pictures than a P&S". Is that actually true?

I would argue that green box shooters are less likely to post process or use custom parameters than someone who shoots in one of the creative modes.

So what are the advantages of a DSLR for a green box/kit lens/no pp shooter?

Better pictures?

There are at least 2 or 3 posts a week here stating how so and so's [insert name of P&S here] shoots [sharper/more saturated/brighter] pictures than his/her [insert name of DSLR here]. The typical response given here explains how DSLRs by default use less in-camera processing to give you more flexibility to post process and that you typically don't get the true benefits of the camera until you post process your photos.

Low light performance?

In green box mode, if I remember correctly, you're limited to ISO 400 and a minimum shutter speed of 1/60. In most low light situations, your on-board flash will be used. The on-board flash, when used as a primary light source, yields similar pictures to your typical blownout P&S photos.

Aperture - DOF?

Sure those narrow DOF shots look great on a DSLR, but in green box mode you don't have control over it. I guess, you can get lucky every now and then if your camera decides to use a wide aperture.

Responsiveness?

Yes, DSLRs are very responsive which makes them great for moving targets (children), but most advanced P&S cameras have similar responsiveness nowadays.

Megapixels?
Both DSLRs and point and shoots are in similar resolution ranges nowadays.

Picture Quality and Noise?

Yes, a DSLR has a clear advantage over a P&S with picture quailty and noise. But in your typical 4x6 photo, those differences are harder to see.

So, what advantage does a have a DSLR have over a P&S for photographer who only shoots in auto mode, doesn't do any post processing, and doesn't plan on swapping lenses? Other than future growth potential, I can't think of any. Perhaps someone here can mention what I missed.

I would argue that it is ultimately the photographer behind the camera that takes the better photos.



I apologize ahead of time, if I sound cocky. I don't mean to be. Personally, I agree with one of the previous poster's "to each his/her own" attitude.

I've said this before - I'd rather look at a well composed picture
with technical flaws than a technically perfect but boring shot. I
have seen many many of the latter posted here by people with
thousands of dollars invested in gear.
It is always a bad idea to judge everyone else by your own
arbitrary standards.

I totally agree.

 

[Cihangir Gzey]

Green Box does a favor for you or not. If it does you a favor, you end up with an average photo. If it doesn't make any favor for you, you end up with a photo which sucks. So, it is like a lottery (which you mostly lose). You push the shutter button and wonder about what will happen inside and seen on LCD. Pure chance (nope, not chance but pure risk). Lots of excitement and lots of fun (if this is the normal way of having fun)

Folks hanging over here spending their times for sharing, brain storming and trying to get better and better (and better) results.

In my opinion the money spend for a DSLR is nothing when compared with the time you have to spend for building your BASIC knowledge (which is money also).