Do you think the type of camera you have makes you take , better or worse pics?

Question

Right now i have a regular digital nikon , point and shoot , because my mom , won't let me get a better camera, untill I get my own job, because she dosen't want to pay thousands of dollars for a camera , because right now i take pics for fun.

Can you tell with my pictures , what type of camera i have ?

Here is a link to my flicker account :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13606906@N04/?saved=1

Thanks !!!

Answer 1

Annafur (or is it "Annifur" as you have it on Flickr?), YOU are a great example that your camera is only a tool to capturing what you envision in your mind.

When people ask me what kind of camera I use, I try not to tell them. At least I preface my answer with these remarks.

"I took the picture - not the camera."

"I don't want you to think you need some big expensive camera to take great pictures."

I have many images on display in my office. There are prints from my old 3 MP Nikon Coolpix 885 and Coolpix 4600 right next to some from my Nikon D70s and D200. Of course, you have to be sensible about choosing the subject and not cropping the smaller images to death, but most of the time, most people can't tell which picture came from which camera.

If you need more convincing, read this: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/150-vs-5000-dollar-camera.htm

However.........

I can see that YOU might really blossom with an SLR... The Nikon D40 is a really great step up from your 4600. You know all about sensor size and lens quality by now. Start saving. Maybe your mom would split the cost with you for Christmas or something. It's "only" $500 with a lens. You certainly don't need to spend thousands of dollars for a camera that you can grow into.

I really love your new "Red Rose," by the way. The lighting is great! http://www.flickr.com/photos/13606906@N04/1927684773/

Answer 2

I'll just say that whether you're producing pictures with a camera or a paintbrush, the most important tool is your eye-- and your mind. A good photographer can find ways to work around the limits of even the cheapest camera and produce great pictures. Some photographers even take pride in doing this deliberately. And I've seen countless terrible pictures taken with the most expensive cameras.

I'd say read a few reviews and ask around and find a decent camera for a beginner to take good quality photos. As for digitals, I would recommend one of the so-called "prosumer" cameras. Many of these have high-priced features, but with no-hassle permanent lenses. Even if you move up to a pro SLR later, a camera like that makes a good back-up to take along.

Answer 3

No, I don't think the type of camera you have makes better or worse pics. I've had some pretty good pics from disposable cameras that wouldn't have turned out too much better if they'd been taken with a SLR or DSLR .

And no, I can't tell that you used just a point and shoot camera (although I'm not too surprised since my Kodak Easyshare also has a setting for macro photography..)...those shots are amazing, though.

Answer 4

as a professional photographer, i can say your photographs are quite nice. some of them are exceptional. you seem to be doing okay with the nikon you have. i use a point and shoot digital for my professional work.

i can not tell what kind of camera you have by looking at your pictures. i dont know how any one could do that.

i agree with your mother. if you want a high end camera with a high end price, paying for it yourself sounds like a good idea to me. paying thousands of dollars for a camera for someone who only takes pictures for fun, is a bad idea. i would be a lot more serious about photography if i were you, before i laid out a lot of money on something i may tire of before too long. besides, there are a lot of fine cameras that dont cost thousands. you would have to be using it as a professional, and making big bucks from your work before you could even consider spending thousands on a single camera.

save your money. if you do your own printing, you are gonna need it for ink for the printer. i go through a three pack of color ink about every two weeks. it's crazy. i feel some times like there is only a teaspoon or two of ink in the cartridges but i realize in my work i do a lot of printing.

sometimes i break down and if i have a big order, i will take it to a professional place like ritz and let them do it for me. they have the big equipment and do it all the time. home printers arent really made for a lot of wear and tear.

Answer 5

If you really took those pictures with a digital point and shoot, I'm not sure you NEED a better camera. Your eye for composition is pretty great, and whatever computer magic you do is top flight. If all you're doing is shooting for fun, I'd definitely suggest you look to a career in photography. That Nikon p&s is serving you well.

Answer 6

You could use a pinhole camera and still create a fantastic photograph. The only time a "better" camera would be beneficial is if you're enlarging or needing more manual settings. So in my opinion, wait to get a SLR, play around with your P&S a wee bit more, try different angles, composition, poses, subjects... Know that you want to spend that money on a "better" camera.

Answer 7

I think you take fabulous pictures and have great potential (I am not a professional but I love art and photography and try to take interesting shots myself with my Canon 300D SLR Digital). With Photoshop and similar programs around you can make average photos look great no matter the camera. I would suggest while you are just doing it for fun, the camera you have is fine. If you want to become professional later, then you will need to get a good one as it is only when compared to pro shots that the difference will become noticeable. But then again if you have talent and flair (as I think you do) you can take great shots even with a cheap and dodgy camera. Hope this is helpful.

Answer 8

The photos are very nice, but, I can, clearly tell that your camera is NO, basic, point and shoot.

Among other features, the camera would have to have included some Macro capability, or you would not have been able to capture some of the extreme closeups of the flowers and such.

All and all, I believe you are trying to pull our legs, in some form or other.

Answer 9

Your skill is growing. The limitations of a digicam are not as apparent with closeup work,, which many of your images are. I think you would find more limitations with other types of photography, portraiture for instance. Dr Sam has a great idea about the D40. I would approach Mom about the possibilities of getting one for Christmas. Continue to learn, shoot and enjoy. We look forward to more in the future!

Answer 10

There's a saying:
"If I had better tools, I could more readily display my incompetence"
A better camera gives you more control, and is less forgiving of mistakes. I've had my Nikon D70 for years, and still don't know ALL its features.

Buy the best camera YOU can afford, then learn how to make it do what YOU want.