computeruser
Explorer
I guess this is one of those situations where the more you think about something, the less sure you are of the solution. Thanks in advance for the input!!
I currently have two digital cameras - Fuji E550 and S5000 - neither of which are new or "sophisticated." They are slow to turn on/focus/take multiple shots, produce inconsistent focus (focus point, overall focus) despite my best efforts to master their controls, and struggle in natural light shooting, especially indoors. I've become reasonably comfortable with the S5000's manual and priority controls, and have gotten some images from it where the settings I chose actually accomplished what I intended for them to accomplish. The S5000 is having increasing numbers of mysterious electronics glitches, so I figure its days are numbered.
I also own a film SLR, Nikon N65, with a slow Quantarray 28-80mm lens. I bought it a few years ago, snapped a few rolls, and tucked it away. I have no real idea how this body works.
I will probably buy a newer digital point-and-shoot that fits in a shirt pocket, just to have one. But I also want to do the following: learn to capture interesting outdoor scenes when hiking or driving off-pavement, be able to photograph family and friends indoors without always needing to use a flash and/or a tripod, and I want to be able to utilize polarizing filters when shooting around water and other reflective surfaces.
I do not want to spend time tweaking images on a computer. I read about all the post-processing that people do, and after spending 8 hours in front of a computer at work each day, spending my free time screwing with images on a computer really does not appeal to me in the least. Sharing photos online or in email, that's OK, but beyond that...I'd rather not, if I can avoid it.
Would I be better off trying to teach myself on a 35mm SLR starting with a 50mm/1.4 or 50mm/1.8 lens and some slide film, possibly adding a film/slide scanner to the mix before too long, and some other fast lenses as my skills develop? Or should I get with the 21st century and go the digital route right off the bat?
If digital, I presume DSLR would be the better long-term choice for a single camera than a nicer point-and-shoot (G9/10, P6000), right?
If I went the 35mm route, would the learning curve be improved with an older mechanical body or would sticking with the N65 I already own be the better choice? The up-front cost on 35mm seems less painful, but is building a 35mm setup throwing good money after bad?
I currently have two digital cameras - Fuji E550 and S5000 - neither of which are new or "sophisticated." They are slow to turn on/focus/take multiple shots, produce inconsistent focus (focus point, overall focus) despite my best efforts to master their controls, and struggle in natural light shooting, especially indoors. I've become reasonably comfortable with the S5000's manual and priority controls, and have gotten some images from it where the settings I chose actually accomplished what I intended for them to accomplish. The S5000 is having increasing numbers of mysterious electronics glitches, so I figure its days are numbered.
I also own a film SLR, Nikon N65, with a slow Quantarray 28-80mm lens. I bought it a few years ago, snapped a few rolls, and tucked it away. I have no real idea how this body works.
I will probably buy a newer digital point-and-shoot that fits in a shirt pocket, just to have one. But I also want to do the following: learn to capture interesting outdoor scenes when hiking or driving off-pavement, be able to photograph family and friends indoors without always needing to use a flash and/or a tripod, and I want to be able to utilize polarizing filters when shooting around water and other reflective surfaces.
I do not want to spend time tweaking images on a computer. I read about all the post-processing that people do, and after spending 8 hours in front of a computer at work each day, spending my free time screwing with images on a computer really does not appeal to me in the least. Sharing photos online or in email, that's OK, but beyond that...I'd rather not, if I can avoid it.
Would I be better off trying to teach myself on a 35mm SLR starting with a 50mm/1.4 or 50mm/1.8 lens and some slide film, possibly adding a film/slide scanner to the mix before too long, and some other fast lenses as my skills develop? Or should I get with the 21st century and go the digital route right off the bat?
If digital, I presume DSLR would be the better long-term choice for a single camera than a nicer point-and-shoot (G9/10, P6000), right?
If I went the 35mm route, would the learning curve be improved with an older mechanical body or would sticking with the N65 I already own be the better choice? The up-front cost on 35mm seems less painful, but is building a 35mm setup throwing good money after bad?
