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Question: Are DSLR's really hard to use!?!?
A friend of mine told me they are hard to use is that true!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I have a Canon Rebel XTi, and it has automatic settings, so a person can take good pictures right away!. After getting familiar with the camera, you can slowly learn the manual settings!.

It's like anything else!. You didn't learn to use a computer in a day!. You didn't learn to drive a car in a day!. It takes time!. But at least you can use it right away, and have fun learning!Www@QuestionHome@Com

DSLR's are not hard to use in my opinion!. In fact they can be just as easy to use as your typical point and shoot camera!. They have fully auto features just as the point and shoots do, or you can switch to more manual control as you desire!. The manual controls allow you to control just one feature (say shutter speed, OR fstop/apperature) at a time, or if you like set it to full manual and control them both!. You have much more that you can control beyond those two features, but again you can set the camera to automatic for most features, and just control the ones you want to!.

The more familar you are with taking pictures, and shooting in general the easier it will be of course!. But the nice thing about shooting digitally is that it cost you NOTHING to shoot and see the pictures (beyond the cost of the camera, and to charge the battery)!. I have found that when I switch from film to digital I went from shooting a few roles of film on a 2 week vaction to shooting HUNDREDS of images in the same time!. On a 2 hour fashion photo shoot it is not uncommon for me to shoot 1,000 to 1,500 images!. The cost only comes in time to process (of which I only select a very few to process 15-20 or so)!.

DSLRs are GREAT FUN to use, and you shoot much more then with film!. Go for it!. Oh, and as for advice about how hard they are, make sure the person telling you has one, and uses it on a regular basis!.!.if they are a novice with it, it may seem hard to them!. Just as it seems easy to me!. Best is to go out and experiment and have fun!.

jeffWww@QuestionHome@Com

OK, now let me tell you some truths about DSLR cameras!. First of all, you can set them on automatic, so the camera does all the work, you just "point and shoot"!. But, unlike a regular point and shoot, you get instant picture, no delays, extremely fast and accurate processing onto your memory card, and you get to see exactly what your picture will look like, because you are looking through the lens, not some electronic representation of the subject!. When you learn more about your camera, you can then use other settings that allow you to pick your shutter speeds, f:stops, and all the so called complicated stuff!. It's not that hard

I recently went from point and shoot to a Nikon DSLR, and it is totally wonderful!.

By the way, your friend hasn't a clue!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

NO!.!.!. ! With the automation these days they are nothing more than a glorified point n shoot!.!. However, with that being said, it is like saying a Hummer (the H-1) is just a 4x4 !.!. or a Harley is just a motorcycle!.!.

The D-SLR's biggest advantage is the interchangeable lens and the ability to see thru the lens you have on the camera!. To the old and new alike the size and shape is like a traditional camera from years ago, now, and not some too tiny or too Buck Rodger'ish looking of a thing!.!.

The camera has all the automatic bells n whistles you would ever want but at the same time has all the manual controls ever offered in a camera!. You have it all at your finger tips if and when you want it!. You can drive or you can let the camera do it!.!.!.

Usually when one moves up or into a SLR style camera they are either very curious about photography or following a natural graduation of events and find them selves with one because the cameras before were grown out of like last years sneakers!.!.

A D-SLR is also a investment in your enjoyment and education in the art of seeing and photography!. Unless you find used somewhere (and be careful here) expect to pay at least $500 or so for a body and lens kit!. Nikon has a D-40 for about that much and is a very good start!. Nikon is the Harley of the camera world and is a solid work horse!.!.!.

If you get one you will understand much of it in a weekend and enjoy it for a lifetime!.!.

Bob - TucsonWww@QuestionHome@Com

"Easy to learn — a lifetime to master" would be apt!.

As so many have told you already, just put it on "P" or "AUTO" until you are comfortable holding the camera and then venture out into the world of controlling your destiny!. You will get great results just using the automatic settings for a while!.

Since you can get a Nikon D40 for under $500, I'd say that's a better way to spend your money that getting an advanced or "SLR-like" point and shoot, which can cost almost as much!.

Sice you are brand new, I'd like to see you get a camera that you CAN learn a little about control through settings once you know a little bit about it!. Look for a camera, such as most Canon Powershot A-series that offer aperture and shutter priority modes!. You won't start out with them, but they will bethere when you are ready to advance your skills!. Once you reach the point where you can't make the camera do exactly what you want it to do, you'll be ready to buy an SLR and you will know about half as much as you need to know to get the most from it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It depends !.!.!. if you are already a photographer and have a few years experience shooting 35 mm film, then the move to a DSLR is painless!. If on the other hand you have been a point and shoot enthusiast, you will find that taking some kind of photo class a minimum to be successful shooting using a DSLR

P&S is fully automatic
Shooting with a fully adjustable DSLR will require some kind of understanding of exposure, lens choice, metering and camera handling to prevent frustration at a high level!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They're not hard to use once you get the hang of them, and know what all of the functions/buttons/dials are used for!. I got my first Canon Rebel XT, last year when I was fifteen, so that I could photograph more/bigger bands!. It took me a while to read all the manuals, and to remember what each function did, but now I find it just as easy to use as a normal point and shoot!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can use a DSLR in fully automatic mode and you will have a camera that is as easy to use as a point and shoot only you will have the option of using a variety of lenses!. Once you get a DSLR you will want to learn how to use the various features and you can do this one feature at a time while you are still able to switch it to automatic and take photos without having to learn anything!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can set them on full auto mode and they work like point and shoot cameras!. Question is if you get the best out of them that way!.
@ carrierox
Those cameras HAVE manual settings that's what makes tham more complicated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Actually, you can put it in Program mode and auto focus and it's just a high priced point and shoot!. Not hard at all!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They're not that different than regular SLRs!. When I made the switch from film to digital, it was pretty easy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes because the features are manually enacted through buttons and switches and levers, etc!.!.!.!. unlike digi camsWww@QuestionHome@Com

Yes because there is no manual features, you have to know what apeture and shutter speed is and how they work together and how to set them to get the results you want!. also you need to learn about lenses and what lenses produce what type of pictures!. also they are expensive!! Get a high end point and shoot camera and learn about photography before you get a DSLR!!

Thanks everyone for the thumbs down!! Ignore me I guess I dk what I am talking about but I do know they are a huge investment!!Www@QuestionHome@Com