Changing from DSLR to a Bridge Camera

BrianJD

Hi

I have a Canon 1000D for the last 2 years. I have an interest in Photography but really only use my camera for any reasonable amount when on holidays 3-4 weeks of the year.

My problem is I have never been happy with the quality of the photos as they are mainly washed out and don't represent the colour I am seeing. I understand that I should not be using the Auto Settings like Landscape and Potrait mode as it is a waste of a camera, however when I am out with a group on holiday and want to get a candid or quick shot I won't have the time or skills to set up a shot.

Today I took some photographs off a HTC One Phone for my Father in Law and they were from the Lake District 2 weeks ago. I took the exact same photos with my camera and his photo's were better in every aspect of colour.

As a result of me not getting the best from my camera and its abilities, I am considering changing it for a bridge camera. I just wonder what the difference is. I understand I would not be able to change the lens but I'm not sure I would anyway. Would a Canon 1000D be sellable? What would it be worth? Is there any fool proof camera that will give a clear true colour that is easy to use.

Any advice is really appreciated.

This is a landscape photo taken and I just think that it doesn't do justice to the view.

pixbyjohn

Reworked photo 1

If you know you'll never bother learning to use it or buying additional lenses, then I see no issue with selling it for a bridge camera.

That said, I'm sure the 1000D has picture options where you can adjust the contrast and saturation in the camera's menus. If colour/washed out photos are your problem, bumping up the Contrast and Saturation may solve the issue.

Getting to grips with a simple photo editing program (I recommend Paint.net for an easy to use but flexible program) means you can edit your photos on a computer afterwards and make any necessary changes then, either.

This should be a simple fix, to be honest. I'd spend 5-10 minutes mooching through the menus first to see if this makes you any happier with your photographic results, before considering selling it.


That said, again, if you never plan to use it's advanced features, you could sell it on and pick up a cheaper bridge camera. At least this way if you ever drop it, lose it or have it stolen, the financial hit won't be as hard.


EDIT: Bargain Alerts forum has a thread on a reduced price camera at the moment that seems popular: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056442962

Homer

BrianJD wrote: »

Hi
As a result of me not getting the best from my camera and its abilities, I am considering changing it for a bridge camera. I just wonder what the difference is. I understand I would not be able to change the lens but I'm not sure I would anyway.

You can change the lenses on a bridge camera? The selection available to you will be limited compared to a Canon DSLR camera where you have many third party manufacturers making lenses but you can change lenses. What makes you think that a bridge camera will deliver better results than your current DSLR?

ScumLord

I think with digital you have to be prepared to do some post processing work to get the most from your photos. There probably is heaps more colour detail in the photo from your canon you just need to teak the photo slightly to get the right balance.

Shoot in RAW, there are free raw converters out there that let you do basic CC like exposer, colour balance, etc..

Zillah

Were you looking for something more like this?




Anyway, there are a lot of reasons that a landscape doesn't come out the way you wanted. First of all, I would do it in landscape not portrait format (duh), and your positioning isn't great, too much of the ground at your feet. Digital photography requires post-processing, it is intended that the image off the camera will go through lightroom or photoshop or something similar. A commercial consumer device like a smartphone is not intended for that sort of use, so they probably slap some strong filters on it to boost saturation and contrast but give you no control over it. Your Canon almost certainly has options like that in there anyway, you probably have it set to flat or normal mode or something like that. I know all of the Nikon DSLRs have a "Vibrant" setting that boosts the saturation on everything that comes out of it.

So I'm rambling a bit here, but the point is that you should learn to do post-processing and you'll have much better control over the final product.

OctavarIan

Sounds like a DSLR is not for you. Sticking to auto mode is a waste, it's like buying a Land Rover to do the school run. Get a Canon S95 or S100 and enjoy the portability when on your holidays.

Alternatively save the money and learn how to change the color settings on the Canon 1100d.

Gregor Samsa

Homer wrote: »

You can change the lenses on a bridge camera? The selection available to you will be limited compared to a Canon DSLR camera where you have many third party manufacturers making lenses but you can change lenses.

You might be thinking of mirrorless system cameras (where you can change lenses), but you can't change lenses on a bridge camera: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera

cnocbui

To me the only real problem with that photo seemed to be it is a bit over exposed, giving it a washed-out look.

In a technical review of that camera it was said:

a tendency to render colors a little lighter than their "ideal" values, making for brighter-looking photos that will appeal to most consumers. Overall though, the colors are impressively close to their "correct" values.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XS/XSIMATEST.HTM

Just play with the exposure compensation and do some test shots. I would try dialing in -0.7 exposure compensation for a start to counteract the above mentioned tendancy.