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-   -   The 2022 Camera Trends Poll | Do you still use DSLRs the way you used to? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/257372-2022-camera-trends-poll-do-you-still-use-dslrs-way-you-used-8.html)

As shown in all the pictures posted, every camera has its time and place. I can't remember the exact year (1972-73 maybe?) when my dad got me an Agfamatic 126. I still own it as a memory. After that, I have owned (at various times in my life) a Canon A1, AE1, Minolta Maxxum 7000, Hasselblad 500 C/M (workplace issued), an Olympus Mju pocket camera (that was rugged enough to withstand skiing accidents) and a Nikon N80 (which was the last film camera I owned).

Then came digital cameras and mobile phone cameras, and it all got too confusing. I tried to learn from the forums, but more people were debating the merits of the latest / greatest body or lens and fewer discussed photo techniques or light and time management.

When I asked a photographer friend (and fellow TBHP Moderator) "what should I buy for my travels" he replied, "you already have an iPhone 12". That's all you need. Need is the operative word. My friend's need (like Nilanjan's) is served by a Canon 5D with a 70-200/2.8 lens. My need is served by an iPhone.

Agree it is not about need any more. You can do great work with any of the camera brands on a model which is even few years old. It comes down to what you want now in terms of type of body, style etc. Nothing can beat the convenience of a mobile phone which take just great photos now rivaling good cameras. It is a boon for those not too interested in cameras etc. to get great photos.

I wish that my needs were satisfied with a 70-200 f/2.8 :)

Though, that is one of my favourite lenses.

Re neerabnaik's post: We are conflating many things. Basic (first) step is to figure out whether you are ok with a mobile or you need more serious gear. If the latter, then all the other nuances are worth exploring. E.g. DSLR vs mirrorless, which ones etc.

OT: when I started shooting, I learned a lot from Team BHP. I 'took', from folks, if you get what I mean. Now, perhaps I can give a little back, if you ping me or quote me re any photography stuff. Though, I must say, I know a little about wildlife and nature. And perhaps about natural light. Can't comment about other genres.

Am in the cellphone group now. Here is my perspective as a DSLR owner (Nikon D90/ 50mm/ 70-300mm/ Tokina 11-16mm):

When we discuss such topics, it is never about the physics of image capture. A DSLR will always have better dynamic range/ low light photography/ DoF owing to its larger sensor.

With this out of the way, allow me to repeat a quote I read many years back - the best camera is the one with you. It is more important to take that shot than to take it with the best gear.

For me, photography is not a full time hobby. It has always been (even with the DSLR) a part of travel. I like to capture memories more than good photos.

Browsing through my DSLR snaps, I see the lens I used the most is Tokina wide angle. Perhaps the fact that it is part of travel makes me use that to capture more in one frame, than others. Usually I find wide angle to produce better memories than a bokeh e.g. (it is all about "perspective", literally). I was also much into stitching multiple snaps to create a wide angle panorama, especially with the 50mm.

I like night photography. When "phone" cameras first started (Nokia/ Sony Ericsson) 15-20 years back, night photography was their bane. But cellphone camera has come leaps and bounds from that. A so called "better" phone camera would have required holding still for a night capture, but the ones from 2018-19 work just as well with point and shoot even at night. In fact, "Nightography" is the next USP for Samsung Galaxy these days.

So a combination of wide angle and much better low light sensor, with "pixel-peeping" not a requirement in my context, has pushed the DSLR behind in real usage. The only thing I don't like is the lightweight of a phone, which is much more prone to shake and blur. I like the camera to have some weight.

I find these discussions similar to the ones between DSLR and film SLRs 20 years back.

Here are some snaps from recent history which I think make a good point for the above, "pictorially":


Typical residential gully at dusk, Kolkata


Shivmandir Durga Puja, Kolkata


Cloud landing on Bengaluru, recent rains

I know a little, And know that I don't know re other stuff, especially much re other genres.

But such mundane stuff (DR? DoF?) is a little silly without considering the nuances. Why do we have to get into technical stuff without any perspective? I mean, do you compare PDR for different camera bodies, given different ISOs, to know how to moderate your shutter speed when shooting at low light, wildlife? What a sensor can or can't do? Whether you can lift shadows or expose during PP? It all depends on the sensor ( your camera), you should be knowing your gear and your capabilities inside out. You should know if you are ok to shoot at 1/50 s at 500mm, at ISO 6400, if you manage it, or have to bump up the shutter speed to capture what you need to, assuming your sensor can handle it. Not even talking about tripods. And no mobile camera can handle longer focal lengths. Depends on what you shoot, and how you shoot.

I think this is becoming a very generic discussion. E.g. photography: driving.

How many nuances?

My Nexus 5 from 2013 was the catalyst which made me shelve my DSLR. I guess the newer iPhone Pro's etc are such an advance and work so well with workflows that very few even venture into DSLR territory these days

My latest acquisition. Nikon D810. I bought this after selling a few new age MLCs (Nikon Z6, Panasonic GM-1). The ergonomics on this beast are purrrrfect for my large-ish hands, oh and that sweet shutter sound! Its a gadget from bygones era but the 36mp sensor produces incredible images. I like the output from this particular body better than some of the later ones like Sony A7R III. Also feel that 36mp is a perfect size for landscapes.

I guess there are people still using DSLRs for whatever reason. I don't plan to get out of MLC completely though. The Olympus body is my go to for almost everything. The size and weight advantage is too much to forgo, not to mention incredible weather sealing. I have had that camera in freezing temps, snow, downpours, at the beach and had zero issues. The Nikon just can't survive that kind of hardship regardless of how hulky it looks.

We don't, sir, and that is why I put that more as a "disclaimer". I don't think I went into any technicalities. As you said, it is only about what I want to shoot (which comes before how I shoot).

Given the options in the poll, technicalities and mastery of gear would be OT in this thread, compared to lets say if the options were only restricted to DSLRs or more granular.

The technicalities that you mention are apt for discussion among ace photographers like you (at least I am a fan). For others like us, it is about the balance of convenience and priority.

Well then, I have a Octavia which is way much better than my Superb rl:

Sorry, I guess I came across too strongly :). I felt that that this thread was meandering, sort of like streams of consciousness. Anyway, a few shots with #old gear.

Imagine meeting him on a forest road (that is a 'Wildlife Institute of India' Bolero behind him).


Himalayan bulbul enjoying the sunset


Indian roller enjoying the sunrise


Lone stag


Martins. These are faster than most swallows and swifts, so takes some patience and anticipation.


Mobile phones are great for certain genres, and spontaneous shooting. But thankfully iPhone 14 can't do some stuff, yet ;-)

Completely agree with you mate! I still use my Nikon D90 from 2009 and have recently acquired a 200-500mm :)

And very nice images you have made, please keep shooting and posting :thumbs up

Attach a 50mm and shoot an Indian wedding of some one close in your family, you'd understand how much better Nikon is at colors (Kancheepuram Sarees) and the different skin tones of our population.

I had compared it with latest Sony output from Pro photographers with all their gear, its silly how capable Nikon DSLRs are.

I use the D3300 with 35mm prime - same view as a 50mm on a full frame, for weddings and parties. At f1.8 it beats all cell phone images in the shallow DOF that isolates the subjects. Add to that almost instatanous shutter response an you have a winner.

For wide angle groups I have been using Microsoft ICE to stich images and that more or less does a good job.

For those who are interested – a comparison between a smartphone (Google Pixel Pro 7) and a DSLR (Canon 5D Mark IV)

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/i-s...tag=CAD1acfa04

Being two colour labs owner and in photography business (studio clicking, printing, framing as well as trading photo goods) for four generations, YES, I still use DSLRs and I also use mirrorless ILCs. Though I know dedicated cameras are kind of niche product but it is still a revelation for me that more than 70% of members do not use a dedicated camera for photography anymore. :disappointed