Taking less pictures?!

[KarenC]

I'm thinking I take less photos now that I have my new dslr.

Maybe because I keep it all zipped up in the case so it won't get broken?

Maybe a feel guilty I'm still using the auto setting?? (don't ask how long I've had it. hehe)

Anyone else not comfortable with their new camera yet?

[katrinak]

So glad you posted Karen! I think every new camera takes time to really get to know and those first few days...errr months can be frustrating! I owned my dSLR almost 3 years before I moved it off of auto (gasp). Just keep clicking and it will all click for you one day! Don't worry if you have to use auto, grabbing the moment is the most important thing!

[Aino]

Now that I got my new cam last night, I let it sit all evening - hardly touching it - just out of..... reverence, perhaps. Or simply afraid that my slippery fingers would drop it.

I did open the very thick manual and started reading it. I think that will help overcome the initial.... fear of ruining the moment.

[Amikasmom]

I know the feeling, I got a new camera for Christmas, and its so beautiful I hated using it, cause I know using causes ruining! lol...Now I'm always forgetting to put the lense cap on and missplacing it, (I bought a hood for it, so its all good ) My husband wants me to put it in the camera bag all the time and gives me trouble when its not in there, which is all the time. Obviously I love taking photos, and the bag and cap is just too anoying when you want to just take a pic on a whim....You'll get over it, and then next thing you know your camera is nice and worn in!

[esther_a]

And the changing lens thing - that's tricky. Only change lenses in a dust free environment, make sure you don't place the camera on its back in the process 'cos dust will settle in it, don't put your fingers on the lens, bla, bla. I have to psych myself up to change lenses big time!

[LauraBean]

I started keeping mine mounted on my tripod when I'm not using it, which is handier than in the bag but still pretty safe as long as the tripod is in a reasonable place. I keep the lens cap on (usually), but I've gotten quick to get that off and in my pocket when a shooting opportunity arises.

The more you use it the more comfortable you'll get--get your money's worth and get it out and shoot! Without auto-setting guilt!

[mugsbigsis]

I've been criticized for leaving camera out of the bag. I have it sitting on the counter or my computer desk so that I can easily grab it when I only have seconds to get a shot.

As for auto, mine is still on auto except for when I'm shooting the moon and when I have my 50mm lens on and want the specific focus on something. These are the two techniques that I know so far and that's when I use manual. When I learn another manual technique I'll have it on that setting for those times, too. I'm not embarrassed to use auto and you shouldn't be either. If it gets the picture you want then it's perfect for you. . . and me.

[nirecreations]

I am horrible about keeping my camera in it's bag, well, it will be in it's bag but the bag is open and camera can be grabbed in 2 sec flat. I also just stink at keeping my lens cap on. Good intentions but I am forgetful and impulsive.

Find a safe place for your camera bag that is accessible and go for it. Just shoot, shoot, shoot. I have had mine for 4 years and I just looked in LR. I took 860 pics in 2005, 760 in 2006, 1700 in 2007 and a whopping 7200 in 2008! You will get more comfortable in no time and be a regular shutterbug!

Enjoy!!

[dugarner]

Karen, I take fewer pictures because I'm torked off about my sucky telephoto lens. When I was considering switching to dSLR, I knew I'd regret losing the super-zoom and super-macro capability of my ZLR, and boy, I was right. My telephoto is super-soft, and I use it for 85% of my shooting. Changing the lenses isn't such a big deal; I can do it very quickly. Processing RAW takes me a while, so I'm more aware of how many frames I've taken. I'm also more aware of the "hey, you've got a dSLR, you should be taking better pictures now" factor and am afraid to take pictures that stink on a dSLR. I dunno. Just rambling! A big part of my problem is I don't have a camera bag, so I have to decide which lens I need to take where, and inevitably, it's the wrong one! When I had my awesome Fuji, I was much more happy-go-lucky about having fun just taking pictures. Now I feel more pressure to improve, because "I have a nice camera."

I think you'll get to where you're more comfortable with it. I regret moving to a dSLR and am saving my money for the high-end ZLR I had before. I just don't have the budget to buy the lenses to make up for the capability I lost when I broke my Fuji.

Keep with it, I'm sure you'll get your groove back!

Sarah

[hguenthe]

I am like Kelly, I only go off of auto for those manual techniques I have learned so far... which isn't many.

As for the "hey, you've got a dSLR, you should be taking better pictures now" factor, I say bah humbug. I have a lot of photos that have been taken with my dh's camera (usually from a long day of shooting and my camera batteries are dead) and then my dslr and usually can't tell much difference except for the file format and thus editing options available to me.

With photoshop, we have so many options open to us to turn an imperfect photo into a great one still. Thank goodness! the number of fuzzy ones I have from learning to use my 50mm would have made me cry had it not been for photoshop but without them, I wouldn't have finally figured out how to shoot good ones.

I can't count the number of photo ops I have missed out from having mine all put away perfectly that now, it sits handy - safely away from edges of tables and with the cap on but handy and relatively safe. Like children, it can't be overprotected if we expect it to have an enjoyable life and freedom to soar. Yes, they are expensive but memories are precious so I try to keep that in mind when I worry about it.

[KarenC]

Thanks, Ladies for all the suggestions. And it's good to know that I'm not the only one.

[SuzanneB]

I was completely overwhelmed when I first got my DSLR and have to admit that I rarely pulled it out. Now, I never put it away. I leave it out on the counter most of the time for easy access which results in many rolled eyes from my children!

[psulions21]

DSLRs can be very intimidating when you first get them. But once you break out of that mode and see what great pictures you are getting you will keep it out all the time so you can just grab and snap. Now, trying to teach my husband how to work it so I can be in some of the pictures too is a different story -lol

[hguenthe]

Now, trying to teach my husband how to work it so I can be in some of the pictures too is a different story -lol

this made me lol as I too have this problem... we solved it by getting him his own digital (non dslr) because he can work it but just doesn't have the love of it and would rather just push the button... we forgot it last weekend away trip we took so the few photos he took of me are umm.. not fit for viewing (had my 50mm lens on at the time).

[KerryMac]

I kind of have the opposite problem and am here to say that you will get the hang of your DSLR and will never want to let it go!
I learned from my dad on a manual 35mm SLR back when I was a teen. Nothing but manual on that baby. Since I learned that way, it comes as second nature. I'm now on my 3rd DSLR and it is never in its very nice bag except when transporting it and is usually found hanging casually off my shoulder like a sack of potatoes!
I actually have loads of trouble using a P & S. I can't figure them out!!
Just keep practicing and ask lots of questions (no such thing as a dumb question!) and experiment with all of the settings. Also, find yourself a good book on using an SLR. It will really help!
Good luck!

[KarenC]

I learned from my dad on a manual 35mm SLR back when I was a teen.

I did, too and I loved it! To me it was so easy. Line up the needles for the correct exposure, and line up the split frame for focus.

On the digital, I really get frustrated with the menu and trying to remember which button does which thing... and my book is never around when I need it.

[donitab]

You will learn it all - I've made a pact to get out my book and play with everything a few times a month - amazing how much I'm learning (and finally remembering) - at first I was so afraid of what would happen if I dropped my camera or if it got stolen (when I went to New York), but I realize now how invaluable my camera is - I KNOW I will just force myself to fork out the big bucks again to replace it because the memories it helps me capture are priceless - so now I worry only when I DON't use it enough!

[anke]

My camera is always sitting on my counter in the room where all the action is, so I can grab it fast. I do have UV filters on all my lenses and I really try to put the caps on all the time. I still don't really know what I am doing and the stuff that is being discussed in this forum is way over my head. I know I should be reading my manual, but it takes so much time.... For now I am shooting in auto most of the time and that's okay. Most of the pics come out pretty good and the rest I work on in LR. There is always hope for the future though