The DSLR is proof that photographers are idiots? I couldn't resist

[mokka]

The DSLR: A proof that photographers are idiots

I came across this blog-post while out exploring the web and I couldn't resist responding to it. Proof that tech-geeks can never really 'get' photography? Or just an irresistible call to debate, I thought I'd share nonetheless.

And when I say 'tech-geeks' don't get photography I mean he seems to base his whole argument on the unquestioned conviction that hi-tech LCD screens must be better at perceiving a scene than something as vulgar and low-tech as the human eye :P

[Hill Country Hack]

I gave the article a read and your response also. Spot on! I had to give my thoughts also.

[ceremus]

The second comment on the page there says most all that needs to be said IMO.

Although there are certainly advantages in mirrorless interchangeables, the most lauded example being their much more compact form. But also, if you're using an interchangeable lens camera primarily for video work (as a lot of them are getting really popular for these days) then an articulated screen and an electronic viewfinder would both be fairly desirable.

He makes a fair point about the focus points as well, many of the Lumix series of cameras do exactly as he describes, and since some of them have touchscreens you can literally touch to create any focus point you like.

Panasonic DMC G3 Review: 4. Operation & Controls: Digital Photography Review

As seen in other recent G-series models, the touchscreen can be used to select the area on which the camera will lock focus. Simply touch an area of the screen, the focus point box appears, and the camera locks focus at that location. To select another area of focus you can drag the focus point or simply release your finger and press again in the desired location. You still have the traditional option of moving the focus box in stepwise increments via the 4-way controller. If you don't like the idea of touchscreen AF at all, it can be disabled via the custom menu (a welcome change over previous Panasonics).

Don't get me wrong, I love my Canon T3i and I don't mind using a traditional optical viewfinder, but there is absolutely no use whatsoever in trying to use autofocus in live view on that thing.

[Skoropada]

It seems that the new Sony SLT cameras account for most of the points in the article.

[NathanFranke]

The blogger is ignorant. It's good that he's thinking slightly outside the box to fix things that may be broken (video link), but he doesn't know enough about professional photography to determine what is and what is not an issue.
For hobbyist happy-snappers, he probably has some good points. I haven't considered myself one of those since I was about 10, so any camera coming from his designs would be inadequate for my purposes.

[BigFuzzy]

All I had to do was look at the photo of him in the banner and I knew what I needed to know.

But I did leave a response.

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by ceremus

The second comment on the page there says most all that needs to be said IMO.

Although there are certainly advantages in mirrorless interchangeables, the most lauded example being their much more compact form. But also, if you're using an interchangeable lens camera primarily for video work (as a lot of them are getting really popular for these days) then an articulated screen and an electronic viewfinder would both be fairly desirable.

He makes a fair point about the focus points as well, many of the Lumix series of cameras do exactly as he describes, and since some of them have touchscreens you can literally touch to create any focus point you like.

Panasonic DMC G3 Review: 4. Operation & Controls: Digital Photography Review


Don't get me wrong, I love my Canon T3i and I don't mind using a traditional optical viewfinder, but there is absolutely no use whatsoever in trying to use autofocus in live view on that thing.

Agreed about the second comment. As far as the touchscreen focus points, I'm not so sure that thats really that great. Compositionally speaking.

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by Eli at the blog

The truth is I never heard about these cameras. They may exist, but nobody seems to show interest.

So that kinda proves my point.

BF, you backed him into a corner. He's resorting to logical fallacies. Anyone want to put the final nails in Eli's coffin?

[mosgood]

This guy appears to be overwhelmed by photographers & SLRs. If he has so much trouble, why doesn't he just resort to using a camera phone, instead of bashing equipment & the people who understand it?

Funny that he lists himself as an engineer. I always thought all engineers were gadget happy (formerly married to one) who loved nothing more than to acquire stuff & learn to use it.

[Skoropada]

I couldn't resist leaving a comment myself