FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

[Photog Rob]

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMERA FOR YOU: COMPACT OR REFLEX?

Hi there. So you're undecided, pondering whether to go for the real deal and buy an slr, or be a weenie and opt for a point and shoot. Well let me tell you, nothing further from the truth: nowadays, compact cameras are great little jewels, often with great photographic might and lots of nice features to make your life easier. Best of all, they are incredibly light, small and relatively affordable to anyone. SLR's are the tools of choice for the pros, of course, but they're big, heavy, cumbersome and expensive, and we often carry along a small compact point and shoot for "spur of the moment" pics, or where we don't take our full gear.

So, why don't you give this little test a once-over to see if you've made the right choice before you buy? One thing's for sure: you'll hate lugging an overfeatured SLR around all day for one roll of pics from a 30 day trip even more than you'll wish you had it when you're trying to shoot beyond your compact's abilities. So go ahead and dig in!

1- How important is your travel photography for you?

a- Don't give a darn. Seldom take pics, I live the moment.
b- I'll take a pic sometimes as a souvenir, or snap some friends once in a while.
c- I try to have pictures of those places I visit and people I meet for my albums.
d- I enjoy the challenge of having good photographs of people and places, and put some effort into them.
e- My travels are photography-heavy. I enjoy being there, but try to take the best images with me and work at it.
f- Some of my travels are photo assignments for myself or others. I work like a pro and really don't need this faq.

A point and shoot is cool if your answer is somewhere among "a", "b", "c", or even "d" if you're knowledgeable and have a high-end compact. "e" and "f" answers should raise a flag to take a look at that cool reflex camera in the shop window (but don't go yet, there's more...)

2- How much do you know about photographic technique / technology?

a- I guess this round thing is the lens...
b- I know my ISO's from my f-stops, but not much more.
c- I am well versed on composition, manual exposure, panning, and reciprocity failure correction.
d- Frans Lanting and Steve McCurry are my assistants and raise their prayers to me.

"a" or "b" are usually compact shooters. Most serious photographers and pros use compact cameras, but not as their main gear but as "visual notepads" or "just in case" cameras.

3- Do you mind carrying big/heavy photo gear with you at all times?

a- Man, my bike is loaded enough for that. If it weighs more than two ounces my panniers will snap off and run for their lives.
b- rather not, that's an unnecesary aggravation.
c- I will if I have to, but let's keep it trimmed down.
d- Have to put up with it. Cameras and tripod are very much taken into account when I load the bike.

Again, "a" and "b" are typical answers for a point and shoot candidate. "c" and "d" are SLR-prone.

4- Do you need to use extreme wide angles, telephotos, high luminosity lenses, external flash, or special film?

a- Uh?
b- I'll use whatever is built in
c- Those would be nice, for sure
d- Is there any other way?

"c" or "d" guys are already ogling a sexy Single Lens Reflex...

5- Do you use slide film or print?

a- I only shoot print film.
b- Mostly print, with some slides once in a while.
c- Print? you've got to be kidding...

"C" guys should head straight for an SLR or at least a bridge camera like the Olympus IS-10, or a PPS (Posh Point and Shoot: still a compact camera, but more expensive than a mid-range SLR, like a Nikon 35 Ti or a Contax TVS). "B" dudes better think about no less than a mid-range compact, "a" guys will do with just about anything.


6- Do you plan REALLY (as in within 18-24 months) to gradually buy and build a complete photography kit?

a- what? I have a camera, one roll of film, neck strap, camera pouch, extra battery. Why would I want more?
b- I'd like to have an SLR so I can buy a longer lens in the future.
c- I'd love to have a full set of gear (5 lenses, 2 cameras, 2 flashguns, tripod, etc) in no more than two years.
d- I already have it, this is an addition.

Most people don't need it and will do just fine with a zoom compact camera. If you're not buying within a couple years you could be better off buying a compact now and a more advanced SLR in the future. Remember there's always room for a compact camera, no matter how good a photographer you are.

7- Do you often ask your wife / husband / companion to carry your camera for you while you do something else?

a- yes, let's split the load. She's also on the trip, no?
b- sometimes.
c- maybe once or twice, but I take care of it 99% of the time.

This is not a joke. As a traveller, I've seen companions (mostly girlfriends and wives) abused to unbelievable limits, to the point of making her upset, ruining her day encumbering her with a payload she didn't ask for, or even driving her to tears or verbal fights. This applies to men too, of course, but women are most often the victims of the "caddie syndrome". Be prepared to carry your gear yourself at all times, and the heavier it is, the more you should heed this advice. Fighting is never nice, but on the road it can be the pits. If you often need relief from carrying your gear, go for a compact camera... or have a paid "caddie". "C" entitles you to an SLR, with "b" you're pushing it.

8- Are you worried to death about having your camera(s) stolen?

a- That deprives me of sleep.
b- I'm reasonably worried, but not more than with anything else.
c- I'll give my $1500 camera to a guy with an AK-47 and a face mask to snap a pic of me with my legs in a cast.

I'm leaving this one to you, but if you're worried about your camera you'll be always taking it with you, and concealing it sometimes. I've seen a small point and shoot concealed in an armpit. Do that with an SLR, man.

Now's the time to give it a thought. Remember, just like with bikes, there are no bad cameras, only wrong choices. Most people would balk at the thought of carrying my gear with them, out of sheer volume and weight. Others carry twice as much.

Practice makes perfect, make a mental note of what you use a lot or not at all this time. Next time you'll leave those unused items home, and sure enough, you'll be missing them to the very last day of your trip. Ah, the joys of choosing gear...