Photo by Ryan Libre. www.idioimagers.org

Digital SLRs are very popular items these days, especially among travelers. This article will explore the fundamental differences between a DSLR and a compact digicam, plus the facts on what a DSLR can and can’t do. We will end with a quiz to test if you’d be better off with a lighter pack and a point & shoot.

The two fundamental advantages of SLR:

1) You can see the image just as it will appear (through the lens).

2) You can change the lens. Number one is no longer exclusive to SLRs. Every digicam on the market today has a large LCD that lets you see “live” what you will take. In many ways they are more advanced than DSLRs, (Example: Allowing you to actually see the change in brightness or White Balance before you ever take the photo.)

So now we are left with changing lenses as the only fundamental difference. If you got a DSLR would you buy, and carry, multiple lenses? (opps did a say a quiz question already?)

The major things a DSLR can do for you:

1. Wide angle. Some compact cameras go as wide as 28mm, however that is just the starting point for wide angle on a DSLR. I shoot over 50% of my photos between 15-28mm. (extra lens needed).

2. Rapid adjust without taking your eye off your subject. Any decent DSLR has physical buttons on the body to adjust all but the most advanced features. I only look in my menu a few times per month, yet make 1000’s of changes to my camera settings. The advantages of this are enormous. Because they are so accessible I can actually use them. Some compact cameras have lots of adjustments accessible through the on screen menu, but out of sight means out of mind and even for the few who still use these features it’s at least twice as time consuming. Which translates to missed shots and bored friends.

Photo by Ryan Libre. www.idioimagers.org

3. Depth Of Field This is the DSLR / professional look that many people are spending for, then only part of the image is in focus, as in the example here. Compact digicams are very bad at this, putting everything in near perfect focus, often leaving you wondering what the subject is.

What a DSLR can’t do…

1. Make you have a good eye for composition.

2. Make your subjects act natural.

3. Get you out of bed at 4am.

4. And make you a good storyteller.

These are the things that make great photography, and spending 1000-5000$ on a DSLR won’t change one of them.

Is it worth buying a Digital SLR for your travel photography?

A DSLR and a 18-200 Zoom is a nice entry level kit. But if you stop there, is it really worth the investment in terms of money and carrying the extra weight? There are many compact digicams on the market that have the same zoom range that are ½ the price and ¼ the weight. When you can really start making use of your DSLR is when you carry several lenses. However this requires further investment of space in your travel bag and money from your travel budget. Also with a DSLR, now you need a better and bigger tripod, more batteries, and a special bag just to carry it all.

So before you take the plunge, take this quiz and see if you are ready. Ten questions: answer yes, no or maybe.

1. If I got a DSLR I would purchase and bring several lenses even though it would cut into my travel budget and add pounds to my pack. Yes, No, Maybe

2. I often make use of the setting available on my compact digicam. Yes, No, Maybe

3. I know how aperture affects a photograph or I’m interested to learn. Yes, No, Maybe

4. I often miss a shot because I’m looking through the menu trying to adjust a setting. Yes, No, Maybe

5. I sometimes take a photo and think to change some settings and shoot it again, but don’t because it takes too much time to find the setting I wanna change. Yes, No, Maybe

6. I’m interested in photography as a serious hobby and maybe even a part time job. Yes, No, Maybe

7. I’m often not satisfied with my photos when I come back from a trip. Yes, No, Maybe

8. I secretly wanna be a National Geographic Photographer. Yes, No, maybe

9. Having good photos is more important than traveling very light. Yes, No, Maybe

10. I spend more time window (internet) shopping for a DSLR than using my compact camera. Yea, No, Maybe

Give yourself 1 point for all No answers, 2 points for all Maybe answers and 3 points for all Yes answers.

And for the results….

11-15 Take the 1,000$ you saved for a DSLR and go to Thailand for a month with your point and shoot ^_^

16-22 First borrow your friend’s DSLR for a few hours or days and see if it’s really worth the investment. If you like it, sleep on it and then consider taking the plunge.

23-28 Go for it feeling pretty confident that your investment will pay off with practice.

29 or 30 Start shopping today and consider a mid to high range model that your serious interest can grow into.

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Matador’s expert on Hokkaido, Ryan Libre is a freelance photographer based in Japan and Thailand. Please visit his online gallery at www.idioimagers.org and join him for a photo workshop in Chiang Mai or a hike in Hokkaido.

Ryan Libre

Matador's expert on Hokkaido, Ryan Libre is a freelance photographer based in Japan and Thailand. Please visit his online gallery at www.idioimagers.org and join him for a photo workshop in Thailand.