Do you guys have a certain sixth sense or experience that tells you what shuttle/iso/apperture to use for what occasion?

That's a lot of replies and I appreciate the viewpoints.

The main reason why I got the DSLR is I recognized that the S3's got certain limitations during certain situations and shots, and I had hoped that the DSLR will be able to address/overcome these limitations.

Some of you have pointed out that I do not know much about cameras or photography. That would be not far from the truth. I'd say that I've learnt just enough to let me play around with manual mode to take some shots which I couldn't have taken using "auto" modes.

The beauty of the prosumer is that it retains a level of automation that takes a load of trouble/worry off the photographer => Undesirable for pros, but desirable for normal people who don't know what in the world is white balance, bulb exposure... etc. (much less how to control/tweak them).

The sudden need to tweak and play with so many values/buttons is overwhelming.... hence the frustration.

Anyway, I've bought the D40x... no turning back now. Might as well learn to be a better photographer... hoping that you guys can provide some tips and help/change in perspective and viewpoint.

Still have more noob questions from me, thanks for bearing up so far. This is in reply to Scorgio's post :

1) Accurate optical viewfinder - S3 doesn't. Whatever you see on your electronic viewfinder or LCD is actually a delayed liveview.

When I adjust shuttle speed/apperture/iso, the changes are reflected directly on the S3 LCD. Thus I know if I've got the ISO too low or adjusted the shuttle speed too fast and can compensate before taking the shot. I tried varying this on the D40x... there are no changes visible on the viewfinder. Many of my shots end up too dark/too bright and I have to take several (trial and error) before finally getting one right.

Do you guys have a certain sixth sense or experience that tells you what shuttle/iso/apperture to use for what occasion?

2) Image quality - The sensor size of a dSLR is much bigger than S3. Thus the ability to capture a wider range of colors & tones.

This doesn't really matter for me right now since my objective is primarily to capture photos for 4R and just enjoyment. Correct me if I'm wrong but I doubt the differences can be so great that it's noticable with the naked eye (unless you post two identical photos by prosumer & D40 side by side).

3) Burst mode - The slowest of the dSLR selling in the market today can do 3fps, S3 is 1.5fps/2.3fps (based on dpreview.com).

This is for fast shots/sports/continuous shooting I presume? Not really used atm for group photos, posed-photoshoots and scenery.

4) Hotshoe - The S3 don't have it thus can't mount an external flash. And thus can't shoot beyond 20ft in low light condition.

Night shots are really bad for the S3. How much is an external flash btw?

5) AF speed - The worst SLR can AF in less than 0.5 sec. While S3 usually takes 0.5-1 sec to lock on.

I don't notice the difference.

6) Shutter range - SLR is 30 - 1/4000 sec. While S3 is 15 - 1/3200 sec.

At 1/4000 or even 1/3200 sec unless the background is very bright otherwise the photo will turn out dark anyways so hardly/seldom use.

7) Instant response - SLR power up almost instantly (0.2 sec average), S3 around 1-2 sec.

An improvement of course, but I find the 1-2 sec sufficient since it takes me that long to bring up the camera and start looking at the subject anyways.

8) Shutter lag - entry level SLR is 80-90ms. S3 , I don't know.

I don't take sport/fast photos so I don't know.
Again, thanks to those who have replied constructively.

can powershot s3 is do this panning shot?



i'll be deliberately happy to switch back to prosumer cameras if that's the case.

1) Accurate optical viewfinder - S3 doesn't. Whatever you see on your electronic viewfinder or LCD is actually a delayed liveview.

When I adjust shuttle speed/apperture/iso, the changes are reflected directly on the S3 LCD. Thus I know if I've got the ISO too low or adjusted the shuttle speed too fast and can compensate before taking the shot. I tried varying this on the D40x... there are no changes visible on the viewfinder. Many of my shots end up too dark/too bright and I have to take several (trial and error) before finally getting one right.

Do you guys have a certain sixth sense or experience that tells you what shuttle/iso/apperture to use for what occasion?

2) Image quality - The sensor size of a dSLR is much bigger than S3. Thus the ability to capture a wider range of colors & tones.

This doesn't really matter for me right now since my objective is primarily to capture photos for 4R and just enjoyment. Correct me if I'm wrong but I doubt the differences can be so great that it's noticable with the naked eye (unless you post two identical photos by prosumer & D40 side by side).

3) Burst mode - The slowest of the dSLR selling in the market today can do 3fps, S3 is 1.5fps/2.3fps (based on dpreview.com).

This is for fast shots/sports/continuous shooting I presume? Not really used atm for group photos, posed-photoshoots and scenery.

4) Hotshoe - The S3 don't have it thus can't mount an external flash. And thus can't shoot beyond 20ft in low light condition.

Night shots are really bad for the S3. How much is an external flash btw?

5) AF speed - The worst SLR can AF in less than 0.5 sec. While S3 usually takes 0.5-1 sec to lock on.

I don't notice the difference.

6) Shutter range - SLR is 30 - 1/4000 sec. While S3 is 15 - 1/3200 sec.

At 1/4000 or even 1/3200 sec unless the background is very bright otherwise the photo will turn out dark anyways so hardly/seldom use.

7) Instant response - SLR power up almost instantly (0.2 sec average), S3 around 1-2 sec.

An improvement of course, but I find the 1-2 sec sufficient since it takes me that long to bring up the camera and start looking at the subject anyways.

can powershot s3 is do this panning shot?



i'll be deliberately happy to switch back to prosumer cameras if that's the case.

Sorry to sidetrack. Can give some advice how to achieve the panning shot like shown in the pic? Would like to learn that. Thanks 

Sorry to sidetrack. Can give some advice how to achieve the panning shot like shown in the pic? Would like to learn that. Thanks 

can powershot s3 is do this panning shot?



i'll be deliberately happy to switch back to prosumer cameras if that's the case.

any camera can do panning, as long as u have the control over shutter speed, a very afforadable Canon A series can do the same.

of course, but using an interchangeable telelens with fast aperture and AI servo assist from the body, u'll get even far more sharp pic with a DSLR.

ok agree, that's extra credit to assist, but without dslr you can also do the same, practice makes perfect

can powershot s3 is do this panning shot?



i'll be deliberately happy to switch back to prosumer cameras if that's the case.

i tell u, u'll be surprise to see the effect of IS via the viewfinder rather than a body with built-in IS. 

poison intended.

i tell u, u'll be surprise to see the effect of IS via the viewfinder rather than a body with built-in IS. 

poison intended.

Lets try to stick to the topic for the TS as he mentioned that he takes SCENERY shots.

For all those people out there who feel insulted just because someone feels as if they have a tough time transitioning, why not just take a look at these group of photos (http://www.flickr.com/groups/pnsenvy/) taken by PnS. Definitely a humbling experience for me looking at these photos

For DarthBaboon, since you bought your D40x and intend to make full use of it, in regards to scenery or landscape pictures, you can take full advantage of the many filters available for the DSLR markets which will help you such as ND filters, Graduated ND filters, CPL filters.

Before I just add more confusion to you, just do a Google on those terms.

now the plot thickens. which one to choose?

haha.. both have their own advantages. choose whatever suits your lifestyle and passion. for me, photography is just passion, coz i'm studying engineering which i have to focus more at. but, practically, u can make money with a dslr. nuff said.