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Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

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Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#31

Post by hazz99 »

As someone who made this decision recently, I decided on a Sony a6000 and have loved it. The cameras quality is pretty high, and my photography skills will likely never hit the "quality ceiling" where I need to buy a better camera to progress.

Its small, so I'm motivated to take it with me. Its not too big & chunky. Its great for bringing on holidays, but also good enough to throw some lenses in my bag for if I see something fancy.

The electronic viewfinder is amazing for understanding the interplay between aperture, shutter speed, ISO and zoom levels, because they change in real-time.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#32

Post by jsjohnst »

pbalau wrote: post #28
jsjohnst wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The mirror is for the small optical viewfinder window at the top. When you hit the button for live preview, the mirror is “locked up” and the main sensor powers a “live view” on the LCD screen which gives you a preview including aperture/iso/exposure/etc settings all applied just like on many mirrorless cameras. The reason the small viewfinder exists is because it draws power to keep the sensor on and the mirror lock…

> The mirror is for the small optical viewfinder That's what I meant. It didn't occur to me that the bigger display is a viewfinder too...

Yes, it is, unless you want to be uber pedantic.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#33

Post by jsjohnst »

Someone1234 wrote: post #27
jsjohnst wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they cannot do what an LCD viewfinder can do which is to say completely "demo" what the final picture will look like (i.e. show the results of shutter speed and ISO settings). I’m definitely not talking about an overlay. I’m talking live full demo view on the LCD screen. The mirror is “locked up” when the LCD screen is on and you get a preview of what the end result photo would be just like you describe isn’t possi…

Which is completely off-topic. The discussion is Viewfinders. Even your own reply above referenced Viewfinders specifically: > There’s plenty of dSLRs with digital viewfinders A digital Viewfinder actually has an LCD (or other type of digital display) within the Viewfinder assembly itself. It has nothing to do with the rear/main display at all. Your other reply makes me think you don't know what the Viewfinder is. So…

Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder? The context wasn’t your pedantic view of what a viewfinder is, the context was comparing mirrorless cameras to dSLR cameras. I have clearly laid out a case why OPs critique of dSLRs only having optical viewfinders (which they called “analog”) is misguided with extensive examples and a solid basis for my claim. The fact you are so focused on your definition of a single word shows you are trying to “win” the debate rather than be factual and genuine, so I’ll say have a “great day!” and continue on with my life.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#34

Post by Someone1234 »

jsjohnst wrote: post #33
Someone1234 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is completely off-topic. The discussion is Viewfinders. Even your own reply above referenced Viewfinders specifically: > There’s plenty of dSLRs with digital viewfinders A digital Viewfinder actually has an LCD (or other type of digital display) within the Viewfinder assembly itself. It has nothing to do with the rear/main display at all. Your other reply makes me think you don't know what the Viewfinder is. So…

Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder? The context wasn’t your pedantic view of what a viewfinder is, the context was comparing mirrorless cameras to dSLR cameras. I have clearly laid out a case why OPs critique of dSLRs only having optical viewfinders (which they called “analog”) is misguided with extensive examples and a solid basis for my claim. The fact you…

> Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder?

Yes. That's what everyone says, manufacturers, retailers, and customers. Take for example this comparison chart on Olympus' website. Note some cameras, with a rear display have no Viewfinder listed where there is none:

https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/pen#products-table-1

They call the rear screen the "monitor." Which seems fine, but I've also read it called the rear display, main display, preview screen, and so on.

> The context wasn’t your pedantic view of what a viewfinder is

If I call an apple an "apple," that isn't a pedantic view, that's the name of the object. If I call a Viewfinder a "Viewfinder" that is no less a pedantic view, and instead the name of thing we're discussing.

In general you obviously misunderstood what the word viewfinder meant, and went off on a rant that didn't make a whole lot of sense as a result. I'd suggest you go try a mirrorless camera with a digital viewfinder and report back when you have the prerequisite knowledge for this topic.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#35

Post by jsjohnst »

Someone1234 wrote: post #34
jsjohnst wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder? The context wasn’t your pedantic view of what a viewfinder is, the context was comparing mirrorless cameras to dSLR cameras. I have clearly laid out a case why OPs critique of dSLRs only having optical viewfinders (which they called “analog”) is misguided with extensive examples and a solid basis for my claim. The fact you…

> Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder? Yes. That's what everyone says, manufacturers, retailers, and customers. Take for example this comparison chart on Olympus' website. Note some cameras, with a rear display have no Viewfinder listed where there is none: https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/pen#products-table-1 They call the rear screen the "monitor." Which se…

> I'd suggest you go try a mirrorless camera with a digital viewfinder and report back when you have the prerequisite knowledge for this topic.

I own two of them. I also own a bunch of dSLRs too. I also am a professional photographer with decades of experience with camera gear.

I’d suggest you not assume things about others without having sufficient context, but at least you’ve now proven my assumption about you was warranted, despite not having enough perspective to prove it before.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#36

Post by Someone1234 »

jsjohnst wrote: post #35
Someone1234 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Many mirrorless cameras only have an LCD screen, so are we saying they don’t have a viewfinder? Yes. That's what everyone says, manufacturers, retailers, and customers. Take for example this comparison chart on Olympus' website. Note some cameras, with a rear display have no Viewfinder listed where there is none: https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/pen#products-table-1 They call the rear screen the "monitor." Which se…

> I'd suggest you go try a mirrorless camera with a digital viewfinder and report back when you have the prerequisite knowledge for this topic. I own two of them. I also own a bunch of dSLRs too. I also am a professional photographer with decades of experience with camera gear. I’d suggest you not assume things about others without having sufficient context, but at least you’ve now proven my assumption about you was…

It is a reasonable assumption given that you didn't know what a Viewfinder was, and keep insisting the screen on the back is one even now.

When your mistake was pointed out by multiple posters, you then doubled down, called the industry standard terminology that is likely older than either of us "pedantic."

It is fine to not know things, or to have holes in your knowledge. It isn't fine to keep on doubling down rather than admit obvious mistakes.

All you had to do was read the Wikipedia article on Viewfinders in the "decades" you've been "professionally" taking photos.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#37

Post by amerkhalid »

I really like DPReview's recommendations: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-f...

Photography is one of my top hobbies. Some people will tell you to just buy any decent cheap camera and start taking photos. But to me the research is one of the most important and enjoyable part. I love reading various reviews and watching YouTube videos. Also I follow some photographers like Von Wong (https://www.vonwong.com/) and learn a lot from them.

Now photography can be very expensive hobby, there was a time when I was buying every single lens, gadget, gizmo recommended/used by these amazing photographers. But the good news is that it is very easy to sell and buy used photography gear. Sometimes I even made money when I sold used gear after trying it out for a few months.

Lately, I use x100f which is a mirrorless camera. My previous camera was a dslr, D750. Professional reviews will show D750 is way better camera than x100f. To me the best feature of x100f is all the knobs and handling. Sometimes you have to try out camera for a few days to see how you feel about it.

Image quality is almost indistinguishable between modern cameras. Autofocus speed and low light performance is where you will notice huge differences between entry level and high-end cameras.

I say read a lot, borrow your friends' cameras, try them out in stores, watch videos like: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fujifilm+x100f Finally, when you buy a camera from store, don't feel shy about returning it if it doesn't click with you :) If you buy used, sell it if you don't like it. Also kit lens is usually not that good. First lens I would recommend on any camera system would be fast lens like 35mm/50mm/85mm f/1.8.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#38

Post by runjake »

cromiium wrote: post #16
runjake wrote: post #15

Careful. Learning photography can be like learning the new productivity method du jour. That said, the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson was recommended to me a long time ago and provided me with immediate and stunning results. Buy it though, don't download one of the numerous copies online.

Any reason to not download it? Do you mean to support Peterson or for some other reason?

It was a hint, but yeah support the author. I initially torrented a copy, liked it, and bought it off of Amazon. And it's a great book to thumb through.

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#39

Post by hss »

amerkhalid wrote: post #37

I really like DPReview's recommendations: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-f... Photography is one of my top hobbies. Some people will tell you to just buy any decent cheap camera and start taking photos. But to me the research is one of the most important and enjoyable part. I love reading various reviews and watching YouTube videos. Also I follow some photographers like Von Wong ( https://…

How important is "Environmental Sealing" ? It's a feature which is generally not available in beginner DSLR but I feel beginners need it the most

Re: Ask HN: DSLR vs. MirrorLess cameras. Best resources for learning photography?

#40

Post by amerkhalid »

hss wrote: post #39
amerkhalid wrote: post #37

I really like DPReview's recommendations: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-f... Photography is one of my top hobbies. Some people will tell you to just buy any decent cheap camera and start taking photos. But to me the research is one of the most important and enjoyable part. I love reading various reviews and watching YouTube videos. Also I follow some photographers like Von Wong ( https://…

How important is "Environmental Sealing" ? It's a feature which is generally not available in beginner DSLR but I feel beginners need it the most

IMO, not that important. I have Nex-3N as a throw-around camera. It is at least, 5 years old. Basically, we take it wherever we feel that our fancy "artistic" X100F might get damaged. We have taken it on beaches, handed to kids to take photos during parties, etc. It still works.
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