urban ku # 190 ~ a mini rant & a question
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 10:05AM 
Main Street - Lake Placid • click to embiggenJust because it was so damn pleasant last evening, the wife and I went out for a light dinner and a bit of walk on Main Street and I must say, it was delightful. The weather, the food, the views, and the wife's company were all together near perfect.
There was, however, one fly in the ointment.
As is my wont, I was adorned with 2 cameras. The only difference being that now, those 2 cameras are of the "pro" model variety - each with a battery grip attached. Which means that I can no longer float like a butterfly and sting like a bee since I have 2 anvils draped from my neck and/or shoulders. Other than a small amount of physical discomfort, the most annoying side effect of toting these behemoths around is the propensity for complete strangers to feel that they must comment on them - "Whoa! Those are some cameras you got there!", is the most oft heard exclamation.
This would not be a totally bad thing if it helped me to pick up chicks, but, alas, it's almost always men who comment. I'm still waiting for the sound of a Mae West type voice asking, "Hey big boy, is that spare batteries you're carrying, or are you just glad to see me?"
That said, what all this set me to thinking about was another of my gripes about digital dslrs, especially "pro" dslrs.
I used to think that my trusty Nikon F3 with motor drive attached was a big thing. Not so, when compared to a pro dslr. And, my Nikon FM with motor drive looks like some kind of mini-cam by comparison. What's up with that? Aren't we living in the wondrous age of miniaturization?
Let's consider my Olympus cameras. Olympus makes some of the smallest dlsrs on the planet. In fact, they claim that their new 420 is the smallest and the about to be introduced full feature-ladened 520 is not much bigger. So, it's readily apparent (and not just from Olympus) that good things can come in small packages. I mean, the 520 has all the goodies one could ever want - a flawless dust removal feature, in-camera IS, live view, a nice size LCD, programmable everything, etc., etc.
So why is it, when Olympus (and others) makes a pro dslr, it becomes the incredible hulk?
Sure, it's weather sealed and built to demolition derby survivable standards. And (I think this is a big part of the problem) it has a computer brain in it - if the Nikon F3 in its day had the same computer power, it would have required an 18-wheeler to move it around - that can do everything but butter toast.
Sure, but here's the rub - as a photo pro, I don't need or want a computer brain in my camera that can do everything but butter toast. I'm a pro. I can work miracles with a light sensitive surface (film or sensor) and manual shutter, aperture, and focus controls. That it. That's all I need. In fact, that's all I want so that I don't have to muck around through a veritable rat's nest of features and options.
It seems to me that, not unlike every other electronic device on the market (don't get me started on cell phones), camera manufacturer's design departments are run by their marketing department. Everything must be loaded up with every conceivable option (and gimmick) on the planet just to impress the rubes and, I suspect, just because it can be done..
I also suspect that there are a fair number of pros and advanced amateurs out there who would be very willing to pay a fair amount more for hell of a lot less - a rugged, semi-compact, 'stripped-down' camera that has the best feature of all, the capability to just do it.
How about you? Would you prefer a simple, compact, pro quality dslr?
Now you'll have to excuse me. I have to go drive around in my car and communicate with a satellite that is orbiting the earth just so I can find the exact GPS coordinates of place to get a manicure.
gravitas et nugalis
Featured Comment: Anil Rao wrote: "Why on earth were you hanging two cameras around your neck during that outing? Wouldn't just one be enough?"
My response: One camera would, indeed, be enough but; a) I was deep in the comparo mode - Oly E-3 v Pentax K20D, and, 2) how else would the wife recognize me if we were to be separated?
Reader Comments (17)
Haha! Yes! And just what are you supposed to say when people make those comments......."that's some camera you've got there"? Uh, yes it is? Thanks? Does it surprise you to see a middle-aged woman with a big camera? Never quite sure what the appropriate response is!
Worse yet is when you are in an isolated location when some young punk smelling of pot starts admiring your camera. Yes, a small discrete looking camera that just lets me take the picture would solve a lot of problems. I don't need my camera to shoot in B&W or add sepia toning, or add more contrast, or anything else. I can do all that myself.
Yup, I often feel that my dslr might as well be a neon sign around my neck that's flashing "steal me, I'm worth about two grande." Or "I'm a real photographer and yes I would love to compare size with you." I've decided that being inconspicuous is really important to me when I'm photographing. I don't like to talk about it. I don't like to do it in groups. I don't like people watching me while I'm doing it. I don't like answering questions about my gear. I don't care what kind of gear anyone else is using. I don't want anybody telling me what I should take a picture of just because I have a big ass camera around my neck. I just want to be left alone to take pictures. So, more and more often it seems, I head out with my relatively nondescript, ubiquitous silver colored, low megapixel, boring little Canon G6. It's not sexy but it gets the job done. For now anyway...
I totally agree with you- as someone who is finally coming back to photography after 10 years I am completely frustrated with the hyper-featured dslrs. I just bought my first dslr- a Nikon D40, because it was small and good needed to make sure I wanted to shoot with this kind of format, after shooting for years with a 5x7 view camera. It's a decent enough camera for stock images, but I'm frustrated with the lack of an aperture ring and shutter speed dial. The new Leica dslr that is coming soon is looking to be a better camera to me.
Everyone has digital SLRs these days when I go out. You should try rolling with a Speed Graphic, wooden pinhole camera and a tripod -- I've decided to just hire a bouncer the next time I shoot with these cameras. If anyone gets too close or makes a stupid comment, they get punched. THEN I'll take their picture. Or maybe I'll just keep shooting with my usual kit of a Ricoh GR II and Holga instead -- nobody ever notices those.
If you are just out for a casual stroll it's a no brainer.......... G9... great video too......nuff said...Mark
Sorry to be so predictable in my reaction, but that article was one long advertisement for a Leica to me. And not the M8 model either. Anything from a brassed M3 SS upwards, a 35 mm lens and 400-2TMY in it would fit the bill perfectly. Goes in a belt case or rests in your hand inconspiciously.
I don't think it's anything to do with the computer brain. Pocket cams seem to pack a gazillion functions into small packages.
I definitely would like simpler and smaller. Why do the small cameras have to be quality crippled? I bet you could get all of the image quality effects of the largest DSLRs into a package equal to the smallest.
Mark,
There is a camera that fits most of your criteria. It's the Leica M8. Lenses are extremely light, better than any DSLR lenses, and built like tiny tanks. And the raw DNG files are superb. I have never seem 35mm files that were the equal to the M8 files with respect to dynamic range, detail, color rendition, all of it. I haven't compared them to a 1DS III but I own a 1D III and it can't produce the same file quality even using a Leica R lens. So, I can put that tiny camera on my shoulder and three lenses in my pocket, a light tripod (plenty sturdy for an M8) on my shoulder and hike all day.
Don't ask about the price. Fortunately, I've been shooting with Leicas for my entire adult life so I could sell one lens and buy the M8. It's a superb camera.
Unfortunately, the current lot of manufacturers seem wedded to increased size as models move up in the line.
Personally, I'd kill for a D40 sized 'pro' body, with the build, sealing and IQ of my D300 in a super-compact package that I could carry around easier than the largish D300. I'd live without the 8fps, I just want the knock-about capability and viewfinder from my D300, and the ability to meter with MF lenses.
That said, I do find the current Pro bodies to be no more of a pain to haul than my F3/MD-4 combo was, that was huge and heavy with the drive (although the plain F3 was nicely compact).
My current solution has simply been to swear off the grip option, without the grip the D300 (and similarly sized E-3) are a lot more manageable, and only slightly heavier than a F3 or F2 without a motor.
It is a matter of heat and not of power.
Re: Comments from strangers...
I can't begin to count the number of time people I don't know have felt compelled to comment on my Canon 20D with battery grip and 100-400 L glass hanging off the front:
"Whoa, buddy! That's some lens! You're not compensating for anything, are you?"
"Yes. You."
Re: Pro cameras...
While the Canon 5D probably doesn't count as a pro unit, I will admit that I was extremely gratified when I pulled it out of the box and noticed that there were no IDIOT MODES available on the function dial. In other words, it's not a camera for people who don't know how to use a camera. There was immediate solace to be found in that fact.
Hang a 24-70 L off the front of it, however, and it feels like you're wearing a boat anchor.
Re: Travelin' cameras...
I've become completely enamored of my Canon G9. It works with my collection of Speedlights and I love the ability to get flash sync up to 1/2000 using off camera flash and my Cactus wireless triggers/slaves. It's quite unintentionally become my primary camera for doing outdoor portraiture because of its versatility and the high quality of the files it puts out at ISO 80/100.
My original comment was lost somewhere in cyberspace, so I will keep this simple.
I thought my old Nikon FTN w/Photomic finder was huge and hard to use but compared to some digi's today it was a piece of cake. Todays cameras have to much junk to play with and huge menus, so I mostly use aperture priority, F8 and go.
I currently use an old D50 which is pretty hefty and my wife has a D40, we aren't pros and can't afford the pro gear like a 300 or D3, which goes almost 46 oz. We carry our cameras everywhere so we keep it simple.
Our next move is to D60's with the 18-200 DX VR
To add to what Mary said, I like to sometimes carry a small camera so I have a P50 8.1 mp which is nice for street work and candids. I can turn off the flash and turn off the beeps and shutter noise so I can shoot in silence.
Beautiful analysis. "For people who don't know how to use a camera". Says it all about unwanted bells and whistles.
"Says it all about unwanted bells and whistles"
Ah, yes, but honesty compells me to mention that the 5D *does* come equipped with a PRINT button (hack, cough, spew!).
I personally hope to meet the person responsible for that particular blasphemy so I can punch him/her/it in the nose before I die. That would be, IMO, a worthy undertaking.
I would prefer a toy camera any day if it could produce professional results!
"I would prefer a toy camera any day if it could produce professional results!"
Does that mean you want to leave your brain home when you go out to play?
Why on earth were you hanging two cameras around your neck during that outing? Wouldn't just one be enough?