Death of the DSLR ?

[Mechoption]

An interesting read about the history of cameras to predict the future of cameras: Death of the DSLR Camera - Gearlog

[Chromenut]

Interesting read, and you've got to tell us the story behind your avatar!

[sonshine_rae]

Interesting indeed.

[Songman45]

Interesting read indeed. I don't put much stock in the notion that DSLRs are on the way out. Of all the cameras ever made, I suspect that minority have always been professional grade. We've had snap shot cameras of one sort or another almost all along. Instamatics, hawkeyes, all pretty much point-n-shoots. The total market for all imageing devices is now further segmented by the offering of devices like cellphones capable of taking some sort of picture.

Though they were SLR cameras, the medium formats saw a slight decrease in popularity when 35mm SLRs got a boost in metering and film enhancements finally made possible large prints from the smaller negative. When the 35mm camera was the most popular camera sold, there were still professionals who would not jump ship to the strange ratio 135mm format.

The SLR camera hasn't changed so much that it is no longer recognizable. The bodies have much the same appearence and all that's really different is the recording media. My DSLR is no more unweildy than my former film SLR, what's all that buzz about?

Frankly I welcome the downsizing of the DSLR. Lets go back how it used to be when there was a distinction between a professional camera and a snap shot camera and a more remarkable difference in a photographer and a GWC.

Steve

[acer800]

songman45, what lens is that in your avatar? Im guessing a Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8?

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by acer800

songman45, what lens is that in your avatar? Im guessing a Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8?

That would be an accurate guess.

[Mike_PEAT]

Originally Posted by Songman45

My DSLR is no more unweildy than my former film SLR, what's all that buzz about?

Most dSLR bodies on the market are DEFINITELY larger, bulkier, heavier, than any SLR I ever used. Most of the bulk comes from the battery the dSLR has to use, but thickness of cameras have also increased.

It wasn't until the Olympus E-4xx cameras came on the market that a dSLR came on the market that was similar in size, thickness, and weight that reminds me of the SLRs I used to use:

When dSLRs first came out I really wanted to get one (after 20 years using a camera that's similar to the one on the left), but I considered dSLRs as boat anchors since they couldn't make them as elegant as the camera I was used to.

I finally relented when Olympus released the more compact E-300 but it was still more bulk and weight than I was used to, and it took half a year until I was comfortable with it...especially the bulky grip that's on dSLRs.

When the E-4xx came out in North America I did try it, but by that time I was (unfortunately) used to the bulk of the heavier cameras so now I'm stuck.

[moxi1]

Hi there,
Interesting article, I suppose in time ALL things will change - or evolve.

There always will be quality picture taking apparatuses for pros and simple ones for amateurs or the occasional users.

It will be interesting to see (if one could) what and how all the digital gadgetry will have progressed in 50 years time.

Cheers Moxi1