[Marten] "...*The reason to buy an AF autoexposure camera is to use
those tools when needed, not to depend on them.*..."
Marten,
Well stated ! (and in a nutshell at that)
AF, AE etc are fine, but "state of the art" in cameras is really a matter of
lenses - design and glass. Film being the next factor leading on to
processing etc.
With the necessary knowledge and skills, this is the basis for photography
(digital aside for now) - and significant improvements are really more
related to glass/lens design and film than adding "features" to automate
cameras. The OM-1n is a pretty good baseline for a mechanical exposure
device (meter aside). Nikon fans might say differently - as would those who
favor any other particular piece.
But it is only automation that has been added to most cameras; to the point
where "composition" - a la point&shoot - is the only factor most people need
to take into account when taking any given picture.
... Or so they wish! There is no perfect auto exposure control - because not
all scenes have the same lighting conditions - and not all photographers
desire the same exposure emphasis on any part of a given frame. Ditto AF.
Ditto the weight and complexity of all the "extra features" - and the
dependence on batteries.
So let's reduce P&S - this so-called "state of the art" - to what it is. The
market. And that market is what "most people desire in a camera". Not
necessarily photgraphers, not even perhaps many camera engineers. But the
*largest number of people* perceived as being potential buyers of the
product. Just like movies, pop music, clothes, cars, stereos, etc etc.
Marketing is driven by sales - not necessarily perfecting anything, or
"excellence". P&S is simply the largest market around; and that is why the
products are running in the direction they are in this regard. If it was
literally photo quality the developement would have continued with emphasis
on perfecting glass lenses/designs - and film. Those are the real areas of
interest (digital aside for the moment - although it is related to the
latter in it's own way).
Marketing.
Cheers,
Lee
----Original Message Follows----
From: Marten Beels <mbeels@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [OM] Further thoughts on technology
Ok, here are my 2 cents.
True, technology such as autofocus can aid in getting
shots that would be difficult with a manual focus
lens. But I think that my biggest issue is that the
technology in AF Program exposure cameras is often
used improperly, not resulting in improved photos.
They are often used as an excuse to avoid learning the
basics of photography. I have heard of many people
that wanted to go buy a "good camera" (meaning latest
technology SLR) so they could get good pictures
without having to exert any effort on their own part
to improve their pictures. Then the resulting photos
are no better composed, exposed, or framed then the
shots with their AF autoexposure P&S.
For example, a relative recently bought a mid range
Nikon AF SLR because she "wanted good pictures". She
asked me to take a photo of her with it, so I asked
how to take it off of Program mode, she didn't even
know what I was talking about. I'm pretty sure that
every shot that she has ever taken was on the program
mode. (I eventually settled on using the portrait
mode)
What irks me is that people see technology as a
crutch, not a tool. The idea that a "better camera"
will improve their photos more then a simple
understanding of shutter speeds and aperatures.
*The reason to buy an AF autoexposure camera is to use
those tools when needed, not to depend on them.*
I am not completely anti-technology, I think that the
more tools we have available to us, the better. But
only if we use them properly.
Marten
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