DSLR for this application?

[Moss Man]

First off, let me introduce myself: I'm known as the "Moss Man" in the Urban Exploration community and my wife and I live in the mountainous region of Maine.

I have asked my Urban Exploration buddies what would be a good choice for a camera upgrade and their opinions vary quite a bit.
Currently I am using a Canon Powershot A85 "point and shoot" and I get photos with average results. My photography knowledge is less than impressive, but I'm told I have a good eye for subject composition and angles. The Canon has been a great camera with no issues. My wife and I photograph abandonments that includes factories, houses, asylums, autos, etc. Mostly we shoot large buildings inside and out. The inside shots are mostly low light.
I also love to get photos of birds and wildlife. Action shots are few and far between. I really like to leave pictures alone rather that use image editing, I just like the subject to be seen as it really is. Clarity is very important and zoom would be second.
The recommendations so far have been to get a higher end "Super Zoom" such as the Canon S3 IS and others say to make the jump directly to a DSLR such as the Canon Rebel XTI . (I am willing to go the extra mile to learn about DSLRs if need be). Financially my limit would be in the $1000. or under range, so the Rebel XTI with one lense would be the limit for now.
I like the idea of Image Stabilization and the dust management of the XTI sounds good as well.
With my lack of photography knowledge, is the DSLR the answer and if so, is the clarity of the Rebel XTI going to be enough. I hate to spend $400-$500 on a S3 now and decide a year from now I should have opted for the DSLR. Some reports have put the Canons slightly behind in clarity, but I like the other features and the fact that I am already familiar with Canon.
Thanx in advance and I would hope that some day I wiill be in the position to answer similar questions for others. :thumbsup:

Pete

[mwfanelli]

First off, let me introduce myself: I'm known as the "Moss Man" in the Urban Exploration community and my wife and I live in the mountainous region of Maine.

I have asked my Urban Exploration buddies what would be a good choice for a camera upgrade and their opinions vary quite a bit.
Currently I am using a Canon Powershot A85 "point and shoot" and I get photos with average results. My photography knowledge is less than impressive, but I'm told I have a good eye for subject composition and angles. The Canon has been a great camera with no issues. My wife and I photograph abandonments that includes factories, houses, asylums, autos, etc. Mostly we shoot large buildings inside and out. The inside shots are mostly low light.
I also love to get photos of birds and wildlife. Action shots are few and far between. I really like to leave pictures alone rather that use image editing, I just like the subject to be seen as it really is. Clarity is very important and zoom would be second.
The recommendations so far have been to get a higher end "Super Zoom" such as the Canon S3 IS and others say to make the jump directly to a DSLR such as the Canon Rebel XTI . (I am willing to go the extra mile to learn about DSLRs if need be). Financially my limit would be in the $1000. or under range, so the Rebel XTI with one lense would be the limit for now.
I like the idea of Image Stabilization and the dust management of the XTI sounds good as well.
With my lack of photography knowledge, is the DSLR the answer and if so, is the clarity of the Rebel XTI going to be enough. I hate to spend $400-$500 on a S3 now and decide a year from now I should have opted for the DSLR. Some reports have put the Canons slightly behind in clarity, but I like the other features and the fact that I am already familiar with Canon.
Thanx in advance and I would hope that some day I wiill be in the position to answer similar questions for others. :thumbsup:

Pete

Personally, one point made my opinion obvious: "I really like to leave pictures alone rather that use image editing, I just like the subject to be seen as it really is"

First, any DSLR requires much more work to get a good image. It assumes you want to edit the images! As for "seen as it really is" we will leave that aside as photography is not "real" in any sense of the word!

My suggestion is to get a high end P&S that has more options and a longer reach than your current Canon. That builds on what you know and doesn't require lots of photographic knowledge to get great photos.

[espressotalk]

Hi,

I would buy the Canon G7 Point-and-shoot. This camera gives you super resolution for easy cropping and editing, It has built-in (IS) and is Great under low light conditions without the flash. It also gives you the option of using an external flash if you need the extra light. The G7 with a Canon flash will still keep you under the $1000.00 mark.

It would be great for travel and is built like a tank!:thumbsup: