[Dabhand16]

I still use my 5 year old compact. Not as often as the dSLR, admittedly, but many of the photos that I have posted, including the 'Look Up' assignment, were taken with it. I have a brace of film cameras that don't see the light of day very often.

I guess it's natural for any forum to find it's own level that will reflect the majority of the users, but I have to say that since I've been a member, I have not seen many/any posts on the lines of 'I have a Coopix 885 and would like to know how I can take pictures at the zoo without the chain link fences being visible....'. Also, don't forget that many of the subjects covered can be applied to any camera, except perhaps the fully auto, non zoom with no other exposure option cameras. Even then, composition and editing techniques are still applicable.

A compact zoom with some degree of exposure control or a bridge camera will do everything that a dSLR will do, the dSLR is just better able to cope with the more extreme situations. Some of the bridge cameras have longer zoom lenses, more megapixels, image stabilization and other features that my dSLR does not have. For 'mainstream' shots a good compact or bridge camera can produce really good results. There was even a really good photo posted on the forum recently taken through an aircraft window with a mobile phone!!! I also remember years ago seeing on TV Lord Litchfield producing a really good portrait using a photo booth. Mind you, I don't think I'd swap any of my cameras for one of those!!!

Having said all that, I think it might be useful for everyone to include in their forum signature the camera(s) they use most, so anyone replying to a post will be able to see what equipment is available to the person originally posting. I think this idea is worth propping up in the suggestions forum too.