This is a humorous take on the subject. Meant to be taken in lighter vein (especially the ‘Cons’). These are from my personal experiences of owning a DSLR for two years. Clearly, the ‘cons’ outweigh the ‘pros’ in number. So ladies and gentlemen, here it goes (in no particular order):

Pros:

  1. Anyone can pass off as a professional photographer just by holding a DSLR. Never mind even if you’re holding it for the first time in your life. I was once directed to ‘Press Seating Area’ (right in front of the stage) in a recent event that I attended.
  2. You get invited to almost all birthday parties and weddings.
  3. People always get in touch with you as an excuse to ask for a photograph they need from the archives.
  4. Even the most boring photos of yours are appreciated. It’s not about you, it’s about the DSLR – most believe the ‘big black thing’ just can’t go wrong.
  5. You get to prepare personalized gifts for your family and friends. Popular things include: Photo frames (digital ones are way cool), Books, Calendars and of course Photo albums.

Cons:

  1. Everyone likes to play with your DSLR. For some reason, even the grown-ups of grown-ups believe it to be a toy. Rotating the zoom lens barrel and pressing all the possible buttons seem to be favorites.
  2. The annoying phone-calls/emails/SMSs at ungodly hours from the previous night’s event’s host, asking if I can send the photos right away.
  3. People complaining all the time that they can’t frame a photograph using the LCD screen (you have to use the viewfinder). Initially I tried to explain the complexity of the mechanics inside a DSLR, but later I stuck to the answer, “Yeah, that sucks”.
  4. The numerous complains about how hefty your luggage is for a one-day trip. I’m tired of explaining that a DSLR with a lens, two extra lenses, a remote flash and couple of small accessories do need an extra bag by itself.
  5. Another widely held belief is that if you can operate a DSLR, you’re also a wizard with image manipulation software (namely Photoshop). I get requests to change the background, fix face blemishes and sometime even to morph photographs!
  6. You never get to enjoy a public event in peace. You’re pestered for a snap at all times.
  7. People think you’re an arrogant rich prick who can afford all the gear with ease. Very few realize that it takes months of savings and a ton of research to get a simple darn lens.
  8. You never get to be part of your own pictures. Using a timer is not always an option and people who’ve never used a DSLR suck at operating it – even if it’s just pressing one simple button in auto mode.
  9. How you’re subjected to extra security screening at public places (malls, movie theatres, sports stadiums, etc) when you’re spotted with a DSLR. And the headache of how to deal with the situation when they’re not allowed inside.
  10. Lastly (and probably the worst thing), you’ll never get credit for the great photos that you take. The usual saying is “Oh, he’s got a DSLR, that’s why”.

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