<< Photography and Modeling - Cameras and Lenses
Cameras and Lenses Looking to get a digital slr
| Another good website for photographers is Flickr.com I joined their Sony Alpha Group, and there has been loads of great discussions and feedback. Plus most of the photographers display their photos with their photo data intact, so you can see what camera settings their were using to get a certain shot, very helpful when starting out. |
| I would recommend going with the nikon D60 if that is your two choices. Nikon has better high ISO performance. |
| I bought a Canon Rebel Xti and so far I LOVE it!! LD |
| Wife too hot is the reason I think most of us upgraded to an DSLR. Pentax still makes good cameras. I remember seeing a tutorial on Youtube from a guy that shoots with a Pentax K10. Seemed to really like it, and it sounded like it performs decently in low light. But considering that Sony, Nikon, Cannon, have the biggest market share, I would stick to one of those brands. That way used gear will be more available on ebay. Else you will empty your wallet paying retail for decent glass. All I know is I really like my Sony A700. |
| What ever happened to Pentax? Are they still good cameras? I remember back in the day of SLR 35mm cameras that they were pretty decent. Have they gone by the wayside? Mr. Dragon "My wife has gotten too hot for a point and shoot..." |
| Fun Topic...a few thoughts.. 1) Are you the type that will pull this out 1x per month for fun shots, special occassions, etc.? If that is all you'll use if for then get a good kit (body and lens) from Costco/Sams/BH Photovideo for $700-$900 and be done, if you'll shoot more, read on 2) Be honest, you can debate endlessly about which body/brand is better, they're all about the same for the hobbiest/entry level, if you get into the pro-line with sealed bodies, large buffers, etc. etc...get whichever trips your trigger, the bodies get outdated in 12 months anyway (still very usable, but something faster, bigger, newer) will be along shortly. Canon has a new 4th generation processor out but have seen great reviews on the new Nikon's too...pick what ever you'd like, more glass is avail for the big 2 than the other brands 3) How much $$$$, if you want full frame sensor, you'll have to pay up. That means a 50 mm lens is a 50 mm lense. The entry level cameras have a smaller sensor (all brands) that means around a 1.6x. So, a 50 mm shoots like a 80mm. Not that important on outdoor stuff where you might want the larger focal length (sports, landscape, macro) but something to think about if you plan to shoot alot indoors in tighter spaces...you just can't get far enough away from your subject. 4) Lens - put as much money as you can in the glass. It retains the most value and makes the biggest difference in making your pics look professional. Go with prime lenses for best value (50 mm and 85 mm are great, google prime lens for an explanation if you don't know what that means). Get the lowest fstop you can afford (this means you can shoot with less light = more natural shots, better/true skin tons, and LESS FLASH) flash (not counting studio off camera) is harsh and unflattering. There is a reason that canon has 3 50 mm prime lenses...one is like $150, $300, $1200. All are pretty fast at f1.8 or less (this means you can shoot in less light and in simple terms blur more background (which draws you eye to the subject and away from background) much more creative control - and typically the look more pervs like me are looking for - the sexy glam look. Just know that the "do it all" lense 28-200mm f4.5-f.6 isn't a very good lense (see my #1 however). 5) Get ready to buy some photo processing software (doesn't have to be expensive, I think Photoshop elements 7 is like $50 at costco) a great great program. It is like photoshop light, but you'll need something that can process RAW photos to get the biggest benefit from you camera. Good luck, sorry so wordy. Too much coffee. Oh, lesson learned....buy the lense of same manufacture as the body, I had a Canon 10d years ago, thought I'd save some money and buy a Sigma brand pro lense (figured hey, same price as canon mid range, I was so smart)...well, couple generations of canon's later, I sold the 10d and bought the 5d...put my perfectly good sigma lense on it, it wouldn't autofocus correctly, yet all my canon lenses worked perfectly....contacted sigma, evidently, my lens couldn't talk to my new 5d very well due to changes canon made to circuitry, etc...Sigma could fix the problem for $375, plus shipping, etc......just an fyi. |
| I think you get the prize for longest DP forum post ever. But it was a good one. I agree with everything you said. My old A100 used to leave blisters on my fingers because the grip was not right. My new A700 fits like a glove. On the lenses Sigma does a good job too, and so does Ziess ( if you can afford his glass ). As for the resale value of the cameras and equipment, they don't depreciate that fast. Lenses will go on ebay for sometimes 90% of their original resale value if the lense is high in demand. Most of my cheaper lenese still get at least 60% of what I paid for them. I have a feeling tomorrow this thread is going to get alot of posts. |
| I had an Sony A100 for two years. It did a good job, but I recently upgraded to a Sony a700. I am now selling the a100 on ebay. The a700 blows away the a100. I very glad I made the upgrade. Sony, Cannon, Nikon, Pentax all make great cameras. However users tend to be very biased as to what is the best Brand. The Market leader is Cannon. But Nikon and Sony are quickly over taking them. It all depends on how much you want to spend, and what kind of shooting you want to do. I am sure some of the other members will chime in and speak up for their brands. I am a Sony Man myself. In my opinion you can't go wrong with Sony. For your first camera I would recommend going on ebay and buying it off there. There are lots of photographers that are switching brands, and they sell all their old equipment when they do. I bought both my A100 and A700 this way. I got my a700 for about $800. Normally sells for $1500+. Plus you can save a lot buying used lenses off ebay as well. If you are just starting out, the entry level cameras are ok to learn on. But after a while you might want more performance. If I knew then what I know now. I would have gotten the a700 instead of the a100 as my first camera. Also don't focus on the Mega Pixels. There is alot more to DSLRs than MP. |
