| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
Well, wife has decided we need a digital SLR camera to document the cabin restoration I'll be undertaking as soon as my body allows. I took a lot of photo stuff in college, back in the 35mm days, and always used Nikon without a problem....anyone have any input into the digital SLRs? Right now we're just using cheap-o pocket digitals but want something that can do a little better.... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Lots of good ones out there I can't afford. For a long time the Nikons had the best gla$$, and good sensors in general, but did a pretty lousy job in low light. Kind of like having your old 35mm camera, but never using anything higher then ASA 200 film. For me, thats a nightmare. So I would look at low light performance carefully. That used to mean "buy cannon", but I think the newer Nikon sensors are starting to catch up. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Look a the Canon Rebel, there are some good buys out there. I have mine for a couple of years and really like it, easy, fun, etc. | ||
| Court |
>>>but I think the newer Nikon sensors are starting to catch up. The D300 and D700 excel at low light performance. They run about $1700 and $2900 respectively. With the D3($5,000) and the D300 Nikon changed the world order in low light DSLR. For documenting the restoration though you could likely get great results with any of the many $200 range pocket digital cameras. | ||
| Ratbuell |
For documenting the restoration though you could likely get great results with any of the many $200 range pocket digital cameras. I completely agree...but when the wife says "we need a..." - well, the married guys out there know what comes next, LOL. Here's a shot of what we're finding as we remove plaster and lathe, taken with the point-n-shooter. Needless to say, I don't think I'll use an inch of drywall in there. Those logs look awesome!  | ||
| Slaughter |
Question: Are you "invested" in Nikon glass already? (I am in 35mm, and that means that I WILL buy a Nikon digital SLR) I am waiting for the cost on the full-frame size sensors to drop in the coming year. For the first time, the high-end consumer digital cameras with the full-size sensors are ALMOST affordable. Remember, with nearly all consumer digital, there is a telephoto effect using your old lenses because of the small sensor. There are arguments that the angle that the light hits the outer edges of the full-frame sensor tends to drop a stop or so around the edges of the image... but the jury is still out. I haven't seen it in reviewing images taken by a couple local photo pros. Fuji also uses Nikon lenses but FUJI can be pricier. Your budget is probably going to drive your choice. I also do a lot of underwater work so low light is a big consideration with me as well. Color saturation too. I'm still shopping but it'll be another year before I get something (all the "spare" money is going into the racebike right now) Also, I find that my "throw-away-cheap" digital that I got in a company Christmas Party - is my most-used camera even though it's only worth about $40. I keep it in the shop and use it with greasy hands to take pics of the racebike rebuilding, put it in my pockets on rides. Have dropped it on most surfaces. We also have an Olympus 1030 SW - a shockproof and waterproof (to 33 feet) - also freezeproof compact 10.1MP camera. It does amazingly good work for a NON SLR. It is really great to have a camera for "dirty work" that you can rinse off in water. We also have a housing for it that allows us to take it down to 130+ feet when scuba diving. Olympus 1030 SW (CLICK) Note: you have to select a screen-off time short enough to NOT burn batteries but long enough to let you compose. Camera does NOT have a viewfinder so having the screen left on really burns the battery. Right now, Sunny has it with her on her scuba diving trip in Indonesia - along with her Nikonos V 35mm system. It's an experiment... we'll see in a couple weeks how it works out. (Message edited by slaughter on September 14, 2008) | ||
| Bads1 |
Probably the biggest bang for your buck will be the Canon 450D. http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_450D_D igital_Rebel_XSi/verdict.shtml | ||
| Hexangler |
Only problem with the point and shoots, and also the DX format cameras is limited wide angle lenses. The point and shoots are great, but for indoor you may have to take several shots and stich them together to get the whole picture. (totally do-able) I use Nikon DSLR and Cannon point-and-shoot. The Cannon kit lens 18-55 that comes with the rebel is total crap. The Nikon kit lens 18-55 that comes with the D90 is an awesome lens. But for indoor and the dx format DSLR, you may want as wide as 14mm. I know a pro that shoots interiors of houses. He chose Pentax because they have a very wide kit lens. Check out the www.dpreview.com. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
There are a lot of fine cameras out there. If you want an DSLR there is no need to go spending thousands of dollars. Any DSLR will blow the doors off most point-and-shoot cameras. A nice entry level Sony A200 will satisfy most amateur/novice photographers. Unless you plan on applying for a position at national geographic, there is no need to go crazy on the $$$$$. You could probably walk away with an A200 with extra telephoto lense, and 4 GB CF card for under $1000. Also, the A200 uses CF (not the $ony memory $tick $$$), and has a Minolta lens mount system. It has image stabilization, and a very good do-it-all point and shoot setting. One piece of advice is to buy the best lense you can afford, the rest is secondary. (Message edited by johnnylunchbox on September 14, 2008) | ||
| Slowride |
Ratbuell, My 2cents, you are comfortable with Nikon. Buy another~ The best bang for your buck right now is finding a used Nikon D50 6.1mp DSLR. I have been doing semi professional work with this rig for a few years now. I carry three main lenses Sigma 17mm - 70mm 2.8 Nikon 50mm 1.8 Nikon 55mm - 200mm VR 3.5 - 5.6 Total Package cost in today's value if you found it on Craigslist.... D50 = $350 Sigma = $200 Nikon 50 = $80 Nikon 55-200 = $180 SD Mem Card 4x4gb = $24 The key to any shooting is knowing the camera and the way you plan on using it. | ||
| 5liter |
I've got a Sony A350. I have Minolta lenses and Sigma lenses for Minolta. There is a crop factor of 1.5 with the lenses, but I can live with that. It takes great indoor pics. You can set the ISO from 100 to 3200, but it gets a little noisy above 800 ISO. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Wifey is wrong. Not totally unknown when it comes to hardware, am I right? A DSLR is about the last thing you need with the expense of renovating a house.  The Canon G9 is a great pocket camera, cost about $400 new, doesn't need a bag full of expensive lenses either. Got wonderful reviews, takes great photos, has super features.  I have recommended it to several friends, everyone of them is pleased as can be. Lots of pros use them as their pocket camera. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Since we are doing topic drift... the Fuji F31FD (or whatever they are calling it these days) will do 1600 ASA with quality sufficient for an 8x10, and 3200 good enough for a 5x7. I wish they would give me a 28mm effective focal length F2.0 lens on it though.. And it will go several hundred shots on a 1 gig XD card and a single battery charge. For $220 or whatever, its a good disposable camera that you don't have to worry about bringing *anywhere*. | ||
| Mnbueller |
I have a Canon Rebel XT 8.1MP and I love it. Its cheap, works great, and I haven't had any issues yet. I bought mine just before my son was born and have taken well over 3,000 photos with it. Still works like it was new... One problem with a DSLR, its kind of like a buell, once you start using it you'll just want add add add. In one year I purchased a completely adjustable external flash, a new lens. So just be careful it can get out of control! | ||
| Mnbueller |
I was also going to mention that: On the new Nikon's you can actually see the 'live' image on the LCD, just like your cheap pocket cam. The newer canons may also have this feature but I don't know for sure...I know most canons DO NOT have this feature so you have to look through the little eye hole... | ||
| Court |
>>>Nikon 55mm - 200mm VR 3.5 - 5.6 One of the most amazing "do everything" lens to ever come out of Nikon. I've been using a 12-24mm for indoor stuff but I'm scared to carry it at $1700 and with the huge 77mm globe on the front it takes a sock to cover it. The Nikon Nikon 55mm - 200mm VR 3.5 - 5.6 is perhaps one of the best buys ever on a lens. Be sure to check out the reviews. . . . they are amazing. | ||
| Greenlantern |
On the new Nikon's you can actually see the 'live' image on the LCD, just like your cheap pocket cam. The newer canons may also have this feature but I don't know for sure...I know most canons DO NOT have this feature so you have to look through the little eye hole... Live view on any SLR is not true "Live " as on a Point and shoot simply for the nature of the SLR mechanics. In other words with a SLR there will be a significant lag between framing and shooting subject. Not a big deal for stationary objects but useless for action shots. If you are going for a SLR, avoid the kit lens. They don't suck per se, but will not show you any better results than you get with a existing point and shoot. Go for the good glass which can get expensive , but there are good "bargains" if you do your homework. Google Canon or Nikon lens reviews to point you towards some excellent photo sites Canon Rebel XTi Canon 70-200mm F4L Telephoto Zoom Lens Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical Wide Angle Zoom (Message edited by greenlantern on September 15, 2008) | ||
| Azxb9r |
I bought my wife a Cannon EOS for her birthday a couple years ago. She loves it, and it takes great pictures. |
