Community Newsletter: Q&A: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras
- 5/25/07 11:15 AM
Oh gosh...
by whfite - 5/14/07 2:20 PM In reply to: And that's the bottom line... by noirx...I'm stinging from that rebuke, you betcha.
Again. Two brands to consider in DSLRs: Nikon and Canon.
That is hardly empty rhetoric, being the opinion shared by the overwhelming majority of both advanced amateurs and working professionals.
One thing we've established for sure, though: My critic doesn't own either one.
And Sigma? Well....if you don't use it much it might not actually fall off the camera in pieces. Apart from that....
9 Out of 10 Professional Photograhers agree...
by noirx - 5/14/07 4:17 PM In reply to: Oh gosh... by whfite...so just stop thinking for yourself.
Remember, the respondent is a self proclaimed "professional" who has provided no support for his claims. Operative fallacy: Appeal to Authority.
"Again. Two brands to consider in DSLRs: Nikon and Canon."
Re-presentation of previously stated idea without provision of supporting information.
"That is hardly empty rhetoric, being the opinion shared by the overwhelming majority of both advanced amateurs and working professionals."
A novice photographer on a tight budget, like the one whose questions have served as the basis for this thread, might have a different set of priorities than does the "overwhelming majority of advanced amateurs and professionals."
My respondent's believes that his unsupported claims simply couldn't be rhetoric because the "overwhelming majority" agree with him. Operative fallacy: Appeal to Popularity (Incidentally my respondent is absolutely correct about the near unanimity of thought regarding the alleged superiority of Canon and Nikon. Where he and the rest of the overwhelming majority fail is in articulating factual information which would establish this purported superiority).
"One thing we've established for sure, though: My critic doesn't own either one."
A fact about which I have already stated, proudly I might add, in this forum. The irony is that before making my purchase, I specifically sought out the opinions and the evaluations of professionals with a view toward understanding why I should just assume the superiority of Canon and Nikon. Most of what I got for my effort is a bunch of specious claims and unending examples of the aforementioned fallacious logic; the remainder was a clutch of unbiased and largely favorable reviews for the products of competing manufacturers, one of which I bought. Next time around, I might buy either a Canon or Nikon, but I will do so because either of those manufacturers builds the camera which best serves my needs within an achievable price range.
"And Sigma? Well....if you don't use it much it might not actually fall off the camera in pieces. Apart from that...."
Well, this is at least a direct claim about the build quality of Sigma products. I have no idea if it's true, but given the respondent's penchant for rhetoric, I can't give the claim much weight.
It's all in the glass....
by Tbear - 5/14/07 7:57 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Personally, I love my Nikon, but to be fair, I was seriously considering the Canon 30D before I purchased. Both camera's are good camera's, both offer great image quality. For me, though, the Nikon had more of the controls within finger reach and the body of the camera felt more substantial to me. Much of your choice will come down to budget and personal preference.
There are many things to consider when moving to DSLR's. You have already done most of them. You have identified what you plan to use the camera for. Everything from lanscapes to macro to multi frames per second. That's a wide range of needs which can all be answered by a DSLR and a variety of lenses.
I agree with many of the others who have posted that you budget may be low. But that's the beauty of SLR's. You can add on as your budget permits. Start with what you will be shooting most - if that's lanscapes, focus on that will meet most of your needs. I caution against purchasing the cheaper lenses - you typically get what you pay for. (see my notes in the Sports Section below)
It's all in the Glass....
There is little difference between the camera bodies any more, the sensors in the Canon and Nikon lines are very good (Canon may be a little better - but I'll not admit that to my Canon friends!). So why is the glass so important? If the sensors are about the same, then what will make the difference in your photo's is the quality of the glass you use to feed the image to the sensor.
Portraits:
An overall good lens, in my opinion is an 18-70mm or 28-70mm or a fixes 85mm.
Lanscapes:
Same as above or even the 18-200mm (fits many needs).
Telephoto:
Depended on the need/use Canon make a great 100-400 and Nikon a 80-400mm. Great for wildlife.
Sports:
I shoot gymnastics (indoors poorly lit, no flash photography permitted), so a low F and fast accurate focus is a must. I use a Nikon 70-200 IF-ED VR f/2.8 lens. Also, the Tamaron 17-50 f/2.8 DXii. The Tamaron does well in full light but is "off slightly" in low light situations and does not have a manual/auto focus capability. With manual/auto focus, the camera's eye will do it's best to automatically focus, but you can adjust (manually) based on what you want to focus on.
DSLR's and Megapixles:
Unless you need to significantly crop photo's or print really large images, don't get hung up on megapixels.
Final Comments:
If you have a friend who already has a digital SLR ask them how they like it. See if they will let you "borrow" their's for a day/hour or something. Use the internet to research the various cameras - many site's provide side by side comaprisions of image quality, durability, features, etc.
You can get a Nikon with the 18-200 lens which handles most of the everyday stuff you mentioned. You can purchase "Tubes" to focus at macro levels if need be. For my Canon friends, the Rebel XT is also an awesome camera.
Hope this helps!
Terry
It's all in the glass....
by parkei - 5/14/07 8:11 AM In reply to: It's all in the glass.... by TbearWhat nikon camera are you using?
D200
by Tbear - 5/14/07 8:36 AM In reply to: It's all in the glass.... by parkeiSorry for leaving that out - I shoot with a Nikon D200.
Quality Point and Shoot digital Cameras.....
by Tbear - 5/15/07 11:08 AM In reply to: It's all in the glass.... by TbearIn my previous post I focused on Canon & Nikon DSLR's - simply because these are the two that I was considering. There are other DSLR out there that may or may not be as good/bad as the Nikon and/or Canon.
This post is to talk about some of the "Point & Shoot" digital camera's. The last point & shoot I purchased was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30. This is also a great camera with awesome features. For one it has a 12x optical zoom (35 - 420 mm equiv) an F2.8 - F11; and 8 megapixels. This is a powerful camera that can accomodate many of the items you mentioned. If you are shooting outdoor, you'll have no problem stopping action and you'll also get 2fps (max). You also get video (if this is important to you) and iso of 80-400. I only replaced this camera because for gymnastics this was not a good match - but that's the only reason.
This is a great camera that I still carry with me because it is very powerful. Todays price is in the neighborhood of: $350.00. More information can be found on Panasonics latest version of this camera at: http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&itemId=106540&catGroupId=24999&modelNo=DMC-FZ8K&surfModel=DMC-FZ8K&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702
Check out http://www.dpreview.com/ for more information on various camera's. Sony makes some excellent Point & Shoot Digitals as well.
FROM OILMANOWEN
by oilmanowen - 5/19/07 4:47 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
HI
MY RECCOMENDATION TO YOU WOULD BE THE NIKON D80 IT IS CAPABLE OF ALL YOU HAVE ASKED.NO SHUTTER LAG, 10 MEGAPIXAL FOR OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPHS.MULTIPLE SHOTS UP TO 5 FRAMES PER SECOND.......
I OWN THIS CAMERA PLUS MULTIPLE NIKON LENSES SO I KNOW FROM WHERE I SPEAK...........YOU CAN GO ON AMAZON AND PURCHASE THIS FINE CAMERA WITH A LENS PACKAGE TO GET YOU STARTED......AND FROM THERE ITS UP TO YOU.........ENJOY YOUR HOBBY......
You might get lucky
by MaryFred - 5/26/07 10:02 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I understand budgets - boy, do I understand budgets. So ... you might be able to find a Canon 20D somewhere and it is a wonderful camera! Yes, Canon has newer versions of the camera but the 20D is a great way to start in Digital SLR. And, since it's one of the "older" cameras, you might get a good deal!
I'm not going to repeat info in the previous responses, but you just can't go wrong with this camera. Fast, flexible, clear shots ... and you have so many lenses from which to choose that you can do anything you want with this camera.
Before everyone jumps on me ... yes, I know that there are newer Canon cameras ... but the 20D is still used by lots and lots of pros. Why spend more money if you don't have to?
Good reading
by vbourk - 5/26/07 6:05 PM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
congrats on going digital
there is an old book that will really help you learn photography
the info on it is:
PHOTOGRAPHY
By Barbara Upton and John Upton
Second Edition
Published by Little,Brown and Company
this a predigital book but it will help you learn about cameras
and photography like a pro
good luck
Another camera
by jakeu1701 - 5/27/07 5:47 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The Sony (read Minolta) A100. This camera is within the price range of the others mentioned, has some very nice features and works with Minolta lesnses.
The reason I put "read Minolta" is because Sony bought camera features from Knonica Minolta. This is a new camera to the dSLR matket, but all the inards are from an industry leader. We still have a Minolta SLR that dates back to the 1970's.
AF, Dust removal CCD, 2.5 LCD, up to ISO 1600, apature controls, and several others. The CNET review on the Sony Alpha 100 dSLR is very helpful.
The other cameras listed in the "approved" response are also reviewd in CNET's hardware section, all well done. They should help greatly when matching features and deciding on what you want.
Finally I can use my Maxxum lens
by ruralamerican - 5/28/07 1:37 PM In reply to: Another camera by jakeu1701I used a Minolta 7000 (I think) before picking up the Oly SP 500UZ and will still break it out at times. Boy am I jazzed to find out there is now a dSLR out there to work with what I already have.
As to the discussion about dSLR and the almost SLR types, I must add that for action photos there is no comparison. My Oly shuts the view finder down while recording just like it does with the main screen rendering following the action useless compounding the painfully apparent shutter lag. I have been wanting to go dSLR for awhile, but have been hanging back to see what develops, because to me, once you get used to a SLR it is hard to do without. As an earlier poster in this thread stated there is not one camera that has it all and why the manufacturers can't get it all in one package I do not understand.
That's what the 'R' in 'SLR' is all about
by VMMan - 5/29/07 7:17 AM In reply to: Finally I can use my Maxxum lens by ruralamericanSLR stands for Single Lens Reflex where 'Reflex' refers to the mirror that allows you to see through the same lens that the film 'sees' through. That freeze-up when you take a snapshot is your camera simulating that mirror flipping out of the way so that the shutter can expose the film. This works well on a camcorder because it reminds you that the image will be frozen on the recording but for a still camera it's almost as stupid as leaving the mirror in there and making it a TRUE SLR.
digital SLR camera
by donhw - 12/21/07 9:42 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Like you I have had several point and shoot digital cameras but earlier this year I bought a Nikon D40- a super camera with rechangeable lens- I can use my old SLR lens with it, It does close up, wide angle fast shutter speed and costs in the region of £400.00, including a nikkor 18 to 55mm telephoto lens. Unlike my previous cameras the battery lasts a long time- I got some prices on the web and Jessops matched the best price. Some firms are offering the same kit for £300.00
Donhw
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