Camera gurus..

[mannasn]

I am considering upgrading to a new digi cam, but I am torn between buying a higher end point-and-shoot vs. a DSLR (been looking at the digital rebel XT). I'm also considering the Canon Powershot S2.

I mainly take family/kid shots, sometimes nature, sometimes sports/action. I am definately an amateur, but hoping to sign up for some online classes if I end up with an SLR. I have my Dad's old 1970s Canon AE that I've been playing around with, but love the ease of digital so spend more time with my point-n-shoot Kodak.

My main complaints with my current camera, and things I'd like to resolve in the next one:
1) Zoom is awful, and pictures always turn out grainy
2) Terrible flash, I can't even take pictures in the relatively well-lit school gym without them turning out dark
3) The lag between photos bugs me, especially if I'm trying to catch a quick shot of my son going down the slide on the playground, etc. Buy the time it shoots, he's already headed back up the ladder! LOL

Maybe these are more user error than camera error, but given the points above - do you think I'd have better luck purchasing a DSLR and learning it in-and-out, or just sticking with point-shoot for vacation photos and etc?

Thanks guys! I'm sure y'all get pesky newbie camera questions like this all the time, so if anyone has any input - I REALLY appreciate it.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

My main complaints with my current camera, and things I'd like to resolve in the next one:
1) Zoom is awful, and pictures always turn out grainy
2) Terrible flash, I can't even take pictures in the relatively well-lit school gym without them turning out dark
3) The lag between photos bugs me, especially if I'm trying to catch a quick shot of my son going down the slide on the playground, etc. Buy the time it shoots, he's already headed back up the ladder! LOL

1. Your kodak must've used digital zoom instead of optical. Also grainy and Kodak, they tend to go hand in hand (actually, during the film era, kodak is famous for its grain characteristics, now they are notorious for its digital grain/noise)

2. Nothing is going to solve this problem (in terms of flash), but if you use a dSLR, you'll get to use ISO1600 so you don't need the flash (in a well-lit gym)

3. Shutter lag is a common thing with any point and shoot, even the highest end one.

Your answer lies with Rebel XT. Pick up the body, forget about the kit lens, get a Sigma 18-200 (not a great lens but it's a good enough all-rounder) or get the body with 18-55 kit lens PLUS buy a 70-300 IS lens.

Stay away from Canon's L-series lenses. Once you try that, virtually no other lens will be good enough.

 

[mannasn]

Thanks for your valuable input, Kelly!

Yes, I'm sure the Kodak I have is a terrible quality camera. It was bought on a whim awhile back. I do like that it has the rechargable battery, but that's about it!

I'm also considering the Canon S2, which seems to get good reviews? I
'm thinking it might be wiser to just go ahead and invest more (cost-wise) into the Rebel, though.

I remember how good all the pics my Dad used to take with his old Canon turned out.. been trying to move in that direction for awhile, just been so bogged down with life (nursing school mainly) that I haven't had much time to invest in hobbies.

 

[manning]

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ30. It is a direct competitor to the Canon s2 is. It has a 35-420 zoom, hotshoe, manual/auto focus and manual zoom.

see review

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/

 

[mannasn]

Thanks for the input, manning.

The more I look at it, the more intimidated I am by the DSLRs and the more disappointed I am at the talk about the point and clicks. There's just no happy medium! LOL

I'm a little worried that I probably won't have the cash to sink into lots of expensive lenses to start out. But I also don't want to invest in another mediocre camera, no matter how inexpensive.

Is the Rebel XT portable enough that you can carry it around for snapshots (like at WDW) or do most folks have a smaller point-and-click for non-photographic occasions.

I need to continue to look into it some more. Thanks, again.

 

[mannasn]

Anyone have any input on how the Nikon D-50 compares to the Rebel XT?

 

[Stephanie218]

I just got the Rebel XT and i LOVE it but I have to say, it is a little larger than the p/s I'm used to carrying around. I used to have a small digital to carry around for snapshots and a 35mm Canon to actually take nicer pictures. I just got back from a week in Hawaii, and I carried the camera around most of the time, but left it if it was going to have to sit in the car for a long time (they have problems with break-ins to rental cars). I'm not an expert or anything, so i don't want to give you advice...but the Rebel is really nice, and it does have a lot of automatic settings so if you're not ready or comfortable with manual for a while, it gives you that option.

Kelly - what is the difference with the L-series lenses? sorry, i'd never heard of them before and I am starting to look for a zoom lens for my rebel now.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

The main difference in L series lens is price. One the lens I use is about $2000 (70-200 f/2.8L IS) and the other is about $1200 (24-105 f/4L IS).

The color and clarity of the L lens is just astounding.

This is a pic taken using the 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens on a 30D at ISO1600, available light only... in the basement. No Photoshop used at all.

If you're looking for a zoom lens for Rebel, may I suggest 70-300 f/5.6 IS from Canon. It's no L lens, but the quality is about 80% there and the price is only about 30% of the equivalent L lens.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Anyone have any input on how the Nikon D-50 compares to the Rebel XT?

2 major things.

1. The D50, IIRC, starts at ISO200 whereas XT starts at ISO100. That alone makes me choose XT (lower ISO = lower noise). Besides, at the same ISO level, if you enlarge your pic to 8x10, you'll see that XT is a tad cleaner than D50.

2. D50 is 6MP and XT is 8MP. When you're talking pictures with lots of tiny details, that makes a difference even at 4x6. (I also own the 6MP Rebel, so I've compared it with my 30D 8MP camera, it makes quite a difference).

Granted, however, if you buy the D50, all you need to buy as a walkaround lens is a Nikkor 18-200 f/5.6 VR (Vibration Reduction) and you're set virtually for life. As a Canon user, even I'm contemplating in buying a D50 with the 18-200 VR lens juist to use as my walkaround camera.

 

[mannasn]

2 major things.

1. The D50, IIRC, starts at ISO200 whereas XT starts at ISO100. That alone makes me choose XT (lower ISO = lower noise). Besides, at the same ISO level, if you enlarge your pic to 8x10, you'll see that XT is a tad cleaner than D50.

Thanks so much, Kelly! You truly ARE a camera guru!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

No I'm not, I just like to gather various information. But thank you for the compliment.

Cheers,
Kelly.

 

[threeprincesses]

Kelly,
Do you have any recommendations on online camera retailers with both good prices and good customer service? Or do you feel its better to do business in person, etc? Also, do you recommend buying the protection plan for cameras in this price range? Thanks in advance, Julie

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Thanks for the input, manning.

The more I look at it, the more intimidated I am by the DSLRs and the more disappointed I am at the talk about the point and clicks. There's just no happy medium! LOL

I'm a little worried that I probably won't have the cash to sink into lots of expensive lenses to start out. But I also don't want to invest in another mediocre camera, no matter how inexpensive.

Is the Rebel XT portable enough that you can carry it around for snapshots (like at WDW) or do most folks have a smaller point-and-click for non-photographic occasions.

I need to continue to look into it some more. Thanks, again.

I am a Rebel XT owner, and I do carry it around at the parks. I personally don't mind at all. We actually have a backpack-style case that all 3 (yes, 3 - We have a p&s Sony digital and a Kodak APS also.) of our cameras fit into. We don't always have all 3 in the case, but usually have at least 2, including the Rebel XT. DH usually wears the backpack, and I wear the XT around my neck if we are leaving it out for a while. I LOVE the camera!

We got our XT about a year ago and took it to WDW in May after I read the manual. Since then, I have learned a great deal about the camera and am currently using the manual setting most of the time. Last May, we mostly used the Auto setting. So, you can use the camera while learning about it, and for me, it has been a lot of fun. I am not an expert however. But I hope this helps.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Protection plan: well, unless you are very acute and intelligent enough to understand the clauses in whats covered and otherwise, I strongly suggest you to stay away from it. I'm not smart enough to understand the loopholes and kept falling into their loopholes. After 3 times falling into their loopholes, I no longer buy protection plan.

I really try to support my local business. So if there is a slight differences in pricing between local business vs online, I will go to my regular store. However, if the price difference is astounding, I go online and just forget about customer service. Just make sure that the place you're buying from is recognized by the manufacturer as an authorized dealer (Canon, Nikon, or whatever brand you ended up buying). Because you can buy a legitimate US Canon item but from a non-approved dealer by Canon, you won't get service from Canon.

B+H and Adorama are the two places that are recognized by both Canon Canada and USA. Nikon Canada will NOT touch even US-bought Nikon product (even if you're willing to pay for service).

B+H tend to be pricier than Adorama but I've received defective products from both of them once and B+H helped me out in a big way whereas with Adorama I received no help whatsoever (I ended up have to open a dispute through my credit card company before getting the issue resolved).