Dslr

[wdwfan16]

We have decided to buy a DLSR.

I am sure many here have them.

We want the pros and cons of your cameras. What features that you think are a must, a wish or a waste. If you were getting another camera would you get the same one or a different one, Would you get the same brand or a different brand. Anything else you think is important.

We don't need to buy ASAP. TIA

 

[ukcatfan]

If you are going with an entry level, the choice I would look at are Pentax K-x, Nikon D5000, Canon T1i or T2i, and some Sony and Olympus but I don't know the models. My preference is the camera I have, the Pentax K-x. It is the best deal going right now for the bang for the buck. It has some of the best specs of the bunch and is one of the cheapest as well. There are a few categories where the other cameras are slightly better, like slightly larger LCD screens (2.7" vs. 3") but they are pretty much the things that do not affect the ability to capture images. I would also suggest that you not be too influenced by higher MPs. The T1i and T2i have the highest in the class, but for the vast majority of people they are not a benefit and make the files sizes larger. Higher MPs are beneficial if you plan to print a lot at poster sizes, but not many people do that.

They are all nice cameras and I am sure that you will be happy with whatever you get. Be sure to do your research so that you get the one that is best for you.

 

[photo_chick]

To me live view is a waste on a DSLR since it defeats a main reason why I personally have a DSLR and not another type of camera. But I know others that like live view.

All DSLR's, and all of the mirrorless cameras from what I've seen, have the general features I'd consider necessary. As do many high end point and shoots.

My favorite feature on the current crop of consumer DSLRs.. high ISO with less noise. This is where the Rebel T2i pulls out ahead of the pack, IMO. But it also costs more. I have the Canon 50D, which is on par with the T1i as far as ISO range and noise, and I love ISO 6400.. though I'd love it even more with less noise.

I agree that you shouldn't put much weight on megapixels. A 4mp image can make a billboard if the file is handled properly. To me it's kind of like CPU speeds.. at a certain point it just isn't a huge factor.

If I were starting over from scratch I'd give Pentax serious consideration. Not saying I'd go that way, but I'd consider it.

But what features are important to you? That's the real question.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Canon is my choice but i also really enjoy my sony nex 3 which does video better than my old nikon d90 and my canon t2i. If you do not need zoom greater than about 80mm then i would give the sony nex 3 serious though especially right from sony style where you cam get the 18-55 zoom and the 16mm lens for$ 700 and add 3years or accidential damage for$ 150.

Also you want to hold the camera before you buy as well.

If you plan on making an investment into lenses it will help to know nikon glass tends to be more expensive than canon. Signs and tamron make good lenses for both.

My vote though is canon or the sony nex

 

[wdwfan16]

Thanks.

We want it for nature type photos. We would like to have video for animals we see. I think a telephoto lense would be needed. I would also like a wide angle lense too. I doubt we would ever print a poster.

I will look into the ones listed here.

Other feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks.

We want it for nature type photos. We would like to have video for animals we see. I think a telephoto lense would be needed. I would also like a wide angle lense too. I doubt we would ever print a poster.

I will look into the ones listed here.

Other feedback is greatly appreciated.

The faster burst rate of the K-x might be a really nice feature for nature shots.
K-x - 4.7 fps
D5000 - 4 fps
T2i - 3.7 fps

They also offer a really nice deal on a two lens kit with an 18-55mm and a 55-300mm.

 

[YesDear]

Everything everyone has said has been good advise. You have heard from Canon, Pentax and Sony fans. I am a Nikon fan. Rather than give you the things I like about Nikon, you need to go to a camera store, not a big box and ask to play with each of them. You need to pick the one that feels good in your hand and you can understand the buttons and controls.

If you want to shoot nature, you will eventually want a longer telephoto lens. Ask to see some and see the length of lens you will want to get the types of animals you are looking to shoot.. Depending on what you want to shoot, you will probably need some fairly long glass. While there are manufacturers of lens that will fit all cameras, Nikon and Canon are probably the best glass makers for their own cameras. Just a point to make.

 

[Master Mason]

Personally I chose canon several years ago, and am invested to the point I couldn't switch.

If I were starting fresh, I would have to seriously look at both Nikon and Pentax for different reasons. I wouldn't choose Sony or Olympus because of personal reasons, rather than technical ones.

Having said that, the best thing I can say is go play with them, one will jump out at you either for ergonomics, or the intuitiveness of the menus, that's the one you should get.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Thanks.

We want it for nature type photos. We would like to have video for animals we see. I think a telephoto lense would be needed. I would also like a wide angle lense too. I doubt we would ever print a poster.

I will look into the ones listed here.

Other feedback is greatly appreciated.

You should know that many DSLR cameras that take video, do not focus very fast, if they focus automatically at all. In fact, If your subject is going to move, you may find the DSLR slow and disappointing - a nice cam corder kicks the butt of the DSLR with video any day, except when it comes to the versatility of using the DSLR lenses.

If you are looking at a long lens, take a look at either the sigma 150-500mm or the Sigma Bigma 50-500mm. Sigma makes that lens for almost every camera mount (Sony, Pentex, Sigma, Nikon and Canon) I have the Bigma 50-500mm with OS (optical stabilization) which is $1500 (the 150-500 OS is $1000). Both lenses need lots of light and for the price, are excellent lenses. But the Bigma is a HUGE lens and has a 95mm filter (Oh and a good filter will set you back 50 to 150.) Here are some pictures I took at the safari park in VA, the majority are taken with the Bigma: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20331&id=1785222954&l=b6a8276dd1

Sigma and Tokina both make wide angle lenses that are pretty good. We use the Sigma 10-20mm at work and it's WIDE! But you may also consider the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 which is one of the best Image Stabilzed lenses in Canon's line up and is one of my favorite work horse lenses.

If you are on a budget, you can also look at older bodies, like the Canon 30d. I sold my old 30d for $300 a few months ago with no lenses - you can pick up an 18-55 IS lens (the kit lens) for like $50 anywhere used.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Of course, if Video is what you're looking at in the future, you may be interested in this beauty:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10551&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666239819

It's sony's new camcorder that takes DSLR lenses. If it's anything like they taunt and considering the nex 3 rocks, I'd be looking at possibly investing in the Sony or Minolta DSLR to be able to use your lenses with this.

Of course, you will see Canon counter this Sony beauty in the next year - it's causing too much fuss already. And Canon unlike Nikon or Pentex, also makes Cam Corders, so it's only natural, Canon will come up with a comparable product (but that's just my educated guess.)

 

[zackiedawg]

Nature photography is my primary hobby - mostly birds and small wildlife. But I'm also a huge fan of night photography, travel photography, landscape work, and high ISO/low light handheld shooting.

I fully agree with all the folks above who recommended handling any cameras you are considering...ergonomics are a very important factor, and should be a big consideration - there are all great DSLRs out there from all the manufacturers - you're not going to get a lemon or a bad one be it Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, or Olympus. And all will likely have every accessory and every lens that 99% of shooters would ever need. So the differences in body sizes, weights, grip designs, etc need to be what fits you best.

I chose my Sony A550 not because it was better than other cameras I looked at - there are others that have many of the same abilities, features, image quality, etc...but I shopped for the ergonomics that worked best for me, and the key features I personally felt would work for my types of photography and my shooting style and needs. The key things I liked about the A550 were: the autofocus speed, the continuous shooting speed (5 frames-per-second with AF, 7 frames-per-second with fixed focus), the high ISO ability (I can shoot clean at ISO6400, and ISO12800 in a pinch), the live view and tilt screen (though I primarily shoot with the optical viewfinder, I like having live view for odd-angle shooting, tripod shooting at night, and the ability to see around corners and branches when I'm in hard-to-get situations...I particularly like Sony's unique system of live view as it's the only DSLR LV system with full autofocus speed and no shutter or shooting delays), the massive battery life (over 1,000 shots CIPA rated, and with a minutes-remaining battery meter on screen), the in-body stabilization (I like being able to have all lenses, new or used, zoom or prime, be stabilized), and dual memory card slots.

Having a great selection of Sony, Minolta, or third-party lenses (like Pentax & Canon, all Sony cameras are fully compatible with autofocus on all older AF lenses), and at great used prices, and all with stabilization, is a nice perk.

Those were my personal reasons - but no camera brand is 'better' than any other for everyone. They're all excellent tools that can yield professional results in the hands of a great photographer - so you just have to pick the key features you can't live without and find the one that fits you like a glove, the most comfortably.

 

[wdwfan16]

Thanks for all the input. Video is a secondary consideration. I just thought it would be nice to have it for the occasional need. I will definitely start going out and trying the feel of the bodies.

The facebook photos are exactly what I want to shoot.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We want the pros and cons of your cameras. What features that you think are a must, a wish or a waste. If you were getting another camera would you get the same one or a different one, Would you get the same brand or a different brand. Anything else you think is important.

I fly the Olympus flag. There are only a few of us here.

Olympus is a company that's been around since 1919 beginning with microscope production. They have a strong camera and lens making history as well, specializing in making neat, smaller cameras throughout the decades of the last century, which they saw as a need for many (which still rings true today). When they began making dSLRs, they strayed a bit from the rest of the crowd, as they always had. They developed a "4/3" sensor style which enabled a smaller, lighter camera. Along with that their dSLRs offered some industry leading technology such as in body Image Stabilization, automatic (sensor) Dust Reduction and Live View (features initially scoffed at by others, then copied.) Today, they are a worldwide leader in medical scopes (with obviously excellent glass), but they recently created an industry breakthrough with their mirrorless cameras (which again, were also initially scoffed at, now every brand is developing). Just as a background into Olympus, and part of what attracted me to them.

Choices (of entry level dSLRS) today are much improved and varied over what they were when I first began looking in 2007. But back then, I definitely wanted smaller and innovative, and Olympus fit the bill. Given that, I don't think I would do anything differently if I had it to do over again.

Seeing that I was coming from using a Canon S3IS - which I loved - when I made the decision to go to a dSLR, I figured I'd move on to a Canon Rebel (the XT at the time). But at the time, I couldn't wrap my head around that particular purchase. Granted, the Rebel was a top seller, but it didn't have many of the nice features the Olympus E510 had. And I researched for months. (I happen to love research!) Olympus made more sense for me from a features and personal shooting style perspective, and what sealed the decision was the ergonomics - how it felt in my hands. I loved it from the first time I picked it up and that was really important to me. Having never used an SLR before, I was nervous about it. I knew I needed to feel comfortable with what I was using if I was going to learn this new skill to the level I wanted to, which was in-depth. I was relatively pleased with my pictures once I learned how to use it.

Several months ago I upgraded to an Olympus E30 and I love it. There's still a ton I'm learning, but the transition was much easier than the one from bridge camera to dSLR. I plan to purchase of an Olympus PEN (mirrorless w/ same sensor as E30) which will allow me to have a smaller, yet very capable set up using all of my Olympus lenses with an adaptor. A Win-Win as far as I'm concerned as I'll have my dSLR as well as a complete and equally capable smaller set up when I want or need it.

Downsides? (Because, yes, there are always downsides to just any purchase.) High ISO performance on the 4/3 sensor isn't generally as good as is on cameras with larger sensors. Was this a deal breaker for me? No, it wasn't. I looked at it as a challenge to see what I could get out of this thing despite this drawback, and that in and of itself, I believe, has led me to become a better photographer: I had to really work for those good low light shots. With that said, the E30 is much better @ higher ISO than the E510 was. I recently shot a friend's theatrical performance at max ISO and was very pleased with the results. (BTW Noise Reduction software is a Must Have for any digital camera user.) Another is that Olympus, in focusing on their mirrorless cameras right now (which they'd be dumb not to), understandably hasn't done much with their dSLRs of late, however as a company they've pledged to continue their dSLR line and hopefully they'll continue their growth and improvement once the dust settles on their mirrorless frenzy. Those are basically my two biggest concerns, but as I've said, I'm not really worried about either or I would have switched brands when I upgraded recently.

Sorry for the "book", but I do like to share what I like about Olympus whenever I can. Most people don't know much about them.