Moving from a Cannon G11 point and shoot to a DSLR. Where to go?

[MolonLabe]

First, I am very, very happy with our cannon G11. The outdoor pictures we took last time at WDW were as good or better than what the photopass people took of us.

That said, when we return to WDW for Christmas I plan on doing a lot of night shooting and even on the night time settings, it is just too hard (and takes too long) to take acceptable pictures. That is where the photopass pics shined. Not to mention, it helps they had a real flash, as opposed to the dinky one built in to the G11.

During our dinner at Ashkurs and CRT for example, the pictures were good, but no where near great. When we go back, I want to have something that will be able to do excellent in low/weird lighting, not to mention I'd like to take some of my own shots of the Christmas lights, Castle and decorations all over WDW.

I really don't know much about DSLR's. I have used a friends cannon DSLR, he is a semi-pro and has a very high end camera that is amazing. The picture quality... wow. I don't think I want to spend what he has, I think he said the body alone was 3,500.

I was in Costco today and it reminded I need to get a camera and have enough time to really learn how to use.

They have a $949.99 after $300 OFF Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera with 18-55 & 55-300mm VR Lenses, Case, 4GB 30MB/s SD Card
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11659644

This one is less expensive but what am I giving up?

Canon EOS Rebel T2i with 2 lens, bag, 8g sd card package for 799 delivered-
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...essionID=86a512bf-620e-4db6-8baa-6dfeb345de43

I like Cannon and I'd like to stick with them but I am not opposed to going Nikon either. I'm not stuck on costco either, I just tend to shop a lot there.

I don't know enough about lens either, but starting out I figure I need one for close up (3 feet to 15 feet) and then one for further away.

My price range... I don't want to set a firm limit, as with most products, I assume cameras have a similar bell curve where the return for features and performance goes down after reaching a certain price point. I'd like to stay under $1,500 for a package but if I could get a significant increase by going up a couple hundred dollars, I could justify it. That price point would hopefully include a flash, or the money to buy one and still be in budget. The last thing I want is to spend $1,000+ dollars on something marginally better than the G11.

FWIW I see some of these have HD video capability. I have a HD camcorder already, so that isn't crucial for me. Although my friends DSlR camera has some amazing HD video he can shoot with it. I'm pretty happy with the JVC Everio HD camcorder we have now.

SO what do you say DISphotogs?

 

[wbeem]

Don't let brand loyalty make your decision here. There is no relationship between a Canon P&S and a Canon DSLR. That said, Canon makes some great products and some lemons. The Canon 24-70mm lens is not one of their best efforts, but the 70-200mm is outstanding. The new 5D Mk III has reports of light leaks, but people generally love the 5D line.

When I shot film, I used Olympus & Minolta cameras. When I went digital, Canon and Nikon were the major players. I knew I could take great photos with either one. My decision to choose Nikon came down to how it felt in my hand and where I could access the controls.

Later, I learned other features about Nikon that I liked, so that just reinforced my decision and I've stayed with it for three bodies.

Of course, buying a DSLR means you're buying into a system. Lenses aren't interchangeable across different brands. If you buy a Canon and decide to switch to Nikon, you start all over to buy your glass.

 

[photo_chick]

IMO the T2i gives you more camera for your money than the Nikon D5100. But it's all relative to what you need and what fits in your hands well. You can't go wrong with any DSLR on the market right now, they all are capable of making great images. That said, a camera is only as good as it's user and if you use it like a point and shoot you will get point and shoot results.

Spend some time learning about features and decde which ones you really want in a camera. Then go to the store and play.

 

[MolonLabe]

Don't let brand loyalty make your decision here. There is no relationship between a Canon P&S and a Canon DSLR. That said, Canon makes some great products and some lemons. The Canon 24-70mm lens is not one of their best efforts, but the 70-200mm is outstanding. The new 5D Mk III has reports of light leaks, but people generally love the 5D line.

When I shot film, I used Olympus & Minolta cameras. When I went digital, Canon and Nikon were the major players. I knew I could take great photos with either one. My decision to choose Nikon came down to how it felt in my hand and where I could access the controls.

Later, I learned other features about Nikon that I liked, so that just reinforced my decision and I've stayed with it for three bodies.

Of course, buying a DSLR means you're buying into a system. Lenses aren't interchangeable across different brands. If you buy a Canon and decide to switch to Nikon, you start all over to buy your glass.

Thank you for the reply. I believe in the adage, buy once, cry once, as opposed to going half way and then having to do it all over.

It would seem, as I start to acquire lens and accessories, I'll be sticking with one brand.

I've gone thru your sight and you do a great job listing your gear and reasoning behind it. That said, I would probably appreciate more if I know what some of the terms you were talking about meant.

Do you have a book or website you can recommend where I can learn more about the basics and more advanced world of digital photography? The internet can be full of bias based on brand loyalty or whatever. You seem to have a great handle on things and your photographs are excellent. Heck your shot of the Castle from OMDD has been the background on my laptop for a month, lol.

I think I'm in over my head and I'd like to put in a few solid hours of reading to make a better decision.

I may just come to the decision that I need to bite the bullet and save for another couple months and buy a $2,000 body right out of the gate.

My daughters aren't getting any younger and I want to do my best at capturing everything I can as perfectly as I can.

Our last trip to WDW made me realize I'd been making due with P&S cameras way to long. I had too many night / low light shots that are dull or washed out or way over shadowed of priceless moments that I will never be able to get back.

Thanks, from a fellow Native Floridian (currently displaced to the midwest).

 

[wbeem]

Thank you for the reply. I believe in the adage, buy once, cry once, as opposed to going half way and then having to do it all over.

It would seem, as I start to acquire lens and accessories, I'll be sticking with one brand.

I've gone thru your sight and you do a great job listing your gear and reasoning behind it. That said, I would probably appreciate more if I know what some of the terms you were talking about meant.

Do you have a book or website you can recommend where I can learn more about the basics and more advanced world of digital photography? The internet can be full of bias based on brand loyalty or whatever. You seem to have a great handle on things and your photographs are excellent. Heck your shot of the Castle from OMDD has been the background on my laptop for a month, lol.

I think I'm in over my head and I'd like to put in a few solid hours of reading to make a better decision.

I may just come to the decision that I need to bite the bullet and save for another couple months and buy a $2,000 body right out of the gate.

My daughters aren't getting any younger and I want to do my best at capturing everything I can as perfectly as I can.

Our last trip to WDW made me realize I'd been making due with P&S cameras way to long. I had too many night / low light shots that are dull or washed out or way over shadowed of priceless moments that I will never be able to get back.

Thanks, from a fellow Native Floridian (currently displaced to the midwest).

Thanks for the nice words.

The first thing I'll tell you is that the basics of exposure are easy, as long as you get a decent explanation of it. The book that I and many others have recommended is called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

I have an eBook called Basic Photography Techniques that gives a foundation of exposure and lenses. I'm doing some changes to it to remove some Disney photos to replace them with others, but should have it online by the end of the week for $1 or $2 - haven't quite decided yet.

While I may have chosen Nikon, I'd be the first to tell you that you can create wonderful images with just about any camera on the market that lets you control your exposure variables - ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed.

Let us know which terms you would like to better understand. I'm sure the group here can help you with anything you need, and I'll try to do my best to help, also. We were all new to this stuff at one time or another.

 

[bob100]

First, I am very, very happy with our cannon G11. The outdoor pictures we took last time at WDW were as good or better than what the photopass people took of us.

That said, when we return to WDW for Christmas I plan on doing a lot of night shooting and even on the night time settings, it is just too hard (and takes too long) to take acceptable pictures. That is where the photopass pics shined. Not to mention, it helps they had a real flash, as opposed to the dinky one built in to the G11.

During our dinner at Ashkurs and CRT for example, the pictures were good, but no where near great. When we go back, I want to have something that will be able to do excellent in low/weird lighting, not to mention I'd like to take some of my own shots of the Christmas lights, Castle and decorations all over WDW.

I really don't know much about DSLR's. I have used a friends cannon DSLR, he is a semi-pro and has a very high end camera that is amazing. The picture quality... wow. I don't think I want to spend what he has, I think he said the body alone was 3,500.

I was in Costco today and it reminded I need to get a camera and have enough time to really learn how to use.

They have a $949.99 after $300 OFF Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera with 18-55 & 55-300mm VR Lenses, Case, 4GB 30MB/s SD Card
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11659644

This one is less expensive but what am I giving up?

Canon EOS Rebel T2i with 2 lens, bag, 8g sd card package for 799 delivered-
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...essionID=86a512bf-620e-4db6-8baa-6dfeb345de43

I like Cannon and I'd like to stick with them but I am not opposed to going Nikon either. I'm not stuck on costco either, I just tend to shop a lot there.

I don't know enough about lens either, but starting out I figure I need one for close up (3 feet to 15 feet) and then one for further away.

My price range... I don't want to set a firm limit, as with most products, I assume cameras have a similar bell curve where the return for features and performance goes down after reaching a certain price point. I'd like to stay under $1,500 for a package but if I could get a significant increase by going up a couple hundred dollars, I could justify it. That price point would hopefully include a flash, or the money to buy one and still be in budget. The last thing I want is to spend $1,000+ dollars on something marginally better than the G11.

FWIW I see some of these have HD video capability. I have a HD camcorder already, so that isn't crucial for me. Although my friends DSlR camera has some amazing HD video he can shoot with it. I'm pretty happy with the JVC Everio HD camcorder we have now.

SO what do you say DISphotogs?

I'm also a Canon shooter and agree the T2i (550D) would be a good selection, if you shoot a lot of sports the 60D or 7D would be good choices for the additional features like a faster "burst rate" and controls. Either way you're be pleased at the upgrade.

 

[MolonLabe]

Let us know which terms you would like to better understand. I'm sure the group here can help you with anything you need, and I'll try to do my best to help, also. We were all new to this stuff at one time or another.

Thank you. I have a million questions right now but after some reading and familiarizing myself with the exposure triangle I'm down to about 750k

I'm going to grab that book from the library in the nexy 2 days and that should help a lot of getting down the basics.

Bob- I don't do much sports so that shouldn't be an issue. I would like to have a well rounded camera though.

Thanks guys, I be back with a bunch of questions next week after I'm a bit more familiar with the subject.