opinions please....take a 35mm camera on board or a digital?

[Minnie&Mickey]

I am hoping that they have fixed some of the faults of the Canon Rebel on the new XT.

I have a question for the experts...I currently have a little Olympus digital camera (I think it is a 720?). I takes decent pictures, but I would really like a digital SLR so that I can change lenses to zoom in on things. I also have a 35mm Minolta Maxxum camera with two different lenses...one is the standard lens that it came with and the other is a 300mm zoom which I use quite often. I know that Minolta has come out with a Maxxum digital that my lenses would fit on, but the price is currently around $1600 and I think my husband would have major objections to spending that much on a new camera. On the other hand, I can buy a Canon Digital Rebel for about half as much, but then I would still need to buy a 300mm zoom for it. I have several special occasions coming up that I would love to have the camera for...youngest daughter's prom (if we survive all the prom drama!!!) in April, a cruise in June, and my oldest daughter's college graduation in September. If it were you, what would you do, buy the Maxxum digital or buy the Rebel and new lenses?

 

[smchan]

I haven't read through all of the replies yet, but I just want to say that last cruise I took both a 2MP digital camera and my trusty 35MM. My 35MM photos came out so much nicer. Perhaps I'll have to look into buying a better digital...who knows.

I checked out your pictures. First, I think you've got a good eye. I especially liked your photos from about the ship: Animator's Palette, the ship's stores, and on deck.

As for the quality of your digital pictures, I don't think the issue is so much the number of megapixels as it is the overall quality and capability of the camera. As for the "light" or exposure problems you mentioned - more megapixels won't fix that. Check out this picture, for example:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/248526902/248529571GnfFxt

Those color specks or grain you see is digital noise and it's a characteristic of the sensor that's probably been exacerbated by the picture being under exposed. Cranking up the sensor sensitivity (ISO) will also bring out the noise.

Your exterior shots look fine to me. Not overly noisy and good exposure.

More megapixels enables heavier cropping and magnification of a photo. But even then, I think other camera capabilities should be considered. For instance, outside of price, I'd take a 4.1 megapixel Nikon D2Hs sports camera over the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 or 6 megapixel Digital Rebel any day of the week for overall capability - but the D2Hs is a $3200 camera that can rip off 8 frames per second and has lightning fast focus speed. I'd also take either the D70 or Digital Rebel over any point-n-shoot consumer camera with more megapixels just because I like the flexibility of changing my own lens and have more creative options available to me.

Sam

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Wow! Sam, I just looked at some of your pictures and they are awesome! Your children are just beautiful! You are making me want a new digital even more!

 

[smchan]

If it were you, what would you do, buy the Maxxum digital or buy the Rebel and new lenses?

Depends. What's the replacement cost of your old lenses and, if you were willing, what would they fetch on ebay? If you're talking nice, fast lenses that cost $1,000+, I'd be inclined to stick with my existing system, else I'd look elsewhere.

I personally prefer Nikon but Canon has more options available body-wise right now and both have a great selection of lenses. Canon is very slightly lacking on the wide-angle side for DSLRs vis-a-vis Nikon, and Nikon has slightly better ergonomics and usability - but once you get familiar with whatever camera you select, it shouldn't be an issue. I *think* Canon has focus motors in all their lenses which, if true, would be a bonus to me as the focus motor is slow in my Nikon and I sometimes miss the shot waiting for it to lock on. (If I had a pro-level Nikon, this wouldn't be an issue.) The prosumer level Canons also lack a spot meter which is an important function to me.

Here's a review of the least expensive Nikon DSLR if you're interested:
http://www.bythom.com/D70REVIEW.HTM

Sam

 

[smchan]

Wow! Sam, I just looked at some of your pictures and they are awesome! Your children are just beautiful! You are making me want a new digital even more!

Thank you! I thank the Lord everyday that my kids look more like my wife than me.

Sam

 

[rocketralph]

When we went, I took a Olympus C750 4MP and a Sony Cybershot DSC-U30 2MP. I probably took more pictures with the Sony 2MP camera because of the size. I could carry it around in my pocket and I would hardly notice it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rtc19...=&.done=http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks for the great advice, smchan!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

If you're talking nice, fast lenses that cost $1,000+, I'd be inclined to stick with my existing system, else I'd look elsewhere.

No, one lens is just the original that came with the camera and the other is a Quantaray (probably spelled that wrong) that my kids gave me for Christmas in 2003. I think it cost around $200. I have a good friend that takes pictures for the MousePlanet website and he also swears by Nikon cameras. My father loved Nikon too (he has since passed away), and until I my daughters bought me the zoom lens, I was using my father's old Nikon with his lenses. I'm sure those lenses probably wouldn't work on a newer Nikon, although my mother has told me that I can have any of them that I want. I guess I will need to start watching prices on the Nikon D70 now! By the way, I haven't read through all of the previous posts, but is the D70 the camera that you are using?

 

[mecook]

I rec'd a Fugi FinePix A210 for Christmas. It is a 3.2mp.
We bought a card reader and dumped the first photos onto the computer.
They haven't been printed yet because my printer is just not up to it.
The problem I've found is that even though the shots looked great on the back of the camera, they look dark when viewed on the computer. I've tried editing a few of them, but I KNOW I shouldn't have to do this on every shot and refuse to do so. I'll stick with my 35mm point and shoot before I do.
I've still got to burn them to a CD and take them to be printed.

I took the smaller card to Rite-Aid and used the Kodak machine to edit and print those shots. They looked dark on their screen too, but most of them came out pretty good.

Any advice for me?

Melanie

 

[GrumpyMom1]

I am also seriously considering getting a DSLR. I have purchased 2 digital cameras in the past 2 years. They both take good pictures and the newer one has a 10x zoom and plenty of manual controls. But I still find myself wanting something better, especially when I see photos like Sam's. I love the D70 and I'm also interested in the new Canon.

So my question is - has anyone who has taken as DSLR on the cruise regret having to lug it around? I'm thinking that the benefits of those great pictures will outway the inconvenience.

 

[smchan]

So my question is - has anyone who has taken as DSLR on the cruise regret having to lug it around? I'm thinking that the benefits of those great pictures will outway the inconvenience.

I actually have 2 backpacks: a small LowePro Micro Trekker and a much larger LowePro CompuTrekker AW. I pack everything in the big bag and then when I venture out (to shows, dinner, etc), I select the equipment most appropriate for the photos I want to take and carry it in the smaller bag. One of these days, I'll get a small waist pack for my camera, 1 lens and flash for even lighter loads.

Sam

 

[smchan]

The problem I've found is that even though the shots looked great on the back of the camera, they look dark when viewed on the computer. I've tried editing a few of them, but I KNOW I shouldn't have to do this on every shot and refuse to do so.

If the camera consistently underexposes, look for a setting that will allow you to apply some compensation to the exposure in camera. Exposure compensation is expressed as EV steps. Try dialing in +1/3 or +1/2 (depending on what your camera supports) and work your way up until you find a satisfactory setting.

Check page 32 of your manual to see how to set EV in your camera. Here's a link to your manual: http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/bin/A210_A205Manuals_1.pdf

Sam

 

[smchan]

My father loved Nikon too (he has since passed away), and until I my daughters bought me the zoom lens, I was using my father's old Nikon with his lenses. I'm sure those lenses probably wouldn't work on a newer Nikon, although my mother has told me that I can have any of them that I want. I guess I will need to start watching prices on the Nikon D70 now! By the way, I haven't read through all of the previous posts, but is the D70 the camera that you are using?

Sounds almost exactly like me story. Except in my case, I was using an old Canon AE1, married a lovely lady who's dad loved Nikon and he gave her some sweet equipment. (He, too, has passed away.) So I got hooked on Nikon, and I still use that old equipment too.

As for lens compatibility - you might be surprised. Nikon is very good about backward compatibility. I think even some of the old manual focus lenses might work on the latest Nikon DSLRs, and if your mom has a good lens collection, I'd use it if it works and is in good condition. Older lens will have some limitations: focus speed, manual vs. auto focus, and metering limitations, but if it saves some startup costs, it's worth it.

One of my favorite lenses is a 50/1.4 AF that is 20 years old. It works great on my Nikon D100 and my best show pictures on the Magic were taken with that lens. My manuals have compatibility charts, so if you get serious, write down your list of lenses and send to me; I'd be happy to look at the charts to see what's supported. (They might be available somewhere online as well.)

As for your Minolta lenses, I wouldn't let that drive my system decision if your investment is only $200 or so. JMHO of course. I was thinking maybe you had $2000-$3000+ in lenses which would make me think hard about switching.

Though I have a D100 now, I'd be inclined to buy a D70 or a D2H depending on budget if I didn't already have a DSLR.

Sam

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

My manuals have compatibility charts, so if you get serious, write down your list of lenses and send to me; I'd be happy to look at the charts to see what's supported. (They might be available somewhere online as well.)

Thanks so much for your help, Sam! I'll have to take an inventory of what my father left behind and see what there is. If some of my father's old lenses are compatible it would definitely help in the decision making process. My biggest problem in making this purchase is convincing my husband that it is necessary. While he loves our Minolta (he uses it more than I do on trips), he is totally not into anything that has to do with digital or even computers, and never understands my love for all this stuff.

By the way, my MousePlanet photographer friend also has the D100. He loves it!

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[scrapperjill]

Sam

I just had a chance to take a look at your albums...Great shots. What can you tell us about those panoramic shots...ie lens and settings? I especialy like all your night shots around the ship...and of course the show pics...they were awesome.

Thanks

 

[smchan]

What can you tell us about those panoramic shots...ie lens and settings? I especialy like all your night shots around the ship...and of course the show pics...they were awesome.

Regarding the panoramas, I won't necessarily share how I did it because I goofed and had to fix the exposure in Photoshop. So I'll tell you how I *think* I should've done it:

1) Determine the exposure by spot metering a bright portion of the scene and then bumping up the settings +1-2 stops. (This is where I goofed. I metered off the sky and then failed to compensate the exposure accordingly.)
2) Set the camera on a tripod with the lens swiveling on the nodal point. (Read this tutorial for detail: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/pano/index.html)
3) Fire away! I keep heavy (50%) overlap in my panos, and I make note of the focal length.
4) Stitch together in Photoshop or Panorama Factory.

My panos are typically ~8 pictures with lots of overlap shot at roughly 20mm. However, I've done some at 50mm with good results. I used a Nikon 17-55/2.8 DX and the aforementioned, old Nikon 50/1.4.

Night shots are long exposure pictures with a tripod. I wish I had done those shortly after sunset instead of late night. I've written a lot about my approach to show pictures (exposure is tricky) but, in a nutshell, I use a fast lens (the old 50/1.4 usually!) and spot member off the performers face or costume depending on which is more brightly lit.

Sam

 

[Jhalkias]

I found this post very interesting, as I too have been doing photography for a long time - my undergraduate degree was in Art with an emphasis in photography. I still love my Canon A-1 from my college days, but find I use it less and less if at all now that I worry more about quick photos of my 5 yr old than the composition.

It now seems that I have bought three digital cameras in the last three years. My biggest concern is size and portability. Besides that, quality of image and the power pack are also important. My latest camera is a canon 5mp digital elph, and I love this camera. We took it with us on our trip to WDW earlier this month.

I cannot even begin to imagine carrying around my A-1 with at least 3 lenses when I am on vacation. I am annoyed by my fanny pack with cell phone, camera, Camcorder (I have a very small Sony digital camcorder too) and sunglasses. I am amazed when I see people with tripods on their backs walking around.

I am sure that they all get great and often superior shots to what I get, but what kind of vacation is that, carrying around all that gear?

That being said, I have yet to be afraid about losing my digital photos, any more than I was afraid about losing film. In fact I was more afraid with film. I am really excited though about the new iPod photo, with the promise that you can transfer photos directly to the iPod. If this comes true, it will be my next iPod, and I will be taking it with me, and transfering photos to it.

I do carry my iPod with me (it is a necessity on the airplane), but NEVER carry my laptop with me on vacation.

 

[smchan]

I am sure that they all get great and often superior shots to what I get, but what kind of vacation is that, carrying around all that gear?

I guess the same way people spend a lot of time in the Internet cafe aboard the ships?

As for me, pursuit of photography in itself is a relaxing hobby, so I don't mind lugging the equipment. However, I don't carry it ALL the time on vacation looking for that shot. Rather, I plan what I want and carry my camera to capture then I'm done. For instance, my panos were taken before we were cleared to go ashore at Castaway Cay and again near the end of the day. I left the gear in the room and carried a cheap underwater disposable the rest of the time.

Sam

 

[lkohawaii]

For all of you looking at Sam's photos. Let me tell you it's the photographer not the camera. I know from all that Sam has shared with me. He's just too humble to tell you he's just very talented at taking photos. He's a wealth of info for anyone who needs it.
Now, Sam don't post about you just being an amature...you're far from it in my book. Oh, and by the way sam I have yet to see a picture of "the great one".

 

[Jhalkias]

Sam,

If that is what brings you peace and relaxation then it is definitely a good way to spend the vacation for you! All of us have different ideas on what vacations should be.

Photography is a great way to not only remember what you have seen, but to beautifully and artfully bring others into that experience. From what others have posted here, you must have that talent in abundance!

And I have to admit, I am in awe when I see those folks at the internet cafe spending all that time there. I often think I spend too much time online at home - but at home I don't have the ocean, a beautiful ship, warm weather (at least not in December!) and wonderous ports to go to.

At some point, I am going to splurge on a digital SLR - maybe at that point, and when my daughter is a bit older, I will once again find the love of quality photography while on vacation. What you can do in a digital darkroom like photoshop is amazing to me - compared to my olden days in a real darkroom with all the chemicals, trays, and mess.

John