| Author | Thread |
|
|
12/01/2004 11:19:17 AM · #1 |
I'm REALLY excited today, as an insurance claim on a keyboard of mine that got stolen has been approved, and the proceeds are enough to fund the purchase of a Minolta Dynax/Maxuum 7D. The order has been placed, and I'll hopefully get it before Christmas!
I recently bought a 2nd hand Minolta film camera with a couple of lenses, so I'm all ready to go... I just hope the new camera doesn't have any of the backfocusing problems I've been reading about on the forums. If it does though, I'll just have to be patient and wait for a replacement.
For those of you agonising over your next DSLR purchase (and I've been thinking about this heavily for weeks!), here's what made me go for the Minolta:
Most of my professional future shooting is going to happen in low available light conditions without a tripod, so I need excellent high ISO performance. That knocks out the Canon Rebel and Nikon D70. The Minolta is on a par with the Canon 20D with ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 performance. If money was no object, the Canon 20D with an arsenal of L Glass Image Stabilised lenses would be the way to go, but finances are very tight at the moment, so the Minolta system is much better value for money with image stabilisation built into the body and very affordable high quality glass from Minolta. Minolta's build standard on their top-end film cameras is excellent, and Minolta have a reputation for building very resilient cameras... including the shutter mechanism. Lots of smaller things factor as well, but those are the main ones. Here's my feelings about the things people don't like about the camera:
Only 6MP to the 20D's 8MP: If you look at the difference this makes to the size of a print at the same DPI, it actually isn't that much. Besides, it's the system I'm buying into that's more important, and I think the Minolta glass with IS built into the body is much more economical.
No USM on lenses: This had me thinking really hard about this camera, as I want to be very quiet under certain circumstances. However, the shutter is quiter than the 20D (from what I can gather), and I can always manual focus. I don't think the focusing is THAT loud, unless you're hunting through the whole range.
Burst mode not as effective as 20D: I can take 4 shots a second with my current camera, and I tend not to bother as I end up with millions of shots to wade through. As I'm not interested in shooting sports, I think 3 shots a second for 9 shots is plenty for my needs.
If anyone has any more questions about my decisions, feel free to post them. I'm going to do my best to give all the dedicated Nikon/Canon users here a run for their money! At the end of the day, it's just a tool and I hope in my time here I've shown people that it's not the camera you use that's important.
Bob |
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:22:38 AM · #2 |
Uh I disagree about the High ISO performance of the Rebel, I've shot ISO 1600 with amazing results.
On another note I have a friend who is selling all his high-end Minolta Glass, if you are interested PM me, I'll put you in touch with him. I think he has a 300mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/2.8
|
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:25:22 AM · #3 |
hey congrats Bob! can't wait to hear how you like this camera. i've heard lots of good things about it, and from what i hear people are happy with it so far! good luck man, can't wait to see how you like it!
|
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:26:32 AM · #4 |
| Congrats on your purchase. It will be interested to see what a talented photographer can do with the "new kid on the block" among DSLRs. |
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:29:36 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by doctornick:
Uh I disagree about the High ISO performance of the Rebel, I've shot ISO 1600 with amazing results.
On another note I have a friend who is selling all his high-end Minolta Glass, if you are interested PM me, I'll put you in touch with him. I think he has a 300mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/2.8 |
Thanks, but I'm going to have to buy lenses in the new year, I'm flat broke right now!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! |
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:40:46 AM · #6 |
Hey Bob! congratulations on your purchase! I just bought a gently used 10D, we will have to go out shooting again. I am in school at the moment, but am looking for a good place to go for spring/summer break. Am I still invited to stay with you in the UK?
Barbara
|
|
|
|
12/01/2004 11:55:24 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by BAMartin:
Hey Bob! congratulations on your purchase! I just bought a gently used 10D, we will have to go out shooting again. I am in school at the moment, but am looking for a good place to go for spring/summer break. Am I still invited to stay with you in the UK?
Barbara |
You bet, I've left you a message. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/13/2025 08:03:35 AM EDT.
