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01/27/2006 01:35:24 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by lepidus:
If you go Olympus, buy the body only and then pick up this lens instead; Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras. It's pretty close to the same range as the 2 kit lenses combined. With the 2 kit lenses you get 14-150mm.
I have not been impressed with the kit lenses for the Evolt and am trying to sell them so that I can get the better lens. |
I disagree as the Sigma lens has been reported to be quite soft, especially wide open and at its long focal lengths. The two lens kit for either the E-300 and E-500 are the best deals in DSLRs and they are very good cameras, as well. Olympus has just announced a new E-330 to replace the E-300 but will be around $1,000.00 street price.
Some things to consider with Oly: the Oly DSLRs you get automatic sensor cleaning. If you like shooting low light photos then the Oly cameras may not fill your bill, as high ISO noise is a problem. Lens can be expensive, but you get what you pay for as they are very high quality, and the number of lens offerings is growing all the time. Panasonic is entering 4/3rds standard, and they could bring with them other lens manufacturers. In fact, the 4/3rds standard is an open standard and so has the potential for numerous manufacturers to make 4/3rds lenses that will all be compatible with your camera.
edit: forgot to add that the 40-150 (80mm-300mm 35mm focal lengths equivalents) that's included in the lens kit is considered very high quality and many people who have that lens are very happy with it.
Message edited by author 2006-01-27 13:43:01. |
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01/27/2006 02:26:55 PM · #27 |
Another consideration - yes DSLR's are improving rapidly - getting more megapixels, features, etc. When you buy now, you need to be thinking what are you likely to upgrade to in the future, because you will be buying lenses that you will want to move up with your next camera. You also need to be aware of a camera companies long term prospects - will they be around 2 or 3 years from now with the latest greatest camera - or will they have shut down production as Kodak and Minolta have. If you choose a smaller company that goes under or quits making DLSR camera's then you'll have to start over buying lenses - a major expense.
For that reason, I would go either Sigma, Canon, or Nikon - and from what I have seen, most professionals are using Canon right now. And Nikon would be my second choice. |
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01/27/2006 03:12:22 PM · #28 |
Sigma???
The third largest company for DSLR's is Olympus by far.
The prospects of the fourthirds system look even better with Panasonic releasing theirs soon.
But admittedly well behind Canon and Nikon in sales.
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01/27/2006 03:39:52 PM · #29 |
Choosing a camera/system because "it's what professionals use" or because your favourite DPC photographer recommends it is, imo, the wrong reason.
(Aside: my perception is that the majority of professionals in sports photography use Canon, because historically Canon had an advantage on high-speed shooting; the majority of professionals in fashion and advertising use Nikon, because historically Nikon had the best glass. In other areas, you'd get a mix across the spectrum. The differences are probably a lot less now than they used to be.)
As someone else said, pick up a few cameras of different brands. See how they sit in your hands. See how the controls work. Try them out. If the camera feels like an extension of your eye/hand/brain, then it's the right camera for you. If it feels a bit awkward, then it isn't.
I've always liked Minolta cameras, because they worked the way I expected them to - the control layout suited the way I think, so they felt comfortable for me in a way that the other brands didn't. Some of my other friends prefer other brands, for exactly the same reason. Who is right? We all are - because we're all individuals and we're each wired differently.
You can get good results from any of the systems - Canon, K-Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax. The most important thing is whether the camera will be comfortable for you. Have you ever seen anyone look at a photo, and say "this was taken on a camera... and it would've been better if it was taken on "?
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01/27/2006 04:14:03 PM · #30 |
From a person that went from a point and shoot camera (Panasonic FZ20) to a dSLR (canon 350XT) it is a big jump. Not only in learning experience of a dSLR but also the cost of owning one. Looking at your pictures and scores I donĂ¢€™t think you will have much of a problem adjusting because you already take great pictures. But what keeps me scratching my head is lens. Most of them cost as much if not more than the camera itself. As I type this I am debating on the purchase of two lenses with a combined cost over $1500.00 and still would like a super-wide angle lens (11-17mm) but that is out of the question at this time.
If you have the funds to equip a dSLR with great lens, judging by your work, I would suggest the 20D or maybe the 350XT. The 20D will give you more options and is a better built camera along with being larger. But if you go with the XT then more funds can go toward lenses and the XT is a great camera.
Whatever you choose I wish you the best and keep up the great and creative work.
-SDW
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01/27/2006 04:29:44 PM · #31 |
Whereas I have had Olympus cameras (point and shoot- both film and digital), and liked them very well, Sigma also makes lenses, for all brands of cameras - which to my mind gives them an edge in staying in business. I was in a camera store recently and had the owner told me he thought Olympus would go out of business. (My daughter had looked at a "cute" Olympus pocket camera at another store- and he was steering her to the Canon pocket sized ones.) Hearsay that I have not researched . . . . . He also mentioned Minolta's demise.
But if you are going DSLR - you need to know what your choices of lenses are going to be . . . . . because you will need wide angle, macro, telephoto, zooms, etc.
As well as how it feels in your hands - you need to know what lenses are available - and yes - whether or not you'll be able to upgrade later to a camera that fits the lenses you've already invested in.
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01/27/2006 05:06:09 PM · #32 |
It's not about the camera, so quit worrying so much about your decision. You can be equally successful with canon, nikon, or oly. If you have time, play with the different models to see how they work in your hands. If you are serious about photography, but the cameras in manual mode and see how hard/easy it is to adjust shutter and aperature speeds... do you have to push buttons, does one spin and the other toggles, can you reach the controls easily? Once you know that you can control the camera, turn you attention to worrying about lighting, composition, subject, mood, and all the other elements that go into making great photographs.
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