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09/25/2006 09:04:55 AM · #1 |
After reading about five pages of questions in this forum, I still did not find the answer to the question I want to ask.
How did you arrive at your camera of choice? Why did you settle confidently into that choice? How much time did you spent in research before settling on a choice?
Some cameras seem to consistently show up in the top 25 finishers of every challenge. Why do you suppose that is? What is your opinion as to the ratio between camera quality & photographer skills/talent?
My Minolta DiMage 7i is a good camera, but its a 2002 model. Admittedly, as a photographer I have much to be desired in quality, but I am a hard worker & persistent learner. Would a better camera do any good? Or is "natural talent" the "Glass Ceiling"?
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09/25/2006 09:09:51 AM · #2 |
| photographer skills/talent has nothing to do with camera quality. |
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09/25/2006 09:27:32 AM · #3 |
For me:
- Price point - I would have bought the 1Ds/MF digi back if I had an unlimited budget and still would :-).
- Feel - I don't like the feel of the Digi-Rebel because it was too small for me and I prefer the metal sub-frames.
- Grandfathering - I already had a Canon film SLR system, so was most likely going to go the Canon path because of the existing lenses - If Nikon had the D200 at the time, I probably would have swapped systems but the D70 was not enough for me to swap systems).
- Features - The low light of the 20D was IMO better then the others around at the time and it was a much better camera then the 10D for a similar price. |
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09/25/2006 09:29:02 AM · #4 |
Heya, I am not for saying that the camera makes the photographer. But my main hitch was that sometimes I captured my vision correctly, but then I hated it because it was low quality. Getting some equipment that provided the quality I needed was a breath of fresh-air.
I came about my camera choice because of the low (in the dslr world its low) price of the 300D + lens. I mean, its an SLR -> full control. better pictures. (if you know how to use it)
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09/25/2006 01:32:16 PM · #5 |
1st Up-Date: Thanks for the comments/insights so far! I value highly any input I get on anything from DPC members! That's the reason I ask my questions here...I consider this website to attract some of the greatest photographers & greatest minds in the world (i.e. Internet or otherwise.)
Do I hear any hopeful opinions about the upcoming release of the Pentax K10D? Considering price, reported features, and my love of the Pentax K-1000, it has been "love-at-first-sight" for the heart of this artist. However, I would like to be sure.
Any advice or is that all covered in the other topic I saw while parusing page two of the listings?
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09/25/2006 01:38:59 PM · #6 |
Well after months of research myself, I think I am ready for that plunge into the dSLR world as well, just as soon as I have the money for it that is. After all my research and reading, I have come to the conclusion that the Canon 350D XT is the one for me. It's an affordable, quality camera. Many people say that it's small, and yes, that's true but I also have smaller hands and it tends to fit my hands almost perfectly. For lenses I have decided to go with the Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.8 for now and get a 70-200 f/4L and some sort of wide angle as soon as I can afford them. Hope that helps...
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09/25/2006 01:48:11 PM · #7 |
I Purchased the K100D for a number of reasons-
1) I already had a ton of Pentax Glass
2) I love Pentax. I loved the way the camera felt, the controls were simple and logical
3) I also suddenly found myself needing a DSLR for a few upcoming projects and it fit my needs perfectly.
If it hadn't been for a time crunch I probably would have waited for the K10D to hit the market. But I plan on upgrading to that one before spring- unless the 645D and a ton of money happen to come my way.
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09/25/2006 01:51:23 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by SamDoe1:
Well after months of research myself, I think I am ready for that plunge into the dSLR world as well, just as soon as I have the money for it that is. After all my research and reading, I have come to the conclusion that the Canon 350D XT is the one for me. It's an affordable, quality camera. Many people say that it's small, and yes, that's true but I also have smaller hands and it tends to fit my hands almost perfectly. For lenses I have decided to go with the Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.8 for now and get a 70-200 f/4L and some sort of wide angle as soon as I can afford them. Hope that helps... |
If you're going for teh 350D XT, why not toss in the extra $100 for the XTi? You get 10 MP, dust reduction, blah blah...much more for the extra $100.
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09/25/2006 02:22:16 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by cryingdragon:
If you're going for teh 350D XT, why not toss in the extra $100 for the XTi? You get 10 MP, dust reduction, blah blah...much more for the extra $100. |
Cause it's actually $200 more. A new 350D XT goes for $600ish (body only) on newegg right now with free shipping and a free 2gb CF card. A new 400D XTi goes for $800 (body only). I dunno if that's worth the extra $200, but I'd rather put that $200 into a flash unit or something like that.
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09/25/2006 02:34:54 PM · #10 |
I chose my current camera, which is the Nikon Coolpix 5400, for several reasons. First of all, my first digital camera, which I did not choose myself, was a Coolpix 2500, and I was most comfortable staying with a menu format I already knew since I bought it at a time when I didn't know how to do anything manually. However, I did do quite a bit of research, reading reviews and such, before settling on the 5400. There was a newer model or two available in the 5000 series, but the reviews I read seemed rather consistent in that they preferred the 5400. I had some criteria, also. I didn't want another camera without a viewfinder, such as the 2500 - what happens when the LCD screen dies? I wanted something that had manual functions available, since I intended to learn them at some point. I do have to say that it's been an excellent learning camera for me. I've learned all the manual functions now, plus upgraded the firmware to shoot RAW and bought some little Bower lenses and filters, and I feel like I'm at a point where I'm ready for a DSLR - if only I had the cash to invest!
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09/25/2006 03:46:12 PM · #11 |
The XT is cool. Go for it!
But the XTi is looking a little better for only 200 dollars more. Getting the XTi would keep you satisfied for longer with the 10 MP |
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09/25/2006 03:53:27 PM · #12 |
For me, it always boils down to getting the best tool you can for the most you can afford to pay.
Luckily, whether you opt for Nikon or Canon SLR's, you can't buy a bad one now. Each model from Nikon & Canon is fantastic, so just I just worked out how much I could afford to spend and looked at the options available.
Reckon I spent 2 weeks deciding between the Nikon D70 or Canon 350D. At the time I decided that the Canon had better reviews and thats the way I went. I have to say, I have never regreted it, but its a vicious circle, as soon as you buy your camera, something new comes out to tempt you.
Just after I bought the Canon the Nikon D70s came out, I wonder how I would have decided between these two. |
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09/25/2006 04:04:31 PM · #13 |
SO my choice was down to the 5D vs the 1D MkIIN ... why did I choose the 5d?
Well most of my favourite images are landscapes and I really really wanted to take advantage of the 16-35 L lens for those Wiiiiide-angle beachscapes. However, the 5D did have one or two things missing for other aspects of photography. It didn't have a fast 45 point autofocus like the MkIIn, nor did it have a fast burst rate for captuing wildlife images.
I couldn't afford both so it was down to landsacape vs wildlife. Landscape won outright. Who knows santa may be feeling rich this christmas ;-)
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09/25/2006 04:12:11 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by jfriesen:
The XT is cool. Go for it!
But the XTi is looking a little better for only 200 dollars more. Getting the XTi would keep you satisfied for longer with the 10 MP |
Oh, it no doubt looks good. But the real thing it boils down to is would I rather have 10mp...or a flash? I'm thinking that the flash is what I would want. 8mp to 10mp, isn't a huge leap and I'm not really planning on printing anything in poster size either. So, I'm opting to take the hit in mp's and get the flash unit which I think will help me more.
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09/25/2006 04:15:19 PM · #15 |
I bought the PENTAX ist DS for theses reasons:
- it's a DSLR and I love the feeling of these cameras. You fully have control on your lens (a compact digital camera feel like a gadget to me althought you can have some pretty good results).
- very good price for what you get. I just had a brand new interest in photography and I wasn't sure if that would last so I didn't want to buy an expensive DSLR. PENTAX cameras were perfect! I checked some reviews on some sites just to know if the cam was decent.
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09/25/2006 04:22:39 PM · #16 |
Well if you don't need 10mp. 8 is just fine! It all boils down to what you need and how much money you have.
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09/25/2006 04:22:48 PM · #17 |
For me, size was a starting point. I either bike or walk everywhere and like to take my camera along all the time so I did not want to get anything too big. I had a 35mm Nikon FM and it has been in my closet for many years because I don't take it out much due to the size of anything bigger than the basic 50mm lens. I have an 80- 200mm zoom and that is too big to carry. If I won't carry it, I won't use it so why spend the money?
My prior camera to my D80 was a Konica Minolta A200 which is compact (but a bit larger than most P&S cameras) and had lots of great features including 8mp, a flip out viewfinder, and a 28- 200mm equivelent zoom. It was exactly what I wanted at the time and I shot over 17,000 pictures with it. But I started to realize that I was not quite satisfied with the sharpness of its images. I did get some great shots with it. They just weren't crisp enough for me in many cases.
Can I get a DSLR that is smaller than my old Nikon? I searched to see what they were doing with compact zooms. I do not want to have to carry a bunch of lenses around. I knew that Cannon and Nikon were the leaders in optics which is very important. Nikon had some very nice sounding ones. I went and looked at some bodies. I did not like the way that the Cannon ones felt. They also seemed to be bigger. The Nikon D70 felt pretty good. Then I heard about the D80 coming out. "Smaller than the D70 with features of the D200" sounded great. Then Nikon announced the 18- 135mm lens to go with it. This is basically the same range as the zoom on my A200 so I knew that this was a nice range to have. A bit faster would have been nice but it will work. I ordered one the week they came out and do not regret it.
You are getting many different stories, but basically it comes down to what is important to you. I wanted more compact size with good resolution. And I think I found it. I did spend a lot of time looking at options, but once I found the D80 I knew it was what I wanted. But having a nice piece of equipment does not necessarily mean that you will take good pictures. That is up to you. In good hands, a P&S can take as good of photos as a DSLR. What do you want your camera for? To make money? Take nice shots to share with family and friends? There are so many options our there- there is definately something that will work for every need and budget.
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Message edited by author 2006-09-25 16:27:21.
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09/25/2006 04:26:51 PM · #18 |
I use to have a Minolta SLR (XG-7) for many years. When I did swith to digital about 5-6 years ago the only thing I been thinking is how much I missed the Reflex camera but could not afford to buy a DSLR.
After a few years I bought a Panasonic DMC FZ-20, it did bring me closer to a SLR camera but I was still missing something.
This summer I was finally was able to get an "Entry Level" DSLR. I did read many reviews and did hold many of them. I finally decided to go with either Canon or Nikon. The final decision for Nikon was the SD cards, I already invested in one 2GB Lexar Platinum II and 3 1GB cards for the FZ-20. I didn't want to have to go out and buy a bunch of new cards again.
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09/25/2006 04:28:55 PM · #19 |
I got quite drunk one night in april, the same night I got paid on. So with 25.000SEK (about 3.000$) in my account and about four hours of heavy drinking behind me I decided that I should buy an dslr, it just happend to be the 350d.
Message edited by author 2006-09-25 16:30:26. |
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09/25/2006 05:11:06 PM · #20 |
How did you arrive at your camera of choice?
For me, it came down to price, features, and research. I'd love a DSLR but couldn't afford one so I went looking at cameras that offered more than just P&S options, but were under $600. I decided which features were most important to me: manual settings, lens, optical zoom. Then read reviews when I narrowed my choices to a couple. Next, went to a shop and actually held the cameras I was interested in to see what "felt" best. Finally settled on my Kodak and I love it. This little camera has served me well for P&S situations and allows me to manually adjust the aperture and shutter settings and the 10x optical zoom . I can experiment a lot. At some point, I'd like to move up to a DSLR but really won't be able to afford to do that for probably another year.
Some cameras seem to consistently show up in the top 25 finishers of every challenge. Why do you suppose that is?
I wondered this myself. I think this is due to the combination of both photographer skill and equipment quality. On one hand, those cameras (and lenses) are "good" cameras- they allow the photographer a lot of options to produce quality images- size, range of technical choices etc... and on the other hand, I think a photographer that is willing to spend the money it takes to have high quality equipment, is just a more seasoned photographer- someone with lots of practice, passion, and dedication. This isn't to say that someone that doesn't have access to high quality equipment can't produce amazing images- there are always exceptions- but this is just my little theory.
So I guess my opinion on the ratio is
photographer skills/talent > camera quality and toward the idea that "natural talent" is the "Glass Ceiling"
I recognize that everyone has to balance their resources (namely time and money) in order to get what they want- but, just because a person has the best baseball bat that money can buy, doesn't mean that they'll hit a home run every time;)
When I do upgrade, I don't expect that my scores will instantely go up into the 6-7 range, but I do hope that when I'm ready, I'll have learned and improved enough to make the most of my new fancy equipment.
-Mo
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09/25/2006 06:48:46 PM · #21 |
My first dSLR was an Olympus E-300. I didn't do any research at all for it. I bought it because it was in my price range. It turned out to be a real stinker. That particular Olympus was a lemon, no reflection on Olympus in general... I think.
So, I started doing research and saving. I started leaning hard toward Canon for the simple reason that I really don't like the way Nikon treats our local camera shop. Plus, the reviews said the 20D and 30D kick Nikon butt. I was thinking along the lines of a Rebel or a used 20D when I saw the 30D on the shelf. I asked if I could pet it, and when I held it I just knew this camera was mine. I love my 30D, and I do think that the advantages of having a better camera does show in my work. Although, if the D80 had been out last spring I MIGHT have gone Nikon. |
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09/25/2006 07:00:01 PM · #22 |
I already had a 35mm film Canon Rebel. Before that I used a Canon AE-1 (my dad's camera). I had a Canon Digital Elph but wanted the flexibility of an SLR...I hated the fact that when I pushed the shutter button, the point and shoot camera would not fire exactly when I wanted it to...drove me NUTS...I wanted an SLR soooo...
I like Canon.
I bought the Rebel XT because I did not want to spend a ton of money on the body and did not really see the benefit of a 30D at 2x the price I paid for a 350D.
I love my camera...I bought because of price/rebate and past Canon experience.
Message edited by author 2006-09-25 19:01:26. |
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09/25/2006 11:14:07 PM · #23 |
2nd UpDate: Thank you for a wealth of info. so far! The choice is becoming clearer for me...Pentax K10D, K100D, Canon 20D, 30D, 350D, and Nikon 80D, D1X... These are all cameras that have kept my attention for some time now, and one which will be my Pro-Digital upgrade (at least the way my heart is leaning...right now.)
Soooooo...as was repeatedly mentioned...Next comes the more arduous task of "connecting the dots" with the appropriate number of "nickles & dimes."
What a clever fellow I would be if I could invent some way to translate my excess fat into money. I could, then, go on-line tomorrow to purchase my proper professional gear and have it in my hand by the weekend. Mayhaps I should become part of that sterling populus of the golden British isles who measure out their money in pounds, not pennies. (Let me prevent any doubt by plainly saying that the last line was presented as a compliment...You're Welcome!) :)
Message edited by author 2006-09-25 23:16:58.
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09/25/2006 11:22:39 PM · #24 |
In my case, it was never a hard choice. I had a Nikon P&S, where P&S stood for 'piece of shit', and I finally decided to dump it and get a real camera. I saw the 300D in an ad, and when I got to college I found that it was the camera the student paper used. I played with one for about an hour, and was hooked. Canon has a reputation for being one of the very best, the price was reasonable, and the quality was great.
My perfect camera is the 30D, or maybe the "40D" when it comes out. As soon as I have the money, I'll be getting one. And that's about the limit of my interest in the Canon line. I just don't see myself ever buying a 1-series. I just don't think there is a whole lot I could do with one that I can't do with the 20/30/40D family and a few good lenses.
So to answer the second part of your question, I firmly believe that you could give a talented photographer a cell phone camera, and he would get a good picture out of it. Whereas if you gave someone with little or no talent all the 1-series and L-glass in the world, they could only take snapshots. You can always learn more, and good equipment helps. But in the end, it's the person and what they aspire to, and not the electronics, that are the real limiting factor.
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09/26/2006 12:09:00 AM · #25 |
When I decided to jump in the dSLR water, I had a bigger picture in mind. Lenses. Not just any lenses. Really good lenses. I knew I wanted a Canon so there was no comparing brands. I was content with buying the cheaper XT body and some cheap lenses to get me by while I collected what I wanted for glass. The XT served it's purpose and I didn't have a problem getting rid of them quick when the time came. My main mission was to put together the collection of lenses and accessories that I wanted then eventually spend the money on the body I wanted. I wasn't sure what body would replace my XT until November 2005(I think)when Canon released the 5D. Will this camera help me take better photos? Maybe, probably not. But I won't need another camera body for a long time. I would like a super tele-photo lens though.
There is a message in this post if you read it carefully. It's been said a 1000 times here at DPC. Camera bodies come and go, good glass will last a life time.
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