| Author | Thread |
|
|
08/22/2003 03:51:14 AM · #1 |
Hi, I have posted before on this and got some great help but now I have narrowed it down to 3 cameras.
I want to (need to for work) print at least A4 size for publishing material so it needs to be pretty good quality at that size.
I woudl also like the option of some very close macro work (with or without having to buy an attachment - doesn't matter)
I am thinking of the following:
Fuji S602z
Olympus E20p
Nikon 5700
Anyone have any thoughts on the best, I was on for the Olympus but without attachment it's only 25cm Macro and with a 150 quid adapter it's still only 12cm.
The Fuji is something like 2CM standard, but is like 400-500 pounds cheaper - even though it's one MP more?
This confuses me ;(
The Nikon I don;t know much about but sounds like a good allrounder.
Jon (challenge winner for only 1 day! yey)
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 07:08:24 AM · #2 |
The 602 is interpolated up to 6MP from a 3MP sensor - that interpolation is pretty good, certainly OK for A4 prints.
Minimum focus range in super Macro is 1cm.
The Nikon 5400 (not 5700) also has a 1cm macro - though you get a lot of barrel distortion. I can actually get just as close with a little zooming in macro mode, with less distortion. And is £300 cheaper than the 5700.
Check out dpreview.com - their reviews are incredibly thorough, and you'll get way more info there than you will from a few replies here.
I moved from the 2800 to the 602, and was absolutely delighted with it. Got the 5400 after my 602 was stolen, and primarily for the 28m equivalent wide-angle lens. Can't really choose between them.
Ed
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 07:23:52 AM · #3 |
of those 3 you should go with the 602.
i had an e-10 (same as e-20 but lower resolution), and while it's a great great camera, it's technology is over 3 years old now, and it's been far surpassed by the newer generations in things like speed and image noise.
i also prefer the way the other 2 cameras render colors. The E's color comes out pretty flat right out of the camera, and often needs tweaking.
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 09:01:32 AM · #4 |
I will stop short of a recommendation, since I've not used either the 602Z or the 5700. I did research both of them in the past for friends and myself. The 602Z does deliver more detail than it's 3.3Mpx spec, however the 5700 delivers much more fine detail; check DPReview.
The macro focus on both is very tight, 1 cm for the 602z, 3 cm for the 5700. Should be noted that the 602z is locked at wide angle at closest focus, whereas the 5700 I believe you have roughly the middle third of the zoom range to play with for macro. I think the max magnifications of the two will not be that much different; for myself I prefer the longer working distance, so I would tend to the Nikon.
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 09:37:47 AM · #5 |
Not sure if you've looked and dismissed or just not aware, but if you are looking at the 602Z then you may want to consider the Fuji S7000 that is due out in Octber (Halloween!). 6.3 million effective pixels, 12 million recorded pixels, capable of producing up to 10 x 15" prints.
It's not out yet so I havent seen many reviews of it past the specs, but it looks like a great successor to the 602!
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 12:57:41 PM · #6 |
I have owned the Nikon 5700. The lens quality is excellent, but it is a very frustrating camera to use, especially in dealing with autofocus. This camera WILL NOT focus in low light (I'm not talking darkness, I'm talking in the living room with twolamps turned on. Seems light to me, but the camera tracks and tracks and finall gives up, out of focus).
I don't know what style of photography you will be doing. If low light won't be a typical shooting condition for you, then it is an excellent camera otherwise. I replaced it with a Sony DSC F717, and I have been nothing but happy. Excellent quality optics, sharp images, and excellent focusing, even in pitch black.
I know the Sony was not on your list, but it's worth looking at...
It is comparable to the Nikon in features, quality, price, etc.
JD Anderson
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 01:02:32 PM · #7 |
Olympus C5050 focuses in pitch darkness very easy to use but terrible in bright and sunny days, the TIFF display is unusable then and optical VF is not telling you much!
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 01:07:18 PM · #8 |
| I originally bought a nikon 5700, (which is good in macro mode), however I found it very frustrating to learn how to use it. I returned it after a few days for a Minolta 7i which, with lots of features is much easier IMO, my partner has the sony f717 and it too is a remarkable camera. Which I would probably recommend over my own. The battery situation is much friendlier. And night shooting/low light is much better as previously stated. |
|
|
|
08/22/2003 01:40:51 PM · #9 |
| I just purchased a new camera myself and adopted a new selection technique. In the past I have read every bit of technical detail on the product sites and on dpreview.com, but in this case it just left me with "analysis paralysis". I narrowed my selection based on features I need and then went through dpchallenge to see what kind of images had been made with each camera. I think this helped add some perspective on technical capabilities vs what people are able to do in the real world. |
|
|
|
08/22/2003 01:43:04 PM · #10 |
Get the Sony F828 when it comes out in November.
|
|
|
|
08/22/2003 01:48:15 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
I narrowed my selection based on features I need and then went through dpchallenge to see what kind of images had been made with each camera. I think this helped add some perspective on technical capabilities vs what people are able to do in the real world. |
I did the same thing and ended up with my F717. It really eased my mind seeing actual results from actual people and the scope of the camera's capabilities, not just technics. |
|
|
|
08/29/2003 01:22:41 PM · #12 |
I did the same thig, and have a SonyF717 coming anyday now I cant wait to get my hands on it !!! HOw do you like yours
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 01:39:24 PM · #13 |
I haven't had the trouble others seem to focusing in low light with the Nikon 5700.
If I have low light and a subject without much contrast it does have a hard time, but I find the manual focus works surprisingly well in that situation. I'm sure it's not the best in class in low light focusing, but it just hasn't been a hindrance yet.
Here's one example of a shot I took in very low light. The camera focused just fine on its own. This shot is straight from the camera (except I resized it).
Note: I have in camera sharpening off and hand held it at 1/60; any blur is not from the camera being out of focus.
I was very worried after reading all the comments about low light focusing problems but after using my brother's G5 and the 5700 I can't see any difference between the two of them. They both struggle in the same situations. I also find the manual focus on the Nikon to be a bit more intuitive.
Message edited by author 2003-08-29 13:40:14.
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 01:40:27 PM · #14 |
I 'do' (like my F717). I love the lens, especially, and the fact that I do not have to purchase on an array of third-party external battery chargers, one preplacing the next until I'd find one which works 'acceptably'. Sony's in-camera charger is the easiest, fastest and most reliable one I know of. No down-time. How's that for a feature?
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 02:24:28 PM · #15 |
Your in-camera charger causes no downtime? Must have a very long cable to the wall then. :-)
Ed
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 02:32:45 PM · #16 |
I know you are very specific in the Cam you want. I am partial to Fuji.
I do however think that it would be better to wait for the Fuji 7000 to come out since it is the highest overall resolution of any prosumer Cam not to mention the new sensor they are equiping this bad boy with. I think it is going to do some damage in the prosumer ranks and if it is as good as the 602 it will perform withour Flaw. I think they are not only looking to just put out a Cam that will be just like the 602. I think they are looking for it to be much better as a Camera.
John (TurboTech) |
|
|
|
08/29/2003 02:33:39 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by smellyfish1002:
I have owned the Nikon 5700. The lens quality is excellent, but it is a very frustrating camera to use, especially in dealing with autofocus. This camera WILL NOT focus in low light (I'm not talking darkness, I'm talking in the living room with twolamps turned on. Seems light to me, but the camera tracks and tracks and finall gives up, out of focus). |
The shutter speed and auto focus combine on this camera (Nikon 5700) were a nightmare for me. I couldn't take it. It was sooo slow.
You can go to //www.imaging-resources.com and see shutter lag times for different cameras. Certainly something to consider...
I purchased the F717 and have only had it for a week tonight. While I haven't got my hands really wet yet, so far I am more than pleased. Once I get myself familiar with this camera, I'm going to have a ball!
Best,
Renee
Message edited by author 2003-08-29 14:33:55.
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 02:39:35 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by e301:
Your in-camera charger causes no downtime? Must have a very long cable to the wall then. :-)
Ed |
My pacemaker has a USB slot. ;-) |
|
|
|
08/29/2003 02:54:00 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Everyday Renee:
The shutter speed and auto focus combine on this camera (Nikon 5700) were a nightmare for me. I couldn't take it. It was sooo slow.
|
Out of curiosity did you think it was slow to focus after setting the camera to single AF mode or did you notice it mostly in continuous focus mode?
I haven't had much reason to use continuous focus yet which may be why I don't really notice the focusing issue.
|
|
|
|
08/29/2003 03:01:03 PM · #20 |
Even on single AF, the Nikon 5700 was a huge source of frustration for me! I replaced it with a Sony 717 and was much happier. Now I replaced that with a Canon 10D, and I'm even happier! What's next?
Originally posted by ttreit:
Originally posted by Everyday Renee:
The shutter speed and auto focus combine on this camera (Nikon 5700) were a nightmare for me. I couldn't take it. It was sooo slow.
|
Out of curiosity did you think it was slow to focus after setting the camera to single AF mode or did you notice it mostly in continuous focus mode?
I haven't had much reason to use continuous focus yet which may be why I don't really notice the focusing issue. |
|
|
|
|
08/30/2003 12:50:12 AM · #21 |
You might want to consider the upcoming Canon EOS Digital Rebel, if you want to venture into SLR territory. You will lose the live preview and articulating LCDs of the prosumer models you're looking at, but will gain a lot more flexibility with interchangeable lenses, shallower DOF (if you want that) and LOW LOW NOISE even at higher ISOs.
If you want a prosumer though, I'd go with a Sony 717, or wait for the upcoming 828. Of the cameras you listed, I wouldnt get a 5700. A guy I know has one and I was playing with it after he first got it. The autofocus is horribly slow in low light, especially at full zoom. It does feel nice in the hands though. OTOH, the Sony cameras have very fast, reliable autofocusing.
I'm personally trying to decide between the EOS 300D (Digital Rebel) and the 10D.
|
|
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: 08/28/2025 01:05:42 PM EDT.
