DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> DSLR - quickfire poll
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 33, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 11/08/2004 11:13:59 AM · #1
Please could anyone who can spare a few minutes to give me the answers to the following checklist for a Digi SLR purchase? I need to know what are the best attributes and bundles for all-purpose use:

1. Image quality

2. Cost:
> body (plus recommended 'standard' lens and a wide-angle)
> any package (with lens)

3. Performance:
> Shutter lag
> Speed of recording/CF access
> Metering

4. Versatility

5. Battery/reliability, etc.
---

I'm looking at cameras including D100, 10D, 20D, 300D as well as the F828. Platform - Mac OS X. I'll check out Steve's Digicams too.

And if anyone has any used equipment in good nick for sale, I'd be interested.
 11/08/2004 11:22:36 AM · #2
Hiya! I have a package deal for sale that might suit you perfectly. Please feel free to PM me with questions, etc. Of course, I would encourage you to visit you local camera store before buying anything. The way a camera feels in your hands, the ergonomics, and the menu lay-out are important considerations. Good luck in your search!
 11/08/2004 11:25:03 AM · #3
Not to step on digistoune's toes here, but if I were buying a DLSR in that category I'd get a 20D in an instant, along with the 17-85 lens. After that, I'd ask what I was lacking in lenses and then upgrade based upon need. The 20D is the way to go, in terms of performance. It's better than the others.
 11/08/2004 11:29:40 AM · #4
Why look at the D100 when the D70 is out there?

Decide on what lenses/glass you like might be a better way to make a decision, before deciding on the body. You will cont to use the glass alot longer than the body (and they will retain better value also).

Your computer OS will make no diff. OSX is pretty much plug and play for any camera (and almost everything else).

Message edited by author 2004-11-08 11:31:05.
 11/08/2004 11:33:14 AM · #5
Why look at the D70 when the 20D is out there? :)

Message edited by author 2004-11-08 11:33:32.
 11/08/2004 11:36:46 AM · #6
why look at the 20D when the 1Ds MArk II is out there :) (I wish...)
 11/08/2004 11:41:16 AM · #7
I'll be buying the new Minolta Dynax 7 Digital SLR.
Noise levels are said to be better than Canon and Nikon... and all lenses will be stabilised due to Image Stabilisation featured in the body rather than the lens. I challenge anybody to come up with reasons to get a 20D rather than a Dynax 7 (bearing in mind I have no glass yet). I'm also a fan of Minolta lenses, which seem to be very good value for money. Minolta certainly have a very good track record with professional film SLR equipment.
 11/08/2004 11:41:32 AM · #8
I know nothing about Nikon, so I won't comment on that.

F828 - DSLR image quality is simply better overall, I don't think there's any dispute about that.

Shutter Lag - not an issue on DSLR's

Speed of recording - unless shooting a lot of sports, all DSLR's are pretty quick, although the 20D is stunningly quick.

Metering - 300D owners have commented heavily on under-exposure. It's my opinion that this was designed in on purpose to reduce blown out images ... but I've been annoyed by it from time to time.

Versatility - ??? what do you mean? will they fit in your pocket? ... no :)

Battery Life - Canon battery life is excellent, don't know about Nikon.

My opinion ... if you have to loot for the 20D, you'll be getting a camera that won't need upgrading for a long time. The 300D doesn't have AI Servo which really, really, really sucks. From what I've seen, the noise on the 20D is non existant (ent, int).

kris

ps ... every review I've read regarding the new Canon 17-85mm IS says do NOT buy it ... but I have not used it myself.
 11/08/2004 11:44:20 AM · #9
On the chance of being flamed... :)

I have the Olympus E-1, and this is just for your information:
1.
Just great. Everybody who have switched from other DSLR claim a lot less time spent in Photoshop making photos look good. Accurate colours and exposure.
2. Body + lens about $1400-$1600. The kit lens is pretty good. 14-54mm/2.8-3.5 (about 28-108mm in 35mm terms) and focuses very close.
The 11-44/2.8-3.5 has also got very good reviews. (some people claim it to be better than the 14-54) $800 at BHPhoto.
3. Shutter lag. Very low, pro-class.
Speed of CF writing, supports write-acceleration technology from Lexar and others. But I would say average.
Metering great. And has spot-metering if that is important to you.
4. This camera (again, IMHO) is a bit of jack-of-all-trades, you can probably find a camera that beats it in every category, but never all. 3.5fps, there are faster, 5.1MP, there are camera with higher MP. Lighter? yes. Tougher? Probably. Cheaper? Definetly. But no camera can beat all that. Want weather sealed DSLR? Nothing available under $3000.
---
OTOH, the Canon 20D is the current flavor of the month, a very capable camera on paper, and with just fantastic selection of lenses (unless you want wide-angle choices) but I haven't used it, so I can't really comment on it.
If you are considering Nikon, the D70 is supposedly better than the D100.
And I did consider the Fuji S2 at the time for it's great colours and very low noise. (Until I saw the price on the Nikkor 17-35 DX)

11/08/2004 11:45:48 AM · #10
* choice of lenses
* availability of lenses
* availability of support (certified repair places and such)
* Canon and Nikon have led the industry for years for a reason ... they have all the money for research and continously build great stuff

...none of this is a dig at Minolta ... you just asked for reasons, so I gave a few possible ones :)

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
I challenge anybody to come up with reasons to get a 20D rather than a Dynax 7 (bearing in mind I have no glass yet).
11/08/2004 11:46:46 AM · #11
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
Not to step on digistoune's toes here, but if I were buying a DLSR in that category I'd get a 20D in an instant, along with the 17-85 lens. After that, I'd ask what I was lacking in lenses and then upgrade based upon need. The 20D is the way to go, in terms of performance. It's better than the others.


I don't feel like you're stepping on my toes at all! Yes, I want to sell my 300D package but not if someone is going to be unhappy with it. For the right person, it will be perfect. For someone looking for a higher end dslr, I concur that the 20D ROCKS!
 11/08/2004 11:53:39 AM · #12
Originally posted by hopper:
Shutter Lag - not an issue on DSLR's

For the huge majority of cases you're right, it makes no difference..

That said, the 20D is very quick compared to the 10D, 300D and D70. A delay of 65ms brings it alongside the 1D mkII in terms of responsiveness.

Message edited by author 2004-11-08 11:53:58.
 11/08/2004 11:53:58 AM · #13
Originally posted by hopper:
* choice of lenses
* availability of lenses
* availability of support (certified repair places and such)
* Canon and Nikon have led the industry for years for a reason ... they have all the money for research and continously build great stuff

...none of this is a dig at Minolta ... you just asked for reasons, so I gave a few possible ones :)

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
I challenge anybody to come up with reasons to get a 20D rather than a Dynax 7 (bearing in mind I have no glass yet).


I'm open to as much info as possible before I make my purchase!
I'd say though that from what I can gather Minolta have consistently won big awards for the quality of their top-end film SLR equipment over Nikon and Canon, and I'd be interested to hear from people who have had direct experience with Canon or Nikon lenses as well as Minolta lenses.
 11/08/2004 11:58:45 AM · #14
I teach photography at SFSU and work full time for the AP.

In all truth, it takes a doubling of pixels to approach a useful change between your 5mp and a dslr. Yes, lens selection will help, but not much. I have owned and used almost every DSLR on the market, and I can only recommend, with 100% certainty of no complaints, three cameras. The Canon D1s Mark II, Nikon D2x, and the Hasselblad H1D. All three are between 4-8-20K plus glass. I must say it, everything else is a compromise, and your better off with a 35mm slr and great glass. Most DSLR complaints are due to poor quality glass.

I would actually recommend that you go out and buy a 35MM Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm SLR Autofocus Camera Body for about $150, and then buy GLASS. Only Great Glass. F2.8 or faster Glass only.
I stress the Lens end of the equation because that is all that matters in the slr world. You will change out the body every 2-3 years, but great glass will last a lifetime. The lens is the investment, the body is the inconvenience. You will be so happy with the image quality of a 35mm and having kodak give you digital files. Camera $150 + Lens EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM $1000 = $1200 tax + shipping. Then in two years when cannon comes out with a 30 million pixel wizz bang DSLR you will only have to buy the body. See, the DSLR makes sense to the professional photographer because they have the glass to start out with.

IF YOU MUST BUY RIGHT NOW:
If price is first on your list, the Nikon D70 6MP kit will give you the best image and performance in the sub $1500 range of total cost. Don't get me wrong, the Canon eos-300 is ok, but the kit glass, I was horrified of breaking the thing putting on a new lens. The big problem is that you will not be adding any printed advantage over your sony. You will only gain performance and lens features.

If you can go higher in cost, you have one option. The new Canon D20 8MP DSLR back + a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens. About $2500. The problem with SLR cameras in the consumer market is that people pay so much for the back, that they are willing to buy very cheap glass ( 80-300mm F8 zoom for $200). Here you can grow your glass collection with a gain in visual quality over your sony. The only bad news is that you will be limited on your lens selection due to the cost of the DSLR body, but you will still be on your way to a great lens package. The 24-70 f2.8 is a great lens, and will rival prime (non-zoom) lenses in the same focal length.

Adam

Message edited by author 2004-11-08 12:18:53.
 11/08/2004 11:59:05 AM · #15
Don't neglect the used market. With the introduction of the Canon 20D recently, there are lots of used 10Ds and dRebs flooding the market. You can get a very good deal on a gently used 10D, which is a fantastic camera. Likewise the dReb.
 11/08/2004 12:36:15 PM · #16
Fantastic response to this - thanks all. I need some time to sift through the options now.

The D70 and 20D do seem to rate very highly but I'm very aware of the quality lens issue. Cost is an object but I prefer to get the right tool for the job ultimately - and it may be a business purchase. : )

Unfortunately, time is an issue, so sooner rather than later (job has come up requiring much better out-of-camera results).
 11/08/2004 12:38:21 PM · #17
Originally posted by marbo:
Why look at the D70 when the 20D is out there? :)

cuz it's not Nikon. (C:

By the way there is (basically) double rebates at Ritz Camera on alot of Nikon glass and the D70 ($100 rebate), also. This thread has others also.

Message edited by author 2004-11-08 12:48:39.
 11/08/2004 01:00:55 PM · #18
Originally posted by vontom:
why look at the 20D when the 1Ds MArk II is out there :) (I wish...)


LOL

Just a note on the 1Ds Mark II, I know I'd take it if someone gave it to me, but a friend of a friend who used to shoot for Vogue said they don't like the extra detail and sharpness that you get with it. They said it's overkill.
 11/08/2004 01:03:57 PM · #19
Now that is interesting Goldberry. I guess Vogue must just be lazy, too unwilling to lessen the quality of the limages. :)
 11/08/2004 01:20:41 PM · #20
I guess it must be easier to sharpen pictures than to soften them at Vogue. (C:
 11/08/2004 01:35:14 PM · #21
Might be that softer out of the camera is preferrable for portrait like pictures as it hides blemishes and skin imperfections and also is probably cheaper as well because it saves time on post processing?
 11/08/2004 01:38:25 PM · #22
If this was the case, why would studio photogs use MF?
 11/08/2004 03:23:27 PM · #23
No-one going to mention the imminent arrival of the Fuji S3pro? 12MP, enhanced dynamic range, nikon mount, and expected around £1100 in the UK.

E
 11/08/2004 03:32:29 PM · #24
The S3 is too freaking expensive for such a crap body.
 11/08/2004 03:35:33 PM · #25
Originally posted by Azrifel:
The S3 is too freaking expensive for such a crap body.


You've used one? Where/when did you get it? I'm intrigued frstly because I thought it was very very new, if in the shops at all, and secondly because the guide prices I've seen aren't what one would call expensive for a DSLR.

E
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/13/2025 07:47:05 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


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 07:47:05 AM EDT.