|
| Author | Thread |
|
|
09/20/2005 08:48:53 AM · #1 |
| Hello everybody! I am a broke individual who really loves photography. I don't have alot of money to buy an expensive extravagent camera, and the money I do get, I have to save a long time to have it. Anyway the cost of a Canon S2, and a used Canon Rebel 300D are running about the same amount. Both of these cameras are better than the one I have, but I don't know how to determine how much this rebel is going to end up costing me after I buy lenses. So I was wondering what is the zoom capabilities of certain lenses, say the standard 18-55mm, or say a 70-200mm, and how is it possible to determine this. Any information ya'll can share would be helpful. Even if there is a certain order in which the lenses should be bought, and/or which lens is the most helpful, or common. Thanks guys, ya'll are always so helpful. |
|
|
|
09/20/2005 09:19:59 AM · #2 |
as a starting point your Optio S40 has a lens that is equivalent to a
35-105 mm lens on a 35mm film camera (with a 3x zoom capability "35 to 105")
because of the 1.6 crop factor this would be the same as 22-65mm with the 300D
so the 300D with the std 18-55mm you would have a wider shot at the bottom (better for landscapes) and still have a 3x zoom factor... you will not be able to zoom in as much, but with the higher quality image you would be able to crop to the same zoom without problem
if you add the 70-200 you would be able to zoom from 18-200 (about 11x zoom) with a small gap in the 55-70 range which you could get around by walking forward or backward as required
|
|
|
|
09/20/2005 10:03:54 AM · #3 |
First you need to really think about your photography and the images you want to capture and then ask the technical question of what lens will fill your needs. A lot of people start with the technology and try to cover the maximum zoom range for the minimum price... this is more about lens collecting than photography. For example, I know a guy that does very high-end (5 figure) wedding photography with only two lenses, a 20mm and a 85mm. These lens support his unique vision so that is what he has focused on. I'm not suggesting that these are THE lens to have... just that you start with your vision and then pick technolgoy to support it.
|
|
|
|
09/20/2005 10:43:09 AM · #4 |
Dude, I am someone who has gone for the S2 for slightly different reasons.
Honestly, if you really want to make an improvement in the kind of pictures you take, get the S2. This will give you most of the freedom to take most of the kinds of pictures most people like to take (without spending HUGE dollars). It is a great little all-around camera that doesn't quite fit in any but the largest pockets (I can get away with a pants pocket if I'm wearing a suit jacket). It even has a really decent little movie mode. I have been quite happy with the kinds of pictures I have been able to take with mine. I don't delude myself however, by thinking that the S2 is anything but a shadow of a DSLR. There are still some kinds of pictures (particularly anything with long exposures or in low light) that the S2 simply cannot handle. At the extremes of this camera's ability, it does run into unsolveable problems such as softnes, very mild vignetting and mild chromatic aberrations. This is usually only evident to those who care.
If you want to make an improvement in the kind of RESULTS you get, get the 300D. There is no real comparison between the 300D and the S2 for photo results. This is particularly true if you are the kind of guy who can spot noise in the shadows of pictures taken in bright daylight at ISO 50 taken with a Big Zoom P&S camera.
The 300D does have some flaws, namely that it can't really go beyond ISO 400 (which is still not that much worse than Iso 100 or 200 on the S2) and has a slightly sluggish feeling in certain areas of use (although the autofocus is still miles ahead of the S2) particularly startup time and writing images. These are issues of a second or two here and there though.
Remember that the 300D can use CF cards instead of slightly more pricey per MB SD cards. Also, it will likely still be worth nearly what you paid for it in six months or a years time. The S2 likely will have lost a hundred dollars in value new and more than that in the reasale value.
If you are only going to have one camera and you want results, get the 300D. You can upgrade bit by bit by putting around 10-20 dollars a week in a piggy bank. You will be surprised what you can get then. Check this super budget value meal.
Week 1: Canon 300D + 18-55mm Kit lens = $500 (assumed) The Gimp downloaded free from the internet instead of Photoshop (?)
Week 3: Assorted filters, Polarizing filter, ND Filters. $30-40
Week 6: 50mm f1.8 $70
Week 16: Sigma 70-300mm Super macro II f4-5.6 APO lens $199 at B+H
Week 17: Reverse mount filter thread adaptor for 50mm lens $20
Week 18: Extension tubes for more macro possibilities... cheap.
That's 4 months. That's a pretty nice selection of equipment that should allow you to get a heck of a nice photographic experience. I wouldn't call it super amazing quality, but it's definitely a great start.
Of course, you can make your own decisions about how to spend your money and which things you might want to look at first.
You would probably be able to shoot with that for at least a year before you start itching for more equipment. Almost all of it has a very high resale potential as well. If you really decide this isn't for you or you need the money, you should be able to get most of your money back from any one part of it or the whole.
Most importantly, having personally used both the S2 and the 300D, I would definitely say you will be getting better quality pictures from the 300D 90% of the time.
Edit: oh yeah, uh, PS, the 50mm f1.8 lens by canon, when used on the 300D is roughly equivalent to the 85mm that a lot of guys choose to shoot as a pivotal focal length lens. It is ripping sharp and makes your camera work like a dream too because of all the light it lets in. There are things you can do with a 300D and a 50mm f1.8 that the S2 can't even hope to dream of, and it's about far more than just pixels.
Message edited by author 2005-09-20 10:47:21. |
|
|
|
Current Server Time: 09/11/2025 09:16:53 PM  |
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: 09/11/2025 09:16:53 PM EDT.
|
