help me make my mind up! - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/04/2004 12:44:14 PM · #1

Hi, firstly I'm glad I found this forum again, it gives me something to aspire to.

I'm selling mmy Olympus C-730 & Fuji 9600 and am planning on upgrading. I've read many many reviews this past 2 weeks and have a shortlist of 3.

My question is simple, given that most of my pictures will be of my Tropical fishtanks and incumbants, can anybody give and advice on which of the 3 I should go for? (or indeed suggest an alternative).

In order of my (current) preference.

Dimage A1 :) camera shake
Nikon 5700 :) excellent macro :( apparent poor low light auto focus
Sony 828 :) Lens :( heavy and apparent noise problems

All 3 have their strong points for my selected subjects and all 3 have at least 1 reason why I should not buy it.

I'd be glad of any feedback any of you may have.

Andi

marbo

Nikon D5000

02/04/2004 01:29:55 PM · #2

How about the canon 300d.

This was with a 50mm lens but a macro lens would be better.
No noise worries with this camera.

Message edited by author 2004-02-04 13:32:05.

02/04/2004 05:19:01 PM · #3

Originally posted by marbo:

How about the canon 300d.

Hmm, I had a quick look at the Rebel, the price would really push me to the limit but reading a little more it may well be worth me being without a camera for a month or so. Excellent pic, is it your tank?

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/04/2004 05:44:17 PM · #4

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

It's actually the same price as the Sony f828... I've been going through the same researching project and have decided to wait untill I can swing the Rebel! This also will force me to wait till after the PMA is over and I can see what is in the pipe line for the next while...

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

02/04/2004 06:42:24 PM · #5

pma??

Yes, they are about the same price, Rebel body only (maybe 28-55) but the 828 has a 28-200mm. I know, I know you get what you pay for.

Well, I'll see how my cameras do on Ebay and maybe watch for any bargains on there to. The Rebel appears to be a favourite in here, it seems a little bulky (as is the 828) but hey, this ain't no fashion show (is it).

Now, I'm sure I left a couple of grand round here somewhere!

Message edited by author 2004-02-04 18:43:12.

melking

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

02/04/2004 06:56:39 PM · #6

If the F828 is anything like the F717 only better I would say go for the SONY I love my F717....

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/04/2004 07:04:17 PM · #7

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

pma??

Yes, they are about the same price, Rebel body only (maybe 28-55) but the 828 has a 28-200mm. I know, I know you get what you pay for.

The PMA (photographic manufacturers association?) show is this month. It's like the Detroit International Auto Show of the photographic world...

The Rebel kit out of the box may not have the zoom power that you can get with the F828, but the flexibility that you will have over time (as you acquire more lenses) is phenominally greater IMHO...

Jaxson

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/04/2004 07:06:54 PM · #8

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Originally posted by marbo:
How about the canon 300d.

Hmm, I had a quick look at the Rebel, the price would really push me to the limit but reading a little more it may well be worth me being without a camera for a month or so. Excellent pic, is it your tank?

Message edited by author 2004-02-04 19:10:33.

02/04/2004 07:09:23 PM · #9

Thanks melking, I've read reviews about lots of noise on anything over 100 iso, but then again I read reviews saying the scare mongers should learn how to use the camera.

Its so hard to make a descision, now, wheres me box brownie?

Oh, and whilst I may be a novice in the world of photography, I'm not so naive to think I'll become a David Bailey overnight if I buy a better camera (that'll take at leat 2 weeks).

Jaxson

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/04/2004 07:10:53 PM · #10

Originally posted by marbo:

How about the canon 300d.

This was with a 50mm lens but a macro lens would be better.
No noise worries with this camera.

WOW!!

02/04/2004 07:14:14 PM · #11

pma - thanks.

Originally posted by TooCool:

The Rebel kit out of the box may not have the zoom power that you can get with the F828, but the flexibility that you will have over time (as you acquire more lenses) is phenominally greater IMHO...

Unfortunately I'm caught up in this "I must have it all, and now mode" I shall try to excersise some self control, sit back and survey all my options.

You never said if the marine pic was your tank?

Message edited by author 2004-02-04 19:15:25.

02/04/2004 07:18:22 PM · #12

Originally posted by Jaxson:

WOW!!

Yes, WOW

I'm an Administrator on a fish forum and have never had a pic as good as that submitted on it - makes me ashamed to show my photos in here - but thats good, right?

Adrian Tung

Canon EOS-10D

02/04/2004 07:54:29 PM · #13

Another vote for the Canon 300D + 50mm lens combo.

If you miss the range, later on when you have more cash you can always add on something like the Tamron SP AF 24-135 lens that gives you about the same range as an F717 (38-216mm; slightly more on the longer end, actually).

:)atwl

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/04/2004 08:14:51 PM · #14

very happy, added canons 75-300mm f4-5.6 III
all a round pleased with the slightly ourside my budget purchases..

[quote=Adrian Tung]Another vote for the Canon 300D + 50mm lens combo. [/quote=]

marbo

Nikon D5000

02/05/2004 09:30:30 AM · #15

Originally posted by Jaxson:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW!!

Yes, WOW

I'm an Administrator on a fish forum and have never had a pic as good as that submitted on it - makes me ashamed to show my photos in here - but thats good, right?

Thanks for your comments. It`s my brothers new fish tank.

The photo was taken at ISO 800 and put through neat image to sharpen and smooth out the little noise there was.
I`ve posted the original straight from camera photo HERE 2.7 MB FILE. if anyones interested.

Message edited by author 2004-02-05 09:31:49.

02/05/2004 04:10:41 PM · #16

Thanks for your input peeps.

I'm now 95% sure I'll be going with the Minolta Dimage A1. I reached my (present) decision by witing down pros and cons of the 828, 5700, 300D & A1. The only camera I couldn't fault was the A1.

Now to purchasing one, I've been actively looking at ebay but can buy from Jessops for Â£530 (price match & 7.5% discount) and would rather pay an extra Â£40-Â£50 than worry about the auction and the fact it may come from US/Japan and get hit with duty.

Now I just need to sell the 2 digicams I already own to help pay for it!

sn4psh07

Canon EOS-10D

02/05/2004 04:27:28 PM · #17

Wait on D70 and a few other rumours -- ie. give it a month.

MinAlex

Minolta DiMAGE A1

02/05/2004 06:04:30 PM · #18

I suppose I'm committing a mortal sin here but I'm going to suggest a brand other than the one I own. For your fish tank photos you probably don't need the long zoom and anti-shake the A1 has. I would suggest that you consider the Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom. It might meet your needs better, and the list price is $250 less.

02/05/2004 06:51:03 PM · #19

Originally posted by sn4psh07:

Wait on D70 and a few other rumours -- ie. give it a month.

Wait a month? we have obviously not met lol. I'm a seen it, liked it, got to have it now kinda guy.

Originally posted by MinAlex
:

Yes, shame on you Alex, lesser mortals than me will probably string you for that! Seriously though, fish are not the only reason I want to upgrade another reason. Thanks for trying to save me a few hundred quid though. I think the anti shake will help me get decent pics of my nocturnal fish.