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04/28/2004 05:19:34 PM · #1 |
Ok, it was only a couple of months ago that I joined DPC and was asking about buying a camera. I opted for the A1 and absolutely love it and am learning new features almost daily (I may even take a decent picture with it soon :)
Bad day at work today so rather than eat at my desk I wandered around town for an hour and managed to take in 4 camera shops! I was (you understand) just killing time. I had planned to move over to dSLR at the end of the year and made this my first look. Well, I picked up a D70 to look at and really liked it - I want one - now! just how much is a 2 month old A1 worth?
I need to build a list of 'fors' and 'againsts' so I can make a level headed descision.
I'm not stupid and understand a dSLR won't make me a better photog (maybe worse to begin with) but am looking for a purchase I can build on, bodies may come and go in time but I need to stick with the same 'glass'.
Would welcome any input dpc'ers might give?
Dixons are normally expensive but they have them for £850 with the 28-70.
I'd also welcome thoughts on extra lenses, do I buy what I can afford now or save up for better quality?
Thanks (in advance)
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04/28/2004 05:23:14 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
I need to build a list of 'fors' and 'againsts' so I can make a level headed descision.
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Sorry, this is not possible - once the wanting gets you there is no such thing as level headed. |
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04/28/2004 05:26:21 PM · #3 |
Ellen, thats why I'm asking others to do it for me :)
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04/28/2004 05:44:11 PM · #4 |
I don't think anyone or anything can stop this camera mania once you have become addicted to DPC! In my case, I just purchased another camera a Panasonic FZ10 as it has a 12X zoom Image Stabilized lens - it takes wonderful pictures outdoors with no tripod. Now, I'm STILL looking at cameras - my husband will be having a fit if I tell him I want yet another camera. I've actually though I might sell one of my Bernina sewing machines on eBay so I can buy another camera. DPC has made me a "cameraholic"! |
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04/28/2004 05:50:40 PM · #5 |
DPC owes me 500 for my S30 = P j/k
I'm close to getting a D70 too, price is my limiting factor though.
If you can sell the A1, I'd go for it
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04/28/2004 05:55:04 PM · #6 |
perhaps you can benefot from my mistakes, made with my first digital photo purchase. Working freelance for a small paper purchasing a decent digital promised to make my shooting a lot better. It has, simply by virtue of my being able to get feedback almost instantly. I can now take a buttload of shots and by changing my angles just a little get experience in what works and what doesn't. So perhaps that can help quell your fears of getting worse via "digitosis."
But where did my big mistake come in? Well the failure came not because I didn't read all the reviews, but because I did not ask myself what exactly I needed the camera to do. I thought I would need something with a broad focal range - say 28mm to 100 or so. Also, I wanted something that could emulate a wide range of film speeds - my preference was finding something that would do 100 - 1600. Also, it had to offer up automatic as well as manual controls. Finally, I wanted it to have a flash boot that would allow me to attach it to my home strobe system.
The DiMage 7 by Minolta seemed to fit the bill - it emulated 100 - 800
(close enough) gave me all the auto and manual controls I was used to with my A2E had an optional attachment for the flash boot which allowed my home hook up and came with a 28 to 100 lens built in. Yay me!
All seemed well till my first shoot involving children. When they pose, kids in their ferrel state are terrible to photograph; they look so awkward. But when they do those impromptu things, well, my editor just loves it. Much to my dismay, I quickly discovered that though the DiMage might have fit the bill in the studio on the road it muy slow autofocus made it worse than useless.
In fact, I would say that it took that camera longer to focus than it took for me to make my point. And by then the child's cuteness had been lost.
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04/28/2004 05:59:03 PM · #7 |
u know that Jessops will price match from the internet right?
got my EOS Kit from them for under 800 notes back in november.. |
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04/28/2004 05:59:24 PM · #8 |
grr double post!
Message edited by author 2004-04-28 17:59:44. |
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04/28/2004 06:06:18 PM · #9 |
I would like to help, but, I'm expecting my 300D anytime now and I better be ready to play. So if you can find a cure pass it on cause I'll be busy playing!!!!
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04/28/2004 06:09:16 PM · #10 |
Thanks all, I reckon DPC should come with a 'wealth warning'!
mikasi, thanks, my A1 is a Minolta Dimage A1 not a 35m so I'm already on the ladder. As for my preference of picture taking I guess its my Tropical fish tanks. The A1 does a pretty good job but is best with manual focussing as it can be very slow. I don't think the D70 allows focusing on any part of the screen like the A1 does (I might miss that). I plan on getting another tank v shortly so may go second hand instead of new, that will give me another £250 to play with.
Bobster, I got the A1 at Jessops, was up for £799 and found it on the web for £560 - they matched it but only against UK based companies. I get 7% discount at Jessops but not with price matching.
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04/28/2004 06:57:37 PM · #11 |
Check out prices on www.ebay.com to see what people are willing to pay for an A1. |
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04/28/2004 09:37:24 PM · #12 |
I saw an A1 go for about $560 on eBay a month or so ago. But my advice would be to wait until the fall. Minolta's DSLR will be out with AS. And Fuji's S3 Pro is due also. There will be more to choose from and prices will go down, at least a little bit, for the D70 and the 300D. |
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04/28/2004 10:01:00 PM · #13 |
I feel what you are going through also, Andi. On many occasions, I have used other peoples' dSLRs, and while nice they are, and wanting I become, I always ask myself if I have really reached the full potential that my current camera offers...and I personally find that the answer is usually no. You may feel that you have, and if that be the case, jump all over that camera. I will certainly eventually upgrade, but my abilities definitely do not warrant that kind of moo-lah (code words for 'I have no money') ;) . Goodluck.
Cheers! |
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04/28/2004 10:05:37 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum: Thanks all, I reckon DPC should come with a 'wealth warning'! |
Just do a forum search on the keyword "addict" and you can read pages and pages of testimo warnings. |
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04/28/2004 10:13:38 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum: I don't think the D70 allows focusing on any part of the screen like the A1 does (I might miss that). |
The D70 does have 5 selectable focus points. They are close the centre, though.
I had a Minolta Dimage 7hi and was very frustrated by the slow focussing. I've tried the A1 in shops, but it's miles slower compared to the D70 and Canon's copy. |
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04/28/2004 10:18:43 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by GeneralE: Originally posted by Ecce Signum: Thanks all, I reckon DPC should come with a 'wealth warning'! |
Just do a forum search on the keyword "addict" and you can read pages and pages of testimo warnings. |
LOL...
Question: What's the standard response to the "newbie introductions"?
Answer: "Welcome, watch out, it's addictive!"
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04/28/2004 10:24:14 PM · #17 |
Sell / Return / Go to DSLR as fast as you can.
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04/29/2004 01:17:55 PM · #18 |
Ok, I think I found out why one shop is asking £850 and another £1000. Its all in the lens???. One has an AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens, t'other is Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-G. Are we talking the multiplication factor? can someone explain (simply) the difference? (other than one is slightly wider)
Have managed to put off purchase another 24 hours :)
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04/29/2004 01:52:00 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum: Ok, I think I found out why one shop is asking £850 and another £1000. Its all in the lens???. One has an AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens, t'other is Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-G. Are we talking the multiplication factor? can someone explain (simply) the difference? (other than one is slightly wider)
Have managed to put off purchase another 24 hours :) |
The DX lense is a more expensive lense, made specifically to work with Digital SLR's. Higher quality all the way around.
18-70mm
The 28-80mm is a cheaper lense. 28-80mm |
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04/29/2004 02:01:28 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by DJLuba: The DX lense is a more expensive lense, made specifically to work with Digital SLR's. |
Made specifically to work with APS-sized sensor Digital SLR's.
DX series lenses will not work on anything but 1.5X-crop factor bodies. So down the road, if a body with a smaller crop factor (or even full-frame) comes along, DX-series lenses will not be very useful.
Something to think about if you plan on buying nice lenses and keeping them for a while. |
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04/29/2004 02:31:27 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by EddyG:
DX series lenses will not work on anything but 1.5X-crop factor bodies. So down the road, if a body with a smaller crop factor (or even full-frame) comes along, DX-series lenses will not be very useful.
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This is an excellent point, and the reason I haven't considered buying one (DX) from Nikon to date. An issue not to be taken lightly considering where the industry is going. |
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04/29/2004 02:46:09 PM · #22 |
Thanks (a lot :) I'd like to think that over time I might change bodies and keep the glass. Are we suggesting that the Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-G would be a better first lens option? or should I get the body and lens seperate?
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04/29/2004 03:36:18 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Ecce Signum: Thanks (a lot :) I'd like to think that over time I might change bodies and keep the glass. Are we suggesting that the Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-G would be a better first lens option? or should I get the body and lens seperate? |
I think this is a very subjective ask. I personally am a snob, and wouldn't take pictures with an $90.00 lense. I am also a huge fan of Prime's and not a fan of Zooms.
I'm in no position to give good advice on that question.
David
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