looking to buy a DSLR

[WaterPainter]

I am a photographer who is looking to buy a DSLR my top choice is the Canon XTI, with the Nikon D80 and possibly the Sony A-100. Any thoughts, info would be great. Thanks Kevin.

[damar]

Hi Kevin,
Welcome to the WC Photography forum.
I'm slightly biased in my choice of camera (Nikon)
:)
But the best tip I could give you is, look ahead at what additional lenses you may want to purchase in the future and get an idea of cost etc.
And if you plan to purchase online, spend some time in a store holding the camera a seeing if you like the way it feels.
You can read reviews on each camera and actually do side by side comparisons at this website:
http://www.dpreview.com/
Good luck with your new camera and be sure to come back and post some photos!

[Windbreaker]

"And if you plan to purchase online, spend some time in a store holding the camera a seeing if you like the way it feels."


Best advice ever given!

The bit on looking at lens is not bad! I haven't looked at Nikon but when you start looking at lens that cost 5 times what the camera cost you start to understand. OK so I'm a little slow.

[Oldthumbs]

But the best tip I could give you is, look ahead at what additional lenses you may want to purchase in the future and get an idea of cost etc.
You really don't appreciate how important this bit of advice is until you start thinking, "Gee, I would really like to get some additional lenses." Yes, that kit zoom lens is a great starting point, but if you already know that you want a DSLR, then it's likely you will be wanting more in the way of lenses. I know it's hard to figure out what you might want, but with the investment you will eventually be making in glass, it's a great place to start. If you already own lenses that will fit either a Canon or Nikon, you would probably be money ahead to just go with the the brand camera to match the lenses. In truth, either Canon or Nikon yield excellent quality images, and you can find a model in either line that will suit your needs.

Ray

[Rose Queen]

I learned from painful experience that DSLR camera bodies don't always have chips to receive the image that are the same size as a piece of film would be. As a result, all the money you spent on that cool wide-angle lens is for nothing, since your images will come out 35mm or even larger. Frankly, I think this is a huge rip-off by the DSLR makers and I am pretty furious about it. So do check that capacity with any body you buy!

[WaterPainter]

Thanks everyone for the info. I have decided to let the Sony go, though what are the feelings on the Olympus E-500. A little on my photography: I primarily shoot nature / Wildlife / Landscapes, but I also do not limit myself to just these areas. I am looking for a camera that can capture some fast action, I also take a lot of Low light / natural light shots as well (I do not really like to use a flash if I do not have to). Thanks again for any info, Kevin.

[Windbreaker]

"In truth, either Canon or Nikon yield excellent quality images, and you can find a model in either line that will suit your needs."

Lens determine the type of photography you can do well. The kit lens will get you started but you will want to add more. I run Canon so that is what I will suggest for.
1) kit lens - nice general photography 35mm-70mm zoom, anything lower than about 35mm you will get lens distortion and if shooting buildings in the background you will get it at 35.
2) for low light - 50mm f1.2 - ever been blinded by a candle? Well maybe not that bad but it works well, it is also costly so you might consider 50mm f1.4 almost as good and works very well for landscapes even at night.
3)100mm micro - This is the lens most of us would not be without. it is for shooting small things and making them bigger! Flowers, bugs of all kinds.
4) 70mm - 300mm - most outdoor shots, great for people, pets and zoos or animal parks and backyard birds
5) 400 mm - $1,500 - most popular wildlife lens made by canon the next up the line is over $5,000.

Hope this helps.

[meriadoc]

I learned from painful experience that DSLR camera bodies don't always have chips to receive the image that are the same size as a piece of film would be. As a result, all the money you spent on that cool wide-angle lens is for nothing, since your images will come out 35mm or even larger. Frankly, I think this is a huge rip-off by the DSLR makers and I am pretty furious about it. So do check that capacity with any body you buy!


all but two are like that.

the olympus system is 2x conversion (so 18mm is 36mm)
the canon entrylevel to midrange is 1.6x
the canon 1dMkIIN is 1.3x
the canon 1DsMkII and the Canon 5D are full frame.

the nikon system is 1.5x rates.

now, one of the reasons behind this is the cost of manufacturing. The canon 5D runs around $3000 US and the 1Ds runs around $7000. It costs much more to produce full frame sensors than what it does the smaller APS-C sized sensors. Not everyone will spend $3000+ on a body alone.

I find the conversion rates an advantage if you're shooting with longer lenses. The lenses that usually come in kits (18-55mm for example) is the equivalent of a 28.8mm lens on 35mm.

Just buy wider. i've got a 12mm lens that is the equivalent of a 19mm on full frame. Very fun :). Don't just blame the manufacturers for the sensor size - blame consumers because some just do not want to spend the money to get full frame.

[Oldthumbs]

Don't just blame the manufacturers for the sensor size - blame consumers because some just do not want to spend the money to get full frame.
Sheesh - how about some just don't have that kind of money to spend on a full frame camera? :wink2: I wonder if the cost of the sensors will ever go down enough to make them cheap enough to put into all cameras. Then again, with the investment that people have been putting into digital lenses that don't cover a full 35mm frame, they would disenfranchise a lot of people by doing that. I suppose another reason not to go to the full-frame sensor is having to handle much larger file sizes.

Ray

[meriadoc]

well, yeah ray. I just forgot to mention that.

My bad (as I'm in the same boat - no money to spend on a full frame camera).

Oh, wait I have full frame - its film!!

[Kallistos]

Sheesh - how about some just don't have that kind of money to spend on a full frame camera? :wink2: I wonder if the cost of the sensors will ever go down enough to make them cheap enough to put into all cameras. Then again, with the investment that people have been putting into digital lenses that don't cover a full 35mm frame, they would disenfranchise a lot of people by doing that. I suppose another reason not to go to the full-frame sensor is having to handle much larger file sizes.

Ray

Yes, but the quality! Look at the quality! My friend has an old 4MP camera with a full frame sensor, and I have a newer 6MP camera with a 1.6 crop, and the quality is awesome. He can print easily to A1 size but I can't get anywhere near it! Forget megapixels, I'm going full frame ASAP! I'm looking at the Canon 1D Mk II n, second hand. Expensive, but well worth it. And the size of the buffer... drool!

Anyway, back to your point. That's why I always encourage people to buy "film" lenses over digital lenses. Also the fact that they're usually better quality too. I have two digital lenses and they simply can't hold their own against my three (cheaper and older) film lenses.

[Te_Wheke]

Good advice!

The D80, from Nikon I would personally recommend because I have one. The Canon Xti, would be good too my brother swears by Canons. Like it's already been suggested check out the features, reviews, recommendations and comparisons at www.dpreview.com and some other review sites owner opinions etc..

Also go hold them in your hands at a camera shop, this is very important as feel and build quality is what really separates the cameras in this class. You might even consider a Nikon D70s, D50, D40, or Canon XT, or cheaper body so you can spend more of lenses.

Sounds like your shooting conditions will require fast aka expensive glass. Like the photographers here have mentioned check out your lens options before you get stuck with a particular body. I got the Nikon D80 & 18-135mm kit lens, good but only f3.5-f5.6, also the 70-300mm VR @ f4.5-f5.6. They are both terrific lenses but really do suffer in low light, you will struggle to get sharp sports or nature shots in low light situations. The VR helps a little in some circumstances but @ 300mm f2.8 is better than f 5.6 even with VR, but expensive.

Full frame sensor chips are available but they are not cheap as illustrated above. Unless you plan on making large prints you don't need to invest that sort of capitol imo. I have a 24 inch printer and print up to 24 x 36 inch prints without much of a problem with my D80 10.2 MP large images.

Depending on the subject I may still stitch images together for large prints, just because I may detect a small loss in images quality or pixilation at 24 x 36.

If you are only printing up to 8 x10 or just need web sized images no worries you can print up to roughly 13 x 20 inches from a D80 large file with no quality loss, anything larger and you will need to weigh acceptable image quality loss against print size capability.

I only have one DX lens and won’t buy any more because I am sure (wishful thinking?) full frame sensors will be affordable in the near future, so hold on to those decent quality compatible slr lenses imo.

Hope this helps

[WaterPainter]

Thank you to everyone, I think that I am going to go with the Canon XTI. For two reasons I am a Canon person (most of my other cameras have been Canons), and the cost factor. I went and held both (canon and the Nikon) cameras yesterday the canon is a bit smaller in size but it was not a problem. Holding them was a great suggestion, because I am planning on ordering it online. Thanks again for all of the info, Kevin.

[damar]

Well Kevin! I guess that settles it then!
Congrats and good luck!
Enjoy and please come back and post a few photos!
(waiting for camera delivery: sleep alot, it makes the time go faster!)
:D
I'm waiting on a lens...it has to circum-navigate the entire globe, via rowboat, one man with one oar and will probably get an extended stay in the Horse Latitudes.
But should be here before my camera is a complete relic
:lol:
>exaggeration: ON-wide open<

[Rose Queen]

...because I am sure (wishful thinking?) full frame sensors will be affordable in the near future, so hold on to those decent quality compatible slr lenses imo.
Oh, I do hope you're right!

[Te_Wheke]

Well Kevin! I guess that settles it then!
Congrats and good luck!
Enjoy and please come back and post a few photos!
(waiting for camera delivery: sleep alot, it makes the time go faster!)
:D
I'm waiting on a lens...it has to circum-navigate the entire globe, via rowboat, one man with one oar and will probably get an extended stay in the Horse Latitudes.
But should be here before my camera is a complete relic
:lol:
>exaggeration: ON-wide open<
Ha ha... My 70-300 VR took the same route, except mine spent an extra week in the customs spa & resort Auckland..

Here I was worried that it had been lost in the mail, and angry at the fact that I spent $100.00 US on fast international shipping that should have brought it here in 3 to 5 day's max! I took this rout so I could get it here in time to get some better shots of the Comet McNaught.

Happily my lucky little hijacked lens enjoyed the terrific amenities at customs Auckland and probably spent the entire time on a pallet next to a shipment of Asian hens quarantined for bird flu.

Oh and the best part was the plush treatment only cost me $200.00. So all up that was $350.00 NZ for fast shipping (3-5 days air took nearly 3 weeks) and the 8 day spa treatment for the lens.

What a lovely way to spend my hard earned money! :thumbsup: Though I would still be on a waiting list if I wanted to get one locally.

Next time I will choose the $20 shipping option, and start calling customs as soon as it arrives here from civilisation. There is nothing worse for me than waiting on an international shipment. Sorry for venting.

[Te_Wheke]

Oh, I do hope you're right!
Hiya Rosie! :wave:

Me Two!! :wink2: Though if I were to win Lotto tonight, they may become affordable tomorrow? It's a sad day when a Lotto win becomes a seemingly feasible part of your financial planning, better get that lotto ticket! ;)

[damar]

T---LOL..both posts very funny!
(and in a way--not)
:)
We should have an ongoing therapeudic thread for those who are or have had to wait for their precision optical equipment to come via boat, plane, and overland!
(driftwood, hang glider and 20 mule team)

[Te_Wheke]

T---LOL..both posts very funny!
(and in a way--not)
:)
We should have an ongoing therapeudic thread for those who are or have had to wait for their precision optical equipment to come via boat, plane, and overland!
(driftwood, hang glider and 20 mule team)

damar

Yes I suspect many people feel the same way, lol driftwood..! That got me going again.. It may as well be driftwood..

Cheers for the chuckle.. :lol: