What Camera do you have?

[the1wags]

The Nikon D60 fits that bill nicely. 2.5" screen, 10MP, comes with the 18-55mm VR (vibration reduction) lens for $650 at buydig.com.

[TechnicalDisaster]

Hey, I need some help...I am looking for a new camera, maybe you can help me as I am a novice. Here is what I am looking for:

Digital SLR
2.5" LCD Screen
8.0 MP or better
price range: $500 - $650

Any suggestions?

Olympus E-510 has in camera image stabilization, $549 w/lens:
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=OMEVE510KT

Like Wags said, Nikon D60 $649 w/lens:
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NKD601855VR

Canon Xti (what I shoot) w/lens $616
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx ... DRXTI1855S

You really can't lose with any of those three. Under a magnifying glass you'll begin to see some differences in image quality, but for prints up to 11X14 you'll have a hard time telling them apart.

If you can stretch your budget, the new Canon Xsi is a real killer. $839 w/Image Stablized lens, 12mp, Digic III processor (I've seen high ISO noise comparisons between this and the full frame 5D that makes you wonder whats so special about the 5D) :
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx ... DRXSIK1855


Buydig has the best prices around, great customer service, and free shipping too.

[Candleshoe]

Regarding security dudes in big buildings...


[youtube][/youtube]

[Brad]

That's more or less how it goes down, except on the sidewalk across the street, not even in the building.

[Omababe]

Regarding security dudes in big buildings...

LOL, this one kinda reminds me of the time that Letterman and his crew attempted to deliver a welcome basket to some GE executives! That was a classic!

[Big E]

That's actually pretty funny, although the security guards were completely within their rights to remove him and the camera crew.

Wasn't the deal with the Letterman/GE thing the guards didn't even know who he was?

-Big E

[thenewguy]

Regarding security dudes in big buildings...

LOL, this one kinda reminds me of the time that Letterman and his crew attempted to deliver a welcome basket to some GE executives! That was a classic!

I liked the episode of Letterman when he worked the drive thru at wendy's...hilarious. Also, i still love the Seinfeld auditions on Conan, as well as the starwars premiere and the snow storm episode from a few years back.

[Coyote]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Brad]

That's Awesome Coyote! Nice Find.

[Omababe]

ROFL, GE handshake!

[Coyote]

I liked the episode of Letterman when he worked the drive thru at wendy's...hilarious.

It was either McDonald's or Taco Bell:

[youtube][/youtube]


[youtube][/youtube]

[gisbuxfan]

The Nikon D60 fits that bill nicely. 2.5" screen, 10MP, comes with the 18-55mm VR (vibration reduction) lens for $650 at buydig.com.

wags...thanks for the tip, this was one I had seen before and I liked it. I got it ordered over the weekend and it should be here in the net couple of day. This will be just in time before my trip to Colorado and Estes Park! I'm looking forward to this because the camera it is replacing is a 2mp point and shoot I bought about 4 years ago.

[snekse]

Just thought I'd throw in my $0.02. I just moved into the dSLR world with the Canon XSI and I'm fantastically in love with it. I'd highly recommend it to most people who are looking for a general use dSLR.

REVIEW: Canon Rebel Xsi 450D dSLR
REVIEW: Tamron AF17-50mm F/2.8 Lens

[TechnicalDisaster]

Just thought I'd throw in my $0.02. I just moved into the dSLR world with the Canon XSI and I'm fantastically in love with it. I'd highly recommend it to most people who are looking for a general use dSLR.

REVIEW: Canon Rebel Xsi 450D dSLR
REVIEW: Tamron AF17-50mm F/2.8 Lens

I've been a huge Tamron fan for a LONG time. I fell in love with the Tamron 28-75 2.8, and I plan on getting the new Tamron 70-200 2.8 as soon as I can afford it. For ultra wide, I'll probably get the Tokina 11-16 2.8 though.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

Lens.
EF18-55mm (Standard)
EF75-300mm Zoom Lens.

[DTO Luv]

I've been a huge Tamron fan for a LONG time. I fell in love with the Tamron 28-75 2.8,

What did you ever do with that lens?

[TechnicalDisaster]

Back on Topic:

The Canon 50D was just announced today:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos50d/

Highlights:

15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card
DIGIC 4 processor
ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800
9-point wide area AF
3.0” Clear View VGA LCD with Live View mode & Face Detection Live AF
Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
HDMI connection for high quality viewing and playback on a High Definition TV
Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites


A few well respected reviewers are saying that the noise improvement is 1 to 1.5 stops ahead of the 40D, which would put the 50D in the 5D arena as far as handling noise. That is a HUGE improvement.

Cost:
$1,299 :)

I'll wait until it is released and we get some real world samples, but this would make a nice replacement to my 400D. I wouldn't have to get rid of my current lenses that way.

[almighty_tuna]

Holy buckets. Though an ISO 50 would be nice to have. Yeah, yeah, see something new and all you do gripe about it. ;)

I'm with you about getting your hands on one. I'm rolling the dice w/my 20D and *need* something soon.

B&H has bumped the price up to $1399 already. I wonder if they're setting up for fall rebates.

[nebugeater]

Holy buckets. Though an ISO 50 would be nice to have. Yeah, yeah, see something new and all you do gripe about it. ;)

I'm with you about getting your hands on one. I'm rolling the dice w/my 20D and *need* something soon.

B&H has bumped the price up to $1399 already. I wonder if they're setting up for fall rebates.

I assume that is body only?

[Brad]

I need to get out the book on my 5D, I would have thought it had more ISO than from 100 to 1600

[almighty_tuna]

I assume that is body only?

Yep

[TechnicalDisaster]

The official press release pegs the body only price at $1,299.

Not sure why BH lists it for $100 more, but I haven't seen anyone else list it yet either. Might make a good x-mas gift for myself...

[DTO Luv]

I'm happy with my camera but I'm looking to up my arsenal (there's a Big E joke in there somewhere) with more studio equipment.

[Big E]

I'm happy with my camera but I'm looking to up my arsenal (there's a Big E joke in there somewhere) with more studio equipment.

Speaking of up your arse 'n' all...

...here's your joke 'n' whatnot.

[DTO Luv]

Ba dum ching!

He's here all week folks!

[TechnicalDisaster]

I'm happy with my camera but I'm looking to up my arsenal (there's a Big E joke in there somewhere) with more studio equipment.

I've been focusing on natural light candid photography. Getting a really good high ISO performance opens up a whole new world for me. My most important project next year will be to photograph the homecoming of adopted children from Korea. I'll be photographing the first initial meeting between adoptive parents and child. I have no control over lighting and location, so I'm going to need high ISO and some fast lenses. Flash is definitely out, as the first meeting needs to be quiet and intimate. Just having a photog there is a bit of a stretch, and popping off lots of flash would probably get me banned for life.


I really wanted the performance of the Nikon D300, but I didn't want to have to buy all new glass. The 50D might just be the ticket if it lives up to the marketing hype already being stirred up about it.

[Brad]

I bet you are wishing you kept your 5D...

You know what else does awesome for lighting is go to Hobby Lobby and buy huge sheets of foam board. It creates a great soft fill lighting on the shadow side of the face out in the sun. I used it on this portrait:

[DTO Luv]

I'm pretty sure he's not going to have a Sherpa there to carry around white board to frighten the immigrant children.

[almighty_tuna]

think of the children, brad.

[Brad]

First off that was a general comment since there were multiple posts about lighting...

Second I bought a roll of white duct tape and my reflector folds up fairly small. Couple of clamps that that fit in to my camera bag and my tripod, I don't need anyone to help.

Can we have plain old discussions anymore or do 100% of the topics have to be armature stand up night?

[DTO Luv]

Can we have plain old discussions anymore or do 100% of the topics have to be armature stand up night?

:standingovation:

Take it easy. We're all friends here and can joke.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Brad your not alone. My own Canon Digital Rebel XTi can only go low as an ISO of 100. I now keep it an ISO of 200 now.

[TechnicalDisaster]

Been there, done that with light modifiers. Any kind of wind requires someone holding the modifier or else it gets blown away. Same thing with portable flashes wirelessly tethered. Wind blows, you're chasing down equipment, and there goes your professionalism.

I'll be working indoors, and who knows if I have windows for natural light, or if I'll have time to take pictures outside. This project requires I be a fly on the wall and not direct any kind of photograph unless the parents ask for a picture. No flash, no light modifiers, no controlled light at all. At any moment I could be asked to leave if someone thinks I'm invading personal space. The children have already gone through a traumatic experience being flown from Korea and meeting their new parents. They won't exactly be looking forward for a studio style portrait session.


And of course I regret selling my 5D camera. Who wouldn't?

[TechnicalDisaster]

I need to get out the book on my 5D, I would have thought it had more ISO than from 100 to 1600

5D ISO range:

ISO 50 (Enhanced L)
• ISO 100
• ISO 125
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 250
• ISO 320
• ISO 400
• ISO 500
• ISO 640
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
• ISO 1250
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200 (Enhanced H)

It's custom function 08: ISO expansion. Turn it on to get ISO 50 and 3200.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

I need to get out the book on my 5D, I would have thought it had more ISO than from 100 to 1600

5D ISO range:

ISO 50 (Enhanced L)
• ISO 100
• ISO 125
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 250
• ISO 320
• ISO 400
• ISO 500
• ISO 640
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
• ISO 1250
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200 (Enhanced H)

It's custom function 08: ISO expansion. Turn it on to get ISO 50 and 3200.

Could I do this with my Canon Rebel XTi?

[DTO Luv]

No.

[Brad]

It's custom function 08: ISO expansion. Turn it on to get ISO 50 and 3200.

Thanks Chris. If you have to turn it on, is there any reason not to use it? I am guessing 3200 is fairly noisy, but any reason not to use the 50?

[TechnicalDisaster]

It's custom function 08: ISO expansion. Turn it on to get ISO 50 and 3200.

Thanks Chris. If you have to turn it on, is there any reason not to use it? I am guessing 3200 is fairly noisy, but any reason not to use the 50?

About 1 step less dynamic range. More blown highlights and less detail in the shadows. Don't use it in really contrasty conditions.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

What Camera settings do you set your Camera?

"P Mode" Program?
"TV Mode" Time Value?
"M Mode" Manual?
"Av Mode" Aperture Value?

[TechnicalDisaster]

What Camera settings do you set your Camera?

"P Mode" Program?
"TV Mode" Time Value?
"M Mode" Manual?
"Av Mode" Aperture Value?

I use whatever setting is appropriate for the task, but the majority of time I use Av to control DOF. Manual mode for night scenes and panos.

My Xti consistently under exposes, so I always give it an EV +1/3, same with Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC).