What Camera do you have?

Midtown Gal · Post by **Midtown Gal** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:11 am

Taking some pictures today using a Sony a300. They (Rockbrook) describe it as SLR for dummies. I'm reading my manual now so I'll somewhat know what I'm doing - and I just figured out how to take one lens off and put on my telephoto lens. Yay for me!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:13 pm

Not sure I would go with Etiher....

Canon SX20 IS costs $439.95 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Digital Camera costs $399.95

You can get a Canon Rebel less than 500 and you would be WAY better off in the long run with an SLR not a fixed lens like you are looking at.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:07 pm

Amen. Go for the entry level SLR. You should be much happier in the long run.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:09 am

bradley414 wrote:Personally, anyone who is on the fence between Point & shoot and DSLR should ALWAYS go DSLR--no exceptions.

Or anyone that is going to buy a point and shoot that is with in $100 of a DSLR should go for the DSLR!

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:39 pm

bradley414 wrote:
Brad wrote:
almighty_tuna wrote:
bradley414 wrote:This guy isn't happy about the 7D announcement.

Funny, that same guy isn't very happy about the Huskers, either...
Or the Dallas Cowboys, or the xbox, or Usain Bolt....
It wouldn't be very hard to put one together for Josh. "Hitler p!ssed off over the1wags taking another photo trip to the southwest." It's how we all feel!

Fire up the Hilter upset at my travels video. I'm heading out to Cali again. 1st through the 22nd. Sounds like a I'll be spending a lot of time there through January or February. Yes, I'm already planning spots to hit on the weekends. Yosemite in snow much?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:42 pm

I forgot to respond to you text. You might want to check the Map because parts of Yosemite are closed in winter. I know for sure, Glacier Point is closed until Spring.

By the Way... You Suck!

I hope to be on top of Half Dome in June.

Tornado · Post by **Tornado** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:38 pm

Thanks for all the responses! The camera I've been using for the last few years is a Nikon N-75 SLR, so I'm familiar with the benefits and flexibility of a SLR. The main reason I wanted to stay around 400 was to please my better half as I'm sure most of you know there's always better or should I say more important things to spend your money on at least according to her. :D So yes I have some knowledge on Aperture, shutter speed, lighting, etc. but when it comes to digital I'm completely going into this blind. I have never taken digital shot, besides my cell

, and have never even touched any software or photoshop, or anything else associated with digital photography. I shoot primarily landscapes, buildings, scenery, the pedestrian bridge and of course a few family shots, birthdays, Christmas, etc. The reason I really liked the Panasonic was mainly the reviews it has received for it's quality of prints considering it's a megazoom, the HD video, the 12.1 MP, the fact that it does Raw, and it's bulkier and formed like a DSLR so it fits better in my hands than a tiny, flat point and shoot. I think the deciding factor in my search will be the OK from my wife to spend a little more. I can always blame all of you on the forum for making me spend more right?

I did notice that the Canon Rebel XS, NIkon D3000, and the Sony alpa 230 all are around 5-550 so if anyone has any great information on any of these it would be appreciated. Rockbrook carries all of those models but I'm sure I could get a better deal online.[/quote] I almost forgot.....I have blown up a couple prints to 16x20 from the N75, so that would be something I would enjoy to do.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:27 pm

If you have a Nikon now I'd stay with them. You could use the lens from your film camera on your DSLR, even though it might make it manual focus.

Check this out from buydig.com.

D3000 with 18-55VR lens. 10.2MP. 3" LCD screen. $529. Do it.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx ... 30001855VR

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:38 pm

the1wags wrote:If you have a Nikon now I'd stay with them. You could use the lens from your film camera on your DSLR, even though it might make it manual focus.

Check this out from buydig.com.

D3000 with 18-55VR lens. 10.2MP. 3" LCD screen. $529. Do it.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx ... 30001855VR

That is pretty sound advice.

Tornado · Post by **Tornado** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:22 pm

OK, I finally have it narrowed down to 3 cameras, and yes I'm going to go with a DSLR. :lol: The Sony A330, the Nikon 3000, and the Canon XSi. I had every intent on picking up the Nikon a few weeks ago but started wondering whether Live-view would be an option that I would really enjoy. Both the Sony and Canon have live-view with the Canon having a 3"lcd and the Sony having a tilting 2.7"lcd, the Nikon doesn't have live-view. Other than the Canon having 12.2 mp compared to the others 10.2, there is just not a lot of difference between them. It might come down to what camera feels the most comfortable in my hand. My question to all you guys is just how much do any of you use live-view? Do you think it's a great option? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:27 pm

I've used live view all of maybe 5 times in the last year. Don't let it be your make-or-break. How a camera feels in your hand is a very important aspect, don't discount it at all.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:03 pm

I have seen Josh use live view to take a photo over a fence at the new ballpark.

However the most interesting use of live view I have seen was out at the Tetons. I met a photographer Luca Diana ( http://lucadiana.zenfolio.com ), who set up his shot with the camera looking through the view finder. Then before he took the shot he zoomed in on live view as much as it would zoom and fine tune his focus. He said you would be surprised how much of a difference it makes over auto focus.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:08 am

Of the three you mention from what I know the one I would rule out is the Sony. Not from a quality standpoint but if you end up growing with the camera and want to move up the food chain your options will be limited. From what I know your lenses and other "add on's" will be a lot fewer with the Sony.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:57 am

Tornado wrote:OK, I finally have it narrowed down to 3 cameras, and yes I'm going to go with a DSLR. :lol: The Sony A330, the Nikon 3000, and the Canon XSi. I had every intent on picking up the Nikon a few weeks ago but started wondering whether Live-view would be an option that I would really enjoy. Both the Sony and Canon have live-view with the Canon having a 3"lcd and the Sony having a tilting 2.7"lcd, the Nikon doesn't have live-view. Other than the Canon having 12.2 mp compared to the others 10.2, there is just not a lot of difference between them. It might come down to what camera feels the most comfortable in my hand. My question to all you guys is just how much do any of you use live-view? Do you think it's a great option? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

I love Live-View. I will no longer even consider a camera without it. Brad mentions one of my uses for it, to check focus in low light. The 12.2mp canon you're looking at is probably the same one I own. The live focus has a zoom feature that lets me magnify the image and check focus. I get WAY more keepers using it. Another feature is testing exposure. The LCD will show you exactly what the image looks like as you change exposure. It gets rid of all the guess work from low light shots. When we were shooting from the rooftop of the Jlofts I showed DTO how easy it was to get accurate exposure from live view, and he quickly called it 'cheating.'

For day time shooting, I don't use it. It is pretty much a low light or macro shooting tool.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:24 am

bradley414 wrote:When we were shooting from the rooftop of the Jlofts I showed DTO how easy it was to get accurate exposure from live view, and he quickly called it 'cheating.'

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:02 pm

Brad wrote:He said you would be surprised how much of a difference it makes over auto focus.

OMG, why would you even use auto focus for landscape shots?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:27 pm

Because I shoot a Nikon, where you can actually trust the autofocus.

Seriously though, why would you not? I pick what I want to focus on, pick out the autofocus zone (I have 51 point autofocus) and go. It's dead on 99.9% of the time.

Maybe this was a problem on older equipment?

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:49 pm

Besides what josh said, I usually shoot with a big depth of field so add that to you selected auto focus point its not a big deal...

I worry more about me moving the camera than I do the focus. Use of a release cable, mirror lockup, and a tripod is much more important to me.

Speaking of release cable, Josh, DTO, Chris, any one I shot with the fall seen my shutter release cable?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:01 pm

Nope I haven't seen it. Last shutter cable I saw was mine I destroyed in Yosemite. I need a new tripod head too. There goes more money. :?

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:40 pm

Brad wrote:Besides what josh said, I usually shoot with a big depth of field so add that to you selected auto focus point its not a big deal...

I worry more about me moving the camera than I do the focus. Use of a release cable, mirror lockup, and a tripod is much more important to me.

Speaking of release cable, Josh, DTO, Chris, any one I shot with the fall seen my shutter release cable?

I had yours at one time, but I thought I gave it back to you. I know I purchased one for myself a few weeks ago. I'll check my camera bags when I get home.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:46 pm

bradley414 wrote:I had yours at one time, but I thought I gave it back to you. I know I purchased one for myself a few weeks ago. I'll check my camera bags when I get home.

You had the rebel one, I am missing the 5D one..

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:54 pm

Brad wrote:
bradley414 wrote:I had yours at one time, but I thought I gave it back to you. I know I purchased one for myself a few weeks ago. I'll check my camera bags when I get home.
You had the rebel one, I am missing the 5D one..

Oh. Well that explains why I couldn't find it.

psl25201 · Post by **psl25201** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:39 am

I am brand new to the photography scene but have always enjoyed looking through each of the threads on here and seeing the great pictures. I figured it was time for me to take the plunge.

I just ordered a new Canon T1i as well as an additional 55-250 Telephoto Zoom Lens. Kind of expensive, but they had a great deal on Amazon.com

Is this a good buy for my first SLR? I'm by no means an expert, but it seemed to be a pretty popular camera.

**As a side, is anyone interested in purchasing a new Canon Pixma PRO9000 Inkjet Photo Printer? They retail for around $500, but with the deal I got, I would sell it for $300. Just message me or reply to this thread.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:14 pm

I didn't want to make a separate thread for this... I know a few of you have a little bit of an interest in astronomy. A company called Orion Telescopes, historically sort of lower end, entry level stuff... they've come a long way over the years... and have just announced some Dobsonian reflecting telescopes on a scale no one else in the world is producing for 'amateur' astronomers (perhaps that class of amateur who might otherwise spend their money on a Porsche or vacation home in Belize or something).

Their new 'monster' Dobsonian line:

http://www.telescope.com/control/catego ... id=hnum109

I haven't approached my wife yet about the second mortgage.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:44 pm

Stargazer wrote:I didn't want to make a separate thread for this... I know a few of you have a little bit of an interest in astronomy. A company called Orion Telescopes, historically sort of lower end, entry level stuff... they've come a long way over the years... and have just announced some Dobsonian reflecting telescopes on a scale no one else in the world is producing for 'amateur' astronomers (perhaps that class of amateur who might otherwise spend their money on a Porsche or vacation home in Belize or something).

Their new 'monster' Dobsonian line:

http://www.telescope.com/control/catego ... id=hnum109

I haven't approached my wife yet about the second mortgage.

$123,000? That was more than my first house. You weren't kidding about a second mortgage. If your wife let's you have one, you best never let that woman go.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:50 pm

Well, I was thinking more in terms of the 36" model... and only fantasizing about it at that (at least at this point in my life).

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:56 pm

Stargazer wrote:Well, I was thinking more in terms of the 36" model... and only fantasizing about it at that (at least at this point in my life).

Still, 56K? Is there any feasible way an amateur could monetize their hobby in stargazing and ever recoup that cost? I can't see many people owning one of these. Unless the OAS gets together and purchases one for the club, but you would need a few hundred members to make the monthly payments.

On the flip side, these prices are up their with Hot Air Balloons, and there are plenty of people who make that hobby profitable as well.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:02 pm

Precisely... one man's balloon is another man's observatory.

Here's the digs of a fellow amateur astronomer from Lincoln...

http://www.millerobservatory.com ... you're probably looking at somewhere in the range of $300,000 worth of equipment. The University of Nebraska actually uses time on his scopes for research. He also owns a 30" Dobsonian of a similar design to what you see above.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:10 pm

I wish lenses weren't so damn expensive, because I'd love to buy a wideangle. $1,500+ for a 14mm? No thanks.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:55 pm

Do you have a full frame or crop sensor? I have a Sigma 10-20mm for my Nikon D300 (crop sensor) that was about 450. Of course if I get what I want, I won't have either.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:03 pm

the1wags wrote:Do you have a full frame or crop sensor? I have a Sigma 10-20mm for my Nikon D300 (crop sensor) that was about 450. Of course if I get what I want, I won't have either.

ok, i'll bite...what are you saving up for?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:09 pm

Wanna go full frame, Nikon of course. Likely to be whatever body that receives the D3X sensor tech. On going process of course. I have about half the money saved for the 24-70 2.8 N wonder lens. PMA is next month, the rumors are swirling already.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:17 pm

I want something in the 300mm 2.8 range! I also really want a wide angle.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:54 pm

the1wags wrote:Do you have a full frame or crop sensor? I have a Sigma 10-20mm for my Nikon D300 (crop sensor) that was about 450. Of course if I get what I want, I won't have either.

Hmmm... not entirely sure. I'm guessing crop sensor, I only have a D40.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:03 pm

ShawJ wrote:
the1wags wrote:Do you have a full frame or crop sensor? I have a Sigma 10-20mm for my Nikon D300 (crop sensor) that was about 450. Of course if I get what I want, I won't have either.
Hmmm... not entirely sure. I'm guessing crop sensor, I only have a D40.

Trust me... You bank account knows if you have a full frame sensor!

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:23 am

Yeah Shaw, you have a crop sensor. The Sigma 10-20 is around $450, the Nikon 10-24 (not out when I bought the Sigma) is just shy of $800. Note though, that both ONLY work on crop sensors, they won't work on a full frame (D700, D3s/x) if you ever go that route.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:28 am

the1wags wrote:Yeah Shaw, you have a crop sensor. The Sigma 10-20 is around $450, the Nikon 10-24 (not out when I bought the Sigma) is just shy of $800. Note though, that both ONLY work on crop sensors, they won't work on a full frame (D700, D3s/x) if you ever go that route.

Do you know if those lenses have an AF motor? The problem with the D40 is that they took out the AF motor on the body, so if you don't buy lenses with them you have to focus yourself.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:33 am

They both have AF motors, good to go on the D40.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:42 am

the1wags wrote:They both have AF motors, good to go on the D40.

Nice, I'll definitely consider it then. Thanks for the info.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:17 pm

Just ordered my new weapon. Canon t1i. I'm heading to Walt Disney World with the family and wanted to record HD video along with pictures. I'm super excited to try out the low light video performance.

Now I have to unload my canon Xsi if anyone is interested. Might be 1.5years old, includes 18-55IS lens, box, paperwork, software, etc. PM me if you're intersted.