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dSLR's?

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:20 pm
by Evil Red
Hey.
I'm soon going to be in the market for a DSLR and I was wondering if anyone has any recomendations, both pro and con. Now that I've decided to throw down the cash, up to the $1000 neighborhood, I'll need my new baby to be super fast, have a lot of versatility and hopefully replace a good chunk of my manual camera and a bag full of accesories if possible all in one shot.

Also, are my manual filters (at least) adaptable?

Any help is appreciated. :)

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:22 pm
by wadruid
I recommend something in the Nikon series. Not sure if your filters are adaptable, however they might be. I love my D50, but if you are looking to spend around $1K, you could probably get something better.

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:36 pm
by IRONDICK
I also like the Nikons as I have a D70 but I know that Chris is going to pipe in and say go canon. Honestly your best bet is to go take a look at then and see what feels right in your hands.

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:44 pm
by Evil Red
I'm currently leaning towards a Canon although I've always owned Olympus and will be doing some massive fondling as soon as tomorrow. Tell me specifically what you like and don't like about your cameras' please, if ya don't mind.

And yeah, I was curious what input Chris might have too.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:19 am
by Adremelech
The Canon Rebel series are great cameras. I'm no expert, but I've seen what these things can do in the hands of a skilled photographer and they're pretty killer.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:44 am
by Chris Slack
What SLR and lenses do you have now? It might be a good idea to try to stay with the same system so you can use your existing lenses rather than starting over again.

With that said I swear by Canon and you have seen some of the photos I took with my old trusty 20d. In your price range you could not go wrong with their new Rebel T1i. It is 15 megapices, does 3.4 frames per second and also shoots HD video. MSRP (with an 18-55mm) lens is $799 but you could get it for a bit less at a REPUTABLE Internet dealer like B and H Photo or Adorama and have enough left over for an extra battery or two and a 3rd party lens. Here's a review from my most trusted camera review site: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS500D/

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:52 pm
by soundguy
Like Chris said, if you already have lenses that you really like, stick with the same brand. From what I have seen, there are a lot more lenses available for Canon, especially 3rd-party one like Tokina, Tamron, and Sigma. There also seems to be a bigger 2nd-hand market of Canon-compatible lenses so if you decide you want to add something to your collection, you won't necessarily have to buy it new.

Personally, I mostly shoot video these days, so I'm still getting by just fine with my trusty old 10D.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:49 pm
by Evil Red
Chris Slack wrote:What SLR and lenses do you have now? It might be a good idea to try to stay with the same system so you can use your existing lenses rather than starting over again.
See, now that's great! I wasn't entirelly sure they would still be interchangable and that gives me something to really think about. Thanks for the input, guys!

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:57 pm
by soundguy
Also note that the later versions of the Canon Rebel used an even more proprietary "S" lens that doesn't fit on standard Canon bodies.

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:49 pm
by Chris Slack
soundguy wrote:Also note that the later versions of the Canon Rebel used an even more proprietary "S" lens that doesn't fit on standard Canon bodies.
Do they only use EFS lenses? I ask as my 20d can use both. I have only bought EF lenses though as I will someday go full frame :)

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:48 pm
by Drew
I agree with the guys (Canon is the best brand), however if you are entertaining a Nikon, I been playing with the D5000 here at work and its a pretty slick camera. Smallish like the Rebel, but beefy!

Runs $799 at BBY, can get online for around $550.

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:09 pm
by Frank the Hammer
[quote="Evil Red"]...will be doing some massive fondling as soon as tomorrow. QUOTE]


What time can we be expecting you?

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:25 am
by soundguy
Chris Slack wrote:Do they only use EFS lenses? I ask as my 20d can use both. I have only bought EF lenses though as I will someday go full frame :)
Oops, I misspoke slightly. The EF-S lenses apparently work on all the newer small-frame cameras like the 20D, 40D and the later Rebels. They don't work on the 10D or any of the full-frame sensor bodies like the 1D and 5D. Of course, the high-end full-frame bodies are $5k to $8k so it's probably not an issue for most people. It's only an issue for me because of my older 10D body that predates the EF-S lenses.

I was thinking about updating awhile back (before I blew all my money on real estate) and couldn't decide between the 5D and the 40D, but now both of those have been superceded by even newer models. By all rights, the shutter on my 10D should have died years ago, but it's still hanging on. Someday I'll have to decide though.

5d

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:26 pm
by soundguy
BTW Red, the slightly older 5D is now going for as little as $1100. Hardly worth going with the consumer or semi-pro bodies at that price. The full-frame sensor (36mm) makes your lenses do what they claim to do; 50mm is actually 50mm. On a "crop frame" sensor (22mm) you multiply the lens number by 1.6; 50mm = 80mm on the 7D, 50D, or Rebel. Full frame (1Ds, 5D) is better for wide angle and portraits in a small room. Crop frame (all the others) is better for long shots like sports & nature because a 300mm lens becomes a 480mm for "free". Since it only uses the center of a lens, the crop frame models are better for cheap lenses too. I don't have any "good" lenses ($400+) so I'd probably have to spend a bunch more money on glass if I went with the 5D.

For shots in dark clubs, you're probably going to want the highest ISO you can get. On the 5D, 7D, and 50D that's 3200. On the 5D MkII ($2700) it's 6400. On the 1Ds MkIV ($5k) it's 12800

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:59 pm
by Evil Red
soundguy wrote:BTW Red, the slightly older 5D is now going for as little as $1100. Hardly worth going with the consumer or semi-pro bodies at that price. The full-frame sensor (36mm) makes your lenses do what they claim to do; 50mm is actually 50mm. On a "crop frame" sensor (22mm) you multiply the lens number by 1.6; 50mm = 80mm on the 7D, 50D, or Rebel. Full frame (1Ds, 5D) is better for wide angle and portraits in a small room. Crop frame (all the others) is better for long shots like sports & nature because a 300mm lens becomes a 480mm for "free". Since it only uses the center of a lens, the crop frame models are better for cheap lenses too. I don't have any "good" lenses ($400+) so I'd probably have to spend a bunch more money on glass if I went with the 5D.

For shots in dark clubs, you're probably going to want the highest ISO you can get. On the 5D, 7D, and 50D that's 3200. On the 5D MkII ($2700) it's 6400. On the 1Ds MkIV ($5k) it's 12800
Awesome, thank you!

Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:12 pm
by Prog7guitar
Soundguy beat me to it! I have a Rebel XT, and love it. -Hollie

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:25 am
by Evil Red
Unless Chri$tmas pays off, I'll have a few more months of bloodwhoring till I bring my baby home, but bring home I SHALL! :D

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:40 pm
by Evil Red
I have another question. Do any of the digital's have any cable release or similar systems? I hate to give up that function and just looking at the bodies, I don't see anything obvious like that. Remote maybe?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:45 pm
by Chris Slack
Evil Red wrote:I have another question. Do any of the digital's have any cable release or similar systems? I hate to give up that function and just looking at the bodies, I don't see anything obvious like that. Remote maybe?
For activating the shutter via a cable? Yeah, they have those. The Canon branded ones for my camera were expensive as hell but I got a Chinese knock-off on Ebay for 15 bucks. Works great and, as far as I am concerned, is mandatory for any slower shutter speed tripod shooting.

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:18 pm
by Evil Red
Chris Slack wrote:For activating the shutter via a cable? Yeah, they have those. The Canon branded ones for my camera were expensive as hell but I got a Chinese knock-off on Ebay for 15 bucks. Works great and, as far as I am concerned, is mandatory for any slower shutter speed tripod shooting.
I fully agree, hence my concern. Thanks! That's just the answer I wanted. Do you have any links for those?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 4:51 pm
by SLAM TV
Look at the Nikon D90 packages before you absolutely make up your mind on Canon. I prefer Nikkor optics, myself. Can't go wrong with either brand, however.

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:02 pm
by Chris Slack
Evil Red wrote:I fully agree, hence my concern. Thanks! That's just the answer I wanted. Do you have any links for those?
Nope, just search Ebay for one based on the DSLR system you decide on. The shops will only sell the branded stuff :)

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:14 pm
by soundguy
You can use the built-in timer and a tripod with long shutter times too.

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:49 am
by Evil Red
I like the feel of the cable though and used it often with wierd shit I was doing. I'm long past due getting back to it. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:15 am
by Chris Slack
soundguy wrote:You can use the built-in timer and a tripod with long shutter times too.

True, but I like activating the shutter myself :)