Digital SLR - what have you got??

[Sako85 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sako85]

Sometimes the quality of lenses has more of an impact on the photo quality than the camera, food for thought.

Agree also. These days it comes down to the glass imo.

I have an old D40X which is going to be upgraded soon. Missus has some sort of Canon. Both have been trouble free.

I feel the Nikon has the edge slightly, but kep in mind these cameras are 4 or 5 years old. My Nikon has been everyehere, all through Europe quite a few trips in Oz, chucked in the camelback on bike trips and stacked onto, Used when 4wding, out in the rain many times, dropped in the mud once, alomst left on a train in Switzerland. It still works perfectly and takes great pictures.

I think I will go with Pentax when it comes time to upgrade though, as good as the Nikon has been, they seem to take better pics (better glass). And I have an old 35mm Pentax (SPII) and it takes better photo's than any camera I could afford to buy today, so have a soft spot for them.

Ben

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

All cameras will be trouble free, unless you dunk it in water or drop it, As it is part of my hobby, I feel the need to tell you all that the lens is the integral part of the camera, followed by the processor (chip), as the processor will only process what it sees from the lens, a 16 mp camera with a high quality lens will outperform (have a higher quality picture) than a 30 mp camera with a poor quality lens.
While it is great to have this, that, and the other on your camera, do you really need it or will you ever use it, this needs to be taken into account when you purchase, also make up your mind as to what you want on the camera, not the salesman.
Also, do not rule out the digital film SLR cameras on the market at the moment, as film cameras will give a better quality picture than a full digital SLR, Google what the camera of the year was last year, and you will see what I mean. Yes it is a full body camera, so you only get one lens, but it is worth noting, here is a link to it
http://www.photographybay.com/2011/1...a-of-the-year/

[matt18x Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close matt18x]

I use a canon 7d. All good advice In regards to lens quality instead of camera body. Stick to Nikon or canon, plenty of good used lenses around if you decide to later In those brands.

Google discount digital photography. You can pick up cameras for these guys a lot cheaper than the big companies

Enjoy.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

What do you mean Digital Film SLR?
That link is the Fuji X100... a beautiful camera... it's not an SLR but a Digital "Rangefinder" camera. Completely digital, no film...

I agree with everything else you've said... just curious re: that statement.

Also, do not rule out the digital film SLR cameras on the market at the moment, as film cameras will give a better quality picture than a full digital SLR, Google what the camera of the year was last year, and you will see what I mean. Yes it is a full body camera, so you only get one lens, but it is worth noting, here is a link to it
http://www.photographybay.com/2011/1...a-of-the-year/

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Dont rule out the Sony DSLR cameras, the lens quality is awesome, as well as the variety of lenses and filters,ect, but it all comes down to your budget.
http://www.sony.com.au/product/nex-vg20eh

The wife and I are also looking into cameras and with a budget of $1000-$1500, we had the Sony Alpha A55 with twin lens (18-55 and 75-300) recommended to us. Anyone have this camera and if so, what are their thoughts on it?

Initially I was heading towards eithe Canon or Nikon, however we were told that if we also wished to use the camera for shooting movie, then the Sony was a no-brainer.

We are kinda looking to purchase in the next month, however I have been told that most of the major brands will be bringing out new models in the next 3 to 4 months. To wait or not to wait is the question.

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Madkore

After 12 years in the IT industry never wait for the new stuff or you'll be dissapointed as it will cost a premium and then 2 months down the track (pun intended) it'll be superceded by something else.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

The wife and I are also looking into cameras and with a budget of $1000-$1500, we had the Sony Alpha A55 with twin lens (18-55 and 75-300) recommended to us. Anyone have this camera and if so, what are their thoughts on it?

Initially I was heading towards eithe Canon or Nikon, however we were told that if we also wished to use the camera for shooting movie, then the Sony was a no-brainer.

We are kinda looking to purchase in the next month, however I have been told that most of the major brands will be bringing out new models in the next 3 to 4 months. To wait or not to wait is the question.

The canon 60d has a good write up in the latest mr 4x4 mag, apparently very good for shooting video.


Hutch- 2007 V6 GXL.
2012 V6 GXL on order.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

What do you mean Digital Film SLR?
That link is the Fuji X100... a beautiful camera... it's not an SLR but a Digital "Rangefinder" camera. Completely digital, no film...

I agree with everything else you've said... just curious re: that statement.

Digital film SLR is like the older style SLR camera, you buy a digital film for them, the film camera will always give a better quality picture than a full digital camera. The only benifit of a digital camera is you can take more pictures without changing film (because it does not have any), The Pappo's have the new style Dig SLR bacause they can take many shots without fumbling around with film, so they dont miss a shot, but go to a photograher in a studio, and they will always use a film camera for the better quality picture. It is the same for Video cameras.

Sorry must have linked in the wrong camera, there are two versions of this camera, one that is dig and the other film. The film one is the camera of the year.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I have a Nikon D7000 and love it the D5100 is also a very good performer. As others have said get some good glass and your off. When I go out and take my kit I take my nikon 16-85mm and Nikon 70-300mm with my Nikon 35mmf1.8 for lower light stuff. I have another three lenses for different occasions when needed. The secret isn't which DSLR to get its learning to use it and it's not easy. I tell most my family and friends if your not committed to alot of learning get a canon XS-40 ultra zoom (28-840mm range) or a Panasonic FZ150 or the likes and go take snaps.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

One thing ro keep in mind is...... Although it is nice to have a high quality camera, sometimes it is best to have a camera from the bottom end of the market too, I am going to have to take this road as I'm going on a cruise soon, and I dont think I should be taking my good camera with me.

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

Bought a D700 (great camera btw) 2 months ago and now they FINALLY release the D800.... DOH!!!

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

The world of photography certainly is a new one to me. The wife and I certainly are keen so we are looking into doing a course, as to me there is no point spending all this money on a product we don't know how to use or make the most of.

It seems most folk tend to stick with the same brand, which isn't anything new. Just like people tend to stick with a particular car brand...

I'm kinda split between the Sony Alpha A55 and the Canon 60D. I am kinda swinging toward the Sony because its fairly on par with the Canon and its about $400/$500 cheaper. Hopefully someone on here has a Sony Alpha and can gave some feedback on how they have found it.

[Muffla Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Muffla]

Interesting thread. My relationship with Canon goes back to the early 80s when my Grandmother bought me a AE1 Program to photograph birds up in the blue mountains. By the late 80s I had become a CPS member with Canon. This is when Canon Australia used to lend out L series lenses to CPS members, it was an excellent time to be in photography as a full time job because you got to use lenses like the 600mm F4L for free. These days you don't get invited to become a member, you buy it.
My dream is to start up a publishing company, which I nearly achieved in 2010, hence, the purchase and then the sale of the 150 that I had for a short time. The two investors that I had in the business ended up not liking each other so the whole thing fell over. So I had to go back to mechanical to feed the family. I hope one day that I can go back to photographing Australia full time for that is what I am very good at, that and graphics.
I grew up on film and to go to full digital in 2010 was something of a revolution for me.
Why am I telling you this, well, three reasons, self therapy, invest in the Canon L series range of lenses, and the body depends on what you want to do. As you can see, my dream is publishing so I use the EOS1ds and at the moment, mark 111s. I also don't want any members thicking that I am a snob in camera terms as well, so I wanted to explain why I have these cameras. I am very passionate about nature and photography, and seeing that most products that have been fully developed, at least in the beginning, are aimed at children's education (ecology based) I don't thick it's a bad thing. I just have to find a way to get some more investment into the business to get it off the ground again.
Any of the Canon products would be my pick of the bunch, and as you can see, I have had a long relationship with them. My New F1 body really has been to hell and back, it's still going, what a camera that has been. Done around the 600,000 exposure mark without any problems, not even calibration. It was hard going from the old FD lenses to the new EF range of lenses. I guess I am showing my old photographic age now. Two of my FD lenses have got mould on the elements now from tracking through rainforest and the likes, so it was time too replace them anyway.
Lenses that I use : 14mm F2.8L, 24mm F1.4L, 100mm Macro F2.8L, 135mm F2.0L, 300mm F2.8L. For a flash unit, I have an old Metz CL3 and it just works fine.
Do I get out and photograph much these days, well not at the moment, because of a lack of funds.
Hope this helps all you budding photographers out there, the Roo.
PS, any questions on photography you wish to ask me, don't hesitate, just PM me and I will be glad to help out if I can.

Nice write up Roo,

Hope you eventually get back into your passion. This thread has got me looking into camera gear again, bloody forums! ;-)

Im interested in getting a Canon EF 50mm F/1.4mm for general photography as a mate of mine has one and loves it. Is there anything similar you could recommend for use with portrait and/or general use or is this a good buy?

Cheers,
Murray.

[chappy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chappy]

I own an nikon D60 with the twin lens kit aswell as uv filters on both lens's with an 4gb card,I got the whole lot plus camera bag for 1753.00 from Perth camera house,i also use an Panasonic Lumix as my point and shoot(I also carry it around in my pocket at work).
I ended up tossing the bag as it was too big to stuff in the overhead luggage compartment when flying,I love both camera's for their flexibilty.

[Chris220220 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris220220]

You buy a brand and stick with it, especially once you get a few lenses. As I was told you buy good lenses and end up upgrading bodies. I have been happy with canon. I have friends with canons and it is good to be able to swap and share lenses when needed. Just jump in and you will not regret it. Resale is good for most decent dslrs.