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Camera advice please.....

#41
cleary said:
Precisely. Let's look at the OP's actual situation - he's clearly on a very tight budget, which means he's looking for cheaper lens' which points him directly at the crop sensor market, and not at the FF market.



What's available in that range that falls in the OP's budget (inc body)?
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Based on what I said in my OP you are exactly right. However to clarify that is my PREFERED budget. I can afford more if given good reason to. But out of the gate I tend to be a cheap bastard so that is why I set the number where I did. So if you experts were to present good reason to break the $1K mark I could be tempted.

But again based on what I said initially you are correct.

Great discussion everyone! I really am picking up a lot of very useful information. I can't thank you enough for taking the time.
 
#42
Having just gone through the research to decide if I want to sell my DSLR rig to go more compact with a mirrorless setup, the deciding factors for me haven't been mentioned here yet.

First, the mirrorless cameras tend to have smaller sensors which generally results in worse quality in low light situations. Not important for everyone, but it is for me.

Second, the mirrorless don't generally have view finders and you have to rely on the screen. This can make shooting at odd angles much easier, but shooting action or in bright light more difficult.

Finally, I would happily put up with the drawbacks if the mirrorless setups were small enough to fit in my pocket, but they're too big for that. If I have to carry the camera on a strap, I don't mind the extra weight. If I can slip it comfortably in my pocket without giving up fast lenses or long telephotos, I will switch.
 
#46
bassgod0dmw said:
I assume that's in a video mode or something? My S95 takes a full second for 1 shot between shutter lag and recycle time.
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.... Also, the S110's High-Speed Burst HQ mode can now shoot continuous shots up to 10 frames per second at 12.1-megapixels, a slight increase from the 9.6 fps of the S100 in the same mode.
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From: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-s110/canon-s110A.HTM
Even my little j1 has some crazy fast burst modes. There's something to be said for smaller sensor cameras with electronic shutters :)

Every device will fill it's buffer at some point, and need to flush it though, so it's worth an in shop test to see how viable that really is.
 
#47
The best camera is the one you have with you. I know you say size won't be an issue, but realistically it almost always is. There's no point in buying an SLR and a big zoom lens just to end up leaving it at home because you don't feel like carrying it around. If your primary reason for buying this camera is to take pictures of your kids and family trips, go with something smaller.
 
#48
If I could just ask one favor of you guys please. You guys are assuming that I (and anyone else following along) knows exactly what camera you are talking about when you throw out a couple of numbers or letters. (Kind of like we would just say SVT or V4 around here and everyone knows what you are saying.) But unless you give a brand name I mostly have no idea what you are talking about when you say "D1" or "MKII". It may be common lingo for camera enthusiasts, but for some of us it is Greek. :eek:
Thanks!
 
#49
Oh sorry!

FF = full frame
MK I, II, III, IV = mark 1, 2, 3, 4
FPS = frames per second

1D, D700, and all that stuff is just the model of the camera. Canon 5D MK 1 (or 5D classic) is the 1st generation of the 5D. They're up to the 5D mkIII now.
 
#53
matante said:
The best camera is the one you have with you. I know you say size won't be an issue, but realistically it almost always is. There's no point in buying an SLR and a big zoom lens just to end up leaving it at home because you don't feel like carrying it around. If your primary reason for buying this camera is to take pictures of your kids and family trips, go with something smaller.
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+1
That's what I've been getting at, but you've said it much more eloquently than me :)

two fingers said:
If I could just ask one favor of you guys please. You guys are assuming that I (and anyone else following along) knows exactly what camera you are talking about when you throw out a couple of numbers or letters. (Kind of like we would just say SVT or V4 around here and everyone knows what you are saying.) But unless you give a brand name I mostly have no idea what you are talking about when you say "D1" or "MKII". It may be common lingo for camera enthusiasts, but for some of us it is Greek. :eek:
Thanks!
Click to expand...

bassgod0dmw said:
Oh sorry!

FF = full frame
MK I, II, III, IV = mark 1, 2, 3, 4
FPS = frames per second

1D, D700, and all that stuff is just the model of the camera. Canon 5D MK 1 (or 5D classic) is the 1st generation of the 5D. They're up to the 5D mkIII now.
Click to expand...

m43 = micro 4/3 sized sensor in a mirrorless body

mirrorless = digital camera body without the flip up mirror between the lens and sensor that slr's have in order to present the preview image via the OVF

OVF = Optical View Finder, in slrs, it uses a series of mirrors, and you see the frame as it looks directly from the lens, as opposed to an EVF

EVF = Electronic View Finder, in compacts and mirrorless cameras this takes the image projected onto the sensor and previews it on a display eg the back screen of the camera.

Compacts = point and shoot camera, non-interchangeable lens, generally small and pocketable.

Hopefully that takes care of some other ones you might run into during your research ;)
 
#55
The bigger sensors aren't just collecting more light when you need it (in low light).

They also increase the circle of confusion, aka they make out of focus objects even less sharp. This can be an important factor if you want to go down the "art" route when you want to guide the viewer's eye.

Another big factor for me are shift+tilt lenses which are kind of hard to get for mirrorless and with a small sensor that makes everything sharp kind of pointless.


Many of the EF-S lenses are only worth their money and can bring down the picture quality to that of a much lighter camera. Even when I used a 40D I never used a single EF-S lens.
 
#56
I have a Nikon D90 but often left it at home because of the size (and it's not that big for a DSLR). Was using a Canon S95 P&S but wanted a real viewfinder and have just ordered a Canon Rebel SL1, currently the smallest DSLR so far. It's an entry level DSLR but plenty enough for my needs and is almost in your budget range ($850 from Costco with 2 kit lenses).
 
#57
OK. Well...... It looks as though my budget is inching up after a LOT of reading and video watching today. I admit I am slightly overwhelmed. That being said, I think I have narrowed down to a few based on reviews of both pro and novice shooters (and about 2.75 gagillion web sites).

Cameras that have stuck out as far as price, quality, and the ability to grow into that I have found are these. All the packages are around a grand +/- with a couple lenses and maybe a bag.

Olympus OM-D Em-5 - The small size and almost all of the features and quality of a full frame are attractive I must admit.

And in the DSLR world, the Nikon D5200 and Canon EOS Rebel T5i have caught my attention for various reasons.

Anyone care to pull me out of the mud? And major pros or cons about these three? Again, all of them are around a grand with a couple starter lenses.

(Funny thing is the only comment my wife has made about any of the cameras I have looked at so far is that she loves the fact that the 5200 comes in red. She thinks it's "hot".)

Also, be advised. I understand that just like the volume knob on a bass rig, the MP can be shot a lower-than-maximum levels. I don't need to shoot my kid unwrapping Christmas presents from 15 feet away at 4.5 Tara pixels.

But, honestly, if you guys know of similarly priced Canon or Nikon models, or another M43 other than the Olympus to look at throw it at me. Although the subject is interesting and exciting to me, I'm perfectly willing to admit I'm a bit over my head here. I won't be offended if you say "Stay away from the T5i and get this Canon in stead. It does (fill in the blank) better."
 
#58
Any of the above are a good choice. I'd go to a shop and try them out. Feel them, take a couple of photos with them. See how the autofocus feels, see how the weight feels, the materials etc.


My rule for buying cameras (...or anything):
Buy based on your current knowledge. Make sure it meets all the requirements that you currently understand, and fits your budget.

As you get deeper into the scene, you'll learn more and understand the tradeoffs better. You'll learn how to work with the tradeoffs to fit your style/requirements, and you may need to get different gear. Then you can rinse and repeat from the top
 
#59
cleary said:
Any of the above are a good choice. I'd go to a shop and try them out. Feel them, take a couple of photos with them. See how the autofocus feels, see how the weight feels, the materials etc.


My rule for buying cameras (...or anything):
Buy based on your current knowledge. Make sure it meets all the requirements that you currently understand, and fits your budget.

As you get deeper into the scene, you'll learn more and understand the tradeoffs better. You'll learn how to work with the tradeoffs to fit your style/requirements, and you may need to get different gear. Then you can rinse and repeat from the top
Click to expand...

Great advice. I need to quit stressing out so much about it I guess. Just like bass gear, I'm sure I'll want something different from whatever I get in a year or so. I need to quit acting as though this is some life-changing semi-permanent decision I am making. :D Thanks.
 
#60
You've asked for more options, here's some left of field-ish ones (all serious, if your shop happens to have any of them, have a play :) ):

Fuji X-E1 - mirrorless, crop sensor (same size sensor as the DSLRs you've mentioned), very compact body, very good lens' although only a small selection

Ricoh GXR - crazy body without sensor design, you buy the lens and sensor as though you would buy the lens for any other camera. They do some very interesting combinations eg a leica mount + matched sensor (this option is not in your price range though)

Pentax K-01 - ugly as sin, and last I looked was almost being given away because they were that unpopular. The stuff under the hood is excellent though, which makes it an absolute bargain (if you can bear the eye gouging style)
 

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