New future camera.
Mercedes Benz
Registered Users Posts: 11 Big grins
I'm trying to save up the cash for a new DSLR. So much controversy out there on the web and in the public about one being far better than the other and vice versa.
I used to have a brand new Nikon DSLR, but I sold it and saved some money to get a faster, higher MP and ISO model. I ended up getting an EOS 30D, but of course its a dinosaur now.
Now I'm selling it to probably get something by Nikon, probably a used, good condition D4s, and try to find an f/1.2 lens (35 or 50mm) from somewhere, but I hear Nikon doesn't make a 1.2 anymore and Canon does. So I guess it'll have to be a 1.4.
I also keep hearing that Nikon makes a full-frame sensor and it says it's a 36mm (not 35), and that Canon is still stuck on 26mm (or 28) sensors and that they're no bigger than 35. If they do have 35, how is it that Nikon is making a 36?
And that Nikon makes a better shoe-mount flash than Canon. Someone tried to get me to buy the Nikon Df, but its shutter speed is only up to 1/4000 and does not take good shots in the dark after 6,400 ISO.
Anyway, I would like to hear all opinions and suggestions with all your cameras you've ever had and all lessons learned from all brands and models. Thank you.:D
I used to have a brand new Nikon DSLR, but I sold it and saved some money to get a faster, higher MP and ISO model. I ended up getting an EOS 30D, but of course its a dinosaur now.
Now I'm selling it to probably get something by Nikon, probably a used, good condition D4s, and try to find an f/1.2 lens (35 or 50mm) from somewhere, but I hear Nikon doesn't make a 1.2 anymore and Canon does. So I guess it'll have to be a 1.4.
I also keep hearing that Nikon makes a full-frame sensor and it says it's a 36mm (not 35), and that Canon is still stuck on 26mm (or 28) sensors and that they're no bigger than 35. If they do have 35, how is it that Nikon is making a 36?
And that Nikon makes a better shoe-mount flash than Canon. Someone tried to get me to buy the Nikon Df, but its shutter speed is only up to 1/4000 and does not take good shots in the dark after 6,400 ISO.
Anyway, I would like to hear all opinions and suggestions with all your cameras you've ever had and all lessons learned from all brands and models. Thank you.:D
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
0
Comments
If you feel that you must buy a Nikon camera, a Nikon D4s is an excellent, although expensive, choice. If you feel that an expensive body will make you a better photographer, it most certainly will not make you a better photographer.
Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, ... (long day, who am I forgetting?), all make rather excellent dSLRs (and derivative digital cameras which act like dSLRs).
Yes, Nikon makes excellent lenses too. (So do the other manufacturers mentioned.)
A single prime lens will probably not serve many different purposes. I suggest purchasing a professional zoom lens instead, and a professional standard zoom will be much more versatile to start with. I suggest perhaps a Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S ED as a great Nikon FX standard zoom lens.
Nonsense. Canon made Full-Frame (FF), 135 format Digital-SLR bodies before Nikon made their first.
A FF dSLR has an image sensor of 36mm x 24mm. The correct name for a typical FF body is 135 format.
(When people talk about a "35mm body", that refers to the width of film used in a FF film body. Since digital cameras don't use film, it's just wrong (IMO) to use the phrase, "35mm body". "135 format", on the other hand, also refers to the lens coverage, so the term, "135 format" is still in common use to designate a FF digital body.)
Canon, Nikon and Sony all make, or recently made (in the case of Sony) FF Digital-SLR, interchangeable lens, cameras.
APS-C format digital, interchangeable lens, cameras, are also made by the above manufacturers, as well as Pentax and others. Canon makes APS-C/Crop 1.6x bodies, while the rest (I believe) make APS-C/Crop 1.5x bodies. No real significance between Crop 1.6x bodies and Crop 1.5x bodies.
Both Canon and Nikon make excellent flash automation systems. Many professionals also use radio master/slave sets for better versatility and reliability in more shooting situations. I've never used the other manufacturer flash automation systems, but generally they also have specific strengths and weaknesses.
Yes, competent ISO 6400 generally does require a FF body from one of the major manufacturers. Even then, you may not always like the results.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
What's your budget (initial / long term) ?
What subject matter are you likely to be taking pics of?
pp
Flickr
The Canon 600EX-RT radio-controlled flash system is the most advanced in the industry right now. Read any review on it.
Link to my Smugmug site
I'll offer the usual advice: find a store which carries a wide range of brands and play with the display models. In my quest to see/handle certain mirrorless models, I recently discovered that Best Buy has really stepped up their game. I was told that many regions now have at least one area store with a HUGE imaging department that contains "serious" gear (and serious photographers working there) rather than just the usual consumer stuff and non-specialist salespeople. They will also price-match reputable vendors like Amazon, Adorama etc if you prefer to buy locally. (I still prefer Adorama and B&H, but it is VERY useful to have a bricks-and-mortar location for certain tings!).
(Fwiw I have always HATED best buy, but recent experience has changed my mind. Both sales people I spoke to knew their stuff, and they had not only a huge range of cameras on display - and functional! - but also proper accessories like reflectors, lighting gear, strobist add-on's and other things I've not seen in the chain before. It's not in every store, but the one(s) they've dsignated for the region.)
What type of photography are you planning to shoot and what is your budget?
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
I didn't start from crappy shots to fair ones when I got my first camera back in '05, and I know if I do get the D4s or the D5 whenever it arrives, I won't become any or much better, but I'd like to have something that shoots in the dark far better than what I've been shooting with since '08. I mean it only shoots up to 3200 ISO and it doesn't have an NR filter.
Well, the kind of photography I like is portrait, whether it's dark or light, in or outdoors. I like macro, nature, journey, weddings (but weddings may be the last thing I do since I have a lot to learn and no one will hire an amateur, anyway). I also like city and people photography. And of course astrophotography, which to me isn't easy, but I plan to learn that, too.
The only place that sells DSLRs near me is BestBuy, but all they carry are the Rebels and the D3300 up to the D5200 and a couple of lenses and flashes. That particular store isn't that interested in DSLRs, but they sure have the TVs and computers.
Wolfcamera was a couple miles farther out, but they shut down not too long ago. I call places that are more farther away and they say they don't have any camera that's over $1,200 to $1,500, therefore leaving me to have to view and buy online.
I used to have the Nikon SB600 flash (two of them). Each one stopped working after a few weeks. The first one was completely unresponsive, as if there were no batteries in it, and the second one worked only when it wanted to. I never yet bought a flash for my 30D, but I still have a Lightsphere that I used with the SB600.
Anyway, I'm trying to answer everyone, but I have to go. I'll be back later. Thanks for all your replies, everyone. I only ask questions and make comments so I can learn all I can. Not trying to ask or comment silly questions, although it may seem that's what I'm doing, but I'm just trying to learn is all. Thanks and you all have a wonderful evening.
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
Well, apart from sports and underwater pics ... that just about covers everything
I wonder what is your main interest though ... the one that gets you really excited at the prospect of getting a decent shot ... 'cos, by using the words 'of course' in front of astrophotography ... makes it sound like it's a front runner?
One of the genres - macro - has particular 'gear' relevance - depending on how deep you want to go, as no-one else offers anything like Canon's mpe-65.
pp
Flickr
What is this NR filter you keep referencing?
If I were you with money being tight and a desire to get back into photography, I would buy a lightly used Nikon D700 and a 50mm lens. This will be light years ahead of your old camera. Full frame with excellent low light performance at a great price.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
Where do you keep hearing this?
Mitchell: Thanks very much. But soon I'll have more money for something newer. Meanwhile, I'm still practicing with my 30D, mostly in the M mode. The heck with the auto. Many shots are nice in auto, but I still ought to stay away from it, unless something happened too fast for me to set a couple things in manual. And it may not be easy to find a used anything in this town and I don't trust Ebay.
John: I heard these things from who know far more than I do about cameras at places like BestBuy and WolfCamera and on places like Dpreview.com. But this is why I want to come in here and ask. All you guys have the good cameras and awesome pictures. This is a place of learning. As for the shoe-mount flashes, it was said that the SB800 back in the day was able to shoot in ways (don't remember how this man explained it) that the Speedlites couldn't. Beats me.
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
Stop going to those places. And if you do, I wouldn't trust "information" from counter salespeople at mass merchandisers that are on commission to sell only inventory they have on hand. You have obviously been led astray with what you have mentioned in this thread. DPReview - now that source is right 99+% of the time.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
This is a good place. but as always get conformation about what your reading. If I recommend something CHECK it out as well!
Right now I will suggest you continue with your research ask questions, read, go to a good CAMERA store with inventory so you can hold them etc. Consider renting the camera you are considering to buy.
You have a lot of questions and are unclear as to your real needs.
Don't spend any money right now, there is no rush!!
All the time you take to learn about what will best meet your needs will be very well spent.
You mentioned you a camera that will shoot high ISO. It doesn't matter what the camera ISO can be set to. It only matters if the ISO will be usable. IE, I don't think I would use your 30D any higher than 800. Over that the image would be too noisy for me. I don't really like to use my Canon 5D II over 1600, but I have been able to get usable images at 3200. The Canon 5D III can go higher and get good usable images. I think that Nikon (not sure which model, and the model is VERY important) is currently the high ISO king.
Knowledge is everything.
Many would recommend you look at a brand and the complete like of accessories, lenses, flashes, etc as opposed to just randomly picking a camera body and then find out you can't a lens or item you need for they type of photography you want to do.
There is no one camera best at everything. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses.
Sam
Well, I've yet to visit a 'generalist's' website where I've been equally impressed by all of the images displayed on it.
In the same way that I will give much cause for mirth / need to replace pacemaker batteries, to other dgrinners - if I upload pics taken at my daughter's wedding later this year - I shake my head at others' attempts at genres which are obviously not their primary interest / out of their comfort zone.
pp
Flickr
Just to clarify so nobody thinks I've forgotten how to shop
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
http://www.moose135photography.com
For example, John Deer sold the rights to Lowe's (or HomeDepot - or both) to use the John Deer brand name on generic lawn/garden equipment; and therefore, when, say, a riding lawnmower breaks down, it cannot be taken to John Deer. They will not repair it with the warranty that came with it. It has to be taken back to the home improvement stores and let them deal with the warranty.
Same thing with Michelin tires. They sold the rights to Walmart to use their brand name on crappy generic tires from wherever they're made at. You buy the one that supposed to last 90,000 miles, it may only last up to 30,000.
So my concern is, if I were to buy a new camera from a store like Walmart or even off Amazon (to save some money, especially when something's on sale), did Canon or Nikon sell the rights to any store in the world to put their brand names on generic-made cameras and accessories? If so, they won't last long. This should be against the law—impostors with the authentic brand names.
Canon EF 28-135mm USM 3.5-5.6 IS
Gary Fong's Lightsphere II C3 (clear)
I don't have a Speedlite yet.
All of the big name camera manufacturers source from an international consortium of global sub-assemblies and sub-components. There have been rumors that some camera manufacturers provide cheaper components to mass merchandisers' intended markets ('X'Marts, Sears, Costco, etc.), but I am not aware of any exposé which proves that as a fact. Rather, it seems that camera internals can be a virtual cornucopia of different manufacturer labels.
Nikon, in particular, is known to use image sensors from Sony in many cameras, but you also see Toshiba imagers in even the better Nikon dSLRs. Aptina is another sensor manufacturer Nikon uses, and there are rumors that Aptina sensors may be used in Nikon's best dSLRs at some point. (http://www.chipworks.com/ is a fairly good source of information for those with a technical bent.
If you intend on using a camera for a business purpose my honest and serious recommendation is to purchase new camera bodies and new lenses intended for the US market (assuming a US resident). The reason is that it's just that much easier to establish a warranty service or repair. Indeed, it may also be easier to join one of the professional networks if you have only photographic serial numbers tied to your particular global region. (Canon Professional Services, aka CPS, and Nikon Professional Services, aka NPS, for instance.)
For used items that are out of warranty I suppose that it just doesn't matter too much.
Following what I preach, I have only purchased US intended bodies and likewise lenses when purchasing new.
The recommended and authorized dealers I purchase from are (alphabetically but not necessarily any preference):
B&H
Calumet
Tallyn's
I mean, c'mon; would you trust your Mercedes Benz automobile to Walmart's Automotive Center for anything? Then why purchase photographic items from them?
Buy, and support, people with real photographic knowledge and authorized manufacturer support as it just makes sense.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Have you considered that to offer brand name merchandise at low prices, the manufacturer might have agreed to the lower wholesale price only if the retailer accepted the warranty service?
These posts are now getting increasingly humorous. The OP needs to decide on a budget and what type of photography he is interested in and then just buy from a reputable seller (BH, Adorama, etc...).
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/