Options
The impossible question....
Or maybe it's the impossible answer...
I had a Canon S2 IS. Loved the thing for a few years, then the dreaded battery issue started and it was eating batteries left and right. Spent a small fortune replacing perfectly good rechargeable batteries... Long story.. Sold the damn thing for $50 cash yesterday. I took about 10,000 pictures with it in the last 2 years (one year on a motorcycle trip).
Now the dilemma... What now? The S5 IS is basically crap, with huge noise on simple shots and nowhere near as nice a picture quality as the S2. There are some other small compacts, but all seem to have one issue or other.
One of my initial criteria was to be able to use AA batteries. One look at the current landscape of cameras and that seems a hard thing to hold on to.
So I browse and come across the G9. Looks very nice but I have no experience with it. I love the compactness but wonder about the smaller lens.
I drift "upstairs" and look at a Nikon D80. My gf has one and loves it, makes great shots and what not. I don't like the controls, it seems a very confusing UI for a camera. She has a few nice lenses and I love the look and feel and AMAZING shots this thing makes. Hmm.... Debate 1.
But then I look at the Canon 40D. Same sort of deal as the D80, a little bigger, better menus, self-cleaning sensor but uses CF cards.. (I have stacks of SDs)
If I were to get a D80, we could trade lenses and stuff, but then I have a lesser UI. If I buy a Canon, it's a different game, I get a self-cleaning system but can't share lenses and have a better UI. Or I can go back to the G9 and call it good.
I ride a lot and I carry my camera a lot. I hear from people that carrying an SLR is "different" and requires a lot more work than a small one... Figures.
But in reviewing all these toys I have to admit I am a perfectionist and I'd rather haul glass than compromise.
So, given the criteria above:
- Which camera produces the best pics, all other factors being equal?
- Am I dumb to even consider a Canon if we already have a Nikon D80? (and some nice lenses)
- Should I buy a G9 because it's good to have a small point and shoot camera anyways?
Argh!!! Why is this so hard?
All help, input, opinions and wise/harsh words welcome.
Kevin
I had a Canon S2 IS. Loved the thing for a few years, then the dreaded battery issue started and it was eating batteries left and right. Spent a small fortune replacing perfectly good rechargeable batteries... Long story.. Sold the damn thing for $50 cash yesterday. I took about 10,000 pictures with it in the last 2 years (one year on a motorcycle trip).
Now the dilemma... What now? The S5 IS is basically crap, with huge noise on simple shots and nowhere near as nice a picture quality as the S2. There are some other small compacts, but all seem to have one issue or other.
One of my initial criteria was to be able to use AA batteries. One look at the current landscape of cameras and that seems a hard thing to hold on to.
So I browse and come across the G9. Looks very nice but I have no experience with it. I love the compactness but wonder about the smaller lens.
I drift "upstairs" and look at a Nikon D80. My gf has one and loves it, makes great shots and what not. I don't like the controls, it seems a very confusing UI for a camera. She has a few nice lenses and I love the look and feel and AMAZING shots this thing makes. Hmm.... Debate 1.
But then I look at the Canon 40D. Same sort of deal as the D80, a little bigger, better menus, self-cleaning sensor but uses CF cards.. (I have stacks of SDs)
If I were to get a D80, we could trade lenses and stuff, but then I have a lesser UI. If I buy a Canon, it's a different game, I get a self-cleaning system but can't share lenses and have a better UI. Or I can go back to the G9 and call it good.
I ride a lot and I carry my camera a lot. I hear from people that carrying an SLR is "different" and requires a lot more work than a small one... Figures.
But in reviewing all these toys I have to admit I am a perfectionist and I'd rather haul glass than compromise.
So, given the criteria above:
- Which camera produces the best pics, all other factors being equal?
- Am I dumb to even consider a Canon if we already have a Nikon D80? (and some nice lenses)
- Should I buy a G9 because it's good to have a small point and shoot camera anyways?
Argh!!! Why is this so hard?
All help, input, opinions and wise/harsh words welcome.
Kevin
0
Comments
Ok, thanks for the feedback .... one question.. Will I get better pics with the G9 versus the S2? I know it's a lot more megapixels, but in some cases I find my old Olympus C3030 to have better shots than my S2, weird as that may sound.
If you really wanted to go down the DSLR road, you wouldn't be asking in here...you would have made your mind up already that your having one & simply be debating which brand. Buying a DSLR can be a true pandoras box....you are getting into something that simply wont ever end (for most of us anyway & we enjoy that) ..but for having a camera in your backpack constantly & having one that will return a high quality photo then i doubt there is a better choice currently than that of the G9.
Ok, thanks. Much appreciated. I do like to take pictures (a lot). Some of my stuff is here: www.nohorizons.net
Cheers,
K
Don't get me wrong, I love every minute of it! But it's worth deciding if you're ready and willing to go down that road.
I don't have any hands on experience with a G9, but it seems to be the people's choice for a high quality, versatile compact, and if you don't have any very specific needs it can't meet, then why not the G9?
If you love it, prepare to make your wallet cry for mercy.
If you’re indifferent, you will use it from time to time, but won't completely enjoy it for a while.
If you hate it, you will want to get rid of it and go back to the P & S.
If a P & S has been great and convient for you, go that route. If you found that your P & S has been limiting you, then your ready to step up to the next level.
If you do decide you want to step up, then consider what will feel right for you. If you find you prefer the Canon and it feels more intuitive, then I would suggest you go that route. If you buy something your not completely happy with, it will hinder you more than allow you to grow as a photographer. Granted having the ability to share lenses is nice, but being able to enjoy using the equipment you buy and getting the images you want is even better. Misery has it's place, and it should not be involved with a hobby.
What is it you really "want" to do?
Are you limited to one or the other direction? (If you could get both a P&S and a dSLR would that be best?)
Review your own work, find out what worked for you and what did not. Remember what shots you missed and why.
In the end, purchase whatever works to "your" needs and "your" wishes.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
If you prefer the P&S, the G9 has a very good reputation and is a good choice.
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
While having both seems like the best of both worlds, I find I have never once gone back to using my 'pricey' P&S I bought shortly before I switched to DSLR. And the only reason is that I feel somewhat guilty not using all that good glass I treated myself to! Even when I'm shooting something not critically important, I still use the good glass. Meanwhile, I am beginning to yearn for simpler times and not having to lug all that gear around. (Never thought I would hear myself admit that!!!
As a "for instance" I bought a Fujifilm F30 P&S and I use it for those times when I don't want to be hindered with a dSLR (or intimidate the subjects). I used the camera in the O'Hare airport (my son was flying out), when a dSLR would have been a complicator, and most recently, when my sister came to visit (she hates cameras and others taking her picture.)
I did go ahead and add several accessory lenses (which it doesn't accept directly) and I purchased a Sunpak slave unit that allows me to use an external flash (really handy for bounce situations and longer flash range at low ISO).
The F30 has enough dynamic range so that I can "push" the shadows in a very dSLR fashion with little noise.
The only thing I miss now is RAW mode.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Why? I love my 40D, but there are times when I want a good camera with me "just in case". Times when I think (I know?) I'll want to take photos, but I don't want to carry the larger dSLR and lenses. I travel on my bicycle, and both cameras usually travel with me, the G9 in a small fanny pack, and the 40D in a safe rack pack on the rear rack of my bicycle. If I see something that cries out for a quick photo I can put my foot down and grab the G9. If I see something that cries out for photo play, I can get off of the bike and play with my 40D. Or both...
If you'd like to see some photos from the G9, here's a link to the gallery containing photos from my early play with the camera - http://www.denisegoldberg.com/gallery/5006458_DjBW3.
On the battery front, I gave up off-the-shelf batteries as a requirement a long time ago when all of the cameras that interested me used proprietary batteries. I make sure that I have 2 batteries though, and I do replace them periodically when they start to have a shorter lifespan.
It really comes down to your needs, not anyone else's.
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
If I go DSLR, which brand supports the best glass? I know... but I had to ask
K
Alphabetical order:
Canon
Leica
Nikon
Olympus
Pentax
Sony (Minolta)
Honestly, they all have lenses in varying grades and costs, including wonderful professional grade lenses.
Nikon and Canon (reverse alphabetical) have by far the greatest diversity and used lens offerings.
Pentax has the best compatibility with old lenses (some great old manual lenses), with Nikon and Minolta not too far behind.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
If AA batteries are important to you take a look at the Pentax K200D. It's a relatively small DSLR that runs on your choice of either four AA lithium batteries or four NiMH rechargebale AAs.
In egonomics, image quality and pretty much any measure other than size, it will run rings around any of the Canon Sx series cameras or the G9.
http://georgesphotos.net
Spent some time at the local camera store. Shot a few things with the D80 from my gf, shot the same things with the G9. Bottom line, I hate the G9 because you can only really frame things through the LCD screen. The little viewfinder is worse than what I had on my 110 when I was a kid. So it's out.
But then I got talking to the rep and he told me the D200 is now cheaper than a 40D as there's a new D300 out. So that D200 came out ... lots of nice controls, better ergos for sure....
B&H has a D200 + 18-200 VR II lens for around $2K
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413124-REG/Nikon_9995_D200_SLR_Digital_Camera.html
That should cover off everyhting I want, by a long shot. But they of course are out of stock. I have to admit I want quality, playing with all these cameras and purple fraying has to be a thing of the past. I'm going to carry glass, preferably the setup I listed above. I think that would make me VERY happy. My gf rarely uses any of her other lenses and uses her 18-135 all the time.
So now I need to find a good deal on a D200 + the 18-200 VR II kit...
Any other ideas as to good online sources? I only know B&H and not much else.
Cheers,
Kevin
(see you soon!)
Be well... Ara & Spirit
My Gallery in progress...
On the road, homeless, with my buddy Spirit...
I'm going to go for a D80 because I don't see how a D200 would be better? It's the same chip so I expect the same picture quality...?
The D200 is nicer and alloy versus plastic ... also weather proof... but it uses CF and I don't feel like buying a bunch of CF. We use SD mostly
I'm thinking of the 18-200 mm VR II lens. Any feedback on that?
Thanks!
The kit?
My Gallery in progress...
On the road, homeless, with my buddy Spirit...
Nope, I'm getting a different lens
Where are you? Done at the beginning of Aug and will ride down to where you are.
Send you a pm...
My Gallery in progress...
On the road, homeless, with my buddy Spirit...
1. The camera did everything you asked of it for years
2. You got along just fine with the size, operation, and GUI.
3. You knew its capabilities (probably like you do your Bike), and how to get the most out of the camera (probably without thinking).
4. Your image requirements haven't exceeded the camera's capabilites (a clean 5MP can go a long way).
5. Nothing else for all these years has seemed to warrant any kind of upgrade thus far (I still have cameras like that).
6. You could think of a 1000 other things to do with 2000 dollars, no?
7. So perhaps a trip over to Flea-Bay (or Amazon Used) might ultimately be the best solution?
8. I saw a "Used - Like New" S2 IS going for a miserly $229.
9. All you have to do is just shoot another 10,000 frames and thank me on the flip side.
J&H
10. ps... I really love Sanyo Eneloop batteries.
Too late ... got a Nikon D80 and the 18-200 mm VR lens.