Sun, 19 May 2013 18:11:11 -0700 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.4 & Feed Publisher http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303036#Comment_303036 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303036#Comment_303036 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:01:51 -0700 RobSpalding my Dad has come into a bit of money and wants to buy me a SLR camera for my birthday.
He told me tonight he wants us to go get it tomorrow, which doesn't leave me a huge amount of time to seek sage advice, so I'm hoping for a swift response if you can.

The one I've taken a shine to when out before is the Sony a33 SLT. I'm checking prices now and it looks like I can get one for about the same as a Nikon D3100 or a Canon 500D.

So, what I'm asking is, am I making a good choice here? I'm going to be teaching myself how to take better pictures with this and I'm only going to be getting one chance to buy a camera this expensive, so I'd appreciate any opinions or advice you have to offer. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303045#Comment_303045 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303045#Comment_303045 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:57:16 -0700 badbear
That said, I think you have to go with something that you like holding and feel comfortable with. I bought a canon 500d because my dad always had canon cameras, i grew up using them and I have some wierd brand loyalty going on. I also wanted to be able to use the camera professionally so I needed to get a camera body that will get me to a certain level and will take professional quality lenses should I ever be able to afford any.

When I was first researching I found a wicked article (which I now cannot find again) saying that it's more important to spend your money on a decent lens than it is to spend it on a decent camera body. I bought the 500d because I live in the UK and the light here is terrible so I needed a camera with a decent ISO and it seemed like the best balance of features for the price. I also went into a shop and handled it, felt comfortable with it, liked the user interface etc.

Soooo I think if you love the sony and you don't ever plan on taking things further then you should go for it, but if you think your hobby might develop a bit then you should take a serious look at nikon and canon. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303050#Comment_303050 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303050#Comment_303050 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:09:09 -0700 256
That said, however long you take in choosing it, the camera you end up with will always be a bit of a "screw it, I'll have that one" decision. And part of the fun of getting into photography is learning and working with the bundle of limitations and advantages that each camera represents.

The only objective thing that I can think of is that if you're planning on using lots of old/second-hand/dodgy/improvised lenses, Canon will be easier than Nikon. (I discovered this because I bought a Nikon, then discovered that I wanted to use a lot of non-Nikon lenses, and it's a bitch).

In the end, though, it's not the camera that takes the pictures; it's you. So as long as it takes pictures, you'll be fine.

Sorry if this doesn't help much, I just got back from the pub. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303061#Comment_303061 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303061#Comment_303061 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:32:50 -0700 William George
IF your goal is to improve your skills at photography, then you should get a fully manual film camera. You will not be able to look at your mistakes and delete them, and you will be forced to learn how photography actually works because a roll full of bad shots is a waste of money. Money is a good motivator to not screw up. But if you just want to take pretty holiday snaps, any point and shoot camera will do you. They're pretty good these days.

Since you can normally get decent quality second hand gear and lenses for probably less than the cost of a new DSLR and lenses, the hit to your dad's wallet may be less as well. Depends on the gear though. Even an old Leica will hurt. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303062#Comment_303062 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303062#Comment_303062 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:32:54 -0700 oscillateur
So, well, go to a store and try the cameras to see if there's anything you don't like about one of them. And ask your friends what systems they have if you think they could lend you lenses sometimes.
Check dpreview.com for long reviews on the cameras too... ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303063#Comment_303063 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303063#Comment_303063 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:37:42 -0700 oscillateur http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303065#Comment_303065 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303065#Comment_303065 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:04:25 -0700 RobSpalding
Much of what I do will be match day photography for a local football team. And now I look at the specs, I don't remember why I was so taken with the Sony.
The D3100 looks fine to me, if he will stretch to a 550 Canon I may go that route.
But I will definitely get them in my hands and see how they feel.

I have a film SLR, but it costs £5 a throw to develop the film, and I don't have that kind of money to learn on.

Thanks for the insight guys, and if anyone else has more, I have about 12 hours from now before he's going to expect me to pick one - so again, all advice is welcome. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303066#Comment_303066 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303066#Comment_303066 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:07:05 -0700 Warped Savant http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303084#Comment_303084 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303084#Comment_303084 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:57:38 -0700 William George By the way, I completely disagree with William George

May science one day find the cure ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303086#Comment_303086 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303086#Comment_303086 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:43:19 -0700 Birds_Use_Stars
Totally personal subjective opinion: Go with the Nikon.

and get with DpReview ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303119#Comment_303119 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303119#Comment_303119 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:52:25 -0700 RobSpalding Was all set to get the Nikon, and then I rtied out the Canon and as you guys said, it just felt more comfortable in my hand.
Got a twin lens kit too, so have the standard 18-55mm and a 75-300mm.

Thanks for all your advice guys. I'll see you in the photography thread. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303124#Comment_303124 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303124#Comment_303124 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:43:47 -0700 Steve Toase She said buy the best camera you can afford, and she used a Canon EOS500D.If it was good enough for her articles and features, in an international magazine, two page spreads etc it would do everything I wanted. I was fortunate enough to get a good deal on a 550D and am now using it all the time.
You've made a good call there mate ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303138#Comment_303138 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303138#Comment_303138 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:28:03 -0700 Val A Lindsay II love shooting with it and perhaps will go DSLR to play with different lenses if it keeps me engaged in creativity. $700-1000 is a bit to spend for something that may not get used to its fullest.

So I watch videos on Youtube and look at the photography thread on WC, which is absolutely filled with Awesome. Right now I'm thinking one of these two...

]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303143#Comment_303143 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303143#Comment_303143 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:57:02 -0700 badbear
http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/

I go back to it over and over again, it's wicked useful. Have fun with it! ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303145#Comment_303145 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303145#Comment_303145 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:43:53 -0700 William George William George's idea seems a good one, but in my personal experience it doesn't work.

And in mine it worked perfectly. But the OP is really just looking for a cool DSLR to have around their neck. The "learning" is pretty secondary.

Regardless: Get the Canon. They have a lot of decent lenses at relatively affordable prices. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303156#Comment_303156 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303156#Comment_303156 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:12:27 -0700 Steve Toase http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303161#Comment_303161 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303161#Comment_303161 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:53:52 -0700 oscillateur
Rob : whenever you want to spend some money on lenses, either get the Canon 50mm 1.8 (looks like a plastic toy but it's a good lens and it's cheap) if you want autofocus or get an EOS to M42 adapter on ebay and find something like a pentacon 50mm. There are lots of old manual lenses that you can use on the Canon with an adapter. And they're cheap. I bought an excellent 30 years old Voigtlander 55mm 1.4 in QBM mount for about 30 euros a couple of years ago for example. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303184#Comment_303184 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303184#Comment_303184 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:08:03 -0700 jackcrowder
As an avid Sony user (a200 and now a33), I highly recommend buying into the company.

You have all the range you need with the Sigma and Konica Minolta lenses that fit.

That's my two pennies. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303195#Comment_303195 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303195#Comment_303195 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:00:12 -0700 RobSpalding Could you tell me what adaptor I need and roughly how much I should be looking at paying for it? Is EOS to M42 what it would be called?
A quick check says the lenses I have are an FD mount. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303197#Comment_303197 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303197#Comment_303197 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:46:41 -0700 oscillateur
That was the bad news. The good news is that you can use manual lenses made for M42, PK (pentax), Olympus OM, Nikon F, etc. mounts.

This page has a list of all the lens mount types :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_mount

The big table listing all of them is ordered by flange focal distance. You can use with an adapter anything that has a distance greater than EF lenses. You can get adapters on ebay for 10-20$ that include a little chip that enables focus confirmation from the camera. This means that you still focus manually but the little red dots used for autofocus still light up when the camera thinks a point is in focus. This can be useful if you decide to try manual focus lenses. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303198#Comment_303198 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303198#Comment_303198 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:48:42 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell
The thing is, being that Canon and Nikon are so popular, it's far easier to find second hand items on craigslist and ebay.

However, when last I went into a photo store, the fellow behind the counter oogled my Pentax; said "The Pentax gets no love!"

What limits my camera is it's age more than it's brand. When I bought it, it was but a hair behind the Canon/Nikon, and I think it still is.

I second the recommendation for Dpreview.com ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303199#Comment_303199 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303199#Comment_303199 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:08:36 -0700 roadscum
Tough. Technology moves on. It still comes down to what you point it at.

Someone much cleverer than me once said 'The best camera is the one you've got with you' or words to that effect.

Take camera, go out, take pictures, have fun! That's the way to do it! ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303219#Comment_303219 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303219#Comment_303219 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:57:42 -0700 Val A Lindsay II
I second the recommendation for Dpreview.com

And once again the Tyrell demonstrates her amazingly good taste...

@William George

no offense met, btw. Comment was based on personal experience. Although the initial investment to try the FM film route was relatively small, $20 for camera, another $25 for film and processing, currently the film camera sits unused and my immediate feeling was '50 bucks gone that could have gone towards a digital'. Mind you I plan on picking the thing back up when I feel my understanding of ISO, shutter and aperture goes up and I'm not burning so much on film. There are some things digital can't touch for quality and uniqueness... ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303222#Comment_303222 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303222#Comment_303222 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:15:31 -0700 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303223#Comment_303223 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303223#Comment_303223 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:08:28 -0700 Bankara
On that note, get an M42 to Canon adaptor. M42 was the worlds most common mount before the mid 70's and there are amazing offerings out there. I have been told that you can Pentax Lenses on Canon bayonet mount but that the metering pin needs to be cut off and it can never be used in a Pentax again. I have too afraid to try it out, anyone know anything about that?

Using manual focus and aperture will help with the learning curve, you will understand better what you are doing with the camera. When you see one of your shots that works and you really like it, check the EXIF data to see what settings you used and file it away in your head so that the next time a situation similar arises you know what to do to get the best results. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303240#Comment_303240 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303240#Comment_303240 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:01:03 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell
@ Bankara - But what about the Pentax medium format DSLR? (droool) ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303244#Comment_303244 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303244#Comment_303244 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:19:00 -0700 William George http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303247#Comment_303247 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=303247#Comment_303247 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:38:37 -0700 oscillateur http://forum.mflenses.com/. Maybe check there ? Anyway, this sounds weird as the metering pins are usually just pressed fully in the adapter as the body does not need them anymore, that's what happens with M42 lenses for example.

Rachael : Live view is indeed particularly useful with manual focus lenses in some situations. Both viewfinder and live view work perfectly, at least on my Canon. Should be the same for any other maker I think. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304307#Comment_304307 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304307#Comment_304307 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:54:52 -0700 photomagex
I had a cheaper point and shoot digital that you could compose on the screen and I found that it really helped me with my composition. Probably because I could see it on a flat screen and it gave me a better understanding of what the finished print will look like.

Next time I buy a DSLR I will make sure it has this feature. ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304324#Comment_304324 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304324#Comment_304324 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:45:50 -0700 DavidLejeune really picky about the focus (at least with Nikons. Can't speak to Canons). ]]> http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304372#Comment_304372 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10068&Focus=304372#Comment_304372 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:46:06 -0700 oscillateur