Photography Qs

zhensem · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject: Photography Qs

brunalarru,

What Canon camera do you have? I'm just starting out myself in photography and was looking at the EOS 350D (Digital Rebel XT) as good camera for my first SLR. I got myself a Sony DSC-P200 point & shoot a few weeks ago but there's only so much you can do with a P&S before you really feel you're being limited, as I'm sure you know. Do you have a P&S and which one? Oh, and what lenses do you have/would recommend for a beginner.
I found a deal on Pixmania.co.uk for a 350D body, stock lens EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and a EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 USM with the BG-E3 grip. I know they're not very good lenses but they'd do for now. What do you think?

Thanks!
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brunalarru · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:52 pm Post subject:

First of all, thanks for the info on ZV. Everything you've written has been such a help in deciding.

As far as photography goes:

I own a Canon 10D. The newer version of that is the 20D. The only difference being the 20D has more megapixels than the 10D - 8.2 v. 6.3. (that and the fact that they don't even sell the 10D anymore!). The difference between the Rebel and the pro-consumer 20D is color space - you get 36 bit RGB with the 20D v. 24 bit with the Rebel. Also, the 20D has a metal body and the Rebel a plastic. Believe me, this is great. I've dropped my camera more than once and the lens breaks before the camera. I haven't had to fix my camera ever. Very nice! The lenses that you are thinking about purchasing are great. I had a set just like it from Sigma and I loved them - good and inexpensive and made for the digital chip size for no focal length conversion just like the Canon EF-S lenses. Here is a link for you to check out specs on those lenses :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=376860&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

It may save you some money. Maybe you can find them in the UK.

I now have a Tamron 18-200 lens. Same thing as the 2 lenses above all rolled into one. More expensive than the 2 lenses but you don't have to switch lenses all the time. Wonderful for any application! Here is a link for specs:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=363593&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I actually bought mine elsewhere that was less expensive but this gives you a good look at it. Sigma makes one as well.

Now, back to the camera - I would recommend spending a little more money, if you can afford it, and go with the Canon 20D. It is very cheap right now - less than I spent on my 10D - and if you are getting at all serious about photography and want to pursue it further, you will not have to upgrade later. Even if Canon comes out with a better model like I'm sure they are going to (based on the price drop on the 20D). I really have no need to upgrade my 10D even in the face of the release of the 20D and I work professionally both as a fine artist and a wedding photographer.

Here's another link for the 20D:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=348299&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I don't own a point and shoot, really no need with my other camera. Although most of your digital point and shoots now have manual functions and you might be able to get a little more out of it by playing around with shutter speeds and f-stops. I'm a bit of a camera snob, though, and as far as I'm concerned, the P&S really don't come close to the versatility of the pro-consumer digital SLRs like Canon's 20D or even the Rebel, for that matter. I could never get used to the digital shutter, anyway. I like the real thing. The fake noise of a shutter going off seems weird to me. But like I said, I'm an admitted camera snob!

Here's a link to my website:

www.brunalarru.com

so you can get an idea of the quality of the images the 10D takes. Some of the b/w images are traditional film but all the color are digital. The 20D would only be better for printing larger images because of the larger megapixel.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions or if what I wrote doesn't make sense. I have a tendency to get carried away.

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

I've actually been drooling over the 20D myself, but since I really don't take enough photos to justify $1200 plus lenses, it's outta range for me.

I'm raiding Zhen's post........hee. I know you don't care for P and S cams, but it seems you have some experience. Which would you recommend, somewhere in the $400 range, for a photo-hacker that wants a bit of manual control, decent resolution, and relative ease of use? Anything but Sony is good.
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zhensem · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info brunalarru.

I think I'm going to stick with the EOS 350D. I'm not too bothered about the differences in colour space and the other differences that I can live with. After all I'm just starting out with SLR and photography in general and the price difference is £380 (which is the price of a nice lens!) between the two.

Is there anything between the two that would really justify the extra £380?

As for the point & shoot, I know they're not a replacement for a digital SLR, but sometimes it's best to have a good p&s with you rather than nothing at all. After all there'll be times when you won't be able to bring your SLR with the bag of lenses and stuff but slipping a small p&s into your pocket will still allow you to capture that shot!

@FnF:

I don't know why you're shrugging off Sony, but I can personally recommend the DSC-P200. It's a very good camera, very popular and gets very good reviews. If you want a bit more control I would also suggest the DSC-V3. My bro has this one and I've used it and it is very, very good. I would certainly recommend you head over to http://www.dpreview.com and read some of the reviews on there.
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[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject:

Why shrug off SONY?? because they are a crap company as a whole and have been using deceiptful ways with their copy protection on CD's.
good 'nuf?
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

^^^ what he said, plus the amazing lack of customer support, or even customer acknowledgement, in their online games (Go visit the SWG forums if you want an idea), their part in the RIAA lawsuits.........that, and their little cameras are just that.......little. I've used a few in the past, they're just too cramped for my mitts.

I need something a bit larger.
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zhensem · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject:

zhensem · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject:

Just to add, one thing that dicks me off about Sony is wtf is up with their DSC-R1. There's nothing special about it, fixed lens prosumer camera but costs more than a Canon Digital SLR 350D!!!!

One of the biggies about pro cameras is the ability to change lenses! Lenses are VERY important when it comes to this type of thing. So wtf is so special about the R1 that has one fixed lens (it ain't too bad being 24-120mm f/2.8-4.8 but not really suited for a £600+ camera). That's like the dumbest thing. The fact the lens is not removable cripples the camera.

So you see, Sony ain't perfect in digital cameras either.

Bloody wankers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, of course...

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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

No, you're correct. My other beef (and I'm not looking at Pro-sumer........but not at base P and S either) is the MemoryStick requirement. I'm not a fan of it, dollar to size wise..........and since that's all that Sony uses (unless you buy the huge DVD one), I'm not interested. Too hard to find around here, too expensive for what it is, and too limited.....and slow, as well.

I've gone enough to research that far, and I just don't like what Sony has to offer.
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brunalarru · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:24 am Post subject:

zhensem · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your help there brunalarru! You've been more than helpful!!!

FnF: As a side note, except the DSC-H1, all Sony pro-sumer cameras support CompactFlash (some, like the DSC-V3) support only CompactFlash Type 1, though. But yes, MemoryStick is overpriced and too slow (Pro series ain't too bad and is quite fast) and generally CF is the only way to go!
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