YooperMike
New member
I'm in the market for a new digital camera and I'm looking at getting a beginner SLR, like the Nikon D40. Everyone on here posts very good looking photos, and I'm just curious what you have found to work well for taking pictures of scenery, action shots, etc. in differing light conditions. Thanks!
yammiman
Member
I just got a Nikon D80 this past year - it is awesome but also pretty complex - I'm use to the old film SLR's that you only are dealing with shutter speed and aperature - this has alot bigger learning curve!! - histograms instead of light meters!! - I have a little Sony Cybershot that I carry in my pocket that takes unbelievable nice shots for only being 6 pix - you won't go wrong with the D40 though - you'll get real good shots in the auto mode until you can learn the other settings - Ken Rockwell has a website with a huge amount of info on the Nikon's that you might want to check out - gives alot of insight on settings for better color and clarity!!
yammiman
Member
One other piece of advice for what it is worth - buy just the body and save your money for a excellent lense - something 18 to a minimum 150 really makes your camera alot more flexable - I got the 18x200 and it is the only lense I'll probably ever own for it - don't waste your money on something like the 18x55 - you won't be happy with it - if you think you would be, I have one I'll sell ya!! LOL
YooperMike
New member
I would LOVE to buy a big lens like an 18-200, but dropping $800+ on a piece of glass to go along with an already $400 SLR body unfortunately doesn't fit into my budget. Thanks for the info....keep it coming! I guess I'm looking at spending a maximum of around $800 for everything.
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JeepTherapy
New member
Given where digital SLRs are at right now I had to pass on spending the cash for the setup. The sensor size in the digital SLRs is important. The small sensor cameras waste a lot of the great big bulk of that lens your hefting around. I think in Canons line up you have to get to the 5D (I think around $3500) to get into a full frame sensor. What that means to the average person is mega pixel for mega pixel a high end digital camera without the interchangeable lens will take just as good of a picture with just as much flexibility.
I opted for the canon S3IS. The IS is for image stabilization. It takes pretty darn good pictures for a 6mp camera. It also has significantly more zoom than many. I have also added some lens's on it just to experiment with them. I want to learn how to use this one and have hopes to upgrade when the full frame digitals get to be more affordable.
Also, as yammiman mentioned, it is all about the lens, not as much the body. When I was shopping I was looking at $1500 in lens's for a low end camera body. That way I was sure i would be able to reuse my lens's if at some point I upgraded camera bodies.
So I guess my recommendation right now would be; unless you are willing to plop down the cash for a full frame camera body and at least $1500 in lens's to get started, I would go for the high end digital camera, not the digital SLR. The S3IS would be a very good choice for about anyone wanting a high end camera. I think nikon has a similar offering. The S3IS has some short comings. It does not have a hot shoe for a flash. I don't like that. It also doesn't have a battery meter. But it does have macro and super macro and 12X zoom. That makes up for a little. It is also small enough to put under my jacket when I ride.
Don't get me wrong, I would love a digital SLR. But right now, I just think the high end digital cameras without interchangeable lens's are a better buy.
I opted for the canon S3IS. The IS is for image stabilization. It takes pretty darn good pictures for a 6mp camera. It also has significantly more zoom than many. I have also added some lens's on it just to experiment with them. I want to learn how to use this one and have hopes to upgrade when the full frame digitals get to be more affordable.
Also, as yammiman mentioned, it is all about the lens, not as much the body. When I was shopping I was looking at $1500 in lens's for a low end camera body. That way I was sure i would be able to reuse my lens's if at some point I upgraded camera bodies.
So I guess my recommendation right now would be; unless you are willing to plop down the cash for a full frame camera body and at least $1500 in lens's to get started, I would go for the high end digital camera, not the digital SLR. The S3IS would be a very good choice for about anyone wanting a high end camera. I think nikon has a similar offering. The S3IS has some short comings. It does not have a hot shoe for a flash. I don't like that. It also doesn't have a battery meter. But it does have macro and super macro and 12X zoom. That makes up for a little. It is also small enough to put under my jacket when I ride.
Don't get me wrong, I would love a digital SLR. But right now, I just think the high end digital cameras without interchangeable lens's are a better buy.
JeepTherapy
New member
I forgot to add, I chose the canon based on their reputation for having some of the best lens's in the business. Look at the sidelines of any sporting event. The majority of the lens's you will see there are canons.
JeepTherapy
New member
I had to post these two pictures just to give you an idea how much zoom the S3 does. These were taken from the same spot, same day, back to back. If you look closely in the first pic the smoke stack is on the far right edge. The last pic is a macro shot I took today. Each of the flowers in the last pic is about the size of a quarter. So quite small.
Mookster
Member
Yooper,
I'm currently in an Olympus E-500, originally purchased as a 2 lens Kit (14-45 and 40-150) and I've loved it. I've since added another lens and have another lens in my "Wish list"
If you are serious about getting the best shots, the DSLR is the way to go, but if bulk, price, and less-than-automatic everything factor into the equation, than a higher end Point/Shoot is the way to go (like Jeep said)
Good luck on your choice, and make sure to post up lots of photos next season.
I'm currently in an Olympus E-500, originally purchased as a 2 lens Kit (14-45 and 40-150) and I've loved it. I've since added another lens and have another lens in my "Wish list"
If you are serious about getting the best shots, the DSLR is the way to go, but if bulk, price, and less-than-automatic everything factor into the equation, than a higher end Point/Shoot is the way to go (like Jeep said)
Good luck on your choice, and make sure to post up lots of photos next season.
YooperMike
New member
OK, so I shelled out for the entry level D40 dSLR kit. Got a 55-200mm VR lens to go with it. Now I'm wondering how in the heck I'm gonna carry this comfortably when I'm boondockin'. Anybody have a suggestion on backpack that is good/affordable?
skidooboy
New member
we run the cannon 20d slr, two lenses one is zoom. we wrap it in towels and place it in the back pack. i prefer a www.tnagear.com lightning pack. lynne currently uses the sos back pack and she usually carries the camera as i carry our backcountry survival gear.
as far as the frame size it is large but it takes fantastic pics, no shutter lag. just like shooting a 35mm pic (almost). any more of an upgrade to cameras for avg everyday people, is just a waste. the higher end slrs are for professionals with higher portrait quality in the pics.
the hand held baby cams if you will, have a high pixel count but without the larger sensor, they will only take "avg" pics. better to spend the money now especially if you like to take great pics. then to buy a baby cam and need to upgrade. now you are paying for it twice.
in high res we can blow pics up to poster size with no pixelation, in raw form one pic is 18mg on the computer when saved. that size you can blow up to billboard size.checkout the clarity, colors on these courtesy of the server at mook photo (thanks mookster). ski
http://www.mook-photo.com/webs/sumo/Circleville_03-25-07/
as far as the frame size it is large but it takes fantastic pics, no shutter lag. just like shooting a 35mm pic (almost). any more of an upgrade to cameras for avg everyday people, is just a waste. the higher end slrs are for professionals with higher portrait quality in the pics.
the hand held baby cams if you will, have a high pixel count but without the larger sensor, they will only take "avg" pics. better to spend the money now especially if you like to take great pics. then to buy a baby cam and need to upgrade. now you are paying for it twice.
in high res we can blow pics up to poster size with no pixelation, in raw form one pic is 18mg on the computer when saved. that size you can blow up to billboard size.checkout the clarity, colors on these courtesy of the server at mook photo (thanks mookster). ski
http://www.mook-photo.com/webs/sumo/Circleville_03-25-07/
Mookster
Member
Yoop,
I've been using the Slingshot aw100 for the last 2 seasons and it has been great. It's a "Sling" style, with 1 beefy shoulder strap and an underarm cross strap to hold it securely. Very comfy, very quick to use (just unsnap the underarm, and it twists forward for fast, safe access to the camera) I'm actually wearing the backpack in this photo here:
I'm looking to upgrade next season, either with a bigger version of the SlingShot (so I can carry more incidentals like water, layers, etc) or possibly with the Tamrac Adventure series. Here are a couple links:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/filter.aspx?path=/Products/Sling_Bags/
http://www.tamrac.com/frame_adv.htm
Good luck on your purchase, and we're looking forward to seeing what you capture with the new camera!
-Mook.
I've been using the Slingshot aw100 for the last 2 seasons and it has been great. It's a "Sling" style, with 1 beefy shoulder strap and an underarm cross strap to hold it securely. Very comfy, very quick to use (just unsnap the underarm, and it twists forward for fast, safe access to the camera) I'm actually wearing the backpack in this photo here:
I'm looking to upgrade next season, either with a bigger version of the SlingShot (so I can carry more incidentals like water, layers, etc) or possibly with the Tamrac Adventure series. Here are a couple links:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/filter.aspx?path=/Products/Sling_Bags/
http://www.tamrac.com/frame_adv.htm
Good luck on your purchase, and we're looking forward to seeing what you capture with the new camera!
-Mook.
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Yooper, we've shared a few pics of Tog so you know what a slr can do. Point and shoots just suck for action shots because they take too long to think.....my D50 can take four shots in the time it takes most point and shoots to take one. You won't be disappointed with your slr. I run a Sigma 70x300 lens almost all of the time and wouldn't want to go any smaller. I wear it ALL the time I ride in a Tamrac tele-zoom 517 chest pack rigged to my Klim backpack. It's not too heavy, stays put, and never in the way. At 1st I carried it wrapped in a plastic bag but have found the case is excellent at keeping the snow dust out (I only ride off trail). I find that the chest pack is ideal for getting those quick shots.....often i don't even take off the helmet of gloves.
I did a lot of research between Canon and Nikon before I made my purchase almost two years ago. Most everyone I talked to said Nikon was the better processor at the time even though it had a lower pixel count and to spend the $ saved on the lenses (and I have always been a Canon man myself). I have not been easy on my camera and believe me it can take a hit!
you can see the case in this pic
I did a lot of research between Canon and Nikon before I made my purchase almost two years ago. Most everyone I talked to said Nikon was the better processor at the time even though it had a lower pixel count and to spend the $ saved on the lenses (and I have always been a Canon man myself). I have not been easy on my camera and believe me it can take a hit!
you can see the case in this pic
photobucket knocks the quality down quite a bit........
YooperMike
New member
Thanks everyone! I'm supposed to get my lens today and the camera kit tomorrow. Can't wait!
yammiman
Member
Ski - are those pictures you posted through Mook-Photo jpeg or raw?
mountainmaxman
New member
Don't rule out the Canon Digital Rebel series
Hey gang--
For what it's worth, I'm tossing in my opinion on cameras. I am an associate editor for a smalltown paper in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan and we use Canon's Digital Rebel 6.3 megapixel variety.
Canon has already upgraded that twice and now have over 10 megapixel cameras. Having to work in a very rural area means that I do everything at the paper. That includes photo assignments running from high school sports to outdoor work to...you name it!
The Rebel is fantastic for all of the above. It's also great for capturing everything from the great fall colors we have up here to stopping a good snowmobile shot as quick as 4,000th's of a second. You can set your ASA from 100 (bright outdoor light) to 1,600 (very, very overcast and not much light).
Since you have a lot of pixels to work with, you don't have to be zoomed in tight on a shot. You can crop your favorites later and still have enough meat left to get good 5x7's and 8x10's--unless your subject is a pin prick on the page with lots of wasted space around it.
The Rebel is currently the most popular digital SLR in America. That means it has a few things going for it. Plenty of parts--additional lenses, batteries, chargers, etc. are all over ebay and prices aren't bad at all.
Because the 10+ megapixel is Canon's latest offering, really good deals on the 6.3 are out there. In fact, we just got a complete camera (28-55 lens, charger, battery and CF card) for under $400.
On the 6.3, a 1 gig card will get you around 300 full-sized pix and a fully-charged battery (lithium-ion) will last all day on the trails and/or boonies! Although I have a couple of lenses for the camera, I almost exclusively use the stock 28-55 mm.
It's not a true wide angle but not far from it. The old, mechanical SLR's came stock with a 50 mm lense...WYSIWYG (whatever is in the frame is what you're going to get) so the 55 is a little bit of a zoom.
Whatever camera you decide on, try to stay away from "digital zooms". Optical zoom is THE way to go. With digital, you are relying on the camera processor to interpret what is in the frame and enlarge it accordingly. Almost every time, you get a fuzzier pic because the camera is guessing what's there and enlarging it.
That's why you see a 6.0 megapixel camera with only a 1 or 2x optical and a 10x digital going for such low prices. Another thing about the cheaper cameras is that they run on 4 double or triple A batteries. Digitals love to eat batteries like my MountainMax eats gas--very quickly. With a quality camera, you will get a rechargable lithium-ion flavor. They charge quickly and don't develop "memories" like the older nickel-cadium varieties.
Just as important is choosing a photo manipulation program. Personally, I use Photoshop. Version 5 and up will do miracles on your gems. It is an extremely powerful program and will take a while to learn to use to its full capabilities.
Any of them will allow you to adjust color, contrast, crop etc. Photoshop's newest offering--CS2, is the Cadillac of them all. I suggest you pick one with more than just basic stuff and spend the off-season (this summer) playing with it.
Hope this helps a little. If anyone has questions, I'll be happy to try and assist!
Hey gang--
For what it's worth, I'm tossing in my opinion on cameras. I am an associate editor for a smalltown paper in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan and we use Canon's Digital Rebel 6.3 megapixel variety.
Canon has already upgraded that twice and now have over 10 megapixel cameras. Having to work in a very rural area means that I do everything at the paper. That includes photo assignments running from high school sports to outdoor work to...you name it!
The Rebel is fantastic for all of the above. It's also great for capturing everything from the great fall colors we have up here to stopping a good snowmobile shot as quick as 4,000th's of a second. You can set your ASA from 100 (bright outdoor light) to 1,600 (very, very overcast and not much light).
Since you have a lot of pixels to work with, you don't have to be zoomed in tight on a shot. You can crop your favorites later and still have enough meat left to get good 5x7's and 8x10's--unless your subject is a pin prick on the page with lots of wasted space around it.
The Rebel is currently the most popular digital SLR in America. That means it has a few things going for it. Plenty of parts--additional lenses, batteries, chargers, etc. are all over ebay and prices aren't bad at all.
Because the 10+ megapixel is Canon's latest offering, really good deals on the 6.3 are out there. In fact, we just got a complete camera (28-55 lens, charger, battery and CF card) for under $400.
On the 6.3, a 1 gig card will get you around 300 full-sized pix and a fully-charged battery (lithium-ion) will last all day on the trails and/or boonies
! Although I have a couple of lenses for the camera, I almost exclusively use the stock 28-55 mm.It's not a true wide angle but not far from it. The old, mechanical SLR's came stock with a 50 mm lense...WYSIWYG (whatever is in the frame is what you're going to get) so the 55 is a little bit of a zoom.
Whatever camera you decide on, try to stay away from "digital zooms". Optical zoom is THE way to go. With digital, you are relying on the camera processor to interpret what is in the frame and enlarge it accordingly. Almost every time, you get a fuzzier pic because the camera is guessing what's there and enlarging it.
That's why you see a 6.0 megapixel camera with only a 1 or 2x optical and a 10x digital going for such low prices. Another thing about the cheaper cameras is that they run on 4 double or triple A batteries. Digitals love to eat batteries like my MountainMax eats gas--very quickly. With a quality camera, you will get a rechargable lithium-ion flavor. They charge quickly and don't develop "memories" like the older nickel-cadium varieties.
Just as important is choosing a photo manipulation program. Personally, I use Photoshop. Version 5 and up will do miracles on your gems. It is an extremely powerful program and will take a while to learn to use to its full capabilities.
Any of them will allow you to adjust color, contrast, crop etc. Photoshop's newest offering--CS2, is the Cadillac of them all. I suggest you pick one with more than just basic stuff and spend the off-season (this summer) playing with it.
Hope this helps a little. If anyone has questions, I'll be happy to try and assist!