Digital SLR Opinions

[crabcrusher]

With Christmas just a round the corner, it looks like time to break open the piggy bank and purchase a Digital SLR.

I have taken a photo or two, but would certainly say i have alot to learn when it comes to photography. Therefore will be looking into something of entry level, that will give hopefully still produce some decent shots.

After doing the rounds and checking out a shop or two, there are a couple of cameras in mind that i am considering...

The Nikon D3100 looks like it has a good basis, as to does the D5000.

On the otherside of the fence is the Canon 550D, which i am also growing fond of..

Has anyone else had any experience with the above mentioned Cameras, or any others they could recommend to consider?

[Piscateur]

I am a nikon man i find them easier + more ergonomic when fully manual shooting apeture and shutter controls are right where they shoud be. But that can be just a matterof getting used to the canon vertical wheel.
But i would recommend canon for the prices of thier lenses. If your going to take this up seriously then you will save with canon lensesin the long run

[Alex]

Just wait till Dale and Paul have read this :D

[Breamkid]

Canon 40D or 50D are really worth a look at. :)

[crusty]

I have a Canon 500D and it is a good piece of kit. Bought it with the twin standard lense kit and it has worked really well. Nikon are good camera's as well. I ended up with the Canon because it felt better in my hand than the Nikon.
I wanted to have a look at the Pentax K7. It had just come out and was a little more than the Canon, but had weather seals but I couldn't find one in my area and wasn't prepared to take a risk and buy sight unseen. I believe it has been replaced by the K5.

I love the DSLR but I tend to take the Olympus waterproof, when I go fishing. Don't feel comfortable with the $1500 camera around water (I need to get over this).

[Track 'em down]

Nikon D90 all the way...

[Nick Cuccovia]

I have the new K5 and it is miles ahead of the previous model K7, the new sensor is awesome ISO 80-51200. No more need for flash. Splash proof body and great glass available. The K5 is worth a look, check out some of the reviews.
Here is a pick I took the other night.

Nick

[Gummy Guy]

Whats that pic of Nick C?

If your looking at buying - rather than buying a kit with lens, just buy a body, and for out a little extra for better glass (lens), it will make all the difference. with lens, most that you buy in kits are alright, however they normally sport variable F stops, which is not really a good thing, a constant F stop is alot better, but you will pay for it. Also most kit lens have a large focal length range, generally lens with a smaller focal length will produce better images.
There are a few after market lens companies that make good quality products at a reduced price of the major sellers, which in some instances have even better glass.


Consider spending alittle extra on a couple of filters. im quite a fan of Cr-Pol filters, which help to really bring out some good colours.

[Nick Cuccovia]

Cigarette Lighter

[Bear]

Wicked shot Chooka.

[phil jagger]

Just got a 550d (mainly cause I wanted to suss out the video side of things) and some L series glass (means if the video is good I can upgrade to a full frame sensor camera at a later date with-out having to buy new glass) and it takes lovely images...As Nick has said in a previous post just remember about the crop factor...Canons is x1.6 on the 550d 40d 60d 7d etc etc.

Have fun

Phil

[Nick Cuccovia]

Thanks Bear, I was bored at home and starting playing around with long exposures.

[crabcrusher]

Thanks for the tips guys. Just went an picked up the 550D,so will see how it goes.
As with the point and shoots, you can get lost in the models as one will do one thing whilst the competitor will offer sometging else.. Enough of the circle work,and what better way to prove that use..

Still waiting for the initial battery charge then i will put it to use.

That is an awesome shot there Nick C.. The Pentax is a great cammera, but just above my budget..

Phil, i had a look at some of the Videos that tyhe 550D can produce, and it was one of the reasons it stood out. To be heave such a powerful HD recorder,and camera in one, may prove bennificial.

Now to look into some glass lenses:D

[ruski]

Once you go down the L series glass path, you'll never look back! ;)

Enjoy the new toy Nick!

[gtxrally]

Just wait till Dale and Paul have read this :D

I see you chose the wrong path Nick????

No turning back now!!!:p:p:p

but welcome to the DSLR world. You will see the error of your ways in the future :D

[butcheri]

I'm thinking of buying one of these:

[butcheri]

...and one of these:

[butcheri]

Would this be a good set-up for mainly mid-sized portraits of angler holding fish...you know, the usual piscatorial show-off shot.....and funky close-ups of bream with lures hanging out of their mouths...?

Dale,

What would be the equivalent of this set-up on the light side of the force?

:D

Cheers,

Jim.

[Nick Cuccovia]

Hi Butcheri, that lens on the 60D with a 1.6 crop factor would be a 27mm - 64mm. Nice lens but a little slow at F4. Not sure how it would go on close ups as wide lenses normally have a long focal distance so you can't get up too close to things. Macro is ideal for close ups.

Not bagging Canon but there are better cameras than the 60D for the money.
I think the plastic construction lets it down. Go pick one up and see if it feels worth the money.

Nick

[ruski]

Good combo there Jim, just be sure to test the lens on that body in a store before purchasing, to make sure you're happy with the focal length on a crop body.

Another great lens to have a look at is the 24-70 2.8 L :)

[butcheri]

Hi Butcheri, that lens on the 60D with a 1.6 crop factor would be a 27mm - 64mm. Nice lens but a little slow at F4. Not sure how it would go on close ups as wide lenses normally have a long focal distance so you can't get up too close to things. Macro is ideal for close ups.

Not bagging Canon but there are better cameras than the 60D for the money.
I think the plastic construction lets it down. Go pick one up and see if it feels worth the money.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the feedback. Could you suggest an alternative camera that is better value for around the same money?

Jim.

[butcheri]

Good combo there Jim, just be sure to test the lens on that body in a store before purchasing, to make sure you're happy with the focal length on a crop body.

Another great lens to have a look at is the 24-70 2.8 L :)


I am actually tossing up between the two...I took into account the 1.6 crop factor and was after the 27-65mm 'real' size.....although I can appreciate the speed of a 2.8F will be much nicer to work with.

[ruski]

I am actually tossing up between the two...I took into account the 1.6 crop factor and was after the 27-65mm 'real' size.....although I can appreciate the speed of a 2.8F will be much nicer to work with.

The 2.8 is great in low light as well.

I had one on the old 30D and now have another one on the 5D II. Very happy with it as an all rounder for what I do...

Fair enough about the 'real size', everyone has different needs :D

[Nick Cuccovia]

I would move up to the next Canon 550D and grab the best lens that you can afford. Don't just look at Canon glass. Sigma have a huge range of lenses. Before anyone jumps up and bags Sigma, they make most of the other camera OE Lenses anyway!

Body around $1100 lens $600.

How much do you want to spend?

Will you ever blow the pics up (posters) or submit for magazine articles??

Nick

[Mattie]

16-35 2.8 is a nice lens as well, and would be a great 'walk-around' lens on a crop body such as a 60D. Just like fishing, you don't need the most expensive gear to achive good results, just buy quality camera gear in respect to your budget.

[Piscateur]

This is not an L series but wide taking in account your crop and about $200 over your original lens choice wont break the bank. Has a relatively big 2.8 F stopas well.


Canon EF-S 17-55MM f2.8 IS USM Lenses
1 year warranty for Canon

Spend money on big apeture its worth it.

[Kickback]

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=3037

such good value! :) jap rebadge of the 550D for $625 - friend just recently purchased one.

[butcheri]

Nick,

The 60D is actually above the 550D.

Piscateur,

I reckon I'm now leaning more towards the Canon 24-70mm EF f/2.8L USM.

My budget is 3K for a body, a lens, a bag, a card or two, a Pola Filter, a spare battery and some extra warranty.

:)

[butcheri]

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=3037

such good value! :) jap rebadge of the 550D for $625 - friend just recently purchased one.

WOW!!! :eek:

They are very cheap....where are they based?

[Piscateur]

Nick,

The 60D is actually above the 550D.

Piscateur,

I reckon I'm now leaning more towards the Canon 24-70mm EF f/2.8L USM.

My budget is 3K for a body, a lens, a bag, a card or two, a Pola Filter, a spare battery and some extra warranty.

:)

Yeah if you can afford the 24-70mm EF f/2.8L then its the one you really want. Prob the best allround lens and professional results to boot.
I run Nikons and am saving up for the nikon equivalent. Canon $1300 Nikon $1700 :mad:

[Kickback]

WOW!!! :eek:

They are very cheap....where are they based?

If i recall.. friend said Japan. He ordered Monday and received on Friday!

It is very cheap indeed, might even get myself one too.

I just contacted him and he says theres a base in Brisbane too.

Regardless, its damn cheap.

[Mattie]

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm


good website to check out if buying camera gear. Fast, reliable, and based in brisbane and sydney. Very Very reasonable prices compared to teds ect

[gtxrally]

Would this be a good set-up for mainly mid-sized portraits of angler holding fish...you know, the usual piscatorial show-off shot.....and funky close-ups of bream with lures hanging out of their mouths...?

Dale,

What would be the equivalent of this set-up on the light side of the force?

:D

Cheers,

Jim.
Hey Jim,
The canon sure looks good value for the money, and the lens suggestion the guys have given is spot on.

If I had 3K to spend on Nikon gear I would look at getting a D7000 with a 24 - 70 2.8 which will probably put you a little over budget but the lens is awesome, other wise get an 18 - 200 and a dedicated macro like a 60mm 2.8 macro which is what i have and works for me. I am running a d300 body but would upgrade to one with hd video if I had the chance.

Good luck with the choice
Dale.

[MattyBoy]

If you are a Canon DSLR owner then you really should have the 50mm f1.8 in your arsenal for low light and portrait photography. Its not a USM lens but for a massive outlay of $80 its a no brainer ... go get one!!!!!!

Ta
Matt

[Ikz]

If you've got the cash then definitely the 24-70L 2.8 then whatever body you can afford with the rest of the budget. Nikon or Canon - much of a muchness between them and there will always be a better model next year. So you'll have buyers remorse either way. Have a feel of them in your hands and play with the buttons. You'll know which one you prefer.

Then ask Santa for the 50 1.8 as matty suggested.

[Piscateur]

If you are a Canon DSLR owner then you really should have the 50mm f1.8 in your arsenal for low light and portrait photography. Its not a USM lens but for a massive outlay of $80 its a no brainer ... go get one!!!!!!

Ta
Matt

X2 def no brainer, and will be used alot

[kamikazeghost]

With so many DSLR's today, the quality is very, very good in most of them.

In the end it does come down to what you're most comfortable with and your budget and what you want to do with the camera.

If you're looking at easy to use DSLRs then the non-full frame DSLRs are the go. They are cheaper and there are plenty of options. With Canon or Nikon you really cannot go wrong. Fuji, Sony, Olympus and Pentax are also very good DSLRs. One camera on the way up is definitely the Panasonic Lumix with Leica lens.

If you know anything about Leica lens, they are some of the top lenses in the world. Panasonic have a little way to go with the body of the camera, but already are a top performer.

Your Full frame cameras you are really looking at bigger bucks but also they are more towards the semi-pro to pro camera. They are sublime to use but it takes time to really work them out.

The other most important factor with all DSLRs is the lens. Don't buy cheap lenses. Save money and purchase the good quality lenses. It is the same with filters.

Two top review sites to definitely look at before you go choosing is http://www.trustedreviews.com and http://www.dpreview.com.

You will gain a lot of satisfaction.

Michael

[breamiton]

Hi fellas,

Just bought a Sony A55 SLT, Love it as it takes 10 shots a second .
Also does full Hd movies and 3d movies.


I have only touched the surface on this camera and there is a bit to learn on it ,its my first real camera and i cant wait to get some action shots of Barra jumping ect.



cheers
Gary

[turley]

For 3k you could buy a pentax K5 body with a da* 16-50mm f2.8 lens and still have change to spare. The K5 is arguably the best APS-C dslr currently on the market (look at the reviews if you doubt this) and the weather and dust sealing of the body and lens will be priceless for use while fishing. Oh, and the current price in Australia is practically the same as what you can import them for! No price gauging for an Australian warrenty!

[Nick Cuccovia]

Nah! Pentax cameras don't take nice pics

[Bear]

I hate you so much :p:cool::D

[breamdreamer]

Bear, you could at least get Nick to post up a photo of some hunk as well, so unfair!!! Sexist! :D

[Bear]

I would, but knowing Nic there won't be any :D

[Nick Cuccovia]

If I had them I would post them up breamdreamer.

Bear you know me too well

Nick

[breamdreamer]

Well then I guess I will have to post one for Challenge Queen and myself eh! :D Droooolllllllllllll .....

[crabcrusher]

Do you need an apprentice Nick? I need a career change:)

[Piscateur]

This world isnt fair :(. Now I really hate my job

[Justin Boyle]

Well then I guess I will have to post one for Challenge Queen and myself eh! :D Droooolllllllllllll .....

Keep it on topic please!!!!!

[breamdreamer]

Keep it on topic please!!!!!

Bear, since when did you make Justin a moderator (he hasn't changed :rolleyes:) .... touchy ...he must be gay eh and drooling; probably why he can't see the humour of things, ya got to learn how to share em mate!!! :eek::D

[Justin Boyle]

Bear, since when did you make Justin a moderator (he hasn't changed :rolleyes:) .... touchy ...he must be gay eh and drooling; probably why he can't see the humour of things, ya got to learn how to share em mate!!! :eek::D

I'm sorry that you couldn't see the humor in my post.

Very directed post you have made there breamdreamer and probably not thought through too well.

[ruski]

:rolleyes:

DSLR's are great :)

[Bear]

Justin, no offence mate, but I thought the same thing. Just chose not to post. It's hard to tell emotion on the net, if you mean it as a joke then add a few smilies, we'll get the hint then ;):D

[Justin Boyle]

Well my apologies then. I thought that given I responded to the one who posted a bronzed up man after multiple photos of beautiful women would be a dead giveaway. I will spell it out next time.

[Bear]

That's what lack of sleep does to some of us mate :D all good.

[breamdreamer]

Yea, sorry Justin for my stirrin! ;):D ... That's what happens when ya bored housesitting and bored at work :D ... we should go for a fish one day and I'll borrow my bro's digital SLR, snap a picture of ya fishin (hope ya got muscles and a spunk), post it on here and show all the chicks on here how good ya look and how good SLRs are! :D:p .. and if ya really hot I may even get one framed up! :D

[Justin Boyle]

Don't like ur chances then........ Might just have to stick to the fishing