So I want a DSLR

[Swoop]

Great selling point.

Geepers creeperz!
Just looked up some current film prices...


I like digital!!

[Stirts]

Geepers creeperz!
Just looked up some current film prices...


I like digital!!

You think that is bad....wait until you see the processing pricing

[disenfranchised]

I'm looking specifically at the new Canon 550D.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...18_55mm_is_kit

I realize of course the biggest expense will be lenses but I've got some I can borrow as well as could save up and get more over time.

Does anyone use Canon or any other DSLR cameras? Any recommendations?

I've been contemplating the same thing, and while the Canon 550D does have some nice specs, I reckon they're cramming to many MP onto their sensors, and charging too much.
I've been seriously thinking of getting one of the new Pentax Models, either the K-7 or K-x, both of which you can find NZ pricing and spercs for here
http://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/digi...nlyshow/pentax

I haven't looked into lenses much yet though. The choices for Pentax lenses might be more limited.
As I understand it, their zoom lenses don't rate as highly as Canon's but their Prime lenses (i.e. fixed 50mm) are generally considered superior...but also cost more because of it.

Depends on what you want it for I guess

[Swoop]

You think that is bad....wait until you see the processing pricing

Shit. I didn't look at that.

[Stirts]

Shit. I didn't look at that.

Best advice I can give if you are going to back to the "old ways".

1) Don't go to a budget processing lab

2) Ask for film development only, any half decent lab will provide one of these as part of that cost,


That way you can chose which negatives you actually want printed.

To the OP - sorry for the hijack....well not really I am just practicing to be polite

[Swoop]

That way you can chose which negatives you actually want printed.

Yeah, proof sheets. I was in Parnell recently and noticed that PCL has disappeared. I used to get processing and enlargements done there.

OP: All this camera stuff in a camera thread eh?
Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Photography, eh?!

[Stirts]

Yeah, proof sheets. I was in Parnell recently and noticed that PCL has disappeared. I used to get processing and enlargements done there.

And STILL the best place to go apparently, used to manage a Kodak lab and we sent all our enlargements there - they moved to 30 Karaka Street, Eden Terrace.

[Swoop]

they moved to 30 Karaka Street, Eden Terrace.

Cheers! I need to spread myself apparently...
At least they did not disappear entirely from the face of the planet. May have to pay them a visit soon!

[Fooman]

It is my understanding that Minolta SLR lenses will not fit a Sony DSLR directly, but you can get adapters to fit the Sony body. However you will more than likely lose most, if not all of the auto functions of the camera. You will have to remember how to use manual focus and manual exposure

All Minolta AF lenses (introduced in 1985 - also known as Dynax or Maxxum lenses) will fit onto Sony DSLR bodies without needing an adaptor.

Minolta manual focus lenses (SR mount - introduced in 1958, also known as MC, MD or Rokkor lenses) need an adaptor - these are the ones used on the Minolta X-Series manual focus cameras (e.g. SRT101, XE, X700, XD, X370)

The recent lot of Sony DSLR's with live view (e.g. 500/550) are pretty good balance between usability and capability (e.g. act like point and shoot when needed, but have the extra features and capability of DSLR's). Note there is no video capability at the moment (Sony are releasing DSLRs with this in a few months)- the Canon 550D has this, but its Live-view capability is not as good as the Sony's.

There are also interchangeable lens digital cameras out there which are a new way (getting rid of the mirror) of approaching camera design - Micro 4/3rds (Olympus & Panasonic), NEX (Sony). Nikon are bringing out something soon in this vein as well. These, because of their design (no mirror) can use electro-mechanical adapters for all sorts of different lenses. The are as capable as mid-range DSLR's but less bulky.

As for lenses, don't get too hung up on which lens manufacturer is better. All major manufacturers have mediocre to good lenses, along with non-OEM (e.g. Sigma, Tokina, Tamaron).

Just go to a good camera store, try them out, see what fits you had the best, is easiest for you to use, and a good price and choose that.

Cheers,
FM

[shrub]

Is that cos you can't buy 35mm film anymore? p/t

Yeah I have 3 SLR cameras, a medium format camera, and various size lenses ranging from 15mm upto 500mm, studio lights, processing equipment and enlarger gathering dust and mould in my garage........oh and no film.

I sold my darkroom equipment about 5 years ago and got good money for it. There are times I miss the magic of processing film with all the ritual and alchemy connected - opening Photoshop just ain't the same, and some of my best work was on film because you had to put a lot more thought into an image.

[Stirts]

All Minolta AF lenses (introduced in 1985 - also known as Dynax or Maxxum lenses) will fit onto Sony DSLR bodies without needing an adaptor.

Minolta manual focus lenses (SR mount - introduced in 1958, also known as MC, MD or Rokkor lenses) need an adaptor - these are the ones used on the Minolta X-Series manual focus cameras (e.g. SRT101, XE, X700, XD, X370)

There are times I miss the magic of processing film with all the ritual and alchemy connected - opening Photoshop just ain't the same, and some of my best work was on film because you had to put a lot more thought into an image.

Most certainly true.....watching that image appear magically on paper as you swirl those lovely smelling chemicals around is a kodak moment for sure

[golfmade]

I very nearly bought a DSLR, because I already had a Canon film camera and lenses. However, I decided instead to buy a Canon S5is, and I'm glad I did. The reasons I decided to not get a DSLR were that I figured changing lenses could prove to be a pain, it's less compact, and doesn't offer the "point'n'shoot" capability of the S5is. Plus the S5is has built in image stabilisation, which I thought would be very handy touring around Yurp (and it was!) It's 10 megapixels, and also does movies, which I discovered while trying to shoot pix on a night-time cruise on the Seine was a very useful feature. I have no regrets about buying this camera. I've since bought a wide-angle lens (screws on the front) and a polarising filter, and will sometime buy an accessory flash, so I don't have to drain the batteries using the pop-up flash. Batteries are standard AA NiMH, which is a bonus, as they are relatively cheap, so I have three sets of 4 with me at all times.

Good points, but main reason why I'd like a DSLR is for when I'm out and have time I can get better photos than with my G5. If I just need point and shoot my G5 works just fine.

I use an EOS30D with a 17-85 and 70-200L lenses and am very happy with the results, especially with the 70-200 lens. At some stage I'll upgrade my 17-85 to the 17-55, but at the moment it's fine.

You really can't go wrong with a 550D, they're a great entry level camera with a brazillian features that will take you as far as you want. I suggest that you bin the kit lenses and look at the 17-85 f/4-5.6 as your primary walk around lense. It has a wider zoom range and you'll find that it will rarely leave the camera, also the quality of images are far better than the 18-55, which is ordinary at best - I'd liken it to having a Daytona 675 with Cheng Shin tyres. If you're looking for a long lens the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 is an excellent lens and damn close to pro quality and it has a tricky feature in the image stabilising that makes it easy to get those groovy pan shots of bikes flying past.

Attachment 212770Attachment 212772Attachment 212773

I'll most likely have to start out with the stock lens for a while but the 17-85 is one I've got my eye on. A friend let me use his 500D recently and he had a nice 75-300mm and yeah got some good shots. Those are some great pictures you took, especially the third one.

*sigh* those were the days.

I do kind of miss shooting with film... kind of.

[golfmade]

I've been contemplating the same thing, and while the Canon 550D does have some nice specs, I reckon they're cramming to many MP onto their sensors, and charging too much.
I've been seriously thinking of getting one of the new Pentax Models, either the K-7 or K-x, both of which you can find NZ pricing and spercs for here
http://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/digi...nlyshow/pentax

I haven't looked into lenses much yet though. The choices for Pentax lenses might be more limited.
As I understand it, their zoom lenses don't rate as highly as Canon's but their Prime lenses (i.e. fixed 50mm) are generally considered superior...but also cost more because of it.

Depends on what you want it for I guess

Thanks for the link. I admit I'm biased towards Canon because I've always used Canon digitals and most family and friends do as well. The Pentax KX looks quite good actually, will do more homework.

[R6_kid:Me]

550D also does 1080P HD video recording - it's being touted by some reviewers as an entry-level version of the 7D which is few times more expensive. I've been looking at quite a few options lately and the 550D would be my pick as an 'entry' DSLR if I had the cash, however I'm looking to get something a bit older/cheaper until I can justify spending $1800 on a camera.

There is a good deal with on them at the moment where you get lense/bag/mem card etc included at a good price. I can get it a few hundy less than retail through work (distributor) but unfortunately I'm not coined up enough to take advantage of the offer

[Oakie]

I was looking recently and settled what seems to be known as a 'bridge' camera ... (sits between 'compacts' and 'DSLR's). Got myself a Canon Powershot SX 20 and am rapt with it. Got the functions of a DSLR without having to lug a collection of lenses around.

Is there a photopraphy 'social group' set up?