Digital photo quality...

[xwhatsit]

Nice though. There's absolutely no hint of grain any more. Do you find yourself wanting to put some in now?

It's funny the amount of tutorials on the net to apply film grain to digital photos. I think it's nice to look at, in the same way valve-amplified music is nice to listen to -- it's not the perfect reproduction of the original item, but it's distorted slightly in a pleasing manner.

[bugjuice]

= Lots and lots and lots of cash + lots and lots and lots of loan.

it's how i cry myself to sleep every night..

well, sometimes

[spudchucka]

Dave,

Question for ya.

How good are those Cannon 400D entry level digi SLR cameras that they sell at Harvey Normans and the like?

Currently I have a Fuji fine pix camera but would like to upgrade to an SLR. I wont have anymore than a couple of grand to spend on a camera, would the Cannon be the best bet or are there other brands that I should look at?

[Kendog]

Dave,

Question for ya.

How good are those Cannon 400D entry level digi SLR cameras that they sell at Harvey Normans and the like?

Currently I have a Fuji fine pix camera but would like to upgrade to an SLR. I wont have anymore than a couple of grand to spend on a camera, would the Cannon be the best bet or are there other brands that I should look at?

I have the 350d, the model before the 400d. Love it.

Life everything there will be people that rate one brand over another (Honda/Suzuki anyone), but to me at any given price point they are all fairly comparable. I would recommend holding a few different cameras just to see how they fit your hands, cause just like bikes they all feel a little different. On my 350d I had to buy the additional battery holder, just to make the grip size a little bigger.

At the $2k mark I would suggest getting a 2 lens kit. The lenses are fairly average but they will give you the opportunity to see what range and conditions you like to shoot in, then you can think about buying better lenses to suite. Spending more money may not be in your plans now, but you may get the bug

If you haven't seen it, dpreview is a great site. Here is a link to the 400d review which includes comparisons with other cameras.

My .02c dropped into the fountain of KB knowledge.

[limbimtimwim]

And be cheap: http://www.trademe.co.nz/members/lis...der=price_desc

[Big Dave]

Dave,

Question for ya.

How good are those Cannon 400D entry level digi SLR cameras that they sell at Harvey Normans and the like?

It's what I use.

There is a point of diminishing return for how much size, weight and $ - that I want to carry on a bike.

I thought 400D was the best compromise.

The more expensive units are faster - more frames per sec - but the most of the doohickeys on the more expensive jobs I don't covet as I mostly shoot manual anyway.

80 series Nikon is well regarded but next price tier.

[bugjuice]

for the record, I also use a 400d. Bought the 2 lens kit. The lenses are ok, but I was a little disappointed with them so I'm upgrading them. But I use my 400d for work too. If it were just for personal use, then I wouldn't be so bothered and I'd be happy with them (it's where canon saved their money for you).
They're also updating it next month, if you can wait a couple of months. Then you'll get the most recent one. The current is 10mp where as the new one is 12, and there's a few new toys on it too like their new LiveView thing

Camera is good tho, especially for the price

[vifferman]

I nearly bought a 400D in SF at Christmas 2006. I just went into a shop to see how much the body was (I already have two Canon lenses) and the guy said, "oh - we only sell the camera with a lens." So I thanked him, and went to walk out. I did that several times, and each time, the price dropped and/or he added something. In the end, I could've got the camera, lens, 2Gb card, and bag for the equivalent of NZ$1100.
The vifferbabe vetoed the purchase, as it was only Day2 of our vacation. As it turned out, we came home with about $3k of spending money left over, so I could've bought it. C'est la vie...

[Big Dave]

I don't buy any digital equipment.
I lease or rent it.

[Big Dave]

The prize winning photo in NZ's richest competition was taken with a Canon kit lens, Kit.

I also have a 55-200 ultrasonic that is just peachy.

[bugjuice]

isn't that costing more in the long run tho?
and I only know of a few places that rent gear. Last time I rented a 5d with one lens and flash, was $375 for the day.. Granted, it's not the $7500 worth of the gear all in one hit, but still only 20 days of use out of it

[Freakshow]

I have been given a EOS 5 (film) with a couple of ultra sonic lens. I just want to check but these lens will work with any of the EOS D range??
If so I might have to check out the 400D.

[vifferman]

I have been given a EOS 5 (film) with a couple of ultra sonic lens. I just want to check but these lens will work with any of the EOS D range??
If so I might have to check out the 400D.

I thought all the Canon EF lenses were compatible, but a camera salesman (trying to sell me an EOS400D) said the digital ones required special lenses.
Bollix? :spudwhat:

[bugjuice]

think its bollix.
canon have been boasting that their range are all interswappablechanging stuff with lenses and bodies. The theory is the film lenses will work on the digital bodies
FS, see if there's anyone near you with a Canon DSLR to try them on.

since digital has been around, there's lenses that have come a long way, like the Image Stabilizing ones and some other neat stuff. Film bodies may not be able to take full advantage of that, but that'd be a given. But digital bodies should be fine with old tech stuff. Try it and see. bet it does

[vifferman]

FS, see if there's anyone near you with a Canon DSLR to try them on.

since digital has been around, there's lenses that have come a long way, like the Image Stabilizing ones and some other neat stuff. Film bodies may not be able to take full advantage of that, but that'd be a given. But digital bodies should be fine with old tech stuff. Try it and see. bet it does

I just remembered - a guy I used to work with is a keen amateur photographer, and has both digital and film Canon cameras. I'll just flick him an email and ask.
He's getting on a bit now, and bought a cheaper Canon digicam with built-in image stabilisation for non-fuzzy shots. It's fine for much of his "out and about" photos, but he also had to buy a few lenses with image stabilisation as well, for his high-res stuff. They're pretty pricey...