My birthday is coming up at the end of June and I'm thinking if I have enough money, I'll splurge on an SLR. I'm curious, what do you guys shoot with? What do you like about your camera? What don't you like? What would you suggest for some one new to the hobby (obsession)?

Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

I use a Canon 50D, I love it. the controls are right were I want them. great image quality.

Right now I'm leaning to the 40D. But it may have to wait 'til after my birthday, they're a little more expensive than I was thinking.

This post has been edited by Oedipus Rex: May 24th 2009 4:06 PM

A CAS.
(Cheap Ass Sony)

I do have a Canon AE-1, and a few lenses, but it uses film.

Does anybody know if I can use these older, 'film-type' lenses on a newer Digital Canon camera?

The 40D is a great camera I know a few people who use them and love them.

I still use the Canon 10D I picked up when I switched to digital. If I can sell the Leica M stuff, I'll pick up a Canon 5D and have the 10D converted to an IR camera.


Yes and no. Canon changed their mount when the EOS series came out. You can use the EOS lenses on the newer Digital bodies, but not the lenses from the F mount (like the AE-1).

Either the 40D or D300. They are good beginner(ish) /intermediate cameras. I say get a Nikon. Better lenses for less money and you can use manual (Non-AF) on them. I personally use a D3 from when I was at RIT for it. (Nikon's are just wayyyyy wayyy better plus they are RUGGED/Weather proofed which Canons aren't)

At the moment I'm shooting with a Canon Mark III and a Mark IIn, both are very good cameras, they have their problems but for the most part the only camera out right now that I might trade for is the Nikon D3. The Mark III is very good in low light, and has a very fast motor. The IIn isn't as fast focusing or on the motor but the image is really good.
Both of these might be out of the range on $$$$ but I'll never tell someone not to buy something they want. But for allot of folks these cameras are a bit much.
Don't get the idea that I can afford these by myself, if the company hadn't bought them for me and the other shooters on staff I'd be shooting with a 5mp Olympus point and shoot.

Get what works best for you, what makes you push yourself to learn, and then buy the best you can afford. But most of all have fun seeing the world around you, and bring it home to show off.

shat!

Thanks for your reply!


...back to the thread folks.

Nikon D80

I have close to a dozen cameras now but I use a Nikon D2H and D70 alot. Currently saving pennies for a D3, I'm about half way there.

I love my D2, the high frames per second really helps when shooting sporting events. The controls are in the perfect locations (for me). The downside is that the magnesium body is heavy compared to a D70 or other plactic body. Add on a 80-200mm f/2.8 and you know you were carrying something at the end of the day. The other thing that Nikon has improved with the D3 series is the high ISO performance. With the D2 it is not horrible but the flexibility of the D3 will make my life easier. Bottom line is the D2 series is heavy duty, reliable but also heavy to carry.

I bought my D70 as a back up/ short lens unit. I like it because it's light, small, uses the same CF cards and lenses plus it takes really good pictures.

I would suggest a D70 for no other reason than the fact you can use any lens ever made for a Nikon F mount. This includes manual and auto focus. On some Nikon bodies like the D40 series and I think the D60 (maybe others) if you use the older lenses (MF or AF) you have to manually expose and focus them. Not a big deal to someone who "is into it" but for someone starting out it's a good way to frustrate them.

My $.02 worth on the subject..

This post has been edited by Jay5oh: May 29th 2009 4:13 PM

i've got my eye on the d90...shooting a d40x and EX-F1 now

I just got back from a trip to NY< we went to B&H photo, i played with the 1Ds III DO WAN"T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I am going to try and wait for the 4 to come out

Canon 5DMKII

Canon S5 IS with a CHDK Firmware Hack that alters the Canon software running off a Fat 16 Partition on the SD card. It re-programs the S5-IS to shoot RAW and adds a host of other High End Canon DSLR functions. It also removes the 1GB video limit, allowing you to shoot video till the card is full and adds video control functions. Best of all if anything ever goes wrong with the camera. you just remove the CHDK Hacked SD card and insert a regular non partishioned Class 4 SD Card and the camera reverts to the original Canon Software and Canons none the wiser.

Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash with Diffuser.

x3 Canon LA-DC58E lens converters

Canon WC-DC58A Wide Angle Lens with Camera Armor Hood.

Canon TC-DC58B Telephoto Lens x1.5 (+ The x12 Optical zoom on the S5 IS.) with Camera Armor Hood.

Slik Lightpod II Monopod

Canon 900 Series Tripod

Promaster 6020 Table Top Tripod

x2 No Name Old Heavy Tripods I picked up for almost nothing at Garage sales.

I have a couple of Tiffen Filters in the bag that go on the 3rd LA-DC58A Converter's lens hood, but I hardly ever use them doing most of my filtering effects in Photoshop CS2 after the shoot.

Two Foldable Oval Reflectors. Also picked up at an Estate Sale (God Bless that poor old dead Bastage that had a heck of a old Film Darkroom Studio in his basement and his wife who sold 'em to me for .50 cents apeice,)

Canon Backpack style Camera Bag in OD green & Black.

Two Lithuim AA Battery Chargers. and about 6 sets of Lithium AA Batteries. ( Will Shoot about 350 Superfine Jpegs per Battery Set.) The CHDK Hack also fixes the S5 IS Battery indicator problem. The 430EX Flash gets about the same battery milage. The Nice thing about Rechargable AA's is I can Pick them up anywhere in a pinch.

And to Top it all off. I edit everything in Jpeg, RAW and AVI in Photoshop CS2, Elements 6, Paint.Net, Google Sketchup and GIMP 2.4

CardTricks software to add the CHDK Hack to 4Gb SD cards.

I really want a Canon SX1 IS with the 10MP CMOS sensor and the HD Video.

I also Want an Acer One 10" Netbook with the 160GB hard drive to Edit and Review my picks in the field without Having to Lug my "17 HP Laptop Around. The Netbook would Slip Right in my Canon Backpack Camera Bag.

This post has been edited by EvoPsych: July 12th 2009 3:29 AM

I run two SLR cameras right now.


My main kit is -

Canon 5Dmk II 21.1 Megapixel full frame SLR

Kit lens - 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF Lens

I also carry a 50mm prime lens, the 50mm F/1.2L, and a telephoto lens, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens

Extra battery.

Hoya Pro-1 77mm Digital UV FIlter and Circular Polarizer


That is my main kit, but strangely I dont do a lot of my photography on this camera. It is wonderful, but I tend I carry my second SLR, an APS-C camera, due to having the 1.6x crop factor when I am out hiking and such.

The second kit is -

Canon 50D 15.1 Megapixel cropped frame

Main lens - 17-40mm F/4L

I also carry a Canon Plastic Fantastic (AKA Nifty Fifty) with this camera, the cheap but versitile 50mm F/1.8 lens, and also a telephoto - my 70-200mm F/4L IS lens.

Extra Battery

Hoya Pro-1 77mm Digital UV FIlter and Circular Polarizer


Though the 50D is not nearly as good in low light as the full frame, the 1.6x crop factor coupled with those lenses make for some good outdoor photography, especially when I am shooting photos of animals and stuff from far away. I have seen wolves around here before, and though I have not had a picture of one yet, that extra crop factor might come in handy instead of buying a whole new extreme telephoto lens to pack around in case I see one.

i just shook up all my gear, still havent quite got it all back into a full kit yet. switched from my trusted Nikon gear to Canon, so far I am liking it but time will tell.

Nikon kit sold: D300 and D70 with 17-55 2.8, 80-200 2.8 and 300 f4

New canon gear: 7D with grip, 28-135 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS and a 15mm fish.

I got the fish in a trade it will probably be going on the chopping block soon to help fund a better wide zoom.

still need to find the money for a wide zoom, a flash or two, another 300 prime, and a back up body.

d40x

I just got a used canon 40d and i just love it!
I wanted a nikon d300 but it was a little over my budget, Canon was a great choice.

Canon EOS 5D. I've been a film photographer for years, had many digital cameras over the last 10 years and this one is the first that can truly replace the film camera. Canon's got a great lineup of lenses too, which is where your money will be spent. The body is just an enabler for you to buy glass, and lots of it.

This post has been edited by lowracer: December 6th 2009 12:44 AM