Large Scale Central

Buying a new Digital Camera

General Discussion
#1

This was on my list for last years tax return, but buying an RV got in the way. I was pretty much set last year on the Cannon Xti Digital Rebel (10MP SLR) and I think that it will rank high on my list again since the price has come down a bit over the last year.

One thing I’m having trouble deciding is lenses. I’ve heard that the kit lens isn’t much good but it only adds $50 to the price. After market lenses start around $250. I know that I’ll want to buy an assortment of lenses eventually, but I’m thinking that for $50 more I can get into a camera with a lens that will at least be as good as my current camera and be upgrading my resolution from 3MP to 10MP.

Any opinions?

Jon

#2
Jon Radder said:
This was on my list for last years tax return, but buying an RV got in the way. I was pretty much set last year on the Cannon Xti Digital Rebel (10MP SLR) and I think that it will rank high on my list again since the price has come down a bit over the last year.

One thing I’m having trouble deciding is lenses. I’ve heard that the kit lens isn’t much good but it only adds $50 to the price. After market lenses start around $250. I know that I’ll want to buy an assortment of lenses eventually, but I’m thinking that for $50 more I can get into a camera with a lens that will at least be as good as my current camera and be upgrading my resolution from 3MP to 10MP.

Any opinions?

Jon


Jon,

I got the original Digital Rebel with the lens that comes in the kit. As far as I can tell that lens may not be top-notch but I haven’t had a problem. Got two Sigma lenses as add-ons; a 70-300 telephoto and a 50mm Macro.

#3

When I bought my XT, I listened to the negative hype about the kit lens, opting for a Sigma 18 - 200 instead. While I’m not regretting that choice, I’ve since found it to have been unnecessary. The images I’ve seen on the various forums from the kit lens are quite sharp. Like any lens, it has a definite “sweet spot” where its performance is optimal.

If I were to do things over again, I’d probably do something similar to HJ, with the kit and a good telephoto instead.

Later,

K

#4

That sure makes sense to me. Looks like 42nd St. Photo has today’s best deals - their spread is $70 extra for the kit, saving $180 over the same format lens (18-50) from Sigma. Also, since I really don’t know enough about lenses yet to make an informed decision the kit lens will help me decide what I need in the future.

Thanks for reinforcing my decision. Now if I can convince Marilyn that we need it I’m all set :slight_smile:

#5

My girlfriend has two 35mm film Rebel cameras. I noticed that the standard lens on the newer one, while it had the identical markings, worked the about same and interchanged, weighed considerably less than the older one, and “felt” cheaper as well.

She says she eventually intends to buy a digital body only and use the film camera lenses. (Wish I had that option with my Minoltas)

#6

Mik,

I was in the same boat with my Yashica stuff, got to bite the bullet sooner or later. :wink:

#7

I’m still hemming and hawing… Or as Ric would say; Waffling on the lens decision. I have until late next week to make the decision, so I’ll probably flip 3 or 4 times before then.

If I go with the kit lens, I can buy some extra batteries and maybe the portrait battery grip. If not, I’ll have to go with an all-purpose zoom lens and try and get by with just one battery. Even that will be over budget.

The best justification of the kit lens is comparing to what I have now. The Fuji S602Z that I’m currently using is only 3.2 pixels and not a true SLR although is does have a digital viewfinder using the CCD and main lens. The built-in lens on the Fuji is far from perfect and I’ve been pretty happy with the pictures. Just the difference in resolution will probably blow me away!

Jon

#8
Jon Radder said:
I'm still hemming and hawing... Or as Ric would say; Waffling on the lens decision. I have until late next week to make the decision, so I'll probably flip 3 or 4 times before then.

If I go with the kit lens, I can buy some extra batteries and maybe the portrait battery grip. If not, I’ll have to go with an all-purpose zoom lens and try and get by with just one battery. Even that will be over budget.

The best justification of the kit lens is comparing to what I have now. The Fuji S602Z that I’m currently using is only 3.2 pixels and not a true SLR although is does have a digital viewfinder using the CCD and main lens. The built-in lens on the Fuji is far from perfect and I’ve been pretty happy with the pictures. Just the difference in resolution will probably blow me away!

Jon


Jon,

With a bit of planning you’ll get by with one battery (approx. 400+ pictures). I’m a firm believer in trying out what the basic kit does, before spending extra dough. :wink: :slight_smile:

#9

What will grab your attention far more than the difference in resolution is the amount of post-processing the SLR camera doesn’t do. I was initially surprised by how “soft” the shots from my 8mp XT looked when compared to my 4mp Minolta point-and-shoot. But a little research into the issue led me to discover that the point-and-shoots process the heck out of the photo before it even leaves the camera, where the SLR does not. (It can, but you’ve got to set the menu to do so.) After some experimentation with the settings, it became quite clear how much sharper the SLR was.

Later,

K

#10

I’ve noticed that with my point and shoot. Seems every picture I run through Photoshop gets the “sharpen” clicked before it gets saved. Makes the details pop alot like weathering a model.

#11

Kevin,

For best results shoot in JPEG and RAW, then compare. The extra work sure is worth it, you get what you want instead of getting it served up like a frozen dinner. :wink: :slight_smile:

#12

I really liked my old Fuji.
Especially being able to take TIFF pics.
I gave it to my daughter who also liked it for picture quality but it was so slow between shots she hated it.
Not fast enough to take rapid shots of a very active 2 yo.

My new Cannon (not an SLR) only does jpeg’s and I still can’t master it.

I don’t need fast shots for taking pix of installs, so I asked my daughter if I could have it back.
She said yes.
Thanks Katie.

#13
TonyWalsham said:
...Not fast enough to take rapid shots of a very active 2 yo.
Hmm, that sounds vaguely familiar. That's exactly how I convinced Allison that we needed to upgrade.

HJ, I’ve not worked too much with RAW files. I’ve played with them a wee bit, but for 97% of what I do, the advantages that format offers is moot. If I were doing large prints or the like, I’d switch to it, but for what I do for publication, the final print resolution isn’t anywhere near to where you could remotely tell the difference between the two. Kalmbach saves everything as jpeg anyway, so why bother? (I’ll convert the images to tiff files once the come off the camera, as that’s a lossless compression format.) For the web, it’s even more pointless. The controls you have over the image are awesome in RAW, though. A definite must for folks shooting with the aim of enlarging prints for sale, display, etc.

Later,

K

#14

I finally did it. After much deliberation I placed an order at BuyDig today for the Body plus a Tamron 18-250mm Di-II lens. This is the equivalent of a 28-300mm lens on a 35mm camera and takes advantage of the smaller image size on the CCD Vs. a 35mm film frame. The reason I went for the lens is that I sat back and analyzed how I use my current camera - I take a lot of telephoto shots. The kit 18-55mm lens just would not have made me happy. If one is to believe Tamron’s advertising, this should be the only lens I’ll ever need. It better be - it cost almost as much as the body pushing we way over budget. I also picked up two 1700mah batteries and a 12/110V charger at Blue Nook for just over $50.

So I definitely need to be chained to that chair at ECLSTS :smiley:

Jon

#15

I just noticed this thread. I shoot Canon equipment. Actually, I’ve used it for over 25 years now. The XTI is a great little SLR. The kit lens is fantastic considering it’s a “kit” lens and will serve you well as a walk around lens. But, if you start buying more glass I would strongly recommend buying Canon glass. If you can afford it, buy the “L” glass. The difference is night and day. Even lower end consumer SLR’s will benefit from the better pro level glass.

Jon.

#16

I’ve only had the chance to take a few pictures since picking up the camera last night, but I’m very impressed with the camera and the Tamron lens. I had hoped to catch the local job at SHIRE today, but I was about an hour early. Heard them on the scanner as I was leaving, but had no time to go back. Stills of the junction had to do for today. Nothing exciting, but these shots show the versatility of this lens. I am blown away! [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Wide1-1024.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Wide1-640.JPG)

[/url][color=blue]Wide Angle - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Zoom1-1024.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Zoom1-640.jpg)

[/url][color=blue]Tele - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Wide2-1024.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Wide2-640.JPG)

[/url][color=blue]Wide Angle - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Zoom2-1024.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/Zoom2-640.jpg)

[/url][color=blue]Tele - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] These pictures have not been processed except to resize and compress a bit. Shot with the Cannon Digital Rebel Xti at ISO 400 in automatic mode, standard style. Lens is Tamron Di-II 18-250MM (equates to 28-300MM on 35mm film). I’m no expert, but these look pretty good to me !

#17

Some time ago I commented on the Panasonic TZ-1 I bought SWMBO for her birthday. A very handy size camera with a 10x zoom, but alas it’s her camera.

Sooooo, since it was never on hand when one needed it (see that bear over there? Hey look at that bald eagle perched on that snag etc. etc. you know what I mean :wink: ) , it was time to look for one like it. Just so happened that Panasonic came out with the TZ-5 at the beginning of March, super features, good deal and still 10x zoom but from a 28mm wide-angle start. Blooming amazing and I don’t leave home without it!