HELP DIGITAL CAMERAS!! part 2

[nfnx]

much like madmonarch, i need some help finding a quality camera. i currently have a 4.0 megapixel canon powershot, dont remember the model number....

im basically going to london this summer and would love to take some professional shots of the scenery and all that....

so im in the hunt for a professional camera. i have no idea what any of the functions are except for shutter speeds, but i want to spend this summer learning since i have a great deal of interest in photography.

can someone give me a recap of what the professional cameras are and require? such as battery consumption, memory cards, how big each pic is at full quality, and LENS (diff in them, what i would absolutely require)...
something general will do

i kno its asking for a lot, especially in the lens part but if its not needed, ill do without for the time being.


CAN YOU GUYS GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I SHOULD GET?? i plan on spending around 1300 - 1700, but dont mind going up a bit if the advantages outweigh the costs. i want to take photos like those in the "post your best photo" thread.... =) thanks!

[magical]

much like madmonarch, i need some help finding a quality camera. i currently have a 4.0 megapixel canon powershot, dont remember the model number....

im basically going to london this summer and would love to take some professional shots of the scenery and all that....

so im in the hunt for a professional camera. i have no idea what any of the functions are except for shutter speeds, but i want to spend this summer learning since i have a great deal of interest in photography.

can someone give me a recap of what the professional cameras are and require? such as battery consumption, memory cards, how big each pic is at full quality, and LENS (diff in them, what i would absolutely require)...
something general will do

i kno its asking for a lot, especially in the lens part but if its not needed, ill do without for the time being.


CAN YOU GUYS GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I SHOULD GET?? i plan on spending around 1300 - 1700, but dont mind going up a bit if the advantages outweigh the costs. i want to take photos like those in the "post your best photo" thread.... =) thanks!

Personally if it was me, and I'm not going to go into HUGE detail.... but I am a canon fan, others are nikon fanboys, and to be honest with you, they are both *GREAT* cameras either way.

Since you are on a bit of a budget, and you say you are going to do travelling, I am going to introduce a One-Lens-for-All type of Solution, on a budget of course.

My suggestion would be to purchase a Rebel XT without a lens "Ie no KIT Lens" as, the lens that comes with the camera isn't really a good piece of glass, and in my opinion, should be thrown away as it sucks! ...

I would pick up a Tamron 28-75MM f2.8 lens for the camera. The lens is a "very fast zoom lens with a constant aperature" ... which to you probably doesn't mean much, but to us camera guru's means a lot... Although there is faster lenses than a f2.8 this is a great starting point ... This will allow you to take great indoor shots, and amazing outdoor shots even in low light situations (handheld I might add)... this is something that the kit lens wont do at all... plus since its focal length is 28-75 it will act the same as a 45-120mm conventional lens.. this is due to the "crop factor" of the canon rebel XT ... this will be pretty much a perfect focal length for you, as the human eye is about "50mm" ... you might want it to be wider angle but you will sacrifice quality of the lens, and definatly pay more, or need more than one lens which will blow your budget.... this lens bar none, is the highest quality optics for the least amount of price... it is also made in Japan and comes with a six year warranty (very very hard to beat)...

I would advise a 2gb memory card (for price vs the 4gb), and since you will be travelling, instead of spending a lot on canons extra battery, you may want to consider the battery grip option... this allows you to place two batterys inside the grip basically doubling the amount pictures shot, or place 4 AA batterys instead (where you can get EVERYWHERE in a Pinch) ... this might not be a bad idea, but to be honest, the battery it comes with, if charged daily, will be great... not sure if the charger will work in europe tho.. you may want to check into this.

If you take the pics in JPEG fine mode and at a full 8MP which I suggest, each pic will eat up approx 3-5MB of space, and the dimensions of the picture will be 3456x2304 you can cut this down by 25% if going with a 6MP camera ....

Here is a Summary of what you should pay for the Gear.

$899 Canon Rebel XT barebones
$49 2GB Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
$500 Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di LD IF Aspherical AF

I'm not going to include the battery and grip as I really dont think its necessary unless you aren't going to be staying at a hotel/motel and regardless you can easily snap 400 shots using the battery that comes with the camera...

the total of the eq is around $1450 ... pretty much in your range...

good luck
...

[cipher]

so im in the hunt for a professional camera

Canon 1Ds Mark II

[magical]

Canon 1Ds Mark II

hah.. kinda blows his budget by 6x but its definatly pro!

[Newfie]

Always a great site for in-depth reviews and the forums are great too.

Good luck,
Craig

[jb22]

I don't want to sound like an @ss but buying an expensive camera won't automatically mean you'll have professional looking photos. The camera can only do so much, the rest is up to you and basically your eye. I'm not saying you have abad eye or anything, and I know you said you want to spend time learning but I just wanted to make this comment in general.

Another thing to take into consideration, the fact that you'll be travelling through London in the summer - are you 100% sure that you need a digital SLR to take good photos? I mea with the heat and all the walking around, carrying a DSLR might get a bit tiresom after a while. I'm just speaking from my experience of travelling in Italy during the summer - it was hot and the less stuff to caryy around the better. Also, I'm not sure who you'll be travelling but if you're going to be on a tour, will you have enough time to setup your shots and all that goes with working a DSLR, especially if you're new to it?

Maybe a good quality Point & Shoot is also an option. I own an 8mp Canon S80, I actually went for the S80 over a Rebel XT becasue I decided that size and convenience of the camera would serve me better. I know the S80 is not equal to a DSL or as flexable but it serves me well. In the current isuue of Computer Arts, the reviewed compact digital cameras, including the S80, Nikon Coolpix P4 and Fijifilm S9500. They recommend the 9 megapixel 9500 as it has 10x optical zoom, with a good lens which has a manual focus ring, has the layout setup like a DSLR.

Just presenting an alternative view. Like I said, the camera won't guarantee the quality of the photos.

[nfnx]

Personally if it was me, and I'm not going to go into HUGE detail.... but I am a canon fan, others are nikon fanboys, and to be honest with you, they are both *GREAT* cameras either way.

Since you are on a bit of a budget, and you say you are going to do travelling, I am going to introduce a One-Lens-for-All type of Solution, on a budget of course.

My suggestion would be to purchase a Rebel XT without a lens "Ie no KIT Lens" as, the lens that comes with the camera isn't really a good piece of glass, and in my opinion, should be thrown away as it sucks! ...

I would pick up a Tamron 28-75MM f2.8 lens for the camera. The lens is a "very fast zoom lens with a constant aperature" ... which to you probably doesn't mean much, but to us camera guru's means a lot... Although there is faster lenses than a f2.8 this is a great starting point ... This will allow you to take great indoor shots, and amazing outdoor shots even in low light situations (handheld I might add)... this is something that the kit lens wont do at all... plus since its focal length is 28-75 it will act the same as a 45-120mm conventional lens.. this is due to the "crop factor" of the canon rebel XT ... this will be pretty much a perfect focal length for you, as the human eye is about "50mm" ... you might want it to be wider angle but you will sacrifice quality of the lens, and definatly pay more, or need more than one lens which will blow your budget.... this lens bar none, is the highest quality optics for the least amount of price... it is also made in Japan and comes with a six year warranty (very very hard to beat)...

I would advise a 2gb memory card (for price vs the 4gb), and since you will be travelling, instead of spending a lot on canons extra battery, you may want to consider the battery grip option... this allows you to place two batterys inside the grip basically doubling the amount pictures shot, or place 4 AA batterys instead (where you can get EVERYWHERE in a Pinch) ... this might not be a bad idea, but to be honest, the battery it comes with, if charged daily, will be great... not sure if the charger will work in europe tho.. you may want to check into this.

If you take the pics in JPEG fine mode and at a full 8MP which I suggest, each pic will eat up approx 3-5MB of space, and the dimensions of the picture will be 3456x2304 you can cut this down by 25% if going with a 6MP camera ....

Here is a Summary of what you should pay for the Gear.

$899 Canon Rebel XT barebones
$49 2GB Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
$500 Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di LD IF Aspherical AF

I'm not going to include the battery and grip as I really dont think its necessary unless you aren't going to be staying at a hotel/motel and regardless you can easily snap 400 shots using the battery that comes with the camera...

the total of the eq is around $1450 ... pretty much in your range...

good luck
...

this is amazing.
why are the lens so expensive? that they almost rape the cost of the camera itself??

i futureshop.ca'd this camera and it shows at 949.99... is that the cost or 800?





i realize that a great camera does not necessarily = great shots... but like i said i would hate to buy a really good point and shoot camera, only to be limited in the future... i like to buy high and then learn to use it... once i perfect this camera, then ill consider moving up some more....
keep in mind i still do have a point and shoot camera which i will carry around as well.

[hagbard]

Just a caution. If you decide to buy a Canon, and you ever need repairs, DO NOT send it to Calgary, and pray whomever you do send it to doesn't send it there either. I now always recommend Nikon just to avoid Canon's ugly repair service.

But if you do want a good camera, slightly used (less than 1000 activations), with not a scratch on it, I'll sell you my 20D body for $1000 (all the goodies included). For three hundred more ($1300), I'll toss in a 2GB Sandisk Ultra II, Sigma 55-200 f.4-5.6, and Canon 50mm f1.8II, and a Lowepro Stealth Report 200 bag. (BTW, my hassles with Canon was over an "L" lens I no longer own, because they lost it).

[lordzod]

I don't want to sound like an @ss but buying an expensive camera won't automatically mean you'll have professional looking photos. The camera can only do so much, the rest is up to you and basically your eye. I'm not saying you have abad eye or anything, and I know you said you want to spend time learning but I just wanted to make this comment in general.

QFT

I have an older Canon A70 and have owned a Canon 30D since March. I was at a bbq last Saturday. I still have alot to learn about photography but I can take a decent picture. I let everyone there who wanted to try my 30D have a go at it. None of their pics turned out. They were all either exposed horribly, out of focus, or both. Make sure you leave enough time to learn how to really use the camera. Also if you go the DSLR route be prepared to spend more time in front of your computer "developing" the pictures.

DSLRs are capable of taking better pictures than a point and shoot but they also show the photographers ability or lack thereof.

And having a smaller camera is nice when you don't want to lug around 3-5lbs+ of camera gear.

[magical]

QFT

I have an older Canon A70 and have owned a Canon 30D since March. I was at a bbq last Saturday. I still have alot to learn about photography but I can take a decent picture. I let everyone there who wanted to try my 30D have a go at it. None of their pics turned out. They were all either exposed horribly, out of focus, or both. Make sure you leave enough time to learn how to really use the camera. Also if you go the DSLR route be prepared to spend more time in front of your computer "developing" the pictures.

DSLRs are capable of taking better pictures than a point and shoot but they also show the photographers ability or lack thereof.

And having a smaller camera is nice when you don't want to lug around 3-5lbs+ of camera gear.

I disagreee with you on a couple areas of stuff.. one... If you compare what I suggested to what you are suggested you are out to lunch... If you want a DSLR to compare to a normal camera, you can do it, you dont need to carry 3-5 lb of camera gear unless you plan on changing lenses on the fly, and to be honest, you dont need that unless you are taking pictures of birds, animals that are far away, or other objects that are far away. To compare the focal lengths to a compact camera what I suggested would be a perfect focal length, and will not weigh 3-5lb, it will weigh in around 2lb max (I'd say more like 1.5lb)..... he can even get away with buying the hard case from canon and just going with this around his neck... but if he insists on getting the lenses he will definatly be 'toting' around stuff..

2nd thing is, I myself have very little camera knowledge when I started, and although I shoot the majority of my stuff in 'auto' mode, I have some 'EXCEPTIONAL' pictures without any editing of any sorts.... I think that if you dont have the eye, regardless if you have a DSLR or regular camera your pics will come out lousy....

Here are some examples of my work, again, I'm not a pro, and the majority of these shots are taken on 'full auto mode' letting the camera decide everything... one thing I do believe in tho.. is getting rid of that 'lousy' kit lens and using good quality glass... I own only two lenses now.. the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and the canon ef 100-400L IS ... both great pieces of glass and are probably why my shots end up so nice...

'duck' picture taken by wife last year with the 100-400L IS in low light... image cropped but nothing else done to it.


this is my favorite place to go, I took this with the setting that allows me to adjust the shutter for the water effect ... again not much other than that...



Here is the main waterfalls from this sanctuary, again taken with a long shutter, no tripod, but I found a place to put the camera obviously..



A picture of a peacock, VIBRANT Color, taken with my now sold canon 70-200 f/4L .. this lens still shocks me, I think I'm going to buy another when I go down to the states as for the price its definatly the best.



Ice Cream Anyone? Again taken with 70-200...

[nfnx]

my friend was mentioning something about slr, is the rebel xt recommended to me slr?

[WalnutCrunch]

I don't want to sound like an @ss but buying an expensive camera won't automatically mean you'll have professional looking photos. The camera can only do so much, the rest is up to you and basically your eye. I'm not saying you have abad eye or anything, and I know you said you want to spend time learning but I just wanted to make this comment in general.

Another thing to take into consideration, the fact that you'll be travelling through London in the summer - are you 100% sure that you need a digital SLR to take good photos? I mea with the heat and all the walking around, carrying a DSLR might get a bit tiresom after a while. I'm just speaking from my experience of travelling in Italy during the summer - it was hot and the less stuff to caryy around the better. Also, I'm not sure who you'll be travelling but if you're going to be on a tour, will you have enough time to setup your shots and all that goes with working a DSLR, especially if you're new to it?

Maybe a good quality Point & Shoot is also an option. I own an 8mp Canon S80, I actually went for the S80 over a Rebel XT becasue I decided that size and convenience of the camera would serve me better. I know the S80 is not equal to a DSL or as flexable but it serves me well. In the current isuue of Computer Arts, the reviewed compact digital cameras, including the S80, Nikon Coolpix P4 and Fijifilm S9500. They recommend the 9 megapixel 9500 as it has 10x optical zoom, with a good lens which has a manual focus ring, has the layout setup like a DSLR.

Just presenting an alternative view. Like I said, the camera won't guarantee the quality of the photos.

I don't think you're an a$$ for saying that. A dSLR gives you more potential for a great photo because it gives you complete control over your photography. However, the camera doesn't make great pictures; the person behind the camera makes great pictures.

nfnx... if you do get a dSLR for the trip, make sure you spend the time to learn how to use it. When starting out with a dSLR, most people take worse pictures than they did with a point-and-shoot because they don't know how to use it and the margin for error is greater with the increased complexity and decreased depth of field. I would suggest spending a solid week to learn about the camera and photography in general, and take photos in town with your new camera before leaving on your trip.

IMHO, if you're not getting any photos from your existing camera that you consider "professional", you're not going to get it out of a dSLR without considerable amount of learning and practice. A new camera might help but it's only as good as the person using it.

[jb22]

Well, just to counter point Magincal's post, I'll post some pics I took with a Canon A75 point and shoot, although the A75 does offer more manual controls then most basic point and shoot cameras. I just wanted to show with what can be done at a more affordable price, and to emphasize that it's your eye that'll result in a quality photo. Now I will say that Magical's pics are obviously clearer (and are nice shots in general, not trying to take anything away from them) but for a $300 (at the time) 3.2 mp point and shot, they aren't so bad (IMO):

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...6&postcount=33

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...2&postcount=35

Please note that those pics are resized and resaved as compressed jpegs so that I could post them in the original photo thread. Also, I just wanted an excuse to show off those pictures again!!!

Also, and I don't know about any one else but no matter what camera you get - you should get a tripod. Nothing crazy, even a little mini one, but it make a world of diffference for me.

I agreethat you should really be combfortable with the camera before you get to London, you want to really focus on enjoying your trip in person, not trying to take "great" photos - don't spend the trip looking at London behind the lens. I was lucky enough to spend a month through our Italy so I designated a couple of afternoon or evening here and there to focus on taking photos.

[thelefteyeguy]

Canon XT, Nikon D50

For Nikon,
D70s, D50 (avoid the D50 stock lens). Get the 18-70mm f/3.5 (D70 stock lens)...whole setup should be around $1k. Another ~100 for memory card. And you are set.

Since you are going to london...you should get something a bit wider (18mm is good)

For the Canon Xt...i would agree with others...Tamron 28-75MM f2.8 however it might not be wider enough for you....esp in London if you are going to take some building shots, etc.

The Canon XT is very light compared to the Nikon setup.

Either way...you need to make that decision...once you picked...it's hard to go the other way unless you plan to sell everything.


From the best photo thread....both setups produce great pics.



(btw...i dont think you'll need a battery grip...pace yourself with 250-500 photos a day in london...the battery should last for a good day or more....just charge in the hotel...btw...make sure you have a converter or ensure the hotel has one)

[magical]

Canon XT, Nikon D50

For Nikon,
D70s, D50 (avoid the D50 stock lens). Get the 18-70mm f/3.5 (D70 stock lens)...whole setup should be around $1k. Another ~100 for memory card. And you are set.

Since you are going to london...you should get something a bit wider (18mm is good)

For the Canon Xt...i would agree with others...Tamron 28-75MM f2.8 however it might not be wider enough for you....esp in London if you are going to take some building shots, etc.

The Canon XT is very light compared to the Nikon setup.

Either way...you need to make that decision...once you picked...it's hard to go the other way unless you plan to sell everything.


From the best photo thread....both setups produce great pics.



(btw...i dont think you'll need a battery grip...pace yourself with 250-500 photos a day in london...the battery should last for a good day or more....just charge in the hotel...btw...make sure you have a converter or ensure the hotel has one)

Still the stock glass is a F3.5-4.5 which will be OK indoors but would be much better off with some fast glass! thats why I say skip the kit lenses and buy better glass right off the start.. I mean even if he only wants to spend $100 on the 50MM f/1.8 this would be much better and not require the use of a tripod in lower light situations... TRIPOD = much more weight to carry and bulky generally.