Digital SLR's

[Jim m]

[QUOTE=2K Miata;264546]The best camera you can buy is the one you will actually bring along with you. Annie Leibovitz, the famous portrait photographer, said that the iPhone is the best camera now-a-days. Maybe not the best picture in quality, but it is the camera you have with you so you can take a picture.

There is lots of mention about DSLR, multiple lens kits and fixed focal length lenses in the posts above, but I've found that most of these things usually stay in the closet.

I've been using SLRs and DSLRs for more than forty years now. I've studied photography for 3 years in college. I've worked with commercial photographers and taken pictures for work as a graphic designer for the past 32 years. I have bought several thousands of dollars of camera gear over the years. I've aquired several pro quality lenses and 2 camera bodies and most of the time the gear sits in the closet because I don't really like dragging photo equipment around.

Recently I bought a crop sensor camera. These are cameras that have a smaller sensor than the DSLR APS C sensor and the bodies and lens are a fraction the size of DSLRS. And since the sensor technology has improved exponentially over the past couple years, this new generation of crop sensor cameras are matching the quality of some of lower level DSLRs. The quality of 4/3 sensor images are really impressive and will fulfill most needs of amateur photographers today.

But you've really got to decide what you want from a camera. Do you print out images at 4x5, or 16x20? Will you just view them on screen? Do you really want to be switching out lenses and zooming with your feet? Do you want to haul around a big heavy bag of gear or carry something that will fit in a small sling bag?


If you decide to forgo the crop sensor cameras then buy the best fast zoom lens you can afford with the body you choose. There are lots of sites out there with measure-baters so you can get lost in all the nonsense they spew. But some research at places like dpreview will give you some clues to what is a good camera for your needs.

Good luck with your search and keep an open mind out for DSLR alternatives.


My experience with photography is not that different than yours. I don't quote Annie much, she likes girls as well as iPhones. She made most of her money with Mamiya's though, even after digital arrived. I own a Pentax DSLR... I've owned at least one Pentax continiously since the mid '60's. I make more pictures with an 8 mp Canon point and shoot. In my experience, the main disadvantage with most point and shoot cameras is their horrible shutter lag. There is no way to make a picture the moment you want to due to the lag between pressing the shutter release and the camera actually making the picture. That single issue makes me keep a DSLR. A point and shoot with an instant shutter release... and a big sensor would be golden.

[2K Miata]

I don't quote Annie that much either (actually never before). But I like girls and Mamiyas too, so she can't be that bad (I used a 645 for decades).

She actually didn't say that "she used a iPhone, or even liked it, or even recommend you go and buy one". She basically said the best camera is the one that you bring with you and most people have an iPhone with them. OR something like that

But I've noticed most people with DSLRs leave them at home and like you take the PS (Point & Shoot) camera or have an iPhone with them. I tried the PS route, but it just didn't cut it for me - slow focus, crappy pics, etc. therefore it sat on the shelf too.

But if I was starting off again I'd get a smaller crop sensor camera (non-PS) that is easier to bring along. Cameras like the Sony NEX-5 or 7. I have no personal experience with these cameras, but the sensors are rated really high by DXO, even better than some fullframe DSLRs. The form factor is interesting and they have interchangeable lenses and adapters that let you use almost any lens ever made. So they might be a good starting point for someone looking to getting back into photography and wants to get more involved.

I usually don't recommend one brand over another. I think you've got to do your own research with an open mind. Pick a camera that fits your needs the best. The one with a logical interface and the one that feels the best in your hands. Watch out for the people pushing the CANIKON plastic bodies in the box stores, they sell TVs on Mondays and Tuesdays. Keep an open mind on the interweb photo forms. It is full of pixel-peepers and measurebaters that rarely take a picture of a living things, they just shoot color cards and stuff toys . If you buy used don't buy anything more than a year old. The sensor technology and high ISO performance has been drastically improved since then. New sensors can render high ISO images so much better than sensor out 2 years ago. You'll be able to capture low light shots you never would expect too.

But for me the crop sensor camera I bought this spring is getting used for 80% of my photography since I've bought it. It doesn't match my DSLR by any means. But it is the easiest to bring along and it is fun to use. I'll never be without a DSLR because I like to do wildlife photography, autosports etc. that the micro4/3 cameras are not strong at.

I, like you, shoot with PENTAX. My Dad had a Spotomatic from the 60's. I bought SP1000 in the early 70's so I could borrow his lenses. In College the SP1000 was the camera the college loan out. I kept growing with the brand since then. I like the fact that legacy lenses from the 50's can be used on one of the best cameras out there today (k-5). I like the fact that the bodies are small and water proof (along with some lenses). I have a three DA* lenses, 3 DA zooms and a couple FA fixed focal length lenses from the film days which rarely see the light of day since my zooms match or out preform them. So I'm embedded deeply in the brand. I'm not sure I'd ever recommend Pentax to a newbie, but it is the best choice for me. Being small, waterproof, with a metal body, great ISO performance with high ranking sensors make it right the right choice for me.

I'm glad to see another Pentax user on the form, I know there are a couple more here. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the line-up since RICOH has acquired them. The new K-30 looks like a great little camera right now for $850.

Take care,

Mp

[sammm]

I've been reading, and keep coming back to this one. It's considered a 'super-zoom'. Is that the same as 4/3?

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Pa...50/index.shtml

[Jim m]

"

I've been reading, and keep coming back to this one. It's considered a 'super-zoom'. Is that the same as 4/3?

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Pa...50/index.shtml

"


Not really. "Google" 4/3 camera and you will see what they are. Panasonic and Olympus seem the main brands. The 4/3rds cameras all have interchangable lenses, which can be very small, or very big, depending mostly on the focal length. They use a fairly large image sensor, which almost always improves image quality vs. a smaller sensor. The FZ150 has a fixed lens, and a very small sensor. Read a review on it and they will probably talk about "noise". Noise is just kind of a given with little sensors; it is worse when you shoot in low light situations. Noise makes pictures look "grainy" and reduces sharpness. It is usually worse in low light situations.

That said, the FZ150 has a huge zoom range, is fairly small and light, and makes pictures that are perfectly satisfactory for lots of people. I have an old friend, who makes zillions of pictures, and has a similar Nikon (his second) that he thinks is perfect. Before I bought any digital camera, I would hold it, and release the shutter several times. If the shutter didn't release exactly when I pressed my finger down... I would continue looking. Shutter lag brings out the worst in me.

[Ataim]

I just bought the New Nikon D3200 for my trip to Yosemite. The Canon SX120 that Triena has is great point and shoot. See www.kenrockwell.com for some good info on which camera to buy.

From ken's website "As soon as I get my hands on a real, shipping sample to confirm, the Nikon D3200 is most likely going to become the camera I recommend to everyone who asks what camera to buy for great photos of family, friends, sports, concerts, theater and action. "

[lostlorin]

Go to Fort Worth Camera or Arlington Camera. Besides lots of expertise, the will let you play with the cameras.

[TexasStig]

The best camera you can buy is the one you will actually bring along with you- Annie Leibovitz

The best compass you can buy is the one you will actually bring along with you- Amelia Earhart

[wrx74]

And the winner is............?

[sammm]

Still looking...but found a cool 4/3 forum and I'm trying to strike a deal on a gently used Olympus E-PL1.

[sammm]

I bought a used (~900 'clicks') Olympus E-PL1 just like the one below with the kit 14-42mm lens. Supposed to be delivered tomorrow.

[Jim m]

I bought a used (~900 'clicks') Olympus E-PL1 just like the one below with the kit 14-42mm lens. Supposed to be delivered tomorrow.

Great choice...

[onething]

How does the 14-42 compare to 35mm format length?

[sammm]

How does the 14-42 compare to 35mm format length?

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/lens_chart.html

[OZMDD]

I think you're going to be very pleased. Sometimes this forum is really useful!

[sammm]

I think you're going to be very pleased. Sometimes this forum is really useful!

Agreed! Thanks to 2KMiata for clueing me in on 4/3 cameras!

[sammm]

Got the camera today. Haven't read anything in the manual yet, I just started shooting.

[OZMDD]

that's some nice subject matter, ma'am.

[sammm]

that's some nice subject matter, ma'am.

[p4R4d0x]

Whoops, I guess I should be checking on here more often, I just sold my E-PL1 (also barely used) literally last week, lol. I could have given you a TCB deal.

My first DSLR was an Olympus E-520 - great camera, I really loved it, and it jump-started my interest in photography, I just didn't like being stuck with the two kit lenses, so I moved to Pentax (good to see there are more of us here!). The E-520 was actually a 4/3-based camera: same sensor size as your E-PL1, but with a mirror. (Your camera/mount is called 'micro-fourthirds', since it has no mirror and there is a shorter lensmount-to-sensor distance).

My first Pentax was the K-x, then got the Oly E-PL1 to be my 'carry-everywhere' camera, and found that I always took my K-x anyway, since I usually had a bag with me for books and/or my netbook anyway, so I never used it. I just sold off both of those and moved to a K-7, and I love it. I also have a couple of (film) ME Supers and an ME that I will take out on occasion, and I just got a Nikon S8100 point and shoot. I hate it for pictures, as with all point-and-shoots I've tried, since I tend to take shallow depth-of-field pictures that the tiny sensor just can't give me, and the shutter lag just makes me angry. It takes slow motion video though, so it was worth the $53 I paid for it on ebay..

Another cool thing you can do with the 4/3 cameras is to get cheap adapters and put old manual focus lenses on them. The few times I did use the E-PL1 it usually had an old K-mount Pentax lens on it.