Getting into digital photography

colefooter · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: Getting into digital photography

Alright, I took a class at my high school that dealt with black and white 35mm photography. We did everything by hand, as far as developing the film, working in the dark room, using enlargers to print the images etc. I had a blast with all of that.

Now i'm looking into getting into digital photography. I have a little 3 mega pixel camera, but I honestly can't get a good close up or any shot really, mainly due to the fact that I can't focus it by hand. I'm trying to figure out what camera to get. I do not fully understand the benefits of different lenses yet, so I was going to look into just a basic set up. If a neutral like lense doesn't exist, then my main subject would be moving objects like skateboarding or wakeboarding.

I have heard good things about the Canon digital rebel XT and XTI, along with cameras like the Nikon D40. So I guess my question is, where should I start? I would like a camera with fast shutter speeds and able to take sequence shots, but from what I hear most higher end cameras can do that. Preferably under 700-800$ total.

joedirt00 · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

Any one of those will do the job. I perfer Canon because I have found the availability of 2nd hand gear and lenses is better than the Nikons. If your interested in the Canons, you can read up and Troll the classified here.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

Mike.H · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 10:47 am Post subject:

canon has a better selection of lenses although nikons cameras are still impressive. i would take a look at either the rebel XT or a nikon D50. dont buy the kit lens!

joedirt00 · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

Mike.H,

Why not the Xti? I still use a 300D. Kinda waiting for it to die so I can have an excuse to upgrade.

And yes, I agree with you on the Kit lens it is junk.
For getting started on a budget, I'd reccomend picking up a decent 28-200 and a 50mm 1.8

colefooter · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

What is the main advantage to the 50mm 1.8 and the 28-200 lens? From what I have just googled the 50mm 1.8 is significantly cheaper.

dmb · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

If you're coming from using something like a 50mm prime lens in B&W photography, I'm going to say you'll probably be disappointed with the quality of a super-zoom like 28-200, especially at both ends...

But yes I'd definitely suggest having a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 in your line up, the 1.8 can be had for so cheap it's stupid not to.

joedirt00 is right when he says that the second hand market for Canon seems to be bigger, which is why I went with Canon, because I found a good deal on a 70-200 F2.8L, which is something you should do; look at the lens families, and work out which you want to go with.

Once you've decided that, pick up either an XTi, XT or second hand 10D or 20D, or on the other hand a D50, D80 or second hand D100...

colefooter · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know if this is a reputable website?

http://www.ccicameracity.com/canondrxti.html

Seems very cheap for that camera from what I have seen. Any other good websites to buy photography equipment? I figure if I choose the xt/xti then I will get the body and a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 to start off with? Until I understand everything better?

Also, the silver xt/xti is just the color of the body right? No technical differences? A couple websites make you pay 50$+ for black.

lsurulz · Outlaw Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 124 City: Baton Rouge

if the deal seems to good to be true, it is. always heard bad things about places like that. If you aren't against buying used, the people over on the buy and sell forum at fredmiranda.com are very reliable.

Jensen · Posted: Mar 31, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject:

i've had great service and prices through bhphotovideo.com . you shoul also check out fredmiranda.com for b/s/t forums as well as the other forums they offer. that site is a weatlh of knowledge.

i have the xt with a few lenses and it has been a very good camera to learn on, but it has its limits, like ISO quality/control, fps, etc. As soon as i get the money i'm going for a 30d.

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

Here's your answer:

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/CCI_Camera_City

colefooter · Posted: Apr 01, 2007 6:25 am Post subject:

Dragonlady8, haha thank you very much. Shocked

colefooter · Posted: Apr 01, 2007 6:27 am Post subject:

Does anyone have a wakeboarding sequence shot so I can understand the difference between 3 and 5 fps? From what I have read the xt/xti have 3 fps, and that can be the main drawback.

Jensen · Posted: Apr 01, 2007 11:41 am Post subject:

scotta has a few nice sequence shots, i'm sure he can post some up, i think his are 5fps and above

colefooter · Posted: Apr 01, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

Hmm so I am guessing most good sequence shots aren't at 3 fps, but I need to take into consideration whether the extra money would be worth it. Confused

It's a rough decision.

RUSSIAN · Posted: Apr 01, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

Scott's camera shoots at 8.5 fps. If you really want to shoot sequences get a used 20d. Its probably the best deal available on the used market. I think adarama still has new 20d's.

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

I took some sequence pics of Haugy @ OWC that I took with a Nikon D200.
That's 5fps. The pics were posted a while back, but it got out of control and I had the thread deleted.

Get a hold of Haugy, he just might have them on his computer.

jdmcivicman · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 362 City: las vegas

Dragonlady8, how do you like the D200?
right now i have a 35mm N70 and i've been trying to upgrade to a DSLR.
i really enjoy taking pictures and i'm thinking of selling some prints so i would like to get a really good camera, but the D2X is a little out of my price range.
would you recommend the D200? and would you buy it again or a different one?

sorry for the thread jack...

joedirt00 · Posted: Apr 02, 2007 2:48 am Post subject:

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

jdmcivicman, I like the D200 much better than the D80.(Which I purchased as a back up)
The price is coming down and it virtually the only way to get the 18-200mm lens if purchased as a kit lens.
If you're not interested in that lens and interested in the D200, I'd say still buy the kit and sell the lens. You'd be mazed how many people are still waiting for it.

jdmcivicman · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 362 City: las vegas

thanks for the advice.
i have a 28-300 lens that will work with the d200 so i was planning on just getting the body, but i might look in to the kit.

JamesWatts · Addict Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 685 City: Santa Monica

If your debating over the D80/D200....

The D200 is more rugged, alloy sealed body. The D80 is smaller plastic and well.. less rugged. If your into sequence shots the D200 can shoot up to 5fps. the D80 only 3fps. the D200 also has a slightly snappier auto focus.

So if those things don't bother you. which really they shouldn't because your on a smaller budget, save that extra 400 bucks and put it towards glass.

I personally would like a D200 just for the more rugged body and i also have larger hands that would be more comfortable with a bigger camera body. but my D80 is serving me very well. And im just going to wait it out till the D3 comes out. Ive also been checking out fuji's S5 Pro. but its like $2000 and I havent seen much personal feedback on them yet.

heres what ive been doing with my d80

for an $850? body (when i bought it it was $999). I cant complain.

Canon has a larger selection of lenses, but I think nikon makes better quality ones. I also think Nikon has better "pro sumer" cameras. D80 vs 20D/30D Id take the D80.

Ive always been told to spend more on good glass, And Im SO SO glad i listened to that advice instead of getting a body that was JUST inside my price range at the time.

-James

ikonxone · Criminal Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 72 City: Henderson

i wouldn't get the d40. there are far less options on that, but it is a good starter camera. i would look more into the nikon d50 or d80 or in canon rebel xt or xti. a d50 would be a great camera to start off and although i have used canon 35mm slrs before i decided to go with nikon. most 35mm nikon lenses will work with the d-slr version where as canon has lenses that won't work between a 35mm slr and d-slr. as others have said, the glass is the biggest factor in the image quality. starting out with a kit would be find until you learn how to use the camera and then add a better lens. i am currently using the d50.

a review site i always visit
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

JamesWatts · Addict Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 685 City: Santa Monica

ya the major downfall of the D40 and D40x is that they wont accept some of the "newer" AF-S lenses.... which means you cant use auto focus on them... something you shouldent be using anyway Smile

haha

look for used bodies also. you can find some great deals

ikonxone · Criminal Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 72 City: Henderson

another thing i would recommend is getting good a post production and editing the images in photoshop. you hardly ever end up capturing the image the way you wanted or how you intended.

RUSSIAN · Posted: Apr 05, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

lsurulz · Outlaw Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 124 City: Baton Rouge

JamesWatts, what kind of adjustments did you do to those pictures in photoshop to get such a dramatic effect?

colefooter · Posted: Apr 25, 2007 3:11 am Post subject:

Alright, I have been looking around for a while now and for my price range I have decided to go without a 5 fps camera. I was looking mainly at the Nikon d50, my photography teacher recommended a d70. I am not completely ruling out the xt or xti either. Seems like the d50 I could get the best deal on with good lenses, any input?

Mike.H · Posted: Apr 25, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

id say go for it. the D50s a good camera, almost wish i wouldve gotten 1 instead of my xti but ive spent too much money to make the switch to nikon.

Damon · Posted: Apr 25, 2007 2:31 pm Post subject:

lsurulz, Looks like they've been tonemapped.

colefooter, you can't really go wrong, as long as its got as many features that will fit your price range... come to us when you want to buy lenses though...

colefooter · Posted: Apr 26, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Alright, so today I went to two local camera shops to get some input on my decision. Basically I learned that the d40 is what replaced the d50, with many of the same or greater features. I got to feel the camera, take a few shots, play with continuous shooting etc. Everything seemed to work out great and the camera felt great. I figure I will just buy it with the kit lense (Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Lens) because on B&H I can get that setup for about 550$ which will give me a good sum of money to put toward a lens when I learn more of what I want to shoot.

So, I guess I am going with the Nikon d40, anyone think I am making a mistake before I go and blow all of my money? Laughing

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

colefooter, Stay with the D50.

colefooter · Posted: Apr 26, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

Dragonlady8, why do you say that? I'm not arguing, just wondering what is better about it?

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

It's not truly a "replacement for the D50" it's just another entry level DSLR to compete with the point-n-shoot crowd.

colefooter · Posted: Apr 27, 2007 5:25 pm Post subject:

ALRIGHT! Well, last question! Are the Tamron lenses like the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Autofocus Lens bad quality? I know that I could get something like that bundled in for a cheaper price than buying it separate, or should I stick with the Nikon lenses?

Damon · Posted: Apr 27, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject:

Guys on FM say its not too bad, obviously you'll get a better product by spending more money, but for starters, it will get the job done. You'll be able to see what zoom range you really like/want to focus on, and it's got macro, so theres another area you can explore.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=254&sort=7&cat=43&page=2