iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Digital SLR camera questions.

Started by Dave Shepard, January 10, 2008, 06:36:37 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Dave Shepard

I spent an hour at my camera shop today talking DSLR. My Sony point and shoot is a great camera, but I think I am ready to upgrade. I was originally thinking Sony DSC H9, I think it was. I remember Ianab's H7 pictures and was impressed. After talking to the owner, I am now thinking more along the lines of a DSLR. They don't offer Sony cameras, but do have Canon, and Nikon. Nikon is my backup choice so far. I was looking at a D40 with 18-55 lense. The DSLR cameras will take the Minolta a mount lenses, which appear to be somewhat of an industry standard. If anyone has any experience with these cameras I would appreciate some advice (preferences?) I want to stay with my local shop, as they will take the time to lead me in the right direction, unlike Worst Buy, or Vulture Shack. Thanks.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

MikeH

 We have the Cannon SLR and just Love it. I would have never guessed how much fun you can have with one. Its easy to use and makes great pictures.

Dave Shepard

I am looking forward to instant shots, no more waiting for the camera to get ready. Looks like the horse has something to say about something. ;D


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Brad_S.

I just recently bought a used Nikon D70 (an older and slightly more advanced camera than the D40 but similar in function) on ebay and really like it. In a past life, I was a photo specialist and I used Nikon SLR equipment exclusively. I had to be taken kicking and screaming into the digital age, but if I had to go, I was going to stick with Nikon. Then too, I understand the Nikon "thought process" and everything on the DSLR's is in the same place as on the old film cameras, so that's another reason I went with them. Before I bought it, I looked long and hard at both the D40 and the D40x and liked them too. I would go with the 18-135mm or even 18-200mm lens though. I know it's much more expensive but you would be glad you had that extra zoom capability in the long run.
That said, I think these cameras are much like sawmills: stick with a major brand and you can't go wrong. Also, like sawmills, I think once you've used what ever model you decide upon, you will be convinced you made the correct choice later on down the road.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." J. Lennon

footer

Go here, http://www.dpreview.com/ And lurk around and ask questions. Just as you come here to get expert advise on sawing and wood related stuff, there is nothing like talking to and reading from experts on the subject. Not to say that there are not any experts on DSLR's here ;D

Dave Shepard

Thanks Brad. It seems that if you stick with one of the big brands, you will be just fine, the only differences being owner preference. As my shop doesn't have Sony, I think I will be going with the Nikon, but I am not sure which model yet. I was told that Sony service wasn't as good as the Nikon as well. I know I want to deal with the locals, as they will always be there, the weasels at the "other" stores come and go, and don't have the experience these guys have. I would be willing to bet that they have been taking pictures since long before the kids at the other stores were born.  ;)


Dave


Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Dave Shepard

footer, I found that site, but it is not very navigable. I don't care for threaded type discussion boards, to put it nicely, and I couldn't even begin to tell you what format they were using. ??? ??? ??? :P :P :P >:( I click on "Nikon D40" and it takes me to a whole bunch of other topics. What the heck?  Thanks for the suggestion though. I will go back and try to figure it out, but the software style here on the FF is much more logical. 8) 8)


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Brad_S.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." J. Lennon

Dave Shepard

Those reviews were helpful. I have to go to Nikon and try to wade through the site and compare the cameras. It looks like only one of the ones I was looking at was the D40, I don't know what model the other was. I do know it was 10MP though. The search continues. :) This whole adventure is going to be a major investment, especially as I add accessories, so I want to make sure I know what I am buying. There are a bunch of terms I have to learn before I get a good grasp on what is what. It's a different world than point and shoot. :D


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Brad_S.

The D40 is 6.1 mp. The D40x and the D80 are both 10.2 mp.
If you did indeed find the reviews helpful, here are said same for the D40x.
http://item.express.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ExpressItem&item=160191538763&tabnav=5#tabs
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." J. Lennon

Dave Shepard

Aha! The D80 is the one I was looking at. There where certainly a lot of different offers on Ebay for it. I will enquire next time I get into town to see what they have. I believe the kit I was looking at was around $900 with the 18-55 and all the little goodies like strap and charger. I will ask about getting a different lense, as you recommended. Thanks.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Dan_Shade

My brother bought a Nikon D80 DSLR a few months ago, it's an amazing camera, I can send you a few samples if you want, but the pictures are huge to capture the detail...

the quality of a camera is related to the size of your budget.
Woodmizer LT40HDG25 / Stihl 066 alaskan
lots of dull bands and chains

There's a fine line between turning firewood into beautiful things and beautiful things into firewood.

Dave Shepard

I am on dialup, so that won't work so well, but thanks. I have been hanging out at a couple of photog sites, and they like high res/huge files. :o :D I really like what I have been reading about the D80. That is the direction I am headed in right now.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

woodmills1

I find cnet.com a good place for reviews and tips.
James Mills,Lovely wife,collect old tools,vacuuming fool,36 bdft/hr,oak paper cutter,ebonic yooper rapper nauga seller, Blue Ox? its not fast, 2 cat family, LT70,edger, 375 bd ft/hr, we like Bob,free heat,no oil 12 years,big splitter, baked stuffed lobster, still cuttin the logs dere IAM

Bill

When I made the jump from film to digital I soaked up as much about the digitals off the web as I could. What helped put it all into perspective was the side by side test(s) that are occasionally published by some of the larger photo mags - they'd identify what was necessary and which cameras had which and how much ( quality and $ $ $  ). You could probably find some of those photo mags down at the local library - leastways it seemed to help me understand what works with what and what questions to ask.

Good Luck

scgargoyle

We went a different route and bought the Pentax K100. We had a lot of old lenses that fit it, and it was about the cheapest DSLR you could get into. All of the cameras have their quirks, and once you learn them, they all work well. Our Pentax has been great. My son uses it mostly, and prefers manual settings and shooting in RAW, but the old man can pick it up, put it in 'Auto', and get great pictures.
I hope my ship comes in before the dock rots!

floorboy

My wife runs a small photo business. We use a nikon D-50 dslr with a 18-200mm lens.  This makes for a very versital
set up. most of her photo shoots are done outside a sporting events.  the only down side I see is that you have to be
careful about getting dust inside the camera.  the digital sensors are delicate. ours goes to the shop a couple of times a
year for a good cleaning.

DR_Buck

Dave

You can't go wrong with the Nikon.   I've got a D200 that I've taken over 2000 pictures with in the past 1 1/2 years.   Works flawlessly.   My son (in the Navy) has a D50 and he has emailed home some beautiful pictures.   We also just bought the daughter a D40 for Christmas.

I recommend you stay away from eBay unless you are looking for used.   For the very small difference you will get in price on a new camera you are better off going to a good camera shop or a place like Ritz Camera.   At least that way you are sure to have a "valid" warranty.   Besides, Ritz offers free camera classes if you buy from them.



Been there, done that.   Never got caught [/b]
Retired and not doing much anymore and still not getting caught

Dave Shepard

Thanks, DR, I won't be doing business with ebay, can't afford the learning curve. I will be dealing with my local camera store, The Snap Shop. It is great to have somewhere local that you can go to and know you will be talking to the same person every time. I have chosen Nikon, as that is what they offer, as well as Canon. I have picked the D80 model. Now I just have to save up the money. I am finding that the software and hardware to support this camera to its potential is going to cost more than the camera.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

DR_Buck

Dave,

Nikon includes a pretty good software package with their cameras.  It's called Picture Project and it will do most of what needs to be done for editing, managing and printing your photos.
Been there, done that.   Never got caught [/b]
Retired and not doing much anymore and still not getting caught

Dan_Shade

optics are always expensive, kind of like rifle scopes, a good scope costs as much as a good rifle.

you'll be happy with that camera, Dave, I've been kicking around getting one myself, but I have too many other wants on the list right now.

Woodmizer LT40HDG25 / Stihl 066 alaskan
lots of dull bands and chains

There's a fine line between turning firewood into beautiful things and beautiful things into firewood.

Thank You Sponsors!