Camera Recommendations

[St. Louis Sally]

I'm new to this board and new to the digital camera world. So please, be gentle!

I currently have a Canon Elan camera and a 28-200 Tamron zoom lens. I love both, but am looking into getting into the digital world in the next year. Do you have any recommendations for what camera body I should purchase? I would want a camera that would use my Tamron lens.

Cost is an option of course, but I don't have any definite cost range right now. I just want something that will work with the lens I currently have and any future lenses I may purchase. Something that I will keep for many years to come and that I can grow into.

Thanks for any assistance. I look forward to reading your responses!

[Greg M]

With the D60 being replaced this year I'd wait until PMA in March before you make a decision. This way you'll know what is coming.

That said, you could pick up a D30 for $1100 - $1200. That would be you're cheapest DSLR and it's a terrific camera. Of coarse come March you just might be able to get one for close to $1000.

Wait till March so you'll have as much information as possible.

[gooza]

Hi Sally..
Jeff Lazo has a good site with lots of explainations on "should I even buy a DSLR" http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj/lenses/lenses.html
(navigate on the left side of the page for "should I even buy a DSLR" )
Also...good info on canon and third party lens.
Good luck...
Paul

[yavor73]

Sally-
Remember that a DSLR may not be your best bet. You have a moderate investment in lenses, and using the Canon DSLRs is WAY more difficult than using say a Canon G2. You have to commit yourself to hours of post-processing on the computer (and having a fast computer) to get the top results out of these cameras. IF you are going to make money with the camera, keep thinking DSLR, if you are a hobbyist- I'd say think G2 or 3. You will be much happier at the end of the day...and have spent a lot less time and money to get good pictures.

Bob

[robertwgross]

I was sitting through a photography seminar, and one particular class was on macro photography, and the instructor spent a long time going over extension tubes, close-up filters, and all that. The instructor had a one mistake in the math, but nobody else caught it. One fellow student was asking the most questions, and after a while it became obvious that he did not understand at all what an extension tube was or what it was supposed to do, even though one had been passed around the room. He continued to ask questions as he tried to get a grasp of exactly how he was going to use extension tubes on his digital camera.

After the class, I asked him what kind of digital camera he had. It was a non-interchangeable lens camera, so the entire discussion of extension tubes was moot for him. The minimum focus range on his lens was not that short, so almost all of the macro class was a waste of time for him with that camera.

A good interchangeable lens DSLR camera offers a lot of power and flexibility, but it brings along a certain manner of complication with it. For some shooters, that is good. For some shooters, that is bad. Take your pick.

---Bob Gross---

[martinphilbert]

Hi all
I have a Canon D30 camera,and I was wondering where I can get a lead to conect my camera to the computer as I have misplaced my original-this lead is used to download images on to the computer your help would be appreciated.-Thanks

[martinphilbert]

eeeeeeeeeeeeee

[redbutt]

martinphilbert wrote:
Hi all
I have a Canon D30 camera,and I was wondering where I can get a lead to conect my camera to the computer as I have misplaced my original-this lead is used to download images on to the computer your help would be appreciated.-Thanks

Just get a CF card reader.

[redbutt]

[b]I currently have a Canon Elan camera and a 28-200 Tamron zoom lens....



I am using a Tamron 28-300 XR lens on my D30 and I get great results. I also got the new Tamron 19-35 lens. I am totally satisfied with the results.

But, I would do what others have suggested and wait a few months. If Canon introduces what they are expected to do, you decision might get interesting.

P.S. Someone here mentioned "hours" of post processing...that is a bit overboard. Yes, to get the best images you need to shoot in RAW mode and then process, but things like BreezeBrowser can batch convert your images, and your can run batch jobs in Photoshop that run the actions like Pekka's or Fred Mirandas'. Also, if you are just shooting for fun, you can use JPG mode to just get snapshots that are great.

[DVWarrior]

Sally... So far I have had Nikon coolpix 5000, Minolta Dimage 7Hi and a Canon D60...

1. Coolpix 5000 was far too slow at focusing but to be fair to it produced very good low noise 5mp pictures.

2. The Minolta 7Hi looks the part but has 2 serious failings 1st the camera ate batteries though I think mine hade a power supply fault. 2nd Raising the ISO above 200 produced small black dots which is once again unacceptable.

3. Canon D60 SLR did produce some fine pictures but had 2 failings.
1st the 1.6 conversion is in my opinion unaceptable for a £2000 SLR...if you buy a 24mm lens you get the equivelant angle of view to a 38mm lens..poor show.
PS. The Japanese photographer Canon interview who produced their cover litrature for the 1Ds agrees with me about this 1.6 conversion and says all digital SLRs should be full frame.

2nd I had 2 D60s both with different faults but sadly bad enough to send both of them back to Canon and both of these were 1 day old !!!

I am also waiting for PMA before stepping back to SLR but to quell my thirst I bought a Sony DSC-F717 which is brill. This camera produces sharp, well colour balanced noise free 5mp pictures. This camera would serve you well for a couple of years allowing you to get to know digital and also allow the D-SLR to fall in price enough to afford one.

Store your Tameron for the future or sell it and start producing brill digital pics straight from the box...the new Sony F717 will not dissapoint.

The Warrior