New to the Forum

[Sean211]

My first post.

First, the background:

I've been working, for the better part of two years, to get out of debt. The end result is that I now only owe on my car and house. No more credit cards. Along the way, I sold my Digital Rebel setup: Camera, battery grip, extra battery ... I know, I know. But it had to be done. My saving grace was that I inherited an entire Pentax Spotmatic setup .. Clean camera (show room condition) plus 12 Super Takumar lenses. I also kept my 50mm f/1.8 lens and 420EX and use them on my Canon EOS-3.

However ... I still yearned to shoot digitally. My ultimate goal is to purchase (with cash) either the 20D or the Mark II. But, keeping it realistic for now, I looked at both the G6 and Powershot S2 IS.

I'm still within my return/exchange range with the S2. I'm just not sure if I should keep it or exchange it for the G6.

Hmmmmmmm...

Any thoughts .. ?

[Ballen Photo]

Hello Sean, Welcome to the forum. :D
I think you'll find that the G6 is a very capable camera as long as you realise it's weaknesses. Having said that, I'm not sure you will be completely satisfied, mostly with it's reflex speed and the useable ISO range is weak compared to a DSLR, ESPECIALLY since you have SLR experience.
Having said that, I own a G5, and LOVE it. It goes with me when space may be an issue, and I dont have to worry about dust on the sensor like I do with my 10D, which brings me to another option for you; "ebay". The price of a good used 10D or D Rebel has gone down quite a bit.
If that's not in the cards, and you can live with the difference between say, a "G" series and a DSLR, you'll find the little "G's" are pretty good.
As an example, here's one of my latest shots with a G5, http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79123 These are basically out of camera shots with only basic levels, contrast, and unsharp mask.
-Bruce

[cyclone]

Welcome!

As Bruce said above, having come from an EOS 3, you may find a digicam limiting. Having said that though, you can still get some outstanding pictures from them. The G series are great cameras.

For a completely different suggestion, you might consider getting a less expensive (or used) digicam as a starting point and spending the balance on a scanner (like the Minolta dual scan IV) that will allow you to digitally edit from your EOS 3, but still take some pictures from a digicam. Then when you save up enough, you can get the new 30D when it comes out.

If you've lurked here a bit, you'll find that this isn't the place for someone trying to save money. :)

Anyway, I'm sure other suggestions will follow.

Cyclone

[scrumpy]

Hi Sean - Welcome
I was in a similar situation as yourself. Eventually I went for the Pro1. I 'kind-of' get the best of both worlds. Here's a few samples.
http://www.powershotpro1.com/forum/photo.asp?gallery=DavidA
Good Luck

[Andy_T]

Sean ...

good to hear your off your debt!
You know that you can use those Pentax lenses (if they are M42 mount, that is) on a DRebel with an adapter?
I'd think that a used DRebel today would not be more expensive than a G6 or S2. That's what I would go for in your position.

Best regards,
Andy

[Sean211]

Hey Andy . . .

The Pentax lenses are screwmount. I'm not sure (haven't looked in to it) whether or not there is a screwmount adapter for the DReb.

One of the things I really hated to see go was my Digital Rebel. But, looking forward, I'm moving toward the 20D or Mark II for my digital SLR photography. That's a bit off for now - January or February '06. Til then, I'll continue shooting slide film on my EOS-3 and Spotmatic, and digital shots on my S2.

Also . . . I checked and if I exchanged the S2 for, say, the G6,there would be a 15% restocking fee applied. Since I'm not generous enough to hand $75 over to Best Buy, I'm going to stick with the Powershot S2 for now.

I was out last night shooting with the camera and it really does pull off some good shots.

[BottomBracket]

Andy is right, those Takumar lenses would perform nicely on a dRebel or 20d. You'll have to use stop down metering and manual focussing, which shouldn't be a problem if you are used to it. 12 lenses? Wow, lucky you! What lenses are they?

[marie]

Hi Sean - Welcome
I was in a similar situation as yourself. Eventually I went for the Pro1. I 'kind-of' get the best of both worlds. Here's a few samples.
http://www.powershotpro1.com/forum/photo.asp?gallery=DavidA
Good Luck



Scrumpy,
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif
can't look at any of those pictures on the site as it states one has to be a reg. member

posh http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
welcome Sean

[AndreyD]

Scrumpy,
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif
can't look at any of those pictures on the site as it states one has to be a reg. member

posh http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
welcome Sean
Hi marie

Mi too ..... you a re not alone :-)

[Andy_T]

Sean,

take a look at this thread! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57023)

I have some very nice M42 lenses I get good results with ... but no Takumars, as they normally go for incredible amounts on eBay ... at least compared to CZJ (Carl Zeiss Jena) lenses that often - IMO - outperform them but maybe don't have the name.

A single Example ... you can get a CZJ MC 135/3.5 Sonnar in very good condition for about 50$, while a Super Takumar 135/3.5, that is not as good optically, might very well go for 2-3 times that money.

So ... what lenses do you have?

Best regards,
Andy

[marie]

Hi marie

Mi too ..... you a re not alone :)


seems we both are :(

:lol:

thanks Andrey

[Ballen Photo]

seems we both are :(

:lol:

thanks Andrey
Not really. This is the message I get when I try to view Scrumpy's link. Sorry, you must be a registered forum member in order to use this feature
-Bruce

[marie]

Not really. This is the message I get when I try to view Scrumpy's link. [/size][/b]
-Bruce

thanks Bruce
thats what I get also

[scrumpy]

Hi All - Sorry about that. Yes you have to be a member - just register.