Bought a D-30

Hi,

I woke up and found under my pillow a brand new D-30, a battery grip, 1GB Microdrive, 70-200 f/2.8L, 50 f/1.4, 28-135 IS (hoods and protective filters to all). I also got another 550EX. And I'm bankrupt, but who cares!

There's a lot to learn (usage of the screen ratio, lenses, DoF, focusing), but I'm extremely happy with the package. The ease of use and image the quality is stunning. I just love the shallow DoF, a new world of creative possibilities opens!

I have to get a super-wide lens later, I tested a Canon 17-35 f/2.8L and it was really good - only too expensive in the current monetary situation (which continues some time until the gear is paid)

And no, I did not sell any of my G1 gear - it will become handy in some situations.

Hi

congrats!

Speaking of SLR controls and shallow DOF, I was seriously considering moving up to a 35 mm SLR film camera to complement my G1 since I lack the resources to get a digital SLR........it would allow me to enter the world of interchangeable lenses without going bankrupt, even though moving away from digital sounds like a step backwards... ;P

anyway enjoy your new gear! we're all looking forward to more great shots from u with the new D30!

To Reddawn,
At present there is no fully capable digital SLR selling for less than $3000 .
If you need to shoot long telephotos the least expensive way is to use a low end 35mm SLR in conjunctionwith any number of moderatly priced autofocus zoom lenses.
Moving from the under $1000 environent to the over $3000 arena places the vast majority of ametuer enthusiasts out of contension.

Even my Pentax 6x7 with a good selection of lenses did not cost as much as a D30.

You can scan your film images and still work in Photoshop with a superior finished product.

Perhaps in a few years the price will come down enough to finally see the end of need for film .

The D30 is still limited by the 3MP ccd and for the majority of your pictures , in my opinion, the G1 will produce very competitive images. And keep in mind if you want really good large prints film is better.

Don Terrana

Hi Don,

i've been locked in a film Vs digital debate with my friends over the past 2 weeks.....i firmly believe that digital is the way to go. Film is dead (at least, it will be )

it is precisely the high price of digital SLRs that I am considering getting an entry level film SLR to experience photography using SLR cameras. This "entry level" film SLR should offer no less features than what my G1 is currently capable of, and should work with full E-TTL mode with my 420EX flash without breaking my bank

I'm not too familiar with the Canon SLRs......do you have a model in mind that you can recommend?

This is not to say i'm not happy with the G1 though - it has enabled me to learn much more about photography than I can ever hope to learn with a normal film camera. The fact that I'm a digital person at heart also means that it will be my mainstay camera for quite some time to come, even if I do get a film SLR.

Red Dawn

Hi Don & Red.

Ok, here's my input.

The "Sage of Temecula" (that's me folks) has already predicted the demise of the APS format in the NEAR future.

However, I still can't predict whether 35mm or medium format will be the next to go. At any rate the 'Sage" predicts that film will be around for the rest of my lifetime (I'm 58) i.e. at least the next 25+ years.

I agree with Don that the best digital way now is to use film and then use a dedicated negative/slide scanner and then process with Photoshop etc. I had a neighbor that has the top of line Nikon scanner and I have the EF lenses and it was a neat swap when one of us needed to borrow from each other---but---the jerk moved to Chicago taking his scanner with him!!!!!!

BTW Don you can get a MF after market 6MP digital back for only about $15,000 (Body and lenses extra of course.)

I have read where the MP resolution required to match that of 35mm is 20 to 80 MP. A couple of issues ago in Pop Photo they stuck with 40 MP. For MF equivalent we have what? 120MP? I guess we have a few years to wait for that!!!!! Also, with my 35 and MF stuff I don't get no CA or magenta hues nowhow!!!! Yeah, Yeah, I know that even with my 35mm Canon EF L lenses, MF Mamiya 645 and Fuji 6X7 lenses I get CA but the difference is that you can't see it-- EVER.

Red, why don't you ask an easy question you turkey (what 35MM should I get)??? )) That's like asking what digi should I buy!!!!!!

When I finally decided to step up to auto-focus and bought my last 35mm about 4 years ago, I set some "musts" that I had to have in a camera.

FWIW here goes.
At least 1/8000 sec
At least 1/200 sec flash sync.
Mirror Lock-up
At least 5 fps motor drive
Auto exposure bracketing.
Center weighted, Spot and Evaluative (Canon)/Matrix (Nikon) or equivalent metering.
AF assist light
Multiple Exposure
PC flash connector for studio flash.
Decent (key word "decent" not great or pro quality) On-board flash. This was the real kicker as for some stupid reason Canon and Nikon think it's un-professional to have a built in flash in their top of the line "PRO" cameras--but--I would not be without it. It has saved my ass many times for fill and/or backlight situations when I didn't have my 380 or 540 with me.

The ONLY camera on the market that made it was the Canon A2/A2E/EOS5. Super camera. I'm am not a pro but I guess a semi-pro and usually do about one job a week. It has held up super.

Regards,
Dick S, Temecula, CA

Me again.

1) Unimportant but I'm 58 the emoticon showed up when you follow an 8 with a ).

2) The A2/A2E/EOS5 is STILL the only cmaera on the market that meets my (big deal) specs. I got the EOS5

3) Have thought about an Elan 7 but nope (newer, but I think it's a step down).

4) Will probably buy one more 35mm when they come out with an EOS3 or 1V type with a built in flash for emergencies (I'm stubborn).

5) I'm beyond the point of no return. I will have to go with Canon--have too many lenses etc.

6) The program modes are far superior to the G1. And you ain't seen nothin' until you try the fast focusing "real" USM (not micro USM) lenses with predictive focus at 5fps and 1/4000 or 1/8000 sec. Still can't do that with digi.

Regards Again,
Dick S

P.S. I still the think the G1 is super for what is. And, will get a digi SLR in the future--already have the lenses (9 of em).