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Does anyone have an opinion on the Canon 7D? Especially in comparison to the 5D MkII? I really like the HD Video capabilities of both.
Isn't the 5D MkII a full-frame body? And the 7D sensor has 1.6 crop factor?
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Does anyone have an opinion on the Canon 7D? Especially in comparison to the 5D MkII? I really like the HD Video capabilities of both.
the viewfinders on crop format bodies are like looking down a loo roll tube. especially if you use lenses that are not fast (2.8 or brighter).
the new firmware for the 5dII will increase the frame rate options to match the 7d apart from the 720/60 -
the viewfinders on crop format bodies are like looking down a loo roll tube. especially if you use lenses that are not fast (2.8 or brighter).
the new firmware for the 5dII will increase the frame rate options to match the 7d apart from the 720/60Yeah, the viewfinder, well, view issue, gave me some sleepless nights. Still, if I would have wanted an FF body it would've meant getting a D700 or D3 -- and those were too expensive for me.
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Big +1, I mostly use a £700 lens on a body that was £400 new a few months ago, it's still way better than any of my previous bodies.
On the discussion of G10/G11's further up the thread, one of my tutors at St Martin's swears by his G10, not used one myself though.
Good lenses are more important than a good body. Plus due to the nature of digital the bodies lose their value rapidly, whereas the lenses will keep theirs for much longer...
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i dont think anyone expects the G series to perform as well as a DSLR, its the closest you can get in compact form and it has it uses. i think theres a lot of people who own entry level DSLRs that would be much better suited to a high quality compact, so it is something to consider.
ive gone between canon and nikon over the years, but today im using a nikon D300s i got on the cheap while i was working at a camera shop. for the kind of photography i do having full frame isnt massively important, and i dont really miss the other full frame bodies ive had in the past. ive always preferred using canon equipment, but ive been much preferring the raw image quality from nikons more recent models.
The 7D is worthy choice, as its fucking fast (9fps continuous) and the HD video is great. im so impressed with the HD video from the current ranges that unless you were buying the cheapest entry level, id recommend getting it even if you dont think your gonna use it. you will end up using it, even if its for some messing about. id expect it to come down in price fairly soon as its still a relatively new model.
sony cameras/lenses are actually a lot better than you would probably expect coming from sony, and the lower price is very tempting. the sony lenses are some of the quietest and smoothest ive come across in that price range. the screens and batteries are also great, but ive never liked the construction or controls/interface. also the lack of compatibility with the canon/nikon lenses ive collected over the years has no use here, and i dont fancy buying the same lenses in a different fitting.
as shit as it i recommend going into a jessops, or a better specialist shop if your near one, and get to have a go on each to compare the differences.
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On a only very slightly related note i just found this in my bedroom:
I got it free in 2002!!!!
does anyone have a clue how i can get it to work with my mac?
its ace! but currently there appears to be no usb recognition of it.
might try a sneaky driver download on my mum's pc and see....
Is there a way of 'forcing' the usb connection. -
People mentioned the best way to 'learn' photography was with a film camera with purely manual controls.
Is it possible to buy a lower end DSLR and use it exclusively in manual setting mode and learn the way you would with film?
Also would one need to buy a pretty expensive model to have these options/setting easily to hand?(This kinda reminds of the analogy of music synths where the analogue ones have no preset sounds what so ever and you're forced to play with patchable LFO/VCOs>VCFs>VCAs + envelope settings to make your sounds a la:
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People mentioned the best way to 'learn' photography was with a film camera with purely manual controls.
Is it possible to buy a lower end DSLR and use it exclusively in manual setting mode and learn the way you would with film?
Also would one need to buy a pretty expensive model to have these options/setting easily to hand?(This kinda reminds of the analogy of music synths where the analogue ones have no preset sounds what so ever and you're forced to play with patchable LFO/VCOs>VCFs>VCAs + envelope settings to make your sounds a la:
)Jebus, that takes me back 30 years to the Korgs patching and tweaking knobs lol
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People mentioned the best way to 'learn' photography was with a film camera with purely manual controls.
Is it possible to buy a lower end DSLR and use it exclusively in manual setting mode and learn the way you would with film?
Also would one need to buy a pretty expensive model to have these options/setting easily to hand?
)entirely possible, and you don't need to get an expensive model to have those option since it's pretty standard as (far as I know) in even the cheapest DSLR.
I feel film force people to stop wasting a lots of photos just to get the best stop as oppose to taking their time in getting the shot in one go, Rob seemed to be doing well in thar respect actually.
It doesn't mean you have to do that of course, what work for some may not work for other.
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entirely possible, and you don't need to get an expensive model to have those option since it's pretty standard as (far as I know) in even the cheapest DSLR.
I feel film force people to stop wasting a lots of photos just to get the best stop as oppose to taking their time in getting the shot in one go, Rob seemed to be doing well in thar respect actually.
It doesn't mean you have to do that of course, what work for some may not work for other.
I would disagree, as I learnt by this method and by developing my own photos and loved it. I loved the surprise to see what came out and then how to make the photo what i want.
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IMHO i think the best way to learn anything is tactile trial and error. digital cameras allow you to make more mistakes and view them in a quicker time frame. i think for the photography newcomer its much more valuable to take the same photo many times with different settings to see what works than spend hours messing about with film and reading books.
film has its place, but if your learning i think digital SLR's are a good start to cut your teeth.
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In my opinion, if you are just taking it up as a hobby to be a bit creative or just simply using it to take snaps of your outings etc.
Then go for a amatuer model, which will cost you around £350 - £400 genreally, inc a stock lens.
See how you get on there. If you really get in to photography, upgrade the lens for the time being.The lens is most important.
As much as I respect Ed, I disagree with what he has said about Stock lenses being all you need, but I highly agree that it is all dependant on the person to be a great photographer.
Stock lenses has it's limitations, simply because of the the materials made and technology in to it. Which is why lenses go from anything between £50 to £x,000's+. So the quality varies a lot, for example the quality in the glass, which can either give you a very clean crisp photo, or a photo that will look a bit out of focus and not so great in quality.
Depending on what kind of situation you are in, for example a wedding. Ideally you would need a Prime lens because of the different lighting situations, such as being in a chapel that is not well lit. You will need a lens with the largest aperture (about f1.4 - f1.6) you can get so that you are able to get a much cleaner shot without having to bump up the ISO which will degrade the image and lower the shutter speed to compensate with a correctly exposed image which will degrade the quality overall.
Unless you have an amazing camera with the best ISO without any noise distortion up to 3200, then you can get away with a stock lens.
If you really get in to photography, and consider that you may want to get in to it professionally. You will eventually see the limitations of a stock lens and a low-range camera.
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Primes v zooms; mmm, the photographic equivalent of the RLJ debate. :)
A good photography pal of mine used to say the best zoom is your feet. Aha.
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The whole thing about starting on film it totally true. Digital has made life soooo easy (e.g. RAW images?) Film forced you to get it right. No mini screen at the back to check it came out well, oh, no worries I'll retake it.
But whatever. If you are learning/starting out make sure you read The Negative by Ansel Adams. That dude knew his shit.
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Negative-New-Photo-Ansel-Adams/dp/0821221868"]The Negative (New Photo): Amazon.co.uk: Ansel Adams: Books[/ame]
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Screw the "Non-digital fim [sic] photography and cameras" thread with it's stinking luddites and misspelt title.
Welcome to the Non-film digital photography and cameras thread.
Bought a Canon 550D yesterday, fucking brilliant, takes a lovely picture it does, and it make-a-da-movie . . . .
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for those that can't face an internet search - video specs?
i beg of you, teach me the wonders of the 550...Video specs are really good, better than my 5DmkII. Fully manual video control.
1920 x 1080p @ 30fps
1920 x 1080p @ 25fps
1920 x 1080p @ 24fps
1280 x 720p @ 60fps
1280 x 720p @ 50fps
640 x 480p @ 60fps
640 x 480p @ 50fps
640 x 480p crop mode @ 60fps
640 x 480p crop mode @ 50fps*crop mode *- basically crops the centre 640 x 480 section out of the full 18MP sensor, giving you a freaking amazing x7 zoom (not a crappy digital zoom) - so your 300mm lens becomes a 2100mm but with zero light loss like you would get using teleconverters and the like - it's amazing, my 200 f/2.8 becomes a 1400mm still at f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.2 becomes a 350mm still at f/1.2 - etc etc
Great for stalking and looking in neighbour's windows.
The high speed 50/60fps frame rates are great for slow motion stuff when slowed back down to PAL or film speeds.
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I've got a Nikon D300 which I bought from German eBay. Wasn't that cheap (1 100 Euros, aboutish), but I had the money, then.
Then I got a used, but almost as good as new Nikon D40x (150 Euros) to have in my backpack all the time. Got the 35mm f/1.8 lens for it and am quite happy.
The D300 with the MB-D10 battery pack attached is a beast and there for me when I want to go shooting. But outside those instances, the D40x is more than enough. I have the dirt cheap Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 "Macro" to go with the 35mm Nikkor.
Most of my friends have Canons, but I've understood Nikon might have the edge in entry-level DSLRs. Not sure if this is still the case with Nikon's D3000 or D5000, but I think the previous generation entry-level Nikons were great and widely appreciated.
Haven't tried a Sony or Pentax. Olympus seemed nice and Canons are, well, Canon, but I like Nikons.
The lenses I have are:
Samyang 8mm f/3.5 fish-eye (fully manual)
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 (fully manual)
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro
I've some cheap "funnies" (old Nikon 300mm f/4.5 and Samyang 800mm f/8) on top of those, but those I have not used nor carried with me. I am not a pro and haven't felt the need to go full Nikon with my glassware. Haven't the money for them nor the eyes to appreciate and see the difference.
To maybe answer your question (and I believe someone has already said so):
I doubt you are able to find a crappy DSLR nowadays. Find the one that fits your hand the best. And do check the used market. Unless the camera body has been with a pro who shoots for a living, the shutter has ample life left.
And even though it seems half teh interwebs is full of stories of Sigmas failing and having focus problems, I have not had the misfortune of buying a bad copy, yet. Neither have my friends. Still, like with the camera bodies, check your local shops for used lenses. Glass does not age as badly as bodies do.