newb newb newb

[gixx]

Hi Guys,
Brand spanking new to the forum and photography as well. I've read a lot about DSLR and am ready to dive in head first. At first, I was thinking of a entry level camera such as the D50 and maybe even the D70. However, the more research I do, the more I'm leaning toward a higher end camera such as the D200 or the Canon 30D. I know the lenses are change able with respect to its own brand. I'm basically starting out with no lens, so not a major concern at this point. My concern is, should I start out with such an advance camera or should I stick with something like the D50 or D70?
Thanks for your help.
Gixx

[Buddy4344]

It's a little hard to answer without a little more info. Earlier this week, someone had a similar question - more specifically about the nikon vs. canon. You may want to look at the feedback to him/her. I am a pretty fair photographer and shoot with the original digital rebel (300d). I haven't outgrown the features on this one, but I do admit to drooling over the higher end models. It's a pretty big price jump.
If I were you, I would spend the differential money to buying better lenses or more lenses. I can really tell the difference in flexibiity between my consumer lenses and my nicer lenses.
Also consider the 20d as it has much of the 30d, but being "last years model" could be deeply discounted.

[gixx]

Thanks Buddy!
I do have a question which I have been researching but couldn't find an answer to. In most point and shoot camera, the optical zoom is measure by 2x, 10x, etc...In a DSLR, how do I convert a 18-200mm lenses for example into x times zoom? For that matter, what would a 700mm equivalent to?
Thanks

[Buddy4344]

Great question. I don't have the answer, but someone on the site will.

A few comments about SLR vs. dSLR cameras. a) due to the sensor size, there is about a 1.6 multiplier to any lens going from slr to digital. For example, a 100mm on a film slr will be 160mm on digital. b) a "normal" (no magnification) is about 50mm, so for a dslr, it's about 30 to 35mm. c) I have a 70-300mm zoom and shoot faces of field hockey players with detail from across a field (about the size of a football field). Any more than that would be for shooting wildlife from pretty extreme distances.

[gixx]

thanks again buddy.
FYI, a friend showed me how to convert it. Lets take your 70-300mm lens for example, you divide 300 by 70 which roughly equal 4.3x optical zoom. Do that make sense to you? On a 18-200mm lens, it would roughly equal 11x optical zoom. Is it possible that a 18-200mm lens have more x zoom than a 70-300mm?

[RTaylor]

I'm not so sure that calculation is exactly accurate.
I used to use an Olympus C750 which is 10x zoom

I took this picture with it at full zoom a few years ago.I think I might have also had on a 1.5 Tcon multiplier but know I didnt use it that to the fullest, but did at least have the 10x to the fullest




Then once I got my D70, I went back again to that bridge and used my 70-300 zoom on my tripod
The composition isnt exact but close enough.

I dont have the exif data readily available on these ahost, as they are archived on DVD's that are in one of my 3 binders.

[RTaylor]

Now I know your friends calculations are wrong

I just read the end of your message...

( Is it possible that a 18-200mm lens have more x zoom than a 70-300mm?)


The 18-200 which I happen to own for the D70, is just that 18-200 mm.
the 70-300 is 70-300mm.
That being said, 300mm is most definitely more zoom than 200mm

[gixx]

Originally posted by rct4905
Now I know your friends calculations are wrong

I just read the end of your message...

( Is it possible that a 18-200mm lens have more x zoom than a 70-300mm?)


The 18-200 which I happen to own for the D70, is just that 18-200 mm.
the 70-300 is 70-300mm.
That being said, 300mm is most definitely more zoom than 200mm

Interesting...so can anyone provide an answer on how this is being caculated?

[Aladyforty]

If you go DSLR you stop thinking in terms of digital zoom. It cant really be compared as all digital camera are slightly different. The thing to remember is A DSLR has (with most DSLRS apart from the expensive full frame ones like the Canon 5D)
you mulitiply by 1.6 to get the actually sizes.

So an 18 to 55 lens would be equal to
a 28 to 88

28 to 105 would be 42 to 168

100 to 300 would be 160 to 480

100 to 400 would be 160 to 640

500 would be 800

[eye_c]

the x zoom is calculated by dividing the end of the zoom by the short distance.
for example : a 50-500 sigma is a 10x zoom
500 divided by 50
a 70-300 is 4.3x zoom
a18-200 is 11xzoom
this just means that the 18-200 has a magnification of 11 times of its short distance ,but is not a greater zoom than the 70-300
hope this answers your question

[MikeyB]

You need to remember that most digi compacts have a focal length of 35mm...so a 10x zoom would give you a max focal length of 350mm.

[gixx]

Thanks alot Guys,
I'm a little more clearer now than I was. BTW, I just purchased the Canon 20D as one of the local store had a super special clearance pricing. I'm sure I'll be on this forum a lot more, now that I got my gear.
Cheers,
Gixx

[Aladyforty]

congrats on the new camera, I just moved up to the 30D from the 300D as I could not get hold of a 20D. You will enjoy the camera once you get used to it.

Rct, you have a great photos.
I just noticed that your first photo is a bit blurred. Or is that suppose to blur?

[RTaylor]

brocures, it was with the C750 on a tripod at full zoom, maybe even some digital zoom and a very windy winter day in 2003 so I'm sure its not as sharp as it could be. Just posted to give a zoom reference