Hello

[tazzmann]

hello all, I am from Vancouver, WA and love photography. I currently only have a Sony Mavica FD with 256MB memory card. But would like to get a DSLR camera. Any suggestions? My gallery shows what I have done with the cheap Mavica.

[STaylor]

Hi tazzmann welcome to bytephoto ...

btw - be sure to check out the weekly photo contest ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦ http://www.bytephoto.com/photo-contest

[tazzmann]

Thanks! I put two out!

[pippafox]

"any suggestions" you say.
well i have an olympus e-500, i bought it as the two lens kit that includes a standard and a zoom lens. i love it to bits although i do wonder whether perhaps i should not have gone for the kit and investigated more on what lenses are available.
pippa

[SlipNslide]

Hey Tazzmann, Welcome to Byte. I looked at your gallery and your photos are great. You deffinately have the eye for photography. I never had the eye and am trying to learn the artistic form of it but it still doesn't stop me from taking pictures.

as for a DSLR, I would recommend Canon or Nikon. I'm a Canon guy my self but Nikon is just as good. Both have there pros and cons.

The reason I like Canon is you have way more options when it comes to lenses. Canon will offer a for example: 70-200mm F4 and if you want to spend more they have the 70-200mm F2.8 Nikon doesn't really have the in between lenses. You either have to buy the 2.8 verson for Nikon or go with a consumer lens. Thats just one example.

Pippa recommended the Olympus and they are great cameras but the thing with Olympus if you get the Lens bug like most of us do the pro grade lenses are very very expensive.

I can't wait to see you with a DSLR in your hands. I look forward to seeing more photos from you.

-Adam

[pippafox]

Adam - thanks for the info on the cost of Olympus lenses - i'm still enjoying my camera and havn't looked into pricing them up yet. the cost of lenses is a big factor and may have led me to do more research had i'd known.
pippa

[tazzmann]

Thanks for the info Adam and for the kind comments. I have always loved photography, but lately haven't been able to get out and get some pictures, but I plan to the next weekend.

I used to have a Pentax K1000 35mm camera that I took some excellent shots with. Sadly, my ex-wife hawked the camera and equipment (about $3K worth) for $100 and threw out all my prints. It was too bad too, that camera took EXCELLENT photos and with all the different lenses and filters, I was able to capture some really nice pix.

I have been looking into the Canon Rebel EOS digital. Around here it is about $700 for the body and a basic lens. So far it has the features I want and was told you can substitute regular 35mm lenses with it if needed. This will come in handy as my mother-in-law has a bunch of compatible lenses.

Does anyone know more about this or have any general comments about the Canon EOS?

Thanks guys!

[SlipNslide]

Tazzmann, the Rebel XTI would be a great camera to start out with. Same sensor as the 30D and 20D but 10 mega pixel. Its a decent camera. The only reason I didn't like it was because I shoot birds and sports and for fast moving sports and birds in flight 5 frames per second on the 30D is what I need. The Rebel XTI is only 3 frames per second but those extra 2 frames make a large difference. I would recommend the XTI Plus the Dust resistance shake on the XTI is a great feature. Dust on a sensor is a pain.

Pippa, I to have liked the Olympus but I knew I wanted to get the 300mm F2.8 lens and when I searched for prices on the Olympus I liked a fainted.
Olympus: 300mm F2.8 $$5,699.95
Nikon: 300mm F2.8 $$4,499.00
Canon 300mm F2.8 $$3,899.00

Now just look for other lenses in the pro line and the difference is crazy. Somone told me to watch a basketball game, a baseball game and count the White lenses. When you watch any pro sport you will see a majority of white lenses. Canon.

Good luck Tazzmann on your purchase. Remember this is only my opinion and I know there will be many others out there that will dissagree with me but think about the long run and if you plan on buying more lenses.

-Adam

[tazzmann]

Again, thanks for the reply and info Adam. I have been doing my due diligence since it will probably be another month or so before I have enough saved up to buy decent camera.

Question though. One of the reasons for buying a DSLR camera is my daughter does gymnastics and I would like to get some good shots of her during competition. With that being said, do you think I should also look into the 30D? With the floor, bars, beam and vault, maybe the faster frame rate would be better as well.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[SlipNslide]

Michael, I think it totally depends on your budget. I would buy the 30D over the XTI if it was my decision. The good thing about more resalution is if you take a shot and your kind of far away you can crop into a 10 megapixel shot and still have enough resalution to print a large print. To me I would take the 30D over the XTI even though its only 8.2 megapixel just because the xtra 2 frames makes a huge difference. I would rather not miss a shot than to be able to crop into a photo. So in other words I would pick frames per second over 2 mega pixel increase in resalution. 30D all the way. Another thing about the 30D, the controls are easyer to use on the fly because on the XTI you have to hold this button and turn the front wheel at the same time and it can get confussing. I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions I can answar feel free to ask. Thats what we are here for.

-Adam

[tazzmann]

Fantastic info Adam. Thanks again. I think I am settling on the 30D as well.

Like I said, I am doing research right now and it looks like I will be picking me up a camera sometime later this year. So the 30D is definitely highest on my list.

Thanks again!

[SlipNslide]

Originally posted by tazzmann
Fantastic info Adam. Thanks again. I think I am settling on the 30D as well.

Like I said, I am doing research right now and it looks like I will be picking me up a camera sometime later this year. So the 30D is definitely highest on my list.

Thanks again!

Your very welcome. Keep me posted on your photography. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. If you have any more questions or need advice feel free to post up or end me a private message. I'm happy to help where I can.

-Adam