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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Digital SLR cameras - opinions/experiences sought

    I'm pondering buying one. Count myself somewhere on the continuum between little-experienced and intermediate photographer, probably closer to the former.

    I currently use a Fujifilm Finepix S1600 digital, 12 megapixel with 15x zoom. It has been quite serviceable and have been largely happy with it - with two exceptions. The 15x zoom limits how much I can zoom, particularly when trying to capture birds at the feeders. More distressingly, it now cycles through shooting modes with no warning. So buying some kind of camera may be in the near future.

    As you may know from posts here and on my blog I shoot a wide variety of subjects in varying light conditions. Photo shoots; landscapes; action photos of people, animals, and airplanes; foliage and close-ups (macros); occasionally continuous shooting; movies until I discovered how the easily the motor's noise came through on audio. I'm not interested right now in special effects, the most I do is cropping. And I generally use the auto setting unless conditions suggest or require another one.

    My wish list includes a quieter motor when doing movies, better zoom/macro and I could branch out into taking more control over settings. Thinking about a camera body that can take external flash and has a tripod mount. Remote shutter release would be swell though not mandatory. I have read that a 50mm lens and a good zoom are ideal. Price point for the body is let's say entry level-ish.

    I welcome your thoughts and opinions on cameras as well as techniques. Thanks!
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

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  2. #2
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Unless you are deciding between crop or full frame bodies, the body isn’t really what you should be concerned about. Since you are not a professional, go with a crop and you will be happy. All of them take external flashes and a tripod mount, and you can set your settings manually. The differences are in the shutter speed, how high an ISO they handle, the weight, battery life, megapixels (unless you want to print posters, all of them will do), etc etc.

    Lenses are another story. You have so many to choose from. A 50mm is not good for landscapes, and a zoom is not either. You’ll also need a better zoom lens to shoot airplanes since a 250 mm won’t do. For macro photography, you will need a macro lens. Especially my 50mm 1.4 has issues zooming in close-ups.

    I have a 50mm 1.4 which I use for portraits, a 70-250 which I use mostly for action shots but it is good for portraits too, and I have a Sigma macro which I haven’t used much because macro photography isn’t really my thing. I have trouble, depending on the setting, shooting airplanes, birds, and landscapes. Airplanes and birds turn into blobs of different colors, and I can’t catch the whole landscape because I can’t “zoom out” and moving backwards isn’t doing the trick most of the time.

    For what you want, one or two lenses definitely won’t do. A 50 mm 1.4 is a good start, but it is slow and has trouble focusing. If I were you, I wouldn’t buy a lens for now. Get a camera and play with the kit lens. Learn your settings and in the process you will decide what you want to do and which lens to buy next.

    Beware though, photography is a hobby that can get too expensive too soon!

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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I'm still pretty much a beginner. I took two photography courses just to learn language - aperture, f/stop, etc. ISO really threw me, - In Search Of? LOL, so my experience won't have much weight. BUT, I was lucky, I think, to end up buying a micro four thirds, the Olympus E M5 Mark11. As a kit lens I chose the M Zuiko ED 12-50mm F3.5-6. Apparently in 35 mm that equals 24-100mm. It has a hokey little macro setting that actually moves the lens out and I've used that setting a lot for close-ups.

    TWo weeks ago I bought a telephoto zoom, the Zuiko ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 which is equivalent to 150-600 mm in 35 mm. This is small enough I can hand hold it at full zoom, and since stabilization on this camera is in the body I hope to get some good shots of distant birds. I don't need a separate grip for the lens as you might see on a regular 600mm lens. So far the visiting Sandhill Cranes are still too distant for me. But the friend who tipped me off that this lens is on sale right now just got some really nice detailed close-ups with his of a Snowy Owl.

    I have an in between lens too, 40-150mm f4.0-5.6. But only two lenses fit in my smallish bag and I carry it when out with Oban so I think this one won't get much use going forward.

    The big advantage of micro four thirds is much smaller size and much less weight than a full frame DSLR. Pro lenses with some pretty spectacular output are available for the OLy, probably for the other micro 4/3 makes too.

    Have fun.
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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  6. #4
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    I started out with a fully manual 35mm camera and intended on learning about all the “features” of the DSLRs since I had been so used to setting everything manually, but I usually shoot on the auto setting because I found all the various settings overwhelming. I haven’t spent time learning and playing around with the other setting which I keep saying I’m going to do. I won’t tell you how long that’s been on my todo list but it never seems a priority when I like what I get shooting on automatic. My main appeal with the DSLR is the functionality of the interchangeable lenses. Which is also the biggest downfall...it is a lot to carry when traveling and by plane my camera bag would be my entire personal item so the point and shoot comes along instead.

    There are a lot of “deals” out there this time of year for kits where you’ll get a body, bag, memory cards and an extra lens or two. Granted you can spend a little more on better lenses (there are varying levels) if you buy things separately but I think this is a good way to get exposed to most popular lens options and you can decide to upgrade specific components later. Which brings me to my main suggestion...

    When buying a DSLR you are buying into an eco system as the lenses are not interchangeable between brands so take that into account when making your decision. Canon and Nikon are most popular so finding a variety of lenses (third party or even used) will be easier. Also every brand will feel different in your hands so comfort is important as well as being able to easily reach some basic controls by feel. Check out the view finder and screen to make sure you like the look and feel of those as well.


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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  8. #5
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    Oh forgot to mention. If you are planning on using a tripod, many of the smaller, lower priced models are too light to handle the weight of a DSLR or will become unbalance a with a longer lens.


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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  10. #6
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I've been happy with my Canon. It's my second. I currently have an EOS Rebel T6s. It's full automatic but allows you to go to manual if you know what you are doing. I shoot most of my dog pictures on the Sports setting and I've been very happy. I can swap out lenses as necessary though I tend to use my 18-135mm the most. It can be put on a tripod, it has a wireless/bluetooth setting so you can do some work with your cell phone or use that as a remote. I bought mine refurbished from Canon.


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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  12. #7
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Definitely some good advice here.

    I am a Nikon girl myself, Canon is excellent as well, you will find most people firmly divided on these two brands. I have a nice little collection of Nikon glass.

    Like Jen, I started with a 35mm camera back in the day, but the preset modes are so good on my Nikon DSLR I rarely set my own anymore.

    DSLR quality is great even on a less expensive camera and get up. I would go to a local camera shop and hold the models you are interested in, you want one that feels balanced in your hands. I shop at B & H photo, they have excellent customer service, really good prices, especially this time of year, and are really good at returns and making sure you are happy. This would be a nice little camera that would suit you for a long time, and the kit is not too expensive on sale now. You can browse other Nikons and Canons there too. Good luck and have fun shopping!

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    Mr Kleb (11-17-2018)

  14. #8
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for your comments. Lots to digest, I will post again tomorrow.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  15. #9
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Berna, have to reveal my ignotance. What is the difference between crop and full frame bodies?


    Snowshoe that sounds like a good setup. I’m probably most interested in a lens that will help me get up close to birds at the feeders which are about 5-12 meters distant from where I usually sit on the deck.


    JC001 I have seen that a kit is probably the best way to start. Thanks for pointing out the ecosystem thing! We have a fairly heavy duty tripod and lighter duty, small one for travelling.


    Jen, thanks. Canon keeps coming up well in all the reviews I read.


    Shelley, I like your suggestion to visit a local shop. While sure you can save $$ going online or to a big box, when needing advice and professional support there’s nothing like a local shop.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  16. #10
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Here is a great article on crop and full frame

    Crop vs. Full Frame Cameras - SLR Lounge

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    Mr Kleb (11-19-2018)

 



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