The Digital Camera Thread: Questions, discussions, etc.

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by navin

I agree. the real difference between the 400D and 40D is build quality. For a light walkabout the 400/450D with a 18-55 IS II (day light) or 28/1.8+EW63(evening) is your best bet.

What is EW63?

[reignofchaos]

More than anything, the ergonomics of the 30D would help taking better pictures. The nicer viewfinder helps as well. 5fps is not bad either for sports. Compared to the rebels, I'd take the 30D any day of the week. Its a far better camera and at that price, its a virtual steal.

[jaibir]

thanks for the inputs guys. i guess the best way to gauge the ergonomics (weight v comfort v accessibility of controls) would be to check them out in a shop

Originally Posted by Torqy

What is EW63?

its a lens hood

[harjeev]

Originally Posted by smsrini

Harjeev,

Also consider Nikon P80.

I saw the P80. Its a good camera but doesnt offer any options for attaching lenses later on. I saw the basic comparison between the Nikon P80 and the Canon S5. Nikon scores over Canon in the magapixels and the zoom front.
But keepin these two features aside I think that the Canon is a much better value for money as it offers much more control & features.

The only think bothering me is that the S5 was launched in May 07 and the P80 is latest.

What is the gurus view on this? Please advise

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

hey guys, my dad wants to pick up a dslr. hes looking at the nikon d300 and the d3. which of these is better and are there any other options? will buy it from singapore.

The best shop in Singapore is Cathay Photo. It's at two locations - Peninsula Plaza on North Bridge Road (between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay) and Marina Square mall behind the Mandarin Oriental hotel. They may be a little pricier than other shops in Peninsula Plaza but they are absolutely the top photo store in south east Asia. You will get proper waranty from them. The great thing is that Singapore warranty on Nikon lenses is valid in India. I discovered that when I bought my 18-200VR from Cathay two months back. Cathay Photo Online

Originally Posted by navin

In Singapore I'd go to the shops in Pennisula plaza.

The D3 ($5000) and D300 ($1800) are very different beasts. The D3 is a Pro camera the D300 semi-Pro. The D3 is FF adn D300 is APS-C. Compred to P&S cameras, the D300 is built like a tank, the D3 is built like a tank on steroids.

If you dad has a large collection of very good Nikon glass (14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 85/1.4 etc) the D3 makes more sense if not get the D300 and spend the savings ($3200) on good glass.

Navin pretty much has the argument covered. Im just wondering one thing - if your dad knows his photography equipment and those are the two bodies he is choosing between then I really dont think he needs advice from anyone here!
If you guys are really serious about photography, have a lot of Nikon glass from the film days and a really fat wallet then the D3 is it.

[akshay1234]

thanks navin and starscream - i think the d300 it is since $5000 seems a bit too much to spend on a camera. he did have a nikon F4 (i think thats the name) before this and a few lenses including a 70/200mm.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by harjeev

I saw the P80. Its a good camera but doesnt offer any options for attaching lenses later on. I saw the basic comparison between the Nikon P80 and the Canon S5. Nikon scores over Canon in the magapixels and the zoom front.
But keepin these two features aside I think that the Canon is a much better value for money as it offers much more control & features.

The only think bothering me is that the S5 was launched in May 07 and the P80 is latest.

What is the gurus view on this? Please advise

First of all both are not SLR cams, so you can't attach any additional lenses, the S5 can just take some extenders which you will never buy.
Secondly, both camera offer manual controls.
Thirdly, MP is just a number. Anything above 5MP should be okay unless you want large prints.
As for image quality, the P80 is very new, and there are not many professional reviews around.
As for the S5IS, its a tried and tested cam.
I suggest you go to a shop and take some pictures. Don't worry about specifications. Buy what you like.

[harjeev]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

First of all both are not SLR cams, so you can't attach any additional lenses, the S5 can just take some extenders which you will never buy.
Secondly, both camera offer manual controls.
Thirdly, MP is just a number. Anything above 5MP should be okay unless you want large prints.
As for image quality, the P80 is very new, and there are not many professional reviews around.
As for the S5IS, its a tried and tested cam.
I suggest you go to a shop and take some pictures. Don't worry about specifications. Buy what you like.

I dont want very large prints. Generally I get 4x6's or 5x7's. Occasionally I get some 8x10's but thats the max. So I think that a 8MP should be OK.

For the cam, I think that I might get the S5. I am thinking of getting it from the US as there is a very good deal on ebay (us) with lot of accessories, 3 lenses, tripod, 4GB memory card etc for the same price at which only the cam is available in India. The only thing is that it offers a US only warranty, but I can live with that.

For anybody who wants a canon 450D the ebay.com has a very good deal too.

[tsk1979]

Avoid ebay. Buy from B&H or amazon or any other good online store.
If you are looking at grey market, you won't find much difference in US and India prices. You can head to pritam at chandni chowk or alpha in Palika bazaar, play around with the cam and then decide.

[navin]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

he did have a nikon F4 (i think thats the name) before this and a few lenses including a 70/200mm.

The F4 is/was an excellent camera. It still has a cult follwoing on nikonians.com. Does he still have it?

Ken rockwell reviewed it some time back (but Mr. Rockwell is a Nikon nut so read his review only for fun)
Nikon F4, F4s and F4e

If he had the F4 he must have had some good Nikkor lenses too. Other than the 70-200 (I assume this is non VR lens) what lenses does he have?

Remember on the D300 the focal length of all his film lenses will get multipled by 1.5 so his 28/1.8 will become a 42/1.8 and his 70-200/2.8 will become a 100-300/2.8. The D3 is Nikon's only Full frame DSLR and it retails for $5000.

Full Frame has it's advantages but there are very few FF DSLRs available today (Canon has the 5D, 1D, 1Ds, etc.. of which only maybe the soon to be replaced 5D will fit your price range).
FullFrame WARS!

I had once contemplated getting a FF 5D and stocking up on FF lenses (24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 300/4, 16-35/2.8, 100-400/4-5.6, 35/1.4 etc..in that order ) but figured that given that FF DSLRs are still uber expensive (except for the 5D) I'd wait.

I have seen the output of a 1Ds (my niece uses one) using a 16-35/2.8, 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 (her lenses) vs that of a 40D (mine) using a 17-55 IS (mine) , 70-200/2.8 and 16-35/2.8 (her lenses) on a 46" LCD TV using the chip reader of my PS3 Playstation and the difference is very noticeable. Noticeable enough for me to yearn for FF one day.

BTW even when these cameras (FF and APS-C) use lower resolution settings (about 3MP) they blow 10-12MP P&S shooting at full resolution out of the water (when viewed on the 46" TV). It is not even a fair fight.

Originally Posted by harjeev

For anybody who wants a canon 450D the ebay.com has a very good deal too.

Now is a good time to stock up on lenses etc.. given the downturn in the US economy people are selling everything including family heirlooms on ebay/craiglist.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Avoid ebay. Buy from B&H or amazon or any other good online store.

Is it really important. There are scores of stores in US (quite a few in NY city itself) that sell camera for cheap online.

They are notorious for either up selling useless pricey stuff once you have placed the order or shipping duds.

B&H, J&R, Abes of Maine are some of the stores that you can try, their prices will not be the lowest but quite close.

[akshay1234]

Originally Posted by navin

The F4 is/was an excellent camera. It still has a cult follwoing on nikonians.com. Does he still have it?

Ken rockwell reviewed it some time back (but Mr. Rockwell is a Nikon nut so read his review only for fun)
Nikon F4, F4s and F4e

If he had the F4 he must have had some good Nikkor lenses too. Other than the 70-200 (I assume this is non VR lens) what lenses does he have?

Remember on the D300 the focal length of all his film lenses will get multipled by 1.5 so his 28/1.8 will become a 42/1.8 and his 70-200/2.8 will become a 100-300/2.8. The D3 is Nikon's only Full frame DSLR and it retails for $5000.

thanks alot for the info sir. yes it is an f4 and he still has it. hes had it for some 17-18 years (its older than me) and it has been sparingly used in the last couple of years. will have to give it to a nikon service centre and the 70/200 has fungus so will also need to get that cleaned. he also has a 30/70mm (or is it 35/70mm) and another one but i cant find it.

hopefully we'll get a cam in the next 2 weeks.

[navin]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

will have to give it to a nikon service centre and the 70/200 has fungus so will also need to get that cleaned. he also has a 30/70mm (or is it 35/70mm) and another one but i cant find it.

the 35-70/2.8 is a tack sharp lens but I think it's lens element might not allow it be used at 35mm (wide) on a APS-C DSLR. I was once told by someone who was using the D80 that he has trouble with the 35-70/2.8.

if you plan to get Nikon equipment do read Nikonians :: The Nikon User Community or is it .org for more info.

What is the condition of the 70-200. Is it a AF lens? is it the f/2.8? If not it might be worth your while. If it indeed the 70-200/2.8 AF (not the 70-210) then you could save a lot staying with Nikon. If not consider Canon, Oly, etc.. too.

Also I dont know anyone in Mumbai I would trust with servicing an F4. You might want to get it serviced in Singapore (Cathay).

[akshay1234]

sorry its a nikkor 80/200 autofocus 1:28.

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

yes it is an f4 and he still has it. hes had it for some 17-18 years (its older than me) and it has been sparingly used in the last couple of years. will have to give it to a nikon service centre and the 70/200 has fungus so will also need to get that cleaned. he also has a 30/70mm (or is it 35/70mm) and another one but i cant find it.
hopefully we'll get a cam in the next 2 weeks.

The F4 was a great camera. Built like a tank. It was designed by the Italian design compoany Giugiaro. They also design cars from Alfa Romeos to Ferraris. I think that's why Tbhpians like the F4 so much!
Akshay, now that you have given details, I think your choice is a tough one. Your dad's lenses are old. They are in need of service and the widest lens you have is a 35-70/2.8 (if Im not mistaken). The only digital body you can use with these lenses is the D3 (especially considering your lenses only go to 35m wide). But I wonder if it makes sense to use your old lenses on a new digital body that'll end up costing $5000. Nikon's newer lenses have more punch and color.
My suggestion is buy the D300 for $1800 and with it the 12-24/f4 for $900 (or $500 if you buy the Tokina) and perhaps the 18-200VR ($800)or the 70-300VR ($550). The old 35-70 is not much use on APS-C digital - it'll become a 55-110mm.
Im wondering which lens your 70-200 is? The 70-210 f4-5.6 AF D or is it a 80-200/2.8? Either way you can keep it since it will work on the D300. You just not to be conscious about not duplicating the focal lengths.
The reason I say this is a difficult choice is because either you abandon you previous investment in all your Nikon equipment and go APS-C digital for about $3000 or you keep your investment and spend $5000. Its an expensive choice either way.
You can do it all for less if you are willing to compromise a little. The D200 is down to $1300 and is still a very competent body.
Another suggestion - on the ground floor of Peninsula Plaza, around Cathay Photo are two second hand camera shops. You can try and sell your old equipment there and then buy the new stuff from Cathay. Let me warn you though, you won't get very much for your old film equipment. My guess is all of it for about S$1200.