Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemanthisgreat (Post 1861808)

I guess you meant, who likes to shoot better pictures. :D

i meant "Everyone likes to shoot better pictures == who doesnt want to shoot better pictures" lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamswift (Post 1861811)

@sunny_001, where do you plan to buy the gadgets? From a shop at London or online?
I'm at UK now and just wondering if there are places where I get the best deals.

i checked the prices og Jacobs, Jessops,Tesco,Amazon,Argos and a couple more.

Out of these Amazon and Jessops seems better

waiting for the bestbuy store to open(1st bestbuy store in UK) tomorrow

and maybe there will be an inagural discount.

Also there is 50 pound cashback on 550D till 31st may so have lot of time to serach for the best deal and best combo.

thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001 (Post 1861399)

Ok 1 question guys,

which lens is better 70-300 or 55-250 considering that i am buying a 550D bundle with kit lens and one of the these 2.

Also, is there any difference between the lenses made by canon or 3rd party vendors like Tamron etc.

Please advise.

Thanks

Hey Sunny
I too was too confused when it came to what lens to go in for.
Then finally after reading on this and other forums, talking to friends (many who shoot as a hobby and a friend who has taken photography as a profession) I came to the conclusion to buy the

550D with 18-55 IS kit and
50mm 1.8 prime

This deal cost me 50.4k in Delhi with B&W.

As others above have advised you, my advise to you too is you should just get used to the camera, different modes, AV, TV, M etc and then depending what you want to shoot and like shooting and develop you shooting style, only then put money down for additional lenses.
I agree that the 18-55 IS kit is not the best lens around but for the price I think its not bad either.
For all your low light 50mm f1.8 takes the cake. 5.5k is again a very good price
This is just me and I am just starting as a newbie in the world and the company of expert dSLR users on this forum, but just decided to share my mind as I was going through the same dilemma a couple of weeks back.
Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajufx (Post 1862006)

Dont worry buddy, people who are accompanying you for shoots are still using D60 and Canon 350D that are older and far behind your cam. :thumbs up

Tanveer, please be softer, dont make someone cry here ! Its very sad to see that.:)

Shaju, do you really think I'm worried!! Not the least my friend. :) I meant it in good humor. And remember, more so, its all about the person behind the cam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_sweat (Post 1851343)

I brought a 1000D a month ago (Kit IS + 70-300MM) and was now wondering: The PowerShot SX1 IS does almost everything my DSLR does + has a top end zoom of 560MM. Has a DIGIC 4 processor (best canon has) with in built lens IS, also shoots RAW, and basically about everything.
Why should one get an DSLR then? Apart from the high end applications like Rudraji, & interchangable lens, I think this camera should suffice for generally everything else.

Experts please shed some light so that I can justify my expence to myself :P

This weekend went to a Mall and handled the thing or a twin.
First impression: El Cheapo. I own a 1000D - cheapest DSLR ever and mine still feels nice in Hands. I have seen better semi's in Panasonic and rest.
The thing costed 29K but should feel like a 29K camera.

The Zoom - 20X - 5-100MM equivalent to 28 to 560MM on a 35MM film - Imagine the sensor size/quality. The viewfinder had an LCD inside which also feels a wierd. Now I thank the Photography Gods that I got an DSLR. clap:

Gurus, this is my 1st post in this thread, so please excuse me for some silly questions.

Till date, I have been using various P&S cameras but after pushing them to limits (custom settings, different ISO settings and all), I am keen to get a DSLR for myself. Now, the problem is moolah, I am interested in getting Nikon D90 but I don't have enough budget for it at the moment due to some other financial issues.

Few days ago, I came across this used Panasonic Lumix L1 DSLR. It comes with Leica 14-50mm kit lens and goodies like an extra battery, Screw on Polarizer, Camera bag and that kind of stuff. The owner is known to me and he says he paid $2400 for it in early 2007. Though his asking price is $400.

I have never ever seen anybody using this camera, so I suspect this was not a hit in the market despite having some really very interesting features like Aperture ring on the lens itself. I am keen to buy this but still concerned about some possible issues.

So, my questions are:

1. For the price of the very beginner DSLR, I will be getting a good but 3 years old used DSLR. Does it sounds like a good deal to you guys?

2. How can I look into shutter count on this DSLR? Any ideas?

3. Any specific thing I need to take care while inspecting the camera and the lens?

Please reply as soon as possible. please:

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy_libran (Post 1862682)

One thing I believe:
An entry level DSLR may not be a good purchase from a value perspective. In stead, give the top end Bridge Cameras a try. Some, for example, the Panasonic FZ 38 (Leica lenses) offer full manual settings, mechanical stabilization etc.... and can give far better results in 99% of situations, than an entry level DSLR. Also, they are smaller and easier to lug around.

99% better results is a pretty strong statement. Got anything to substantiate your claim?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 1862690)

99% better results is a pretty strong statement. Got anything to substantiate your claim?

Not Statistically accurately compiled results... but, I did put it through some tests. Five cameras participated in the same (all belonged to friends).

Bridge:
=====
1. Panasonic FZ38
2. Casio EX-FH20 (If I recall correctly)
3. Canon SX 10 IS
DSLR:
====
1. Olympus E 420
2. Sony Alpha A200

We shot in outdoor situations, with cloudy skies and some rainfall with and without full zoom. (Flamborough near Hull)
We shot portraits in various conditions
We shot in crowded places in twilight situations (Shambles in York)
We shot in indoor mixed colour situations (Rail Museum at York)
We shot inside nightclubs (Nottingham)

We used pretty much standard and similar settings for each shot. We did not use any macros. We were not using tripods. DSLR's were only using 18-55 mm lenses if I recall correctly.

It was kind of an exercise to find out whose camera was best :-) All were pretty much in a similar price range +/- 100 GBP.

Results:
Bridge-
Casio is an average performer. Not bad, but not much better than any regular compact. Nothing to talk about. Low light performance is unsatisfactory.

Canon is a very good camera with all round good results. Good contrasts and good low light performance. Kinda screws up in shots where a lot of contrast is needed in packed zones.

Panasonic is the best of the bridge lot. It's image stabilization rocks even when in full zoom. Low light photography is decent but not great but it can do light and dark very well. The small Sensor size doesn't seem to pose any problems.

DSLR-
Olympus one was better than the Sony one. The Sony screws up on exposure, light and dark, contrasts. Not saying it is bad, but very average results. The Olympus delivered images equal to the Canon and Panasonic. It's a great camera, but at a higher price point, may not be good value for money.

The Bridge ones lost out on the wide angle shots we attempted.

We also later did another comparison of the Canon and Panasonic bridges, with an EOS 50D. I can only say that, the comparison was moot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy_libran (Post 1862682)

One thing I believe:
An entry level DSLR may not be a good purchase from a value perspective. In stead, give the top end Bridge Cameras a try.

None of the Bridge cameras have a sensor that is even 20% of the size of an APS-C sensor. If size in a real concern and video not really a requirement I would look at the Oly Pen or Panny G line with the 14-140 (equivalent to 28-280).

For me an DSLR with 2 zooms covering covering 28-300/400mm is probably the first camera one should get (altough I got a G2 before I got the DSLR - in those days DSLRs were terribly expensive and did not have even the basic features I wanted).

Then add a small P&S like the F200EXR or S90 becuase there will be times you cannot carry your DSLR with you. Then add a small SD card AVCHD camcorder for video.