Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Beat (Post 2678176)

Hello to all the camera experts.

I am quite inclined towards photography ever since i have got my car. This is led me to understand the things about photography and photoshop. I have gone through the video tutorials available over the internet and do believe that i have sufficient information when it comes to photography.

I am interested in shooting Candid Portrait, Portrait , Landscape, Nature and Subject photography ( have i covered them all?).

6. What are the various types of lenses , can all the lenses be fit into the new generation SLR's?

Canon ? If you had no budget I would have said D800 :D

For a 50k budget I would recommend that you start of with a DSLR + 18-105 lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricci (Post 2678472)

You can alternatively choose a fast zoom such as Sigma 16-50 f/2.8 or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 , around 30k each, or the ultra-wide angle Tokina 11-16 which is around 36k.

Not to veer you toward Nikon, checkout Canon equivalents of the above, they may be upto 10-15% cheaper. Look for the Canon EOS 550D (38k with 18-55 kit lens) and 1100D (cheapest Canon right now 28k) or Nikon D5100 (41-42 with 18-55 kit lens) or D3100 (32k with 18-55kit lens). The D90 is older, but has a built in AF motor allowing use of AF-D lenses, 43k for the body and 58k with 18-105mm kit lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas (Post 2678472)

Canon ? If you had no budget I would have said D800

For a 50k budget I would recommend that you start of with a DSLR + 18-105 lens.

Fast Zoom Lenses? I am not quite aware of these, what is the added benefit?

I was considering the Canon EOS 550D with the lens. Now with the 1.5 conversion for the actual focal length, 18-55 will give me 27-80 mm right?

Or as jkdas has said, a quite complete 18-105 lens which will also be useful for landscape photography

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Beat (Post 2679146)

Fast Zoom Lenses? I am not quite aware of these, what is the added benefit?

A zoom lens with such a wider aperture will allow you to use faster shutter speeds, hence they can be called fast lenses. An f/2.8 lens can be faster than an f/5.6 lens (f value indicated is the maximum possible aperture, f/2.8 lets more light in, than f/5.6). Disadvantages are additional weight, increased size, more expensive. Check out how big is a 500mm f/2.8 lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Beat (Post 2679146)

Fast Zoom Lenses? I am not quite aware of these, what is the added benefit?

fast lens = lens with wide aperture, wider than f/2.8 . So all lenses with f/1.2 , f/1.4 , f/1.8 , f/2.0 , f/2.8 are fast lenses, f/2.8 being the fastest among zooms, while prime lenses go as fast at 0.95. the benefit is they let in more light on the film/sensor, so are useful in low light conditions ( much better than raising the ISO , or increasing exposure time ), while another subjective benefit is bokeh (the blurring of out of focus area in the frame, many portrait photographers choose fast primes like 85 f/1.4 mainly for the bokeh than low light capability )

I was considering the Canon EOS 550D with the lens. Now with the 1.5 conversion for the actual focal length, 18-55 will give me 27-80 mm right?

Yes. With Canon the crop factor 1.62 , with Nikon/Sony it's 1.52.

Or as jkdas has said, a quite complete 18-105 lens which will also be useful for landscape photography

Yes, you can do with one lens. The 18-105 is versatile due to the wide zoom range, but not good for low light. You will find the limitation a bother when shooting indoors, or late evening/night. Also, landscape shooters tend to prefer wide angle lenses ( 24mm or less equivalent focal length ), but it depends on what and where you shoot.

Before you buy any additional lenses, use the kit lenses to find out how well they suit or hinder your desired shooting style. Then buy the extra lenses once you know what deficiencies you find in the kit lens. Fast zoom lenses are expensive, but some fast primes are fairly affordable ( 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8 ). You can overcome some of the low-light difficulties with extra lighting indoors, or the camera flash at close distances. For landscapes, the use of tripod allows long shutter speeds, so fast lenses are not strictly needed for every case.

The 18-105 is the kit lens for Nikon D90 and D7000 , the D3100 and D5100 come with 18-55. You can buy the body and lens separately (D3100 body only and 18-105 lens separate) though instead of the kit but most retailers do not keep only body retail kits. There is no Canon 18-105 equivalent, instead they have an 18-135.

my replies are in bold above

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thar4x4 (Post 2679365)

Are you talking about this lens, Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Lens Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

This does not have IS is there any specific purpose of this lens which will not covered by 18-55 kit lens (I am new to this world ).

Thanks,
Vishal

Yes, the aperture.. 18-55 @ 50mm will have a highest aperture of f/5.6 whereas this lens will open up till f/1.8
Then optical quality as well..

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2 (Post 2654598)

You won't get much for the camera - a film SLR model that is close to 30 years old. The T70 was introduced in 1983 or '84. I guess your unit was purchased in the mid to late '80s? Try your luck on the JJ Mehta and BLR Photography club forums as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 2654632)

agree:

Old film cameras have very low resale value, unless they are iconic brand like Hasselblad or Leica.

So be resigned to the fact that 500+ (any amount) is what you will get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by architect (Post 2655140)

Your best bet is a photography student.

Guys, just wanted to let you all know that I sold the entire camera kit for 3250/- INR to a gentleman with interest in old cameras and photography. Thanks for all the suggestions given in these posts.

EDIT: Sold it through team-bhp classifieds ! :D

Hey guys! I know this question would have been asked innumerable times, and there might not be a correct answer to it, but since technology changes everyday and everyone has different opinions, i still want to ask it:

Which is the best DSLR for a beginner/intermediate?

Budget: ~40k
Purpose: All kinds of photography, except underwater :P

Since I am new to photography, it would be great if you could explain the Pros and Cons of the camera you suggest. Thanks!

This has been explained a number of times by various folks in previous posts but here you go, once again

If your in for Canon

If your in for Nikon

There are good cams from Pentax, Sony but I'd stick to the biggies for their superb lens' and nothing more. If you love "stills" you will also love "the movies" :) and ideally when you can shoot some really cool HD videos a cam thats capable of doing so should be up your buy-list. Short films are a big fad these days even in corporates when you can shoot "like" the big screen format well why not and that to at a zillionth of the big budgets that movie producers spend. A simple 50mm f1.8 and Magic Lantern can do wonders with a basic Canon 500D.

Spend some time reading on the net about photography before you get "sucked in", it is a very expensive hobby.