[Proxima]

Samurai, how good is the E-520? I heard the only problem with it was the slightly poorer low light photography when compared to the Canon 1000d (Rebel XS). Default JPEG output is supposed to be best in the Olympus but RAW is supposed to be better in Canon/Nikon.

Im sure you will know the actual truth, being a Olympian. Can you pls post some hi-res low-light (and/or high ISO) pics from your E 500 if you dont mind? (shot via the kit lens)

Also, ISO 1600 is supposed to be much better in the Canon 1000d. What do you think is best DSLR for a beginner? Canon/Nikon/Olympus?

[Samurai]

Yes, until E-3 came along, low-light was an issue with Olympus cameras. However, with E-620 even Dpreview puts ISO performance under PROs instead of CONs.

Check this: Olympus E-620 Review: 31. Conclusion: Digital Photography Review

I would generally put entry level Olympus cameras above entry level cameras from Canon or Nikon. However, the limited local presence in India makes it difficult to buy and get service. For that alone I don't go around recommending it. If you want to live dangerously, with limited service levels and almost no resale value, then you can surely consider Olympus. It has lenses to die for in the middle range for cheap prices. The ultra wide and ultra zoom gets expensive though.

[Proxima]

Hmm... Actually I don't mind going in for the not-so-famous brands.

I noticed that too - E-620 was good in lowlight and high ISO and got a "Highly recommended" but E-520 got a "Highly recommended (just)" and high ISO was under cons.

The E620 is more than 200$ costlier than the E520 and is therefore priced higher than the Canon XSi (450D). At this price point, it is not a good buy.

Does anyone know a good place to buy DSLRs in Chennai? Sheetala cameras quotes a very unreasonable price for the Canon 1000d. (29k)

[navin]

Originally Posted by janitha

Nikkor glass on a Canon EOS 1Ds?

Sorry Nikon D1s - atleast the D1 part is right. My friend handed the camera and the glass over to me and I was more intested in the sharpness of the glass to remember the models. The camera was in full manual (AF was on though) and I could not for the life of me figure out how to get it to Aperture Priority. After using my Canon the Nikon functions were a bit confusing. Besides I did not have the camera for that long.

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

What's so new about it? I thought this is a very old feature.

Rudra-da your camera is a Canon. The D300s is a Nikon.

Originally Posted by StarScream

The Nikkor 85/1.8 is not a micro/macro lens. Great portrait lens, yes.

Is the Nikon D1 a 1.5 crop or a 24x36? Because in the confines of the bedroom we were in I found the 85/1.4 too long for my liking. Good for head shots and one had to really step back to capture head and shoulders.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Proxima

The E620 is more than 200$ costlier than the E520 and is therefore priced higher than the Canon XSi (450D). At this price point, it is not a good buy.

Well, that's because E-620 is lot newer than either E-520 or 450D.

One more thing. To quote depreview:

When the E-30 was launched, we commented that it sailed remarkably close to E-3 territory, and with a smaller viewfinder and less grand claims made about environmental sealing and image stabilization. The E-620 comes close to pulling the same trick on the E-30.

In other words, the E-620 is lot close to E-3 in features than I like because I paid US$1700 for the E-3. Comparing 450D with the E-620 doesn't really make sense since Canon is not known to hand out features from pro bodies to entry level bodies.

[phamilyman]

Samurai,

Could you quantify that statement? Here is what DPR says:

Originally Posted by e620 vs 500d

The 500D is the only camera to offer any obvious resolution advantage over the E-620 - its output is detailed, sharp and clean in a way that the E-620 just can't match. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that working with 100% crops we're having to look very closely in order to spot these differences.

Originally Posted by 500d vs 450d

Finally let's have a look at the 500D side-by-side with its predecessor, the EOS 450D. The 450D was amongst the best within its peers in terms of JPEG quality, and can still easily keep up with most of the latest generation APS-C sensor DSLRs. The older model offers superb pixel level sharpness and despite its increased resolution the 500D struggles to squeeze much more detail out of the JPEG files. The color response is unsurprisingly almost identical.

When the results are all comparable, whats specifically is the price advantage over 450d going for?

Bear in mind its a smaller sensor!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

When the results are all comparable, whats specifically is the price advantage over 450d going for?

Bear in mind its a smaller sensor!

If sensor was the only thing to consider, then nobody should be buying 4/3 format dSLRs.

All dSLRs made in the past few years are just too much for our amateur needs. They are giving too much, simply lot more resolution than we can make use. Only professionals may need (not just want) higher resolutions.

Therefore, I never really worry about image quality when it comes to dSLR, any one will satisfy our need. So I don't worry about mega pixel war. I have a pro quality dSLR which has 10MP resolution, which is way more than good enough for me.

When I chose E-500 back in early 2006, I did it for the features. Cheap but high quality mid-range lenses, working anti-dust feature,spot metering, and I don't remember the rest. But there was lack of competition too, think D70s and 350D. Plus, I remembered my earlier SLR from Olympus.

When I jumped from E-500 to E-3 two years later, I did it for more features.

1) In body IS feature.
2) Fastest ever AF (claimed by Olympus) even under low light.
3) Full weather seal.
4) Large viewfinder

If you are buying a dSLR, you have already taken care of image quality. Now focus on what else you want. If you chose 500D over E-620 merely based on image resolution issues, then you must be a professional who needs really huge prints. I would take E-620 over 500D simply for the in body IS feature. However, I would caution others about the very limited sales/support structure and also about non-existing resale value of Olympus system in India.

I have kept all my Olympus gear ever bought with me, I don't want to give it away for a song. They are very good, they are merely let down by the indifference of Olympus India.

[sj_koova]

My 6 years old Canon 3MP E70 was much better than 2 years old Sony 8MP P&S camera in terms of picture perfection. Spending on megapixel is utter waste!

On a DSLR, you should be looking at the dynamic range, low light capabilities, lens availability and specific features you may use.
Again the quality of a picture largely depends on the quality of the lens used on DSLR. So I would worry more about the lens than the body.

[phamilyman]

Thanks Samurai. That was a helpful perspective!

[Proxima]

Guys, Sheetal cameras is willing to give the Canon 1000d with kit lens for 27k (with bill and 2 years Canon warranty) Camera Citi quotes 27.3k for the same.

Is this the best deal that I can get in Chennai? Any other stores to consider?

Prices of the Canon 450d and The Nikon D60 are up in the mid-30s. Canon 500d and Nikon d5000 are ~ 40k. I was thinking Ill buy the 1000d and get the famous Canon 50mm f1.8 lens as an add-on. I don't have money for a zoom (55-200 or 70-300) so Ill add that on later maybe.

Is there any other option that I have apart from the 1000d around this price (27k)? Advice will be much appreciated.

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by navin

Is the Nikon D1 a 1.5 crop or a 24x36? Because in the confines of the bedroom we were in I found the 85/1.4 too long for my liking. Good for head shots and one had to really step back to capture head and shoulders.

Yes it was a 1.5 crop sensor. So the 85mm became a 130mm (127.5 to be exact).The 85mm was great on film and now on full frame.

[Knight Rider]

Is it OK to pack the DSLR bag along with my backpack? I have a separate DSLR bag which holds everything.

[MadBiker]

Originally Posted by Proxima

Is this the best deal that I can get in Chennai? Any other stores to consider?

Get in touch with EBBY Camera world, Spencers Plaza - They normally sell cameras at a cheaper price and Sheetala cameras is a bit costly in my opinion.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Knight Rider

Is it OK to pack the DSLR bag along with my backpack? I have a separate DSLR bag which holds everything.

Yes I do this regularly. I stuff my DSLR with lens attached into a holster bag and stuff the holster bag into my backpack.

Originally Posted by StarScream

Yes it was a 1.5 crop sensor. So the 85mm became a 130mm (127.5 to be exact).The 85mm was great on film and now on full frame.

Thanks. This will help. I think I will go for the 28/1.8 and 50/1.4 now if I get these 2 the 100/2 makes more sense than the 85/1.8 right?

[gd1418]

I'm planning a restructuring of my equipment & accessories. The current gear is -

Camera Bodies: Nikon F801, Nikon D40 (sold), Nikon D80 (sold) & Nikon D300.

P&S: Fuji FinePix S602 & Nikon CoolPix S220

Lenses: Zoom Nikkor AF 35-70mm F/3.3-4.5, Zoom Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, Zoom Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Flashes: Nikon SB-24, Nikon SB-400

My restructuring plan - Lenses only:

To hive off the 35-70 & the 18-135 and get instead:


AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

or

SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM


To hive off the 70-300 VR and get instead

AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

or

AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED

And get a new SIGMA APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM


Please advise in detail.