The Digital Camera Thread: Questions, discussions, etc.

[Samurai]

Should you buy a DSLR or a Compact?

Should you buy a DSLR or a Compact? page 2

[sids911]

Thanks Navin, Kaushik and Samurai,

I am glad I devoted my day to understand everything you guys were saying (Boss certainly wont appreciate that!). And I hope I am learning.

The Kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm) that comes with 400D doesnt come with IS. So I am going to shell more for the lens and buy just the camera body now.

This lens (with IS )is costing 10,500 in India @ Nikon / Canon Digital SLR Lenses Pricelist , Latest Prices for Lenses for DSLR Cameras

Would I be able to get it for less elsewhere here in India?

Sighh....I wish 17-85mm IS was little cheaper!

[vivekiny2k]

@sids.. also keep in mind that unlike a point and shoot, a DSLR is find a subject/location/time/lighting/mood, select apropriate lens, select appropriate settings on camera, shoot, unmount lense and store them in airtight cases, take care of the camera body, come home and post process images.

only after that you will be ready to email them to the world.

not to mention continously hunt for good lenses etc unless you are super rich who can afford all lenses at once.

this coming from a P&S user who has resisted DSLRs for so long, and probably never buy one.

But you never know, if you love photography, you will love the rituals too.

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

unmount lense and store them in airtight cases,

Believe me,that's not at all required.Never have put my lenses in a airtight container.May be during rainy season it's required if you are not at all using the lenses/camera.

[iraghava]

Anyone have any idea what the Sony H-3 & H-5 cost in Delhi in the grey market?? A close friend wants to pick up one in a couple of days.

[mobike008]

Sids911, JJ Mehta are ridiculously expensive, stay away from them.

[sids911]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Sids911, JJ Mehta are ridiculously expensive, stay away from them.

So, whats the best place in Mumbai/Delhi to buy lens for a Good price?

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by sids911

So, whats the best place in Mumbai/Delhi to buy lens for a Good price?

Don't know about stores in Mumbai ( why not contact Navin?). In Bangalore, Rkphotoguide is supposed to be quite reasonable and also try ebay India, you do get some deals a whole lot better than JJ Mehta

[kaushik_s]

Try this,:: Camshot :: I found the price to be competitive, . But I've never shopped with them, as in Bangalore we have good service of RK photoguide and Photocircle.I won't say they have rock-bottom price but they are good.

[navin]

Originally Posted by sids911

Between S5 IS and 400D there is a difference of about 200 USD. And I seriously dont think its a huge difference.

Originally Posted by sids911

The Kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm) that comes with 400D doesnt come with IS. So I am going to shell more for the lens and buy just the camera body now.Sighh....I wish 17-85mm IS was little cheaper!

Originally Posted by mobike008

Don't know about stores in Mumbai ( why not contact Navin?).

1. As a camera even the Sony R1 (almost APS-C sized sensor) or maybe even the Prosumers like the Canon G9 (incidently I think the G6 was the best of that line) will produce excellent photos. Why I still use a 6.5 year old Canon G2 (with a 420EX) for prints to 6x8. So any DSLR is more camera - it is us photographers that are the weak link.

2. So expect a 350D or 400D with the 18-55 lens to allow more light and to be sharper and have less distortions (barrel/pincushion, CA etc..) than most good camera. besides in all SLRs the weak link of the digital photgraphy chain (read as CCD) has been much improved.

3. That said you will soon outgrow the 18-55 lens and after that it will only be an expensive paper weight. The 17-85 will last you longer. much longer.

4. Dont buy a lens or a body untill you can afford both. Bodies get upgraded and obsolete in 12-18 months. The 400D for example is barely 18 months old when Canon has upgraded it to the 450D. So Bodies devlaue faster than lenses. As far as lenses go "Canikon" esp Canon is making improvements with every generation to their lenses (for example the IS of the 70-200/4 is more effective than that of the 17-85 which is an older lens) now while lenses are not replaced so fast i wold expect canon to relase an improved version of the 17-85 sometime in late 2008 or early 2009. Nikon just relasesed a very good 16-85 VR lens a few weeks ago and Canon wont want to be outdone. Also remember 16mm on the Nikon is 24mm in FF while 17mm on the Canon is over 27mm in FF the difference (atleat to me) between 24mm and 28mm is considerable.

5. Funny my camera is coming from Bangalore courtesy a friend there. My niece who (is also a Canon Pro) says they get their stuff from Poona so it looks like Mumbai does not have the best prices.

6. Please study the offerings from Nikon, Oly, Pentax and Sony as well atleast to learn. For example I would think the Nikon D40 mated to their venerable 18-70 VR would make a competent and affordable combo.

[ponniah_ashok]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Do you really need a dSLR? You can't take videos, it will be bulky, you will have to change lenses and it will be expensive. Unless you have really moved past P&S, you shouldn't consider the dSLR.

Recently got a Sony cybershot T200.(8.1 MP, 5X Zoom, 100%touch screen and video option). Costed Rs.15000 in HK. Itz available in india for Rs.24000.Im using a 2GB memory stick.

Other:
Sony DSC DV46E
Manual 35 mm SLR Cosina.

[mail4ajo]

I borrowed a Tamron 70-300mm lens to use on my 350D for a few days. I get the Error 99 message on my screen quite a lot. I tried cleaning the lens and camera's golden connecters. I have heard of things sticking to them and causing miscommunication between the lens and the camera.

It works fine after I reboot the cam, but occurs again. Happens more in low light when the lens hunts for autofocus. Will this cause any damage to my cam? Any ideas?

[redrage]

May i know what telephoto lenses are best suited for bird photography ( zoom at its maximum, i.e capturing the eye of the bird) for a canon 400D/450D. Both normal lens and IS or L lens.

[abhibh]

Urgently need a camera and should not cost more than 6K. I know the budget is low but any suggestions. Just need a basic digital camera to take some basic pics will not be used by me though.

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

I borrowed a Tamron 70-300mm lens to use on my 350D for a few days. I get the Error 99 message on my screen quite a lot.

It works fine after I reboot the cam, but occurs again. Happens more in low light when the lens hunts for autofocus. Will this cause any damage to my cam? Any ideas?

Can you try with another Tamron 70-300mm,may be the lens itself have some problems. I've used and still use the lens with my 350D but I've never faced any problem.
BTW, Error 99 means that camera is not able to diagnose the error so it has just put up a generic error message.So the issue can be anything.And I think(seeing the condition of occurance) it shouldnot damage the camera as such unless you bang your head with it for not being able to click

May i know what telephoto lenses are best suited for bird photography ( zoom at its maximum, i.e capturing the eye of the bird) for a canon 400D/450D. Both normal lens and IS or L lens.

Though I've never into birding but seeing from few fellow photographer friends I can say that if you are ready to spend around 65-70k then go for 100-400mm L IS.But do try out the lens before you buy.Another good combination will be 70-200 2.8 IS with 1.4x or 2x teleconverter. Another lens is 50-500mm from sigma.BTW, all these lenses are pretty heavy and you need a good tripod.I tried shooting with 50-500mm and it was damn difficult to hold it and then to shoot without shaking.
Out of all the lenses mentioned the 70-200mm is the best optics followed by 100-400 and then 50-500mm. I wish I'll have enough money one day to buy one 70-200mm 2.8IS.
Also in primes you have options like 300 f2.8, 300 f4, 400 f5.6 etc etc.But be ready to spend more money on these beauties.
Regards,
Kaushik