Comments on: Which camera do you own?

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:07:36 +0000

I own an Olympus FE-26, 12 mega pixels, 3x optimal zoom, and it seems to have alot of gadgets on it I have not found yet. I also own a Kodak Easy Share CX7330, 3.1 mega pixels, 3x optical zoom. I change between the camera depending on what Im doing. If I want one for outdoors I use the Kodak (its older and I dont mind if it gets wet a bit). They both are Point and Shoot cameras. i am looking forward to one day owning an SR camera.
I love to take pictures, mostly of my 2and 1/2 year old son, but I do get caught up in moments like snowstorms or fireworks. I also love trying to take pictures of the waves crashing on the rocks, sunsets, sunrises, etc.

By: David

David — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:29:06 +0000

I like my Nikon D80 and have had it for almost two years. Although I currently use the kit lenses, and will purchase the 18-200 lens soon, all my family and friends are amazed at my photographs. I recently took one sunset with a streak of clouds through the picture and shot several pictures of it using different white balance settings and results were very dramatic. I posted these on my myspace account and got rave reviews. Thanks for the nice site — David

By: Paul Perano

Paul Perano — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:49:36 +0000

When I buy a new lens I always buy a basic UV Or SkyLight filter at the same time. This goes on to the new lens before it goes out of the shop.

With digital cameras and the likes of Photoshop, etc. the only other filter you should seriously condiser is a polarising filter. This filter reduces glare and make colours more saturated, very much the same as a pair of polarising sunglasses do for your eyes. It can also cut out a lot of reflection off glass and water. The polarising filters affect is one thing Photoshop can’t recreate – OK there is no doubt some people who will boast that they can do it. Just use the filter, its so much easier.

By: Shivanand Sharma

Shivanand Sharma — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:36:02 +0000

Congrats on your new purchase. You’d want to put a “UV” filter or a “Clear” filter at least. The intention is to protect your camera’s lens. Later as your photography gets refined you’ll know which filters you’d require. I’d strongly recommend you to suscribe to our blog via email or RSS to get the latest photography tips and techniques.

By: Karan

Karan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:05:34 +0000

I have a Nikon D3000, I just bought the camera, I was wondering if I should get filters for it. And any good texts to read about the techniques etc.
Thanks

By: Hirak Ghosh

Hirak Ghosh — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:57:58 +0000

Thank you both Mr. Shivanand Sharma & Mr. Matthew Matchura.But i really don’t understand what you want to mean by used equipment.I’m a new & on my way to learning so can’t understand,sorry sir.What do you say should i buy the D3000 or not?What if i buy that,use & get som experience & then go for a suitable lenses?I was prefering the zoom because i travel in forests & sanctuary a lot so want to capture the photos of animals that stay in a long distance.

By: Shivanand Sharma

Shivanand Sharma — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:58:38 +0000

Excellent suggestion by Matthew. (Phew, how could I forget that.) Since you are on a budget and learning, go for used equipment. Use it, abuse it and save for lenses. Soon you'll be at comfort with the equipment and the science. Later you can go for what ever you'll need at that stage. For zoom requirements, 15x is really too much to ask for. They are just to lure the users of consumer segment cameras. You certainly can go for a 15x zoom and I mention it here so we all know that it is possible. That would be the B003 15x zoom lens by Tamron for Nikon and Canon. However you may want to reconsider why you need that level of zoom at all. The price of this lens is on the higher side of $600 for new.

By: Matthew Matchura

Matthew Matchura — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:30:15 +0000

Hello Hirak. Just a thought, but have you looked at used equipment? You could probably get a deal on a higher end body that has some mileage on it. It might allow you save a little bit of money towards a really nice lens. Bodies in the DSLR world are transient at best. They are “obsolete” within a year of release. Lenses, on the other hand, tend to hold their value for a long time. I shoot Canon and have several “L” lenses that I have bought over the years. They are holding 95% of their value. The glass with travel with you through your years of photography practice. My bodies hold nowhere near the value, having lost about 50% of their purchase price in the few years I have owned them. Something you might be able to take advantage of on your student’s budget.

By: Hirak Ghosh

Hirak Ghosh — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:10:36 +0000

Mr. Shivanand Sharma,thank you so much for your valuable & kind comments.I’ve realised the difference between a Non-DSLR & a DSLR.Nikon is my personal favourite too.I’ve decided to buy Nikon’s D3000 DSLR,it suits my budget of Rs 30,000 (With Nikon D3000 Kit With AF-S DX 18-55mm VR f/3.5-5.6G).My first choice was Nikon D700 but as i’m still a student thats why can’t afford that large amount of money.I need an information.What is the price of a Nikon lens that have a suficient amount of zoom (Atleast 15x or higher)? If i’m wasting your valuable time then i’m sorry sir.I’m a photography enthusiast & using a DSLR is my long time dream.

By: Shivanand Sharma

Shivanand Sharma — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:00:45 +0000

Hirak: The point and shoots come with all the bells and whistles to impress the end-user with features. But DSLRs only pitch the professional photographic quality that you get in the results. Thus when considering DSLRs it is very important to couple them with good lenses (one reason why the pros choose to buy a DSLR and a non-kit lens). When you go for a zoom lens with a DSLR it will put the point and shoots to shame.

For that budget you can go for a basic DSLR (less features but still professional image quality). You’ll have to stick to the kit-lens. But wait a few months and you should be able to save more and buy a non-kit lens that suits your needs.

Canon vs Nikon has been an everlasting war and none of them is a clear winner. You need to see for yourself what you like. I don’t have much experience with Canons but I absolutely love my Nikons.

You can certainly upgrade to a compact digital camera with megazoom. But in the end they are still considered toys and in the long run (and may be only a few months down the line) you’ll see the need for a DSLR again. BTW – mega(zoom) is nothing more than a fancy feature. Get a DSLR and then save and get a zoom lens if you are into wild-life photography or similar.

By: peter kovak

peter kovak — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Well, Hirak, after experiencing the shooting with a DSLR I don’t think you’ll be ready to go back to a point and shoot. I upgraded to DSLR from what was supposed to be the best non-DSLR camera: Fuji s100 fs and I still bless the day when I’ve decided to do it. This morning UPS brought me my new Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and I was happy like a kid with his new toy (and I’m 50!).
I don’t know what is Rs 30,000 (how many $), but a good lens from the very beginning would help a lot. I mean something like the Nikkor 16-85 VR or Sony 16-105, which are excellent walk-around lenses with good zoom range. Don’t forget that when the zoom ratio is more than 3x, you begin to pay the price of image quality. There are lenses like Nikkor 18-200 VR or Sony 18-250 with good user reviews, but I, personally, wouldn’t buy them. I use the Sony 16-105 (sometimes with a 0.5x wide angle converter), the Minolta 50 f1.7, and now also the Sigma 70-200 (sometimes with a 1.4x teleconverter that I’ll buy soon). Think well, but, if you love photography, don’t remain at the level of P&S.
Good Luck !

By: Hirak Ghosh

Hirak Ghosh — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:16:03 +0000

Hi,i am using Nikon Coolpix L20 digital camera for the last 3 year,but want to upgrade to a DSLR.But i’m confused wheater to buy it or not because DSLR don’t have extra zoom.My budget is Rs 30,000.Please recommend fron Nikon Or Canon.My first preference is stuning image quality & second is a good optical zoom (atleast 10X or more)
Please say wheater i should buy a DSLR or upgrade to a compact digital camera with megazoom.

By: Sarah Adams

Sarah Adams — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:52:11 +0000

So far, I’m just a hobbyist, but have done a few small portrait jobs for friends and family. I have a Canon T1i with a 24-105mm L and a 50mm 1.8 (hoping to upgrade that to the 1.4 soon). So far I absolutely LOVE my 24-105 lens.

I participated in a photography workshop recently, and it made me wish I would have waited a little longer to upgrade my XTi to a 50D instead of the T1i. I’m curious about shooting in full frame. I got the T1i because of its video capabilities. I have a 1 year old, and I was missing the ease of catching little videos of her with my camera rather than the camcorder since my camera is ALWAYS out.

I am LOVING this website. The articles are wonderful, and are providing so much useful information for the level of photographer I am.

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:35:17 +0000

Like the Linda above, I upgraded to a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 from the FZ50. I love both cameras, but mostly use the 28 now. I shoot RAW and I haven’t found another superzoom that shoots RAW. I am a board member and instructor for a 850-member camera club and have convinced a lot of people that this is the camera to own if you don’t want to carry around the weight of a DSLR and several lenses.

By: Jim Donahue

Jim Donahue — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:03:10 +0000

I have a Nikon D300 with a Nikon 18-200 VRII Lens. I also have a 70-300 VR and a 50mm 1.8 Lens. Currently I am doing volunteer work with an Animal Services Organization, Publishing Fotos on local websites in Trying to get Dogs and Cats who have been dis-owned into new homes.

By: neil

neil — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:17 +0000

I use only Pentax cameras,Have have two film cameras in the past, I think they are the best keep serect in the photo industry.I have a K200 with a 18-250 DA lens.I;am looking to buy a super wide tele now, don’t know which one yet, 10-17 DA or 12-24 Da, any ideas?

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:29:18 +0000

I currently have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 (10.1M, 18x-zoom, shoots RAW). A great camera. I moved up to the 28 from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 (8.1M, 12x-zoom, also shoots RAW). I love these cameras.

By: David

David — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:17:00 +0000

This site has real possibilities as far the current quality of the articles are concerned.

By: David

David — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:02:53 +0000

My first camera’s were Canon’s, 35mm film each one with a lens attached that I carried in a backpack. Of the four I liked the F-1. They were all stolen and so I started working with and 8X10 Deardorff view camera which I used for more than 20 years along with a Rolliflex and eventually a Contax T1. I became disabled and could nolonger carry the view camera or st in my darkroom to develo film or prints. I finally bought a Sony DSC-S85 4.2mp and ventured into digital. I advanced to a 7mp and finally I purchased a 10.2mp Leica which I have settled on as my main camera along with the Contax T1 which I shoot slide film then digitize the slides. I have had many ups and downs but have found my Leica tripod mounted on a Manfrotto tripod with a Bogen head shooting RAW and producing 16 X 20 B & W prints to be a very satisfactory along with the Contax T1 rangefinder color 6 X 9 prints.

By: Sandra Lozes

Sandra Lozes — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:07:28 +0000

I just recently purchased the Canon SLR Rebel T1i. My husband is a photographer and has the Canon D30 and its great to be able to use his lenses. I am loving my first SLR! It makes a huge difference in the quality of my photos, and gives me a great range in taking the kinds of photos I am interested in. In regards to cam phones, the megapixel is not what makes decent pics. Love my blackberry cam. I had a samsung with 5 mp. But it took awful photos! thanks for the great articles!

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:15:45 +0000

When my old Minolta Dynax 7000i finally curled up its toes in late 2007 it signaled a good time to finally go digital. Having a number of Dynax lenses ranging from wide to 500mm and 100mm macro I was in a bit captive market.
One Sony Alpha 700 later … It seemed a bit silly to buy anything else and go either sideways from the 7000i or backwards.
As for buying Canon of Nikon – hey if anyone wants to donate $10,000-15,000 so i can rebuy all my lenses, I’ll happily do it ))
Since the change I have bought the Sony 11-18mm very wide zoom – lots of fun. Recently the new Sony 58 flash.
Still have a ‘mature’ Minolta SRT101 and a wee Mamiya 645. Both get wheeled out from time to to time to have some film fun – helps to keep me grounded.

By: Shivanand Sharma

Shivanand Sharma — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:08:02 +0000

You bring up some interesting point. The difference between the D300 and the D3 is the full-frame sensor (means more sensor surface to capture light) and thus results in some wonderful available light performance. Night lights look great and even at high ISO there is no visible noise. However D3 is really costly. A preferred alternative could have been D700. However other than this there is no difference in image quality and is just the low-light performance and the money that you have to shell out.

Congratulations on your new purchase. Do drop us a few lines once you have had some time to spend with it. And do not forget to share the photographs in our Flickr group.

By: Robert McNeil

Robert McNeil — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:59:28 +0000

Just upgraded to the Nikon D300 and only had it two days so i have not got to much to say about
it yet i went for the D300 because if i went to the D3 i would have to upgrade the lens as well
and by all reports there not a great difrence between the two cameras time will tell if i made
the right move

By: PCR

PCR — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:10:45 +0000

Looking at a Canon 500D, not sure what lenses I’ll find necessary until I get further advice on that one.

By: B. Vallejera

B. Vallejera — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:15:07 +0000

Hi!

i use Olympus E-520. Before buying my DSLR, i was aiming for 450D and D60. however, E-520’s built-in IS and its ultra-lightweight body made me change my mind. and it’s 2x crop factor gives me an extra edge when using telephoto lens.

By: Lees Summit Senior Portraits

Lees Summit Senior Portraits — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:33:55 +0000

Nikon D200, Nikon D300, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 28-100 f/3.5-5/6, Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 … those are the main lenses we use. Gear is used in a full-time portrait studio.

By: Nikon DSLR Camera User

Nikon DSLR Camera User — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:02:17 +0000

Got a used Nikon D80 with 18-55mm ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor lens. Really satisfied with its performance but much more to explore.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:56:11 +0000

Hi guys,
I was going to buy the Canon 450D, but when I looked at the SX10IS I chose to buy and use that camera. Its a great buy, super zoom options and photos. I have taken several shots of landscapes, macro shots, floral, tried to take night landscape photos but had a problem as most of the photos were dark and blurred. I was advised to buy an external flash either a speedlite 430 or if budget was a constraint then sunpak 40ex zoomable which would then solve the issue Any thoughts on this and also what settings could I use to get the max for night photos. Thanx.

By: david F

david F — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:56:09 +0000

Robert, Thanks for asking. I like the D3 and have become very used to it. I feel comfortable with its rugged build and think the extra weight helps to stabilize it against shutter vibrations (but have no data to prove this). From a strictly technical point of view, the most important feature to me by far is the lower noise level, allowing significantly higher ISO settings. I have obtained excellent images at 1200 and even 3200. ISO 6400 is noisy, but still remarkable in low light settings. Larger pixels leading to lower noise levels have to be the real benefit of full frame, at least for me. The disadvantage, if you’re into wildlife photography, is the need for longer focal length to fill the frame relative to DX. Much of my photography tends to be opportunistic – wildlife tends to present itself without much warning – requiring hand-held shots that would be difficult without the relatively higher ISO settings. Having said that, I appreciate the stability and flexibility of a tripod with a gimbal mount. If I ever get a 600mm lens, this will likely be the only approach I can realistically use. The D300 is an excellent camera, but I find myself keeping it as a back-up and may sacrifice its IR filter if I move into UV/IR work.

The 14-24 f2.8 is an amazing lens, very sharp and beautiful to handle. I am new to really wide angle lenses, but have had great fun with it. Other than my 200-400mm f/4, this is certainly my favorite. It will take me a while to learn how to exploit its full potential. The 24-70 f/2.8 is another excellent lens, but not quite as exciting as its wide angle brother!

By: Robert McNeil

Robert McNeil — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:53:25 +0000

david how does the d300 compare in perforamce to the d3 and what do you think of the 14-24 f2.8 lens