cameras

[blueraven95]

So I've finally come to the conclusion that it is time to make the big switch from film to digital. I'm kind of in the middle of a major mourning process. I love, love, LOVE film - its tactile nature, its look, its feel. But the development process is tedious and the who thing is just getting too expensive. And I hate it. But I've also realized that this means that I still have film to develop from two years ago and that I haven't seriously picked up a camera in about 4-5 months (granted other things have been going on, but still).

So, my question is, what should I know about digital? What camera should I look into - keeping in mind that I am reluctant, that I still want to be able to eventually manage many of the tricks a film camera can manage, and that I'm not rolling in money. What books/websites/etc are we recommending these days? Etc? Etc? I need the ten cent tour!

Thanks everyone! :hi:

[DS1]

1. if you have an SLR, get a digital body for the lenses you have

that's how I made the switch.

[blueraven95]

2. not at all a bad idea!

Thanks!

[regnaD kciN]

13. Far be it for me to join the Canon-ite cult...

;-)

...but, since you've already got a film Rebel, it would seem to make sense to go with the Digital equivalent, with an eye to eventually moving up to the 40D (or even the 5D) or its successor some day.

Just remember that, with the crop factor (which I believe is 1.6 for Canon), all of your current lenses will automatically become longer. That's nice on the telephoto end, but you'll probably need to get a wide angle zoom that starts at 10-12mm, since any wide lenses you may now have will effectively become a lot closer to "normal" focal length.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Here's a good website

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

You're about 2-3 years too late for the optimum transition it sounds as if you would like to do. The Olympus Camedia line has been discontinued in favor of (1) tiny boxy point and shoot cameras and (2) DSLR cameras. The former doesn't have the range of features you want, and the latter is still pretty expensive. You probably want to look at cameras tagged "prosumer."

After a quick look, you may want to look at the Olympus SP line - it looks like it may be a replacement for the Camedia line.

[blueraven95]

4. thanks!

yeah, I know I'm late...I was kind of a hold out. (grrr) I like digital...but often I feel like it doesn't convey a mood as well - it's a personal bias. Truthfully, I've outright resisted learning much of anything about digital, because I hated it's dominance. It's immature, I know, but there you go. I guess I'm a little afraid of it because there isn't the same tangible product that you get with a strip of film.

I know I said I'm on a budget, which is definitely true, but I will absolutely be getting a DSLR, whatever brand I end up going with. It's about finding the bargain at this point, I think.

[Ms. Toad]

5. If you're going for a DSLR

I think you're still ahead of the game. They are still far to costly for the value, IMHO. In a few years I think there will be very high quality DSLRs available for a much more reasonable price.

Good Luck - Steve's digicam is still the most comprehensive review site I've found. I bought both of my Olympus cameras based in large part on the information from that website. I found it to be extremely accurate and helpful.

[alfredo]

6. Study the subject to death. I am a Canon fan, but I know other companies

make excellent cameras. If they make fine film cameras, they tend to make fine digital.

Of course if you are part of the investment class:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leicam8/

[CC]

7. I would of sent you to Steve digicam too.

As for buying, check pawn shop. The ones here tend to get in the old models when a brand new model is released. It is easy to check a DSLR to make sure it is working. It might be an inexpensive way to see if you can learn to love digital photography. You can always upgrade later it you like it.

An example, I know a kid that got a Canon Rebel digital and a Rebel film camera with 3 lenses for $450. when just a Rebel S was going for $999.00. His mom took the film camera when he quit using it at all.

[ET Awful]

8. Hint: Once you've done your reasearch at places like

dpreviews.com and steves (which was already mentioned), check www.keh.com for used cameras. Their ratings are VERY strict, a "BGN" (their lowest rating) lens or body from them will almost never be worse than an "EXCELLENT" rated lens or body from somewhere else.

I've purchased several "BGN" rated items from them with excellent results and at excellent prices.

[Ms. Toad]

9. I'll have to remember that site

I have needed to purchase two Olympus cameras once they were no longer sold by the manufacturer. Thanks!

[blueraven95]

10. thanks!

any reputable, inexpensive site is very much appreciated! :)

[NV Whino]

11. Heaven help me.

I just bought a(nother) camera. Thanks, I think, ET.

I'd been looking for a small point and shoot that uses the same kind of flash card as my D100 to keep in the car. Found one for 41 bucks.

[regnaD kciN]

15. The problem with used DSLRs...

...is that you have no idea how many shutter actuations the body has, and therefore how close to an expensive repair it might be.

For example, a short time ago, the used market was flooded with older high-end Canon and Nikon DSLRs for dirt-cheap prices. The catch was that these were coming from commercial photographers, studios, magazines, etc., and were being dumped because they had taken enough shots that it was only a matter of time before the shutter needed replacement, which is not cheap. I suspect a lot of people found out that their "steal" wasn't such a great deal after all.

This probably wouldn't be as much of a problem with a consumer camera like the Digital Rebel or the Nikon D50, but it's worth keeping in mind.

[DrDan]

12. well the most frustrating thing I found with my first few digitals

was the lag in capturing the picture. It drove me crazy and made any kind of action shot impossible.

I now have a Nikon D-70 and find that I use about 10% of the features available. But, I sure like it . . .

[regnaD kciN]

14. Of course, DSLRs don't have shutter lag...

...at least, unless they're really poorly-designed.

[blueraven95]

16. that is one of this bigger draws for DSLRS

the shutter lag problem was one of the early turn-offs with digital for me.

[F.Gordon]

17. 4-5 months ???!!!!!

:wtf:

Young lady, if I lived closer I'd drag your butt out and we'd go take a few snaps. :P Even in my 'darkest moments' when I'm swimming the Lake of Shit I still manage to pop up for air and take a few pics.

Camera? You know I'm a Canon Whore. I'd recommend the Canon XTI. You can get a new one now with a 'kit' lens for less than $600.

Notes: Any camera can be a 'good' camera. You just need to learn how to use it. And... don't get hungup on megapixels. IMO it's a deceptive marketing technique that Camera companies use ... especially to convince people that they need a new camera.

Books? What kinda' learnin' do you want to do? Technical? Composition? Foto Chopping? Zen?

You can replicate the look and feel of film with digital. You'll just need to invest in some software things.

Regardless. I was just passing through and saw your post. Just glad to see ya' sending words over the internet tubes. Hope things are getting better for ya'.
:hug:

:hi:

[blueraven95]

18. I would totally be out there with you -

if we were closer! :hi:

I'm kind of a Canon Whore too, so I will almost definitely go in that direction.

Books: Zen. Photography Zen. Wouldn't that be nice :rofl: I guess I need a good, in-depth analysis of what is possible with digital...it really is terrible, but I've done everything I can to stay mostly away from it, so I'm kind of feeling like a total newbie.


Things are getting (cautiously) better. :hug:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

19. the only thing I really like about digital is it is more environmentally friendly