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New Camera

So Sanfam whaddya say?


My price range is in the 200-300 area and not a penny more.
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Comments

  • A2597A2597 Fanboy
    I just bought this: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120068[/url]

    Now, Sanfam will say go on e-bay and find a DSLR for ~200$, it will be something in the 6MP range, which ain't bad. But the real question is, what are you using it for?

    If it's just something for taking out with friends and casual family shots...maybe the occasional nature shot...just a general use point and shoot. Go ahead, get a thin Canon SD series, like this perhaps:
    [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120068[/url]

    if however you are more serious about it, yea. get a DSLR. a good Canon digital Rebel will do nicely. That said, I wanted the best of both worlds. finctionality of the DSLR, but more compact. :D thus the A640
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    I think ebay is outta the picture, I tend to distrust ebay even more these days.

    However I do like the cam, looks nifty.
    And that extra 1 gig sd card looks mighty enticing.
    Sanfam better come up with something good.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Uh, no...SB will say go on ebay and get a DSLR. I'd say go for a mid-range point-and-shoot from either Sony or Canon.
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    [url]http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Image-Stabilized-Zoom/dp/B000EMWBV0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7265426-9882452?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1173889342&sr=8-1[/url]


    The Canon S3-IS is supposed to be a very nice Point and Shoot, I know several people who own it who love it, its a LITTLE above your price range n Amazon ($324) but you may be able to find it for less, it's 6mp, 12x optical zoom, a nice Point and Shoot.

    Or if you wait 6 months, i'll sell you my Eos 20D for $500, when i get a 30D, lol
  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    Oh, I will keep the SLR question rolling though.

    We are going to need a digital SLR for shots for my wifes knitting web-site which will act as a portfolio for her work. I don't think we need, nor do we want to spend the money, on a brand new body. Does anyone have an suggestions concern good used values and maybe a good place to purchase?

    Also, this is going to sound like a stupid question, but are any of Canons bodies backward compatible to the old breech lock lens mounts like the FD and FL lenses?

    Jake
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    [QUOTE=Freejack;157682]

    Also, this is going to sound like a stupid question, but are any of Canons bodies backward compatible to the old breech lock lens mounts like the FD and FL lenses?

    Jake[/QUOTE]

    Nope, the last Canon to be able to use FD (or FL with adaptor) was the second generation F-1 which has been discontinued since the 90's. All EOS will only take EF lenses. This is one of the reasons I still mainly stick to film for serious work. I have an arsenal of high end FD lenses which I have no immediate intent of rebuying if EF type. Not to mention even the best EF pail in construction quality to the old FD's. I have a 35mm EOS Elan but its from the early EOS/autofocus years and gave up on them after having lots of mechanical problems with the lenses. They've improved a lot over the years but I still wonder if some of those lenses will work 40-50 years down the line like a lot of FD and Leica lenses I still have.
  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    Thanks, that is what I thought.

    I hear what your are saying about the build quality of the newer lenses verses the older ones. Fortunately I only have a couple for my AE-1, and neither of those were very expensive so it's not like I'd have to quit using whole bunch of expensive lenses if I pick up a DSLR.

    Jake
  • A2597A2597 Fanboy
    I have to disagree with Sanfam on Sony Digicams...
    Good lens, good photos...but crappy cameras that crap out on you...
    This has just been my experiance.
  • shadow boxershadow boxer The Finger Painter & Master Ranter
    yeah Sanfam is correct, go ebay, get a 350D. well worth the punt to get a good camera.

    Sony rock too if you go the happysnapper route

    The Canon EF lenses have improved markedly, the ultrasonic drive ones are great. Failing that, the first generation metal mount EFs are good when used in manual mode.

    I too have FD lenses and 3 AE-1 bodies, including a 100mm portrait lens, they are great bits of gear if you want to go chemical.
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    Anyhoo, I've seen little to no trouble with any recent mid-level Sony digicam. The only series they had fail on any scale was the T-series for a while, and that was fixed long ago. In fact, Canon has seen far more failures recently than Sony, mostly coming from the highly pocketable Elph line. But being as Sony offers a solid alternative, that's not really a problem.
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    An emergency may have come up. I'll let ya know.
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    [QUOTE=shadow boxer;157718]



    The Canon EF lenses have improved markedly, the ultrasonic drive ones are great. Failing that, the first generation metal mount EFs are good when used in manual mode.

    [/QUOTE]

    Back in the early EF days buying a non-ultrasonic model was a painful experience. They were so slow to focus it was faster to just use them in manual, although inconvenient because the focus ring was tiny and oddly placed as its merely designed as a backup. Not sure about newer ones. I've got a couple of newer ultrasonic EF lenses and they've worked fine but I rarely use the camera, never really liked it over my A-1's and original F-1's. My biggest problem has always been the cheapening of lens construction, older lenses hand aluminium and bronze construction and threading, new ones are mostly plastic. The plastic threads strip and the lens goes all out of alignment.

    I've been in the market for a digital EOS for years but its not really a priority so I've never gone through with it, when and if the price is right I'll get it. To be honest its actually a higher priority to get a hold of a well taken care of, used second generation F-1 before they become harder to get. That was the pinacle of Canon's all metal construction, mechanical SLR's. The end of a great generation.
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    My biggest problem with the EOS line, is the focus screen, I hate the flat focus screen, and in the newer models, you cant change screens (supposedly until the 20D you could buy an aftermarket focusing screen), the best camera i remember owning, was a Canon T70 that i had in the 80's, with a wonderful split prisim focusing screen, whcih made manual focus a breeze, for some reason with my Eos 20D, i have a huge problem in manual focus mode with things ending up slightly soft, its a huge problem wheni use my 2x teleconverter, because my 100-300 will not autofocus while i sue the teleconverter. the EF lenses i have are a couple years old, and a bit slow to focus sometimes, the 55mm F1.8 is the fastest, while the 18-55 and the 100-300 are slowest. But at the moment, i'm just too cheap to buy a good new lens. especially when i want to upgrade to a 30D this summer, and sell my 20D body.

    If anyone is interested in my old 20D body when i'm ready to get rid of it, i'll give first dibs to folks here.
  • HuntSmackerHuntSmacker Firstones Ambassador to Starcraftia
    I need a new camera, but looking for something in or under the £100 price range. Just something that offers a bit of everything. No need for loads of memory, as I have a laptop I can use on the move for that. Can use eBay I guess, always seem to find some good deals there.
  • E.TE.T Quote-o-matic
    [QUOTE=A2597;157676]That said, I wanted the best of both worlds. finctionality of the DSLR, but more compact. :D thus the A640[/QUOTE]Don't try to mislead, pocket menu surfers are contrary to functionality.



    [QUOTE=HuntSmacker;157778]I need a new camera, but looking for something in or under the £100 price range. Just something that offers a bit of everything.[/QUOTE]You might want to look for cameras listed under Entry-Level in [url=http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html]here[/url]
  • A2597A2597 Fanboy
    Having used both DSLR's (D-Rebel XTi) and the A630 in store (Same as A640, only 8MP) I can honestly say that with the exception of the camera manual focus (Which on a DSLR is on the lens) that the A640 will be easier for me to use.
    Maybe it's just me...but found the menu insanely easy and intuitive. :D
  • Yes! The Canon S3-IS is a great easy to use camera that still has some amazing features. Even the S2-IS is good.

    I have an S1-IS I use when I'm ski touring and want something lighter that will fit in my pack in case there are one of those "can't miss" moments. These cameras have great zooms, good glass, and can even take 30fps 640:480 video. Plus there is a pathetic "manual focus" feature and control over exposure and fstop.

    Otherwise for action ski and model photography I use a Digital Rebel with a large group of lenses, a battery pack, and speedlight flashes. However, that is out of your range ~ but still fun.
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    I wonder how well the new digital Rebel's compare to the upper end EOS models. Its probably long forgotten now but during the Rebel's introduction in the film only era the rebel was well known to be utter junk and cheap for the better part of its first decade in existance. Lacking lots of features and downright shoddy construction.
  • shadow boxershadow boxer The Finger Painter & Master Ranter
    [QUOTE=Entil'Zha;157775]

    If anyone is interested in my old 20D body when i'm ready to get rid of it, i'll give first dibs to folks here.[/QUOTE]

    DIBS !
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    Alrighty then, i'll let you know when i'm ready to part with it.
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    [QUOTE=Vorlons in my Head;157801]I wonder how well the new digital Rebel's compare to the upper end EOS models. Its probably long forgotten now but during the Rebel's introduction in the film only era the rebel was well known to be utter junk and cheap for the better part of its first decade in existance. Lacking lots of features and downright shoddy construction.[/QUOTE]

    Many of my professional photographer friends continue to call them utter junk, but people seem to like them, i think part of it is the thrill of getting a decent priced DSLR at Wal-Mart.
  • Hi guys!!!

    Checking in

    Long time no post.....:(

    I picked up a DSLR off of eBay (Olympus E300 8MP) for $325US including lens and storage card.

    It works beautifully!!!

    Sample pic taken last weekend in Key West

    [IMG]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o3/zocalohobo/P3100654.jpg[/IMG]
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    I exercise my administrative powers by superseding SB's call of "Dibs." Common law indicates that I have jurisdiction here. Mine! :p

    [QUOTE=Entil'Zha;157817]Many of my professional photographer friends continue to call them utter junk, but people seem to like them, i think part of it is the thrill of getting a decent priced DSLR at Wal-Mart.[/QUOTE]

    Part of it is the bargain pricing, but the flexibility of an SLR is light years beyond that of a traditional fixed-lens consumer digital camera. For folks (such as myself) "stuck" with an older model camera, the price point represents a comfortable medium for decent quality equipment to start out with on the path to proper SLR-dom. Though having held the 300/350/400D for a while now, I think I'd actually regret the purchase and agree with the remarks made by other members here in a previous thread, the "feel" of construction quality is significantly lower on the Digital Rebels than it is on the next step (and higher) EOS products.

    I just wish I had the fundage to fiddle around some more. I keep on putting off my upgrade every other month...
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    Well i keep saying "I only have to sell about 50 photos over the course of the summer to pay for the camera" then I fail to sell any at all cause i'm too busy with my real job, Oops... lol
  • While the Rebel does “feel” lesser than high end Canons and some Nikons I would argue profusely with anyone who says a quality photographer couldn’t use it to take a great photograph.

    I have found that most photographers are “tool nerds” in other words they are willing to pay absurd amounts of money for the latest and greatest. These types believe that just because it costs a lot more and has one or two more features it’s worth twice the price because most people will be excluded from purchasing such cameras. It’s an “elitist” thing. The Rebel is perfect for 99% of photographers out there who want a D-SLR. I’m willing to bet $100 most of the “pro” users out there don’t even get off of full auto all that often.

    With my Rebel I can say that I’ve paid for my camera (and accessories) by using my camera. To get a real pro camera (A Hasselblad) I’d have to get a business loan.

    Save the $$$ and get a good set of flashes, lenses, and filters.
  • Entil'ZhaEntil'Zha I see famous people
    my thinking is, if you are going to spend that kind of money on a camera, spend the extra and get the better model, Its the Same with cars, or computers, sure you CAN skimp and save a little money by getting the lower model, but you usually end up paying for it later.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    The problem with that approach is that you can always spend "just a little bit more" to get something better. It never ends until you get to the very best model, which is worth the sort of sum you're not supposed to ask about. :p
  • E.TE.T Quote-o-matic
    [QUOTE=Konrad;157960]I’m willing to bet $100 most of the “pro” users out there don’t even get off of full auto all that often.[/QUOTE]Now do you want address where to send it?
    From serious photography hobbyers I know most use full auto hardly ever. (aperture priority is general mode and shutter priority for action)
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    [QUOTE=Konrad;157960]Stuff[/QUOTE]


    That's more or less my take on it. Don't take my stance against the Rebel as points against it. You're dead on in that it's not the equipment, but the mind behind the lens that is responsible for quality. A good photographer can get great shots out of a simple point-and-shoot simply through a proper understanding of composition techniques, lighting, etc. A higher-end body can shoot faster, at a higher resolution, and with less noise, but the quality of a well-composed shot is readily apparent.
  • Vorlons in my HeadVorlons in my Head The Vorlons told me to.
    Don't get me wrong. A true photographer needs no auto functions. Many of the best use fully manual camera's. All the advanced features come in nice if you have the knowledge of how to take advantage of them, in which case you probably want a camera that has them. To me all sorts of advanced functions serve little use unless its something I specifically need such as high speed capture for action etc. Optics however are a different thing. If you buy junk lenses it can make all the difference. Usually about 75% of my wish list on a camera is durability. A camera is sort of like a piece of fine functional jewelry. My personal newest (not counting the digital point and shoot) real camera is a ~1979 Canon A-1. I'm a little skeptical if an EOS rebel (or higher end EOS for that matter) would still work fine in 10-15 years.
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