[Closed] Cameras

Do any of you know if the lenses and flash from my old EOS 650 are compatible with a digital body?

Pretty sure it will, it's only FD lenses that aren't I think.

Denis99 - really lime some of your action pics. If you can afford to kep both M4/3 is great IMO for when you can't be arsed lugging loads of gear around. The GF1 with 20mm lens is a great little combo and very capable.

Cheers Grumm

GF1 with the 20mm lens does look tempting - will keep my current gear for the next 3 months just to make sure that I won't have any regrets if I decide to change etc.

could be tempted with just a 5D2 and a 35mm lens though - but that would be the extent of it.

My nifty 50 spends a lot of time on the front of my 5DII - I do like the simplicity.

Do any of you know if the lenses and flash from my old EOS 650 are compatible with a digital body?

Be very careful with the flashes - [i]some[/i] older ones can damage modern cameras. As for lenses, I had a sigma that worked fine on my EOS300, but refused to cooperate with my 450D or 5DII. Sold on Ebay in the end.

I had a sigma that worked fine on my EOS300, but refused to cooperate with my 450D or 5DII.

Really really tempted by the 5d mark 1 route, but I think what's stopping me is the fact that I'm a point and shooter at best, and I would miss having a built in flash for taking impromptu shots of my little lad. Still want to stick with DSLR though as I enjoy the tinkering!

I'm back at the 550d as the best all round v. cost solution... 🙁

You do get way way better flash pictures with a tilt and swivel flash unit though. Way better.

and I would miss having a built in flash for taking impromptu shots of my little lad.

Yes, I miss this with my 5DII over my 450D. When I'm not taking non-award winning shots of landscapes and things ( 😉 ), a bit of fill-in to light up a face under a wide-brimmed hat (quite an issue here in Oz) is a bit irritating. Such shots are hardly worth faffing with an external flash though.

Ok I need help from you camera-types. I'm doing a load of reading and my mind is just full of information, so I'm none the wiser. Currently the 550D is top of my list but it has been suggested that I will get better stills out of something like a used 50D. Afaics the 550D doesn't have very fast AF or burst mode, not sure how much of a problem this would be.. I wouldn't mind getting into doing some mtb action stills but I'm usually quite good at getting the timing right and I suppose prefocussing isn't hard.

My priority is stills but I wouldn't mind being able to shoot video as well. However if having the 550D means heavily compromosing on stills quality then I'd rather go with something else. The 60D is also on my list but for the price difference I could probably buy a nice 2nd hand lens for a cheaper body.

[url= http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Compare/Compare-sensors/(appareil1)/272%7C0/(appareil2)/645%7C0/(appareil3)/663%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Canon/(brand2)/Canon/(brand3)/Canon ]DXO is handy for comparing cameras...[/url]
Looks like there's nothing between the 50d, 550D and 60D in terms of image quality.

Devils advocate:

-do you have canon lenses?
-do you need the power/bulk of a full SLR?
-would it be useful to you if the camera was weather resistant?

All these except 1 were taken on a Panasonic GF1:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=35279081

I have a nice old canon FD 50mm (would need an adaptor) and can borrow a Tamron 17-50 EOS VS from work if I want to. Weather resistanace isn't a huge problem I suppose.

Have been lusting after a GF-1 for ages but I read some things on here saying it's not great for action bike shots as it's quite slow? I don't really *need* the power and bulk of a dslr as it's just for personal use, but think that I may be disappointed if I don't have all the good dslr features available. Lack of a proper viewfinder does put me off a bit as well.

Oh and can you use remote off-camera flashes with the GF1? I've never really used them so I don't know where to start.

Have been lusting after a GF-1 for ages but I read some things on here saying it's not great for action bike shots as it's quite slow?

Not saying the GF1 is for you.. but that thread shows what is possible with a body that can now be had for 199 £.

Spending less on the body means you can invest in some serious glass

Have you though about the Pentax K-r.. beats those Canons in the DXO (if that bothers you).. will probably be cheaper and it'll do 6FPS

I thought these m43 shots were also pretty impressive

taken with

Voigtlander Heliar 15/4.5 on the E-P2

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&message=37778382

I'm getting closer to SWMBO buying me the 550d and have been scouting around on the 'bay for prices and deals.

Have come across Digital-rev as a seller and the prices seem good... very good in fact! Anyone got any experience of them on here? Feedback seems good and a quick google looks ok...

Hong Kong based aren't they?
[url= http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat1.html ]UK Based price comparison here...[/url]

Shame it'll be obsolete in 18 months. At least it looks obsolete to start with I guess...

Some pics from the soon to be released but soon to be obsolete camera 🙂

Granted its not everyones cup of tea. It is very niche. But whats the alternative. A Leica at 8x the price?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotois/sets/72157626059913905

http://www.43rumors.com/new-fuji-x100-patch-to-open-raw-files-more-news/

But whats the alternative. A Leica at 8x the price?

However if having the 550D means heavily compromosing on stills quality

Do you realise that all these quibbles over image quality are extremely subtle and are insignificant in all practical terms?

Nex 5 at 1/2 the price? And when you throw away the body in a couple of years you'll still have the lens(es).

The x100 not aimed at the same users as the NEX.

This thread sums up what the X100 is about in places. In other places people try to compare it to massive SLRs which is quite funny.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=37837944&page=1

OVF with more coverage than the frame - and focus confirmation that no m4/3 can touch
EVF of the highest quality when needed
Essentially silent operation (leaf shutter) - a big complaint of street shooters for both M4/3 and NEX with loud shutter noise
Better high ISO than m4/3
Excellent build quality

x100 sensor size appears to be very similar to NEX. Its the controls, size, EVF/OVF , silent operation that are going to make this thing attractive to some people. As well as the metal construction and retro look. Closest cheap setup is probably a m4/3 like the PEN series with the optional viewfinder accessory and the 20mm lens.

Lens is also F2 faster than any native NEX lens IIRC.

The lens will also be optimised for that body and nothing else as it is fixed. To have the dual viewfinder in a body that size with manual controls and an APS-C sensor is pretty awesome I think.

I read the first part of that thread. They all flame the guy for saying that it compares to his m4/3 Oly.. but they mostly fail to see what he means - that he thinks his Zuiko lenses are sufficiently sharp wide open that he can use a lower ISO to get the same quality as the Fuji becuase the Fuji would have to stop way down or have blurry images.

No idea if he's right or not mind 🙂

Yes do keep reading.. its funny in places some people realize the Fuji was never built to compete with the fattest SLR with a beastly lense.

Do you realise that all these quibbles over image quality are extremely subtle and are insignificant in all practical terms?

After having a good think about it and realising how nitpicky a lot of reviews are I did come to this conclusion! Thinking I will probably still got with a used 40D though, I'll be able to get it for about half the price of a 550D body and probably with better lenses. I went and had a feel of the 550D and it felt tiny and toy-like after using a 7D for so long - I think the 40D is a similar size to this so should be ok. And the low-light performance is great, I've seen 3200 iso images from it looking excellent.

I like small.

The lens will also be optimised for that body and nothing else as it is fixed. To have the dual viewfinder in a body that size with manual controls and an APS-C sensor is pretty awesome I think.

If it had an interchangeable lens system then I'd quite possibly buy one. Well, no I wouldn't, I'd wait for the full frame version.

I do like the form factor though. A lot.

Do you realise that all these quibbles over image quality are extremely subtle and are insignificant in all practical terms?

Ah this is what I also meant to say about the x100 vs NEX debate that has cropped up.

Forget IQ battles. The Fuji is just a different beast to most other things and if its better IQ great, if not its not a deal breaker. Its features will make it a streetshooters dream - as long as the IQ isnt pants.

Sure, awesome, for a couple of years. Then it'll be an old piece of junk.

Depends how long your keep your gear. Depends if someone makes something better and [b]similar[/b] you can afford. Depends if youve even maxed out the cameras potential.

Some people could have a Pentax K-5 or Canon 5D/7D or whatever. A pro would get better shots with a cheaper camera.

Depends how long your keep your gear

The amount I've got invested in 4/3 and the likely lifetime of the system - a long time!

Forget IQ battles. The Fuji is just a different beast to most other things and if its better IQ great, if not its not a deal breaker. Its features will make it a streetshooters dream - as long as the IQ isnt pants.

A hands on impression [url= http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/hands-on-with-x100_topic73373.html?KW=x100 ]here...[/url]

I can't see how it has any features that make it a [i] streetshooters dream[/i]. But as a piece of fashion jewelry it is lovely.

Depends how long your keep your gear.

Lenses however, keep their value. Not in this case.

Ye Ive got m43.. dont get me wrong I think its a great system.

I have little interest in zooms. Im interested in wide angle and street shooting. Yes I do own the 20mm Pana and its nice. This Fuji looks nice to me too though.

Dont do "birding" do I don't need a zoom. Only quibble with the Fuji would be when I would want to go wider.

I like small.

"In theory" I do as well (hence why I was considering the m4/3 cameras) but in practice having something bigger to hold onto (ooer :P) feels nicer to me. Just takes up a bit more room in the bag and weighs more so not quite as convenient for me!

My 2p's worth would echo an earlier comment - look at an older pro body for £ and decent glass for ££. For the price of the 550D kit you could get a nice, relatively fast zoom or good prime plus a couple of generations old pro body / one generation old 'prosumer' body (ie, d200).

My favourite combo at the moment is a venerable D1x with 30mm f2D...

Cameras are just computers. Would you really suggest getting a 'pro' 5 year old computer over a new mid-range one? The new computer will wipe the floor with the old one.

Same with cameras. Just look at the sensor stats.

The only plus of an old pro camera is that it comes in a nice wrapper.

An amazing sensor not going to be the best use of money without the glass to back it up.

Cheaper body + more expensive glass. Means you are fully realising the potential of that body/sensor.

Not really true though is it.

ISO performance increases with each generation.

Where you might need an f2.8 with the 'old' body an f4 might be fine for the 'new' one. A good f4 lens costs a lot less than a good f2.8 lens (lighter too). Or you can 'afford' to stop down your less-good lenses to sharpen them up.

Dynamic range increases with each generation. A better lens doesn't help here.

If a generation old body is [b]much[/b] cheaper than the new one then maybe you can buy one better lens. Maybe that's enough to offset (or more than offset) the advantages of the new body, but all your other lenses will still be at a relative disadvantage.

Bodies are cheap and you only need one. Lens are expensive and you need lots.

Skimping on the body makes little sense to me unless you just want one specialist lens.

in practice having something bigger to hold onto (ooer :P) feels nicer to me

I've only wished for something larger when using my 300mm big boy. I reckon a battery grip would help with that.

I think when you're buying a 550D kit (or similar) the bulk of what you're paying is going on the body rather than the lens. Admittedly if we're talking 'prosumer' ie. D300 then the advances made are huge esp. when talking about high ISOs etc.

However, if you're on a budget then a couple of hundred on an older pro body and a couple of hundred on a lens, over a newer lower-end kit is IMO going to be a better bet (ie. Canon 450/500D's are approx £400 on ebay, I could get a decent lens and D1X / 1D MkII etc etc for that). If you've got more to spend then you'd better going for something more modern (ie. I can get a D300 for £600, I'd rather have that than a D2X)...

I just think at the bottom end of the market you get more for your buck and a better lens means than you're not throwing money away with the ever-ongoing pixel-peeping race (back in the early 2000's you could have splashed 10K on a Kodak DCS 620, it was worth about £300 by 2004). 10K spent on Nikon primes and decent zooms would probably be worth not far off what you paid (more if you picked something 'special')

Cameras are just computers. Would you really suggest getting a 'pro' 5 year old computer over a new mid-range one? The new computer will wipe the floor with the old one.

Same with cameras. Just look at the sensor stats.

[url= http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Compare/Compare-sensors/(appareil1)/203%7C0/(appareil2)/664%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon ]D200 vs the newer D3100[/url]

Mmmmmmm..... look very similar to me.

Have a look at the dynamic range tab.

Then...

Have a look on ebay. The old one is £380. The new one can be had for £389.

I can't see a £9 saving buying a great lens upgrade.

A better comparison is the [url= http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera-Sensor/Compare/Compare-sensors/(appareil1)/203%7C0/(appareil2)/680%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon ]D7000[/url].

£849, so £469 more than the old banger. Enough for a mid-range lens. But look at the spec difference. Dynamic range in particular.

£849, so £469 more than the old banger. Enough for a mid-range lens. But look at the spec difference. Dynamic range in particular.

I know I'd have a lot more fun with £400+ worth of lens on a £400 body - some of the best pics I've taken were with an old Canon 20D and L glass. Unless you're printing BIG you'd be hard pressed to tell the differences between photos taken with my older Nikon bodies and my friend's latest D90...

(that said, I still maintain you're hard pressed to better the results of well processed MF film; I've got some fantastic pics taken with my old Hasselblad. Just no time or money for appropriate amounts of processing any more)

I can't argue with fun 😉

**** me I'm confused. Just bought a Fuji HS10 Bridge to take shots of nipper, plus sailing plus MTB type shots but I miss most of the smiles etc due to the slow speed of it. Realisticly I want 3fps+ So, thinking I'll return it and get something with a little more poke. Looking at a Nikon D5000 (I think) which I can pick up second hand with a 18-55mm Nikon lens on it for £399. Is this a winner?

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78032/show.html

Please be nice, I'm simple when it comes to cameras. I appreciate I won't use all the functions of a full SLR, but I want one. I'm sick of compacts, they really just don't cut it most of the time (for me) I'll be adding a longer (roughly 300mm) lens shortly as well to get the boat shots sorted.

Not a huge difference (on paper at least). The D5000 has the edge, but as you're [i]simple when it comes to cameras[/i] I doubt you'll notice the difference. New with warranty etc has to be the better bet?

EDIT: [url= http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod1015.html ]Looks like you can get the D500 body for £399...[/url]. Might be worth looking on ebay to see how much a used kit lens is if you fancy the D5000.

However, if you're on a budget then a couple of hundred on an older pro body and a couple of hundred on a lens, over a newer lower-end kit is IMO going to be a better bet

Hence why I'm considering a used 40D w/nice lenses over a new 550D w/cheaper lenses 🙂

For cheap DSLR you could do a lot worse than this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-OLYMPUS-E620-DIGITAL-SLR-CAMERA-%2014-42mm-LENS-KIT-_W0QQitemZ300484289562QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=215338833335&rvr_id=215338833335&cguid=d36d2a731270a0aad2853305ff27f6a3

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-OLYMPUS-E620-SLR-CAMERA-2-LENS-KIT~14-42mm~40-150mm_W0QQitemZ300483510300QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=215343900454&rvr_id=215343900454&cguid=d36d2a731270a0aad2853305ff27f6a3#ht_14373wt_1108

Holy cow, actually I had no idea they were that cheap still! Amazingly good VFM I reckon... The Oly lenses are better value for money than any other inexpensive new lenses afaik.

Ta, I always forget about Olympus!

Earlier in the thread I said IA had inspired me to do some flashing.

Well... the Sony F58AM comes in at £300+ so that was out. So I picked up the very similar (mint, boxed) Minolta 5400HS for £40. The only problem being that although the Minolta flash fits my Sony body it speaks an older protocol so doesn't actually work (other than in manual). Hence the price.

So... [url= http://www.voitzsch.net/index.php/en/flashconv-a-minolta-flash-converter ]I bought a Minolta/Sony translation board [/url] for £29.

Half an hour of flash dismantling and soldering later (without tazering myself) I now have a flash with a 54m guide number, TTL & HSS and bounce... it'll do wireless TTL too. 🙂

My stepdaughter is thinking about doing photography gcse next year. The tutor has said that the canon 550 is at the top of a very short list. We've seen it for about £600. Does anyone on here know if there is a slightly cheaper option. Failing that anywhere got any good deals on? One other thing what is the camera equivalent of the stw forum I can look at?

The tutor has said that the canon 550 is at the top of a very short list.

The tutor has said that the canon 550 is at the top of a very short list.

What, no film cams?

Not a proper photography teacher then.

(Opens another can)

Crisp, anyone?

andygreener

might want to broaden the search

worth a look at the various Olympus deals in this thread and the internet some bargains to be had

E620 deal as above... a while ago that dual lens deal was 400 squid -insane deal

E-P1 body is going for 199 kit is under 250 I think

The Pentax K-x is being sold off too now at a decent price. If you google you find a lot of reviews basically saying this is the entry DSLR to beat. You need to decide (or your daughter) what lens system you want to invest in. Pentax make good prime lenses but they might not be the best idea for zooms.

After receiving numerous distinctions in the European press during the past year, PENTAX is pleased to announce that the Digital SLR has been voted ‘Best Entry-level DSLR of the Year 2010’ by TIPA (Technical Image Press Association).

http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/news/1292/news.html

Olympus as molgrips said - cant really go wrong with them. Probably offer the best value products.

Proper student cam:

[img] [/img]

film, hahahahahahajahahahahahaha, bad troll 🙄

What, for actually learning photography rather than computer operating?

Film rawks.

One other thing what is the camera equivalent of the stw forum I can look at?

www.talkphotography.co.uk

You could get a second hand 450D or similar with kit lens for a fair bit cheaper which would be fine - or a s/h 40D which is a bit old now but still quite a nice camera.

What, for actually learning photography rather than computer operating?

YES!

Might as well train computer programmers with punched cards 🙂

My daughter just bought a Canon 550D and must say i'm very impressed, got a good deal in Comets witha code that gave 7% off and even rang to say when it could be collected (hour after I ordered online)

Very easy to use, plenty of direct buttons for functions, great screen and image quality to match. Really like the auto ISO feature that lets you set a limit that the camera will go up to and the quick control button that gives access to oft used settings.

Seems they have got it about right with this one and should think anyone would be happy with it

60D ordered 😉

In the end I decided I'll have it for a good 6 years+ so it was worth getting a fresh model. Shiny lenses to follow...

I'm still in a camera based sulk because my Canon 17-85 lens needs a service, haven't taken any pictures in AGES - I need to get the camera back out this weekend I think.

I read this today:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

And this:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/lens-sharpness.htm

Good old Ken, amusing enough most of the time, but some of his advice is shockingly bad

Transapp - I bought a D5000 a couple of years ago - great bit of kit. Really nice to use compared to compacts - SOOO fast. The swivelly screen is actually really useful - you can get away with "shooting from the hip" for candid stuff or for all those annoying places that say "no photos". It's also useful for tripody stuff as you don't have to get a crick in your neck bending over. As I've used it more, there are one or two irritations that a more upmarket body could deal with, but [u]really[/u] not worth the cost of upgrading.

I gave in and bought a secondhand 18-200 lens, which is a good allrounder for travel etc - suffers from distortion a bit, but easily correctable. So my 18-55 kit lens is going begging if you want to make me an offer. I want a proper fast 35mm or 50mm lens now though.

Good old Ken, amusing enough most of the time, but some of his advice is shockingly bad

Yeah I didn't really like some stuff I'd read on there but I thought those two were worthwhile.