Digital SLR Recommendations?

[alf]

Originally posted by jyl
You have two kidneys.

Yeah but if I sell one than i could only drink half as much dude.

[jyl]

Or you could drink just as much but only live half as long?

Well, I guess the better idea is to sell someone else's kidney.

[alf]

Got the 18-200mm lens yesterday, the range on that thing is incredible i could stand 4 ft from someone and take a full body shot or a close up of her nose. A little slow w/o flash indoors though.

Best of all BestBuy price matched it for $750

[Deschodt]

Just my 2 cents... ANY SLR will be so much nicer than a point and shoot digital that it'll blow you away. They can take 5 pictures in the time it took a P&S camera to focus and miss the shot ! They will also re-introduce the depth of field concept to you... Blurry backgrounds, like real pictures !

BAsed on that and the price of the new crop of SLRS, I'd get with whichever lens system you already own or are more comfortable with.
I had a couple Canon lenses, so I got a REbel. You can find a used first gen rebel for $300-400 these days, and you can't beat that for the money ! 6MP is plenty sufficient with good optics ! Then spend your $$ on lenses, memomy cards, and a legit copy of photoshop ;-)

[911pcars]

Once the DSLR is in your hot hands, you may soon realize the optics make the difference. Most kit lense optics (the ones they package with the camera) are borderline acceptable, and some are worse than others. It may not make a difference if you're printing 4x6s (the manufacturers realize this).

As an owner or prospective DSLR owner knows, the good optics are quite expensive, more so than lenses once available in the recent film camera world. Digital zoom lenses have the same drawbacks as film-based zoom lenses. They're pretty good, but as the zoom ratio increases (wide angle to telephoto), you're going to give up something for all that range (contrast, speed, pin-cushioning, convergence, soft edges, resolution, chromatic aberrations, etc.).

Operational features and their implementation help differentiate the current crop of DSLRs, but there isn't a manufacturerer yet who is offering the "ideal" DSLR compared to the past film versions where you had a choice of equally good cameras and optics. Then, the choice came down to the lenses and ancillary accessories available from the camera system. Unless a manufacturer invests itself in a standard, difficult and/or risky in a changing digital world, the camera system concept is limited to but a few manufacturers. And I'm not so sure those brands have chosen the ideal platform.

Sherwood

[alf]

Well, i spent $1100 on the lens and $400 on the body...

[911pcars]

"Well, i spent $1100 on the lens and $400 on the body..."

Alfred,
It's probably a nice lens. You're in. Your next upgrade might be the next-step body if not another lens.

I'm into the Oly 4-thirds system having purchased an E330 a few months ago. Their lenses are also nice and expensive.

It's a nickle and dime experience except for the proportional difference in digital nickles and dimes.

Have fun w/the outfit,
Sherwood

[Steve Carlton]

Congrats on the new gear, and I'd love to see some of your sword pics when you take them. BTW- don't forget to mail in the registration card on the 18-200 within 10 days of purchase to get your warranty upgraded from 1 year to 5 for free.

[alf]

I had sometime to kill on a biz trip and walked around Chengdu yesterday afternoon with my D50 and 18-200 lens. I captured some great shots that would have not been possible with my P&S. The speed and range is exceptional! I am hooked.

To think of all the shots i missed all the years of using the P&S makes me sad. I will still carry my P&S with me but a DSLR is the way to go for a primary camera.

If anyone reading this is on the fence to get a DSLR to supplement the P&S, do it.

I am going to spend the weekend in Shanghai, can't wait to shoot more

[madmmac]

And yet we have no pictures to view......................

[alf]

Here you go...

Buddhist Temple Roof




Street Scene, i think that woman is getting hair extensions


Mutton Anyone?


Not a good idea to take a picture in the middle of an intersection

[alf]

More pics at the Buddhist Temple

[alf]

Bonehead walking into someones shot in the middle of the street.


Old Commie car on display


Lots of construction everywhere


Street scene

[alf]

Anyone want a human skull cap from Tibet?


Scooter Parking Lot


Red Hot Chili Peppers


These guys will take you for the ride of your life through Chinese Traffic. 30 min ride costs about $3.

[alf]

Gotta Go.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by jyl
I'm in lust for a Leica M8. Traditional Leica RF look and feel, but a high-pixel-count digital camera, takes standard Leica bayonet lenses, 1.5X crop factor IIRC.

Expensive, but hey. there's no reason for both the kids to go to school this year, is there?

http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/m_system/m8/

John,

That is my next major purchase. Really looks nice and all of my older "M" lenses will work on it. Just have to figure out how to get a deal on one. Was in Berlin two weeks ago and they had demo's there but prices were a bit high there.

Alf,

If you ever get to Phoenix let me know. Will be glad to help with your addiction. It struck me at age 4 when I picked up my Father's M2 and has not gotten any better with time.

Joe A

[Steve Carlton]

Sharpen your skills as Jimmy Olsen, shooting Superman...

[}{arlequin]

nice pics afred. thanks.

[alf]

Joe
I do not want to touch a Leica for fear of wanting one, but will certianly hook up if i am in the hood.

Found this little dude in the parking lot (Chengdu China) taken from about 2 feet away at 200m zoom.