Guidance needed!
Discussion
Okay, here's the dilemma: I was one of the mugs that fell for the APS hype but gave away my Minolta SLR a few months ago.
So, I've been looking for a digital camera that will suit my point-and-shoot needs, but will allow me to progress over time. Now, there's no such thing as 'future-proof' (see APS), but I need to get the maximum 'life' out of whatever camera I choose. Every time I make a decision, the next level up (in resolution terms) becomes that bit more affordable...
To the point: Do I go for a high spec SLR-alike (Olympus 8080 type thing) or a 6MP+ 'proper' SLR.
I have always bought Minolta, but brand loyalty will not come into this decision (though I may be able to get favourable pricing on Olympus).
Internet searches (including this forum) throw up Canon 300D, Nikon D70, Olympus E300 kit and a lot more besides.
Any pointers?
btw, APS occasionally had its benefits: scan of Seneca Lake pic taken in October '97, Watkins Glen race track is the other side of the hill!
[pic]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/t0ny99/SenecaOct97.jpg[/pic]
So, I've been looking for a digital camera that will suit my point-and-shoot needs, but will allow me to progress over time. Now, there's no such thing as 'future-proof' (see APS), but I need to get the maximum 'life' out of whatever camera I choose. Every time I make a decision, the next level up (in resolution terms) becomes that bit more affordable...
To the point: Do I go for a high spec SLR-alike (Olympus 8080 type thing) or a 6MP+ 'proper' SLR.
I have always bought Minolta, but brand loyalty will not come into this decision (though I may be able to get favourable pricing on Olympus).
Internet searches (including this forum) throw up Canon 300D, Nikon D70, Olympus E300 kit and a lot more besides.
Any pointers?
btw, APS occasionally had its benefits: scan of Seneca Lake pic taken in October '97, Watkins Glen race track is the other side of the hill!
[pic]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/t0ny99/SenecaOct97.jpg[/pic]
You're familiar with an SLR so you know the benefits of one and can use it. If you want to combine the benifits of digital with the power, control and flexibility of an SLR - then - you know what you need 
The entry-level DSLRs are:
Nikon D50, D70 or D70s
Canon 300D, 350D
There's also a Minolta but I didn't know anything about it; they were rather late into this market.
Best thing to do is get to a camera shop and see them for real. Enjoy
The entry-level DSLRs are:
Nikon D50, D70 or D70s
Canon 300D, 350D
There's also a Minolta but I didn't know anything about it; they were rather late into this market.
Best thing to do is get to a camera shop and see them for real. Enjoy
simpo two said:
You're familiar with an SLR so you know the benefits of one and can use it. If you want to combine the benifits of digital with the power, control and flexibility of an SLR - then - you know what you need
The entry-level DSLRs are:
Nikon D50, D70 or D70s
Canon 300D, 350D
There's also a Minolta but I didn't know anything about it; they were rather late into this market.
Best thing to do is get to a camera shop and see them for real. Enjoy
Familiar with, yes. But never made the most of its features - nearly always in auto mode (actually I was never 100% happy with the S1, pictures always lacked sharpness).
What is the perception of the Olympus range?
t0ny99 said:
What is the perception of the Olympus range?
While others here certainly outrank me in photography experience... my opinion of the E300:
-LCD screen stays on all the time, need to go into menus for settings that can be changed with a button hold and wheel spin on the better DSLRs and Canons.
-E300 uses Olympus's special "digital lenses", and while providing some minor weight and size advantages, you are stuck with a limited selection of lenses, even though IIRC Tamron or Sigma has started making lenses for it?
-Due to the newness of the lenses, it would make it significantly harder to come by second-hand lenses, thus raising the costs of ownership. Whereas you can get an older Nikkor lens for a D70 and pay half as much as for the newer, faster focusing version, with the E300 you would have to buy new most of the time.
-This one is a bit subjective, but the overall feel of the camera isn't that great. Olympus's efforts to reduce the size of the camera just end up making it awkward.
-Durability is overrated, I think. Though I haven't seen any real tests, I would imagine that it won't matter whether you drop a D70 or an E300 out a window.
-How long will Olympus continue making DSLRs? While Nikon and Canon are comfortably situated in the market, Olympus may drop their whole DSLR program if it doesn't turn out to be profitable, leaving those with Olympus DSLRs and lenses stuck without the ability to upgrade.
Overall, I would stay away from the E300 and other DSLR offering by Olympus, unless you really feel like being adventurous.
I would leave out the Digital Rebel (300D) on the basis that its shortcomings don't justify the price, compared to the D70 and Rebel XT (350D).
I wouldn't let the (relatively) low 6MP sensor of the D70 disqualify it. Unless you really want to go for the D2x.
t0ny99 said:
Do I want one of those then?
The Nikon D70 should definitely be on your short list. Compare with the Canon equivalent, the 350D, and see what you think.
t0ny99 said:
I'm frightened to ask, but why "clud"
'Cos 406 can't spoll and it rather stuck
NB I didn't include the 20D in my list as it's significantly more £.
imperialism2024 said:
I wouldn't let the (relatively) low 6MP sensor of the D70 disqualify it.
True. I have a framed A3 print on exhibition at the moment, taken with the D70, and it looks superb. I'd rather have 6Mp in a DSLR than 8Mp in a prosumer compact. They are simply bigger, better pixels
NB My only commment on the Olympus is that it looks pig-ugly IMO! Agree with the lens comment though.
simpo two said:
I wouldn't let the (relatively) low 6MP sensor of the D70 disqualify it.
True. I have a framed A3 print on exhibition at the moment, taken with the D70, and it looks superb. I'd rather have 6Mp in a DSLR than 8Mp in a prosumer compact. They are simply bigger, better pixels
NB My only commment on the Olympus is that it looks pig-ugly IMO! Agree with the lens comment though.
I've just received my 30" x 20" enlargement from Photobox - taken with my D70 - looks great,
Chris
Great feedback, much appreciated. I'm ruling out the Olympus because of the lens comment - I don't want another white elephant.
Regarding the SLR-alikes, the inability to upgrade lenses as I get the hang of things puts me off.
So, DSLR it is; 350D/D70 appear to be favourites, but prices of the 300D (obsolete? - many online stores showing no stock, or don't give prices) make it attractive.
Am I right in saying standard 35mm lenses will fit DSLRs? (getting WAY ahead of myself, but it's that way with new gadgets).
Watch this space.
Incidentally, has anyone successfully used an HP PSC 2115 printer with the 6-colour cartridges to produce prints? I'd like to know that my printer will do justice to any future snaps!
Cheers!
Regarding the SLR-alikes, the inability to upgrade lenses as I get the hang of things puts me off.
So, DSLR it is; 350D/D70 appear to be favourites, but prices of the 300D (obsolete? - many online stores showing no stock, or don't give prices) make it attractive.
Am I right in saying standard 35mm lenses will fit DSLRs? (getting WAY ahead of myself, but it's that way with new gadgets).
Watch this space.
Incidentally, has anyone successfully used an HP PSC 2115 printer with the 6-colour cartridges to produce prints? I'd like to know that my printer will do justice to any future snaps!
Cheers!
GetCarter said:
Tony
Buy a Nikon D70s kit with lens and an Epson R800 photo printer. You won't regret it.
Steve
Didn't want to get another new printer originally, but now SWMBO wants a new camera and printer of her own, so I would most definitely consider a dedicated photo printer. Thanks for the recommendation!
t0ny99 said:
So, DSLR it is; 350D/D70 appear to be favourites, but prices of the 300D (obsolete? - many online stores showing no stock, or don't give prices) make it attractive.
Yes, it's been replaced by the 350D. Similarly the D70 should be discounted due to the D70s coming out.
t0ny99 said:
Am I right in saying standard 35mm lenses will fit DSLRs? (getting WAY ahead of myself, but it's that way with new gadgets).
Yes, as long as they are sufficiently recent to support the electronics. Because most DSLRs have a sensor that is smaller than 35mm film, a 50mm standard lens, when put on a DSLR, will 'appear' to be 75mm on a Nikon and 80mm on a Canon. So you get free telephoto, but less wideangle. To get what used to be 28mm, you now need about 18mm.
>> Edited by simpo two on Wednesday 15th June 17:54
Personally, I wouldn't waste the money on the photo printer. I don't know how prices are in the UK... but here, a decent photo printer, when taking into account pritner cost and supply costs, costs more than twice as much as taking them to a photo lab to have them printed. The quality is better, too.
Working in the digital camera sales business, the only reason we suggest photo printers is to A) get people to buy something they don't need and B) get them hooked on having to buy supplies from us. For a 3-cartridge HP printer, that's about $100 in ink every 200 or so 4x6 prints. But then again, the prices may be different in the UK...
Working in the digital camera sales business, the only reason we suggest photo printers is to A) get people to buy something they don't need and B) get them hooked on having to buy supplies from us. For a 3-cartridge HP printer, that's about $100 in ink every 200 or so 4x6 prints. But then again, the prices may be different in the UK...
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