Digital Dilemma
Discussion
Well it's the old "Do I, Don't I" question again.
I currently have a Minolta SLR which I am happy with (if not very good with
), but want to go digital.
Minolta are due to release a digital SLR around August, but I'm guessing it's gonna be best part of a grand (as most others are).
Digital appeals to me as I can take loads of shots whilst experimenting (and trying to improve) and don't have to fork out money for processing.
I'm tempted with either something like the Fuji FinePix S5000 (which seems quite popular here), and keeping my existing SLR and waiting to see what the prices for the minolta digital are. Or getting a second hand EOS D30 (Very limited budget at the moment) and a couple of lenses.
I use my SLR mainly for motorsport (karting, GT and F1) and car shots. So the digital would be used for these and also the usual holiday stuff etc (as I never know which lenses to take etc for the SLR and take the lot and hardly use it!).
What are the thoughts on the S5000?
Sorry it's a bit of a long ramble.
All advice appreciated.
Chris
I currently have a Minolta SLR which I am happy with (if not very good with
), but want to go digital. Minolta are due to release a digital SLR around August, but I'm guessing it's gonna be best part of a grand (as most others are).
Digital appeals to me as I can take loads of shots whilst experimenting (and trying to improve) and don't have to fork out money for processing.
I'm tempted with either something like the Fuji FinePix S5000 (which seems quite popular here), and keeping my existing SLR and waiting to see what the prices for the minolta digital are. Or getting a second hand EOS D30 (Very limited budget at the moment) and a couple of lenses.
I use my SLR mainly for motorsport (karting, GT and F1) and car shots. So the digital would be used for these and also the usual holiday stuff etc (as I never know which lenses to take etc for the SLR and take the lot and hardly use it!).
What are the thoughts on the S5000?
Sorry it's a bit of a long ramble.
All advice appreciated.
Chris
I was a dedicated film fan until I got an Olympus Mju300 compact last Autumn. Now I'm getting a Nikon D70 DSLR, and like Steve, the film cameras don't get out much. In fact, the only time the F70 comes out is when I need to do something the Mju can't!
My view now is that film cameras are best only if you want loads of cheap 6x4 prints/reprints etc.
For the price of a 'pseudo' SLR, why not future-proof yourself: chip in a tad more and get a DSLR?
My view now is that film cameras are best only if you want loads of cheap 6x4 prints/reprints etc.
For the price of a 'pseudo' SLR, why not future-proof yourself: chip in a tad more and get a DSLR?
I have the same dilemma, I have a Minolta film SLR and lenses. I am waiting to see what the new Dynax 7 Digital is like before I decide which DSLR to buy. Given the cost of replacing the lenses, even if it is quite a lot more than the D70 it may still be worth having.
Also the Minolta has the anti shake from the A2 built into it, this means I can still use my old lenses and still get the anti shake, with the D70 you need to buy the expensive lenses to get this facility.
Attached are some pictures I found of the camera.
Also the Minolta has the anti shake from the A2 built into it, this means I can still use my old lenses and still get the anti shake, with the D70 you need to buy the expensive lenses to get this facility.
Attached are some pictures I found of the camera.
I noticed the pics on the minolta web-site, I do like the look of it (although most of my lenses are silver 
) and the anti shake is a good feature. As you say it just depends on the price.
Looking at the literature it says it will de compatable with the dynax lens system (I assume this means any lens from a dynax range SLR).
Been looking at the second hand DSLR's and there don't seem to be many about (and prices vary wildley!).
Think I might stick with my minolta for a bit longer and get a 'cheap' digital point and shoot to play around with and see if I can convince myself to fork out the money for the minolta when it arrives.
They also imply that they may bring out a lesser spec'd version (as they have done with most of there cameras) so might see what thats about.
) and the anti shake is a good feature. As you say it just depends on the price. Looking at the literature it says it will de compatable with the dynax lens system (I assume this means any lens from a dynax range SLR).
Been looking at the second hand DSLR's and there don't seem to be many about (and prices vary wildley!).
Think I might stick with my minolta for a bit longer and get a 'cheap' digital point and shoot to play around with and see if I can convince myself to fork out the money for the minolta when it arrives.
They also imply that they may bring out a lesser spec'd version (as they have done with most of there cameras) so might see what thats about.
Me again.
In case any peeps out there have a problem with Digital SLR quality... I've posted a pic here with same size from camera (3008 x 1960) but squashed to JPEG 72 dpi (2.9 mb from 17.2 mb).
Taken with a Nikon D1X and a cheapish 28-200 Nikor lens. 200 asa, everything else set to max.
If you print this out on top notch photo paper in 'best' mode from a photo type printer (1440+ dpi), you'll get an idea of what you'd get without compression (a lot better).
I have to say, the printer and the paper are the most crucial elements in this equasion! With an uncompressed photo, on an Epson 2100 at 2880 dpi in best quality mode on premium semi-gloss paper, the results are without doubt equal to a pro lab 10 x 8
'Scanning in' negs no longer gets close to this quality, even at shed loads of ££ per scan (35 mm) from the best lab I can find.
Hence SELL ALL SHARES IN SILVER!
a link (right click/ save target as) >> www.stevecarter.com/testerDSLR.jpg
FYI - Latest pics (all Digi - squashed to hell for the masses) >> www.stevecarter.com/latest/latest.htm
Steve
In case any peeps out there have a problem with Digital SLR quality... I've posted a pic here with same size from camera (3008 x 1960) but squashed to JPEG 72 dpi (2.9 mb from 17.2 mb).
Taken with a Nikon D1X and a cheapish 28-200 Nikor lens. 200 asa, everything else set to max.
If you print this out on top notch photo paper in 'best' mode from a photo type printer (1440+ dpi), you'll get an idea of what you'd get without compression (a lot better).
I have to say, the printer and the paper are the most crucial elements in this equasion! With an uncompressed photo, on an Epson 2100 at 2880 dpi in best quality mode on premium semi-gloss paper, the results are without doubt equal to a pro lab 10 x 8
'Scanning in' negs no longer gets close to this quality, even at shed loads of ££ per scan (35 mm) from the best lab I can find.
Hence SELL ALL SHARES IN SILVER!
a link (right click/ save target as) >> www.stevecarter.com/testerDSLR.jpg
FYI - Latest pics (all Digi - squashed to hell for the masses) >> www.stevecarter.com/latest/latest.htm
Steve
GetCarter said:
I've posted a pic here with same size from camera (3008 x 1960) but squashed to JPEG 72 dpi (2.9 mb from 17.2 mb).
So a 6.1Mp camera set to hairy b*stard RAW quality gives 17.2Mb images?? I thought it was about 6Mb. Feck, I'm gonna need a bigger HD! Editied to add: the back of the Minolta looks like a pre-dreadnought battleship!
>> Edited by simpo two on Friday 21st May 18:16
Just to put in my tuppence worth on the subject... I was wanting to get into photography a little bit more as I was enjoying messing around with other peoples cameras and decided that digital was the only way to go as it let you experiment and try new things without having the time or expense of having to wait for film. I decided on the Fujifilm S5000 as I couldnt justify the cost of a full blown DSLR and so far so good and very much a thumbs up. For around £200 for the camera you cant really go too wrong with S5000 in my opinion. I have a couple of photos that I have taken tonight that I'll put up just to show you the general idea but I'll email them to you as well because I use Fotango to put pictures up and I dont think it really shows them very well. There not great pictures but they'll let you see the image quality of the S5000 and hopefully help you make up your mind and will let you see the difference between a real DSLR and the pseudo type (the S5000). This was my first time having a real play with it...
Can anyone tell me a better way of getting photos up on websites as I am not really that impressed with Fotango.
Thanks,
Richard
>> Edited by ricardo g on Friday 21st May 22:50
Can anyone tell me a better way of getting photos up on websites as I am not really that impressed with Fotango.
Thanks,
Richard
>> Edited by ricardo g on Friday 21st May 22:50
At that size and compression one can't really make any value judgements about the camera. But Fuji are well-regarded.
Re hosting, you could try www.pbase.com but I prefer to have my own space and manage it myself. You can also then host entire websites as well, if you want to.
Re hosting, you could try www.pbase.com but I prefer to have my own space and manage it myself. You can also then host entire websites as well, if you want to.
I was in a similar situation and have just bought a Fuji S602 Pro*. It's not the latest and greatest, but was cheap enough, and 3MP is OK for my needs - web and smaller prints. Has enough zoom for motorsport (6x - equiv to 210mm) and you can get a teleconverter that takes it to 9x. Nice SLR-ish shape and controls too. Only picked it up Friday and used it for the Caterham slslom day, but very impressed so far.
Was using a mix of a borrowed SLR and my own Canon A70 (budget P&S digital, but with 3x zoom and manual controls), found the cost of film and developing was a bit much so used the A70 most of the time. It certainly encourages you to experiment, I was getting a bit fed up with trying to capture a feel of motion in race cars after getting several rolls of film back of horribly blurred cars! Digital you just keep trying till you get it right.
Was looking at budget DSLRs like the 300D but just couldn't justify the cost especially when I'd need a better zoom lens and a few other bits. I figure I'll keep the S602 until the next big thing in the DSLR market comes along and I can pick one up cheap!
* empire direct have them on offer - S602 Pro (ie. the version with thread for shutter release and external flash sync) plus 1Gb microdrive for 300 quid. It's way cheaper than the S5000 with an equivalent amount of storage and IMO a much better camera.
Was using a mix of a borrowed SLR and my own Canon A70 (budget P&S digital, but with 3x zoom and manual controls), found the cost of film and developing was a bit much so used the A70 most of the time. It certainly encourages you to experiment, I was getting a bit fed up with trying to capture a feel of motion in race cars after getting several rolls of film back of horribly blurred cars! Digital you just keep trying till you get it right.
Was looking at budget DSLRs like the 300D but just couldn't justify the cost especially when I'd need a better zoom lens and a few other bits. I figure I'll keep the S602 until the next big thing in the DSLR market comes along and I can pick one up cheap!
* empire direct have them on offer - S602 Pro (ie. the version with thread for shutter release and external flash sync) plus 1Gb microdrive for 300 quid. It's way cheaper than the S5000 with an equivalent amount of storage and IMO a much better camera.
What do you think makes it a better camera than teh S5000? I looked at both when buying mine and apart from the fact that it is compact flash compatible I couldn't see any other advantages. The S5000 is newer technology and has a larger zoom, which was one thing I was looking for. I think they are both very well matched and tbh there isn't much between them in my opinion!
Richard
Richard
ricardo g said:
What do you think makes it a better camera than teh S5000? I looked at both when buying mine and apart from the fact that it is compact flash compatible I couldn't see any other advantages. The S5000 is newer technology and has a larger zoom, which was one thing I was looking for. I think they are both very well matched and tbh there isn't much between them in my opinion!
Richard
S5000 is a very good camera (nearly bought one a few months back before the S602 got so cheap), but it's lots of minor things.
- tripod mount off-centre and blocks the battery door
- no flash hotshoe
- limited to xD cards which are way more expensive than CF for similar capacity (and obviously no microdrives)
- smaller range of shutter speeds (S602 goes from 1/10,000 to 15s)
- more limited macro range (S602 goes down to 1cm)
Also the S5000 apparently does a bit too much compression in JPG modes (3MP fine is around 800k instead of around 1.3Mb), the only way around it is to shoot in raw mode which is only available in interpolated 6MP mode.
As I say, it's a very good camera and depending on your use those may not be a problem. For me, the big deal-breaker was the xD cards, they're around twice the price and not as well supported (with cardreaders and the like) as CF. You do get that 10x zoom though and it's far better value than the S602 was when it was launched.
All very good points and ones that did come up when I looked. The macro shooting wasn't such an issue for me as I intend to use the camera more for motorsport use and the tripod issue was one that I read about but didn't consider to much of a problem, just more of an annoyance. The flash hot-shoe didn't bother me as realistically I would never use it. The thing that almost swayed me the other way was the compact flash memory. It is cheaper and when/if upgrading then a lot of cameras do take the CF whereas the Xd its liimted to Olympus and (most) Fujifilms, but I have got a reasonable amount of memory for not too bad a price and would be very surprised to run out of space, and I am hoping they continue to fall in price.
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