Digital camera advice for semi-luddite
Discussion
I have two cameras: an Olympus OM2n film SLR, and a compact digital (Nikon 3700, 3mp).
The digital is a few years old and is a starting to misbehave a bit, so it's getting close to replacement time. The OM2 doesn't get used a lot (mainly because of the hassle of lugging it about, changing lenses etc) and is starting to have foam degradation issues.
Now, I really love the way the OM2 works and the control/feedback you have all the time when using it: it has manual focus, manual apeture and (optionally) manual shutter speed, so with a quick twist of the apeture ring you can instantly control the depth of field and balance it against shutter speed. No fiddly buttons, no menus.
The problem I have is that I have been seduced by the convenience of digital and all of the advantages it brings. I also find that the smaller camera gets taken more places than the big one, simply because it can be slipped into a bag and forgotten about.
So the question is, does a digital camera exist that combines the attributes I like about the OM2 with a compact body?
I'm not sure a DSLR would be the thing, because of the size issue, but I want something that can do a better job of taking photos than the little Nikon. Would like a zoom range in the region of 28-100mm (upper end not particulary important, but would really like a 28mm lower end)
Am I dreaming? Will I just have to sacrifice having control over the simple variables like apeture, shutterspeed and focus?
The digital is a few years old and is a starting to misbehave a bit, so it's getting close to replacement time. The OM2 doesn't get used a lot (mainly because of the hassle of lugging it about, changing lenses etc) and is starting to have foam degradation issues.
Now, I really love the way the OM2 works and the control/feedback you have all the time when using it: it has manual focus, manual apeture and (optionally) manual shutter speed, so with a quick twist of the apeture ring you can instantly control the depth of field and balance it against shutter speed. No fiddly buttons, no menus.
The problem I have is that I have been seduced by the convenience of digital and all of the advantages it brings. I also find that the smaller camera gets taken more places than the big one, simply because it can be slipped into a bag and forgotten about.
So the question is, does a digital camera exist that combines the attributes I like about the OM2 with a compact body?
I'm not sure a DSLR would be the thing, because of the size issue, but I want something that can do a better job of taking photos than the little Nikon. Would like a zoom range in the region of 28-100mm (upper end not particulary important, but would really like a 28mm lower end)
Am I dreaming? Will I just have to sacrifice having control over the simple variables like apeture, shutterspeed and focus?
the "bridging" cameras as i've heard them called like the one above are a great mix. however. i bought mine 2 years ago this summer at a cost of about £350 for a kit that included a little printer. Last summer i went out a bought a full blown digital slr and haven't used the "bridging" camera since.
i tried to get the wife to use it so the EOS 30d wouldn't get a hammering, but no luck. she prefers the 30d too.
i know that's a bit away from your original question, but bear in mind that you could be tempted by a dslr later on and the money you would have spent on the bridging camera could have gone towards an all round lens (something like 28 - 300mm) that you wouldn't need to change unless you really wanted to.
i tried to get the wife to use it so the EOS 30d wouldn't get a hammering, but no luck. she prefers the 30d too.
i know that's a bit away from your original question, but bear in mind that you could be tempted by a dslr later on and the money you would have spent on the bridging camera could have gone towards an all round lens (something like 28 - 300mm) that you wouldn't need to change unless you really wanted to.
uberscruff said:
.... No fiddly buttons, no menus.
.... So the question is, does a digital camera exist that combines the attributes I like about the OM2 with a compact body?
... Am I dreaming? Will I just have to sacrifice having control over the simple variables like apeture, shutterspeed and focus?
.... So the question is, does a digital camera exist that combines the attributes I like about the OM2 with a compact body?
... Am I dreaming? Will I just have to sacrifice having control over the simple variables like apeture, shutterspeed and focus?
Hi Uberscruff
I'm not toatally up on the compact scene but finding something with the simple controls you like and still be compact is tricky. I stand to be corrected but ,AFAIK, all the compacts that you can put in your pocket have loads of silly buttons and menus to select basic items like shutter speed and aperture and if they have manual focus, is done with a rocker switch. If you like an OM2, you will hate them. Having said that, as point and shoot cameras you can stick in your pocket with useful zoom, resolution etc, they are great.
The only one that springs to mind you might like is something like a Panosonic DMC-LI
www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicdmcl1/page3.asp
which if you're used to an aperture ring around the lens, has one where you would expect to find one. For £100ish more you could get the Leica badged one, which, arguably, may produce slightly better pictures (apparently, they use different processing algorithms), although both use the Panasonic chip. The only problem with that is the noise at higher iso, which, depending on your use, may be an issue. The other issue you may not like is viewing the image on a video screen in the viewfinder, but it's not that bad. The lens is great with the focal lengths you require and I believe the new versions are interchangeable. Size wise, not that small and maybe even bigger than the smallest DSLRs. The Panasonic menus I have seen are nice big and clear.
There are some other alternatives but all compromise in one area or other. What's your budget?
OT, thanks for the useful tips on the knife thread, I'm trying to order some Hattoris but Koki is currently out of stock, should be back in later this month.
All very helpful replies: they've certainly given me something to think about.
It looks pretty clear that a compact just won't give me the control I want, and mneame's comments about the bridging cameras make a lot of sense. I also see that I'm going to just have to accept that nothing will be as simple to use as the OM2.
So, I'm looking at narrowing my search to the entry-level compact DSLRs. There seem to be a few in that category, like the Olympus E500 (keeping some loyalty to the company that made the wonderful OM2), the Nikon D40 and the Canon 350D
Anyone had any experience with these? The Panasonic/Leica one looks very nice, but a bit pricey.
(and Bacardi: hope you enjoy your knives!)
It looks pretty clear that a compact just won't give me the control I want, and mneame's comments about the bridging cameras make a lot of sense. I also see that I'm going to just have to accept that nothing will be as simple to use as the OM2.
So, I'm looking at narrowing my search to the entry-level compact DSLRs. There seem to be a few in that category, like the Olympus E500 (keeping some loyalty to the company that made the wonderful OM2), the Nikon D40 and the Canon 350D
Anyone had any experience with these? The Panasonic/Leica one looks very nice, but a bit pricey.
(and Bacardi: hope you enjoy your knives!)
Wouldn't you be best keeping to Olympus? Lens capability an' all that?
Nikon (would of course be my favourite) could be a good choice. But I'm not too enamoured with the cheapy ones. Also, TAKE CARE, Nikon are playing some funny games! I read somewhere that the D40 was only compatible with AFS lenses because it has no standard "screw-drive" AF system within the body
If the bv663rs have left it not metering for non-CPU lenses too then that's a waste of money to my mind....
Clud members look away now...YES, YOU - don't look!!!
I think a Canon might be worth a look, certainly compare with the D40 - otherwise have a look at secondhand D70 or move up to D80 territory
But why not good old Olympus? They were always good enough for David Bailey
Nikon (would of course be my favourite) could be a good choice. But I'm not too enamoured with the cheapy ones. Also, TAKE CARE, Nikon are playing some funny games! I read somewhere that the D40 was only compatible with AFS lenses because it has no standard "screw-drive" AF system within the body
If the bv663rs have left it not metering for non-CPU lenses too then that's a waste of money to my mind.... Clud members look away now...YES, YOU - don't look!!! I think a Canon might be worth a look, certainly compare with the D40 - otherwise have a look at secondhand D70 or move up to D80 territory But why not good old Olympus? They were always good enough for David Bailey
beano500 said:
Wouldn't you be best keeping to Olympus? Lens capability an' all that?
Nikon (would of course be my favourite) could be a good choice. But I'm not too enamoured with the cheapy ones. Also, TAKE CARE, Nikon are playing some funny games! I read somewhere that the D40 was only compatible with AFS lenses because it has no standard "screw-drive" AF system within the body If the bv663rs have left it not metering for non-CPU lenses too then that's a waste of money to my mind....
Nikon (would of course be my favourite) could be a good choice. But I'm not too enamoured with the cheapy ones. Also, TAKE CARE, Nikon are playing some funny games! I read somewhere that the D40 was only compatible with AFS lenses because it has no standard "screw-drive" AF system within the body
If the bv663rs have left it not metering for non-CPU lenses too then that's a waste of money to my mind.... The OM lenses don't fit the E-series SLRs, so lens compatibility is not a deciding factor.
From what I've read so far, the D40 is looking like a better bet than the E500: it's a bit cheaper, and from the reviews I've read, looks to have slightly nicer image quality. The D40 does only take AF-S lenses, but I really don't see that this will be a problem for me: I'm unlikely to buy any extra lenses except a longer zoom.
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