Hello, I was wondering if anyone can offer advise, sage words of wisdom, a dope slap, or any combination of the previous. Let me offer a little of my camera background and then i’ll adress the problem:
I started my life int he DSLR world with the Konica/Minolta 5d. Decent camera, awesome menu interface, but at the time I never had the money to invest in great lenses (this was before my lucrative career moving freight). Had a Sigma 24-105mm lens, a Minolta 50mm 1.7 lens, and a 35-1xx minolta lens (all picked up at bargain prices from various sources).
Served me OK… I never really had a good enough lens to make the camera pop, though. Plus the mirror slap noise was deafening, and the LCD screen left LOTS to be desired. And it was as heavy as a couple of bricks.
Fast-forward a few years. Picked up a Nikon D40 with kit lens for the sheer heck of it. Price was good, and I wanted to give Nikon a try. Camera, even with the kit lens, made great photos. But… the menu interface sucks. Not the greates. Too menu-intensive as well, and a few other quirks were annoying me. For example, if I wanted to pre-select the one autofocus spot (the camera only had 3, compared to the 5d’s nine), it would cycle through already taken shots instead of doing what I wanted it to. But it is a great camera to toss in the grip. Unfortunately, the camera decided to take a leap out of my grip a couple feet to the asphalt. Long story long, the kit lens has seen it’s last train. And as of hte present time I’m havinga little trouble finding my other lens I got for the D40. I’m beginning to fear I left my camera bag somewhere, or someone took it out of my truck. (I haven’t used it in weeks, so it’s not like I had constant attention to it). I may yet find it stashed upon my piles of junk.
I have no idea of the specific answer to your dilemma, but -
I highly recommend that you make a trip to/ stop in at Dan’s Camera City - http://www.danscamera.com/ - which is located on the northern side of Allentown - just off the 15th St. exit of Rt. 22 going through the Valley, and - hint, hint - only about 10 mins. from the NS Allentown Yard. The website doesn’t do them justice. You can rent various lenses and camera bodies to try and see what works for you - they have a lot of people on staff who really know the gear. Also, they used to sell used equipment - mainly for discontinued/ obsolete camera lines and tecnologies, etc., so they weren’t really competing with their new stuff - at a decent discount. Their prices aren’t much different from the Internet’s according to people who have shopped both, and you get the benefit of the hands-on experience and try-out and instant take-away when you do buy. I don’t know anyone who wasn’t highly satisfied with shopping there.
Just a thought, since you’re not that far away from them. PM me if you want to know more, or even if you need a lift next time you’re over this way during business hours.
Sony and Nikon are two brands I haven’t played a lot with, but some random thoughts (in no particular order other than what comes to mind first):
Sony is definately showing that they’re trying to be a part of the game. They’ve brought out an extensive assortment of cameras since they took over K-M. They’ve done some intriguing things like integrating sensor based IS on a full frame camera (something that I would have said was not possible before they did it), too. They were also the first to break the $2000 barrier on a FF body.
Sony has teamed up with Carl Zeiss to offer some incredible optics, too. The 135mm f1.8, for example, is a lens that’s caught my eye more than once. Additionally, they’ve got some unique offerings, like the autofocus 500mm mirror lens. Yeah…there are downside to cat lenses, but they still offer a way to carry a pretty long lens in a small place. Nikon still blows them away in lens options, but Sony isn’t chopped liver.
Nikon will offer you the best opportunity for a complete system (lenses, flashes, accessories, etc.). If Nikon doesn’t make it, some third party will. Sony is catching up in this regard, but Canon and Nikon are still going to be the best bet. For example, Nikon will offer a lot more in the way of long telephoto lenses. Sony isn’t going to offer as much. Additionally, if you want to rent something exotic (say a 600mm f4 for some major head-on telephoto shots), it’ll be a lot easier to do with Nikon.
Both systems offer full frame options which could be a big deal in the future. Currently, Nikon is the best for low light and Sony offers the best resolution. The D3x might have a little more resolution than the A850…but the D3x costs $8000, the A850 is only $2000. I don’t know if this is something you’d plan to work up to, but it’s something to consider.
Paul’s idea of going to a store where you can handle the gear – and possibly rent it – is a very good one. That said…
I’m a Canon guy; so is my son who is a professional photographer (theatre mostly but a good many birds, oddly – no trains for him, sorry!). The range of gear they sell is quite remarkable, and we both have been more than satisfied (delighted might be a better term) with the possibilities. Having talked with him about your comments, his comment is – do you really really need a DSLR? Before you say yes, take a look at the Canon G11 (yeah, I know it’s a point and shoot – no xex there… but it takes shots which enlarge to 16 x 20 at ISO 3200 effortlessly, and it’s light and simple to operate and easy to carry). If you really need the lens versatility of a DSLR, be sure to pay attention to the size and aspect ratio of both the sensor and the lenses you want, to make sure they match. That said, and not knowing your budget, it would be awfully hard to go too far wrong with the Canon 7D (8 frames per second burst mode; up to ISO 12800, HD video); if you’ve got the money and really hanker after that full frame sensor, the 5D Mark II is, in our opinion, the way to go…
What do we ourselves shoot? A 7D, a 1D, a G11 and a pair of SD1200IS’s (which go absolutely everywhere with us).
I’ve had point and shoots… while they are ok… I always liked the better menu and options of a DSLR. I did a bunch of night shots with my Nikon (avaliable light only), and I liked the dials for shutter speed/aperature. So I think I’m going to stick to the DSLR route.
There is one thing I forgot to add in my original post:
I also have a barely-used Minolta 35mm SLR camera. Without looking, I think it’s a Maxxum 7. I used it for prints, with the intention of someday shooting slides, but I ended up with the 5d. I never ruled out shooting slides, but it’s not a priority. I did pick up a pair of slide projectors at the local second hand shop for under $20 total. I can never resist options!
Thanks for the response so far guys… keep em coming!
Not really a recommendation here, but my D40 has served me well, but I agree with you on the menu and options. It is a nice camera, and both the lenses are pretty good. It has been more than satisfactory.
Something else to think about is how much legacy glass you have. If you only have one or two lenses it really doesn’t matter…However if you have a lot of K-M/Sony glass, sticking with the Sony cameras is likely a better choice.
I have the K-M 5D, and a lot of A-mount glass, so I’ll likely continue to buy Sony bodies. Even though the 5D is 5 or 6 years old…I see no reason to replace it. It’s does everything I need it to. As for mega-pixels…unless you are enlarging to larger then 8x10…6.1 MP is plenty.
I don’t really have any real investment of lenses. A couple k-m (And compatible lenses), but the only thing I’d consider legacy-class is my 50mm 1.7. But with the crop factor, it never did get as much use as I thought it would.
If the 50mm f1.7 “feels” right on a cropped body, you might think about going Nikon. This little lens gets a lot of rave reviews around the net.
Sony has a couple offerings as well, but they’re not as fast. This is the closest to the field of view that the 50mm will deliver on film. Unfortunately, it’s not the fastest lens ever (though it does focus closely). Sony offers a 35mm f1.4, but it goes for $1400, so it’s probably not what you’d be looking for right away.
Edit: I should also mention that neither of the lenses I linked to work on Full Frame…so if you plan to shoot film like you mentioned or if you see yourself going to FF Digital, these will not work.
Zug, one other thing to consider is image stabilization. Nikon uses a lens based IS system and Sony a sensor based one. Basically, only a Nikon IS lens will be stabilized and any K-M/Sony A mount lens will be stabilized.
You really can’t go wrong with either one. Best bet is to handle them both the Nikon you are interested in, and one of the Sony 300 series bodies. The 300 and 350 have been superseded by the 320 and 380 (I think).
"I’ve had point and shoots… while they are ok… I always liked the better menu and options of a DSLR. I did a bunch of night shots with my Nikon (avaliable light only), and I liked the dials for shutter speed/aperature. So I think I’m going to stick to the DSLR route. " Which is why I mentioned the Canon G11. Except for the interchangeable lenses, it has much the same menu system and dial type controls of a DSLR. The big difference is… it will go in a largish pocket without any hassle at all, and it’s pretty close to bulletproof (the one my son has has gone swimming, quite by accident, without any ill effects). As I mentioned above, it’s night performance is very good (not quite up to a top end DSLR with big glass – which is why the 7D which is often used at ISO 12800 and a Canon IS f2.0 zoom for theatre work) but it will go very nicely up to ISO 3200 without problems, and with a little post processing (and a willingness to limit prints to 16 by 20) it can push to 6400, which is usually ample. As I mentioned above, also, there is no xex in shooting with a “point and shoot”; no one will ooh and aah at your gear. What will happen is you will get the shot you want, most likely at the quality you want (your going to go to a $4,000 outfit to beat it in quality and speed, min), at a very reasonable price – and I’ll bet you always have it with you. Oh yes – one other item – the various local constabularies and other folk of that sort won’t notice it and assume you are up to no good.
The D40 is probably comparable to a G11 in size. That thing is downright tiny… and weighed very little (having no internal focusing motor). I intend to keep that as my backup/walkaround camera, so I’m not too crazy about needing a small non-DSLR P&S.
update
I ordered a new 18-55mm VR (kit lens) for the D40. I need to make sure the body is OK, and for the low price, the
The 18-55 VR is a surprising little lens. Gone are the days of crappy kit lenses. My “lightweight kit” now consists of three lenses – my DA L 18-55mm, my DA 50-200mm and my FA 50mm f1.4 for low light stuff. I still haul out all the primes and such when I’m doing critical work, but it’s really nice to travel with just those three. This summer when I’m hiking in our high country, I may edit it down to just the 18-55 and 50-200.
Allow me to bring this thread back from the dead (living dead thread…)
An update: I got the new 18-55nikon VR lens, and the camera works OK, even after the close encounter with the pavement that killed the other lens. I also had the chance to do a bunch of shooting over this long weekend (4 days off, but it felt like 1).
The D40 has once again worked on my nerves. The thing only has 3 AF points (first strike). And I always select which AF point I want manually. (maybe I should just shoot in full MF) I select the point, shoot, but when I go to change the AF point to one of the other 2, it instead cycles through the shots I just took, instead of changing the AF point. Maybe it’s because I have it to review shots… but it was real annoying and the camera almost found its way to take REAL close shots of the side of a passing train. But I resisted. Also digging into the menu to change ISO is a pain, because sometimes I forget to change it back.
So I have been pouring over forums until my eyes bled. I’m almost decided to go with a D90, with some good glass (at least one good fast prime). I briefly considered a used D300, but for the money, I don’t know if it offers any real advantages over a D90, except for heavier and weather-resistant construction. There’s also the possibility of a refurbished D90 with that extra money saved for more glass and other accessories. Plus the D40 can remain as the backup, and grip camera.
I still didn’t get to a camera shop, as I like to do a lot of research before hand so I don’t feel like a total idiot (I still am one, but sometimes I can fool myself into thinking I’m not one.)
So that’s where we stand.
And here’s the D40’s latest: a late 13G with not one, but two CR blue leaders.
The D90 is a heckuva a camera. The D300 is obviously nice, too, but were I in your shoes, I’d definately go the D90 route and pick up some good glass to go with it. There are some very nice primes in Nikon-land, The one downfall of the D90 over the D300 is that the D90 will not meter with older MF glass. It’s not a huge deal, but if you don’t mind manually focusing, there are some nice older AI and AIS lenses out there that could be used.
You will be ahead in the AF department, though. Your D40 will not AF with older AF and AF-D lenses. The D90 will. Anything that uses the “screwdriver tip” focusing will work on the D90 but not the D40.
Nice shot of the Conrail units, too. I like the cherry blossoms contrasting against the blue. Nice!
Tom - As a Minolta (later Konica Minolta) slide shooter for years before digital, I have been invested in K-M glass. Therefore, I went digital with the K-M 7D about a year after it was released. I have never had a complaint with the 7D (of course, since I said this, it will fail tomorrow). I like the accessibility of menu items on buttons and knobs all over instead of digging through menus. That said, I’ve never really worked with Canikons, so I don’t have a reference point. I am considering one of Sony’s FF dSLR bodies, but need to save up for one piece of new Sony glass first (SAL 70-400); all of my legacy glass is (of course) full frame so the FF body would complete the kit nicely and allow me to get from 6Mp into something more commensurate with the 12-14-16Mp bodies everyone else has these days (and stay a few short months ahead of the 18-20Mp APS-C sensors that will inevitably push out the 12-14-16Mp bodies). I would highly recommend www.DPReview.com - they have reviews of most dSLR bodies (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc.), and are adding regularly to their list of lens reviews. They also have reviews of point-and-shoots, like some have suggested you consider in this thread. They have a great camera comparison tool - you can put the features of one camera up against the features of another very easily. Since the features are verified through reviews, they are generally very accurate. I used this tool extensively when I decided to keep my K-M glass and buy the K-M 7D, it has only improved since. (By the way, someone mentioned that you’re in SE Pennsy … being from NY, many of my slide years were spent shooting at Allentown yard, Beth Steel, CP Burn, and other area hotspots). CPLittleton
Believe me, I spent many, many, many, many, and many days on DP review. Both the reviews and the forums. I’ve taken the old 5D out of mothballs, and despite not having touched the camera in almost 2 years, I could find what I wanted like it was yesterday. Still an impressive little camera. If the AF was just a bit faster, and the LCD screen better (the D40 spoiled me).
Having said that, I’m still debating with the A500 or 550. That tilting live view screen could come in handy for me. I’ve taken more than my fair share of “over the head” or “over the fence, tree limb, sign, etc” shot.
Oh yeah… took many a train to and from Allentown/Beth. Kinda miss it… may have to make a triumphant return to the road.