calling all camera people.

[autofreak44]

i just got my camera stolen (sobsob) so now its time to get a new one. im thinking about upgrading to a d-slr. ive looked at rebels and i dont like them becasue of their small sensors. i was thinking an olympus evolt 500 because i can pick one up on e bay for around 700 with everything (cam, 2 lenses, shipping, etc)
so if i set my budget around 700 is there any more competative cameras in that price range? also i need lenses for any camera i get, does anyone have suggestions for lenses?
thanks

 

[aw2x3]

I would look no farther. Olympus is one of the best brands on the market and it's a steal at the price you've found. I've had several of them...started off with a 4.1 MP and have no moved up to a C-8080.
Within the next 6 months I'll be moving up to a DSLR and will either be going with the Evolt E500 or a considerably more expensive Canon.

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
i just got my camera stolen (sobsob) so now its time to get a new one. im thinking about upgrading to a d-slr. ive looked at rebels and i dont like them becasue of their small sensors. i was thinking an olympus evolt 500 because i can pick one up on e bay for around 700 with everything (cam, 2 lenses, shipping, etc)
so if i set my budget around 700 is there any more competative cameras in that price range? also i need lenses for any camera i get, does anyone have suggestions for lenses?
thanks

I have a Minolta 5D Maxxum, I upgraded from the Maxxum 5 which was a film camera. The 5D is the digitial version of the same camera, 6.1 mega pixel phenominal photos. You can find one cheap too on that auction website but not a private seller. People dont realize it but Minolta is a very very good brand and it often goes unrealized. But IMO they are incredible and rival many other brand names out there. And if you looked in the right spot you can find a complete set up for approx $500 including a decent indoor wide angle lens, something like a 18-50 or 18-70 with zoom. The pics on my post are taken with that camera if you want to see what it can do. Hope this helps.

 

[anmldr]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
I have a Minolta 5D Maxxum, I upgraded from the Maxxum 5 which was a film camera. The 5D is the digitial version of the same camera, 6.1 mega pixel phenominal photos. You can find one cheap too on that auction website but not a private seller. People dont realize it but Minolta is a very very good brand and it often goes unrealized. But IMO they are incredible and rival many other brand names out there. And if you looked in the right spot you can find a complete set up for approx $500 including a decent indoor wide angle lens, something like a 18-50 or 18-70 with zoom. The pics on my post are taken with that camera if you want to see what it can do. Hope this helps.
OK so I just browsed through some of your pictures, how do you get rid of the glare from the glass? They are great shots. I would love to have a nice camera, I really think that is going to be one of my next purchases with my bonus check. (I have to finish buying lr first)

 

[robn]

I really like my Nikon D50....

 

[aw2x3]

Originally Posted by anmldr
OK so I just browsed through some of your pictures, how do you get rid of the glare from the glass? They are great shots. I would love to have a nice camera, I really think that is going to be one of my next purchases with my bonus check. (I have to finish buying lr first)
You can see just a small portion of my pics, on SWF, HERE ... these are with the C-8080.
The way to take pics, without glare is to not take straight forward pics of the tank. Slightly angle the shot and the glare wont show up, from the flash.
Also...invest in a tripod. You can get them from Target for $15 - $20. Then, you can take pics without the flash.

 

[dragonzim]

My father and I jsut went in on a Nikon D50. I had a bunch of lenses from my older Nikon film camera so it was a good fit. Nikon makes by far the best lenses out there. Can't go wrong!

 

[autofreak44]

correct me if im wrong but dont nikons have bad sensors or lenses or something like that? also a d-50 isnt realy in my price range. im guessing the evolt is the one to go for, if anyone has a good deal on one or knows where i can get a good deal let me know

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by anmldr
OK so I just browsed through some of your pictures, how do you get rid of the glare from the glass? They are great shots. I would love to have a nice camera, I really think that is going to be one of my next purchases with my bonus check. (I have to finish buying lr first)

Thanks. The way i get no glare is i use no flash. Also, even if you are using flash you still should get no glare if you camera is set properly,angleing the camera will help but you dont have too. With no flash the shutter lag is lengthend but, the steady shot feature of the camera does its job. I dont use a tripod its all done on manual focus and zoom.
FYI Years ago Minolta invented the auto focus feature, everyone else jump on board shortly after. While i am not knocking cannon or nikkon people rely on the name because thats all they know, do some research and you will find identicle cameras for a fraction of the popular brands price.

One more thing, mega pixels are a marketing gimic to get you to think you are getting a better camera than you are. What I mean is up until 2 years ago a very well known camera co advertised a 10.1 mega p camera. In reality it was only a 6.1 the explanation... The camera is capable of 10 but the chip inside was not a 10.1 chip changing it was big bucks and they made you think it was. Mega pixels isnt about how detailed your pic is, its about how big you can make your pic before it gets distorted. A 6.1 mega p camera on RAW jpeg format can take pics capable of poster size w/o disortion. Focus on the important and understand the difference

 

[nemo_66]

i think i saw that the olympus evolt 500 is an 8MP, the Rebel XT is an 8MP, and the XTI is a 10.1MP, and you can find one for around 700 shiped on e8ay. just search that and go to "buy it now" if you look hard, you will find the cheaper ones.
PS, CANON ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[autofreak44]

im not a fan of the cannon especialy because it has a plastic body and im known to abuse my electronics... also the you cant find an xti shipped with 2 lenses, card, tripod etc for under 700

 

[anmldr]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
Thanks. The way i get no glare is i use no flash. Also, even if you are using flash you still should get no glare if you camera is set properly,angleing the camera will help but you dont have too. With no flash the shutter lag is lengthend but, the steady shot feature of the camera does its job. I dont use a tripod its all done on manual focus and zoom.
FYI Years ago Minolta invented the auto focus feature, everyone else jump on board shortly after. While i am not knocking cannon or nikkon people rely on the name because thats all they know, do some research and you will find identicle cameras for a fraction of the popular brands price.

One more thing, mega pixels are a marketing gimic to get you to think you are getting a better camera than you are. What I mean is up until 2 years ago a very well known camera co advertised a 10.1 mega p camera. In reality it was only a 6.1 the explanation... The camera is capable of 10 but the chip inside was not a 10.1 chip changing it was big bucks and they made you think it was. Mega pixels isnt about how detailed your pic is, its about how big you can make your pic before it gets distorted. A 6.1 mega p camera on RAW jpeg format can take pics capable of poster size w/o disortion. Focus on the important and understand the difference

I do like Nikon. I like to use my dad's old slr. It didn't do automatic so of course we had to set everything. He had a lot of lenses including some that weren't nikon. Can't remember what kind they were now. I have a small digital nikon right now and can't ever get it to take good pics. I think it is because it is all auto and i never use the right setting. All the tank pics come out awful that is why I haven't posted any yet. Anyway, appreciate all of the great advice and good pics to look at.

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
correct me if im wrong but dont nikons have bad sensors or lenses or something like that?

We got the D50 refurbished for around $400 for the body. It came witha 1 year warranty. The lenses can be expensive though.
Take a look at just about any professional photographer and you will see them using a Nikon.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
Take a look at just about any professional photographer and you will see them using a Nikon.
Wife's a pro.
No nikons here.
Canon & Hasselblad.
We also have an Oly E-1, (previously owned E-20n) but only because they were a steal.
I use the Oly for tank shots because in a way I hope it falls into the tank.
We also own a Fuji 6900 which has incredible skin tone reproduction.

 

[autofreak44]

Originally Posted by socal57che
Wife's a pro.
No nikons here.
Canon & Hasselblad.
We also have an Oly E-1, (previously owned E-20n) but only because they were a steal.
I use the Oly for tank shots because in a way I hope it falls into the tank.
We also own a Fuji 6900 which has incredible skin tone reproduction.
well if you dont want your olympus i will take it off your hands how much you want for it?

 

[socal57che]

As soon as we decide to drop the $$ for a new Canon the Oly will go away.
Total $$ in Oly are:
$500-body
$350-14-54 zuiko lens
$450-1.4x teleconverter
$275-FL36 flash
$250-vertical grip and grip strap
It doesn't track well. Slow write time. Low burst rate. Has issues forgetting there is a lens attached. (auto focus will not work without removing and reinstalling the lens)
E-Volt supposedly fixed these issues. For the amount we would ask for the E-1 you should buy a new E-Volt.
We will probably ask in the neighborhood of $1300 for the entire setup.

 

[autofreak44]

wow with all those probs i will take the evolt...
thanks anyway

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
wow with all those probs i will take the evolt...
thanks anyway

Remember one thing when making a your decision. There are a ton of functions on all of these digital SLR's. To the pro these applications are eaiser to understand and relate to on these cameras. I didnt go with a Nikon specifically because there were sooo many more functions that I wasnt interested in knowing about. Where the one that I got has tons of functions and prob alot I wont use but it wasnt over burdening to get the basics and understanding of the camera down. Just my 2 cents for the novice who may not be all that interested in the professional side of it all.

 

[autofreak44]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
Remember one thing when making a your decision. There are a ton of functions on all of these digital SLR's. To the pro these applications are eaiser to understand and relate to on these cameras. I didnt go with a Nikon specifically because there were sooo many more functions that I wasnt interested in knowing about. Where the one that I got has tons of functions and prob alot I wont use but it wasnt over burdening to get the basics and understanding of the camera down. Just my 2 cents for the novice who may not be all that interested in the professional side of it all.
thanks for the thought but i am actualy thinking of persuing a career in pro photography. i already have a moderate understanding of digital slrs etc so im actualy looking forward to all the different functions

 

[dskrezyna]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
thanks for the thought but i am actualy thinking of persuing a career in pro photography. i already have a moderate understanding of digital slrs etc so im actualy looking forward to all the different functions

hey autofreek,
im slowly getting there. I have a Canon 30D (started w/Digital Rebel) , three "L" lenses and stwo nice USM prime lenses. For a good Canon forum, go here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
Dan
danskrezyna.net