jay_merrill
Vice Admiral
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2007
- Messages
- 5,653
Re: looking for a SLR Digital camera
Re: looking for a SLR Digital camera
No, you don't need VR to get clear photos, it just helps. What you need to do, is to learn how to use your camera and shooting it in program mode all of the time, prevents you from doing that. Mike is correct, in that understanding the relationship between shutter speed and focal length, is the key to obtaining sharp photos. Understanding "depth of field" and how to focus properly, is another important factor.
There are many, many very good DSLRs on the market today. I am a Nikon shooter and recommend either a Nikon or a Canon, but that is not to say that there aren't other very good offerings by other companies. I recommend that you do some reading on www.dpreview.com or www.kenrockwell.com.
One of the main differences between Nikon and Canon, is that Canon has used CMOS processors for quite some time, while Nikon has used CCD processors for the most part. One exception to this is the Nikon D300, which uses a CMOS processor. To me the difference is in the "warmth" of the photo. I like the CMOS images better, but shoot Nikons, so things are never simple.
The D3000 is a good camera, but Ken Rockwell calls it the worst DSLR that Nikon ever made. I disagree. It doesn't do some things that most "prosumer" DSLRs do, but I really don't consider it to be a prosumer camera - its an entry level DSLR. Rockwell's complaint with the camera, includes the fact that it won't do automatic exposure bracketing, while cameras like the D90 or D5000 will. Since most beginners and casual camera users don't take three or more images of the same shot (different exposures) anyway, I think that complaint is overblown.
I also disagree with the idea that Newegg or Amazon are the only places to get a good deal. Ther are tons of good on-line sources and doing business with a local camera shop can be fine too. Many of them match internet prices, but are there to help you when you need advise.
There is one key issue in buying on-line, however. That issue is related to warranty and has to do with whether the camera was produced for US sale or sale elsewhere in the world. With many brands, a "non-US" camera will not be covered in the US, by the manufacturer. With this in mind, the key issue is that many of the on-line retailers are selling non-US cameras at very cheap prices, but are not informing US buyers of this.
Also, be careful of "camera packages," if the retailer is not one with a widely known and good reputation. Camera packages are common and legitimate, when dealing with a trustworthy retailer, be it local or on-line, but they can be a bit dicey with less than reputable retailers. What the scam outfits do, is to sell non-US cameras with lenses, data cards, batteries, etc., that are off brand junk. They also play a lot of bait and switch games.
Bear in mind, also, that since cameras are largely digital these days, they have become like computers in terms of remaining within "cutting edge" technology. Simply out, they don't. What that means, is that you can beat yourself to death, trying to be sure that you get "all the features," just to find out that the "super-duper wiz bang" camera that you bought today, is old news a year an a half from now. I guess my point is that you should decide what your budget is and buy a decent camera within that range, without going crazy over minute differences between brands. The review sites will help you in this decision.
As for "pic cells," those would be pixels and they give an indication of the resolution capability of the processor. Most of the entry level and prosumer DSLRs are in the 10 mega pixel to 12 mega pixel range, these days. Once again, this is an issue that can be overblown at times. There are so many things that affect the creation of a good photograph, that getting too caught up in issues like MP capabilities can be less than productive. For example, the photo below was shot with a 5.0 MP Canon Powershot. I've posted it in these forums a few times and have done so, because its a pretty good example of why the "MP War," is sometimes a bit silly.
???
Re: looking for a SLR Digital camera
No, you don't need VR to get clear photos, it just helps. What you need to do, is to learn how to use your camera and shooting it in program mode all of the time, prevents you from doing that. Mike is correct, in that understanding the relationship between shutter speed and focal length, is the key to obtaining sharp photos. Understanding "depth of field" and how to focus properly, is another important factor.
There are many, many very good DSLRs on the market today. I am a Nikon shooter and recommend either a Nikon or a Canon, but that is not to say that there aren't other very good offerings by other companies. I recommend that you do some reading on www.dpreview.com or www.kenrockwell.com.
One of the main differences between Nikon and Canon, is that Canon has used CMOS processors for quite some time, while Nikon has used CCD processors for the most part. One exception to this is the Nikon D300, which uses a CMOS processor. To me the difference is in the "warmth" of the photo. I like the CMOS images better, but shoot Nikons, so things are never simple.
The D3000 is a good camera, but Ken Rockwell calls it the worst DSLR that Nikon ever made. I disagree. It doesn't do some things that most "prosumer" DSLRs do, but I really don't consider it to be a prosumer camera - its an entry level DSLR. Rockwell's complaint with the camera, includes the fact that it won't do automatic exposure bracketing, while cameras like the D90 or D5000 will. Since most beginners and casual camera users don't take three or more images of the same shot (different exposures) anyway, I think that complaint is overblown.
I also disagree with the idea that Newegg or Amazon are the only places to get a good deal. Ther are tons of good on-line sources and doing business with a local camera shop can be fine too. Many of them match internet prices, but are there to help you when you need advise.
There is one key issue in buying on-line, however. That issue is related to warranty and has to do with whether the camera was produced for US sale or sale elsewhere in the world. With many brands, a "non-US" camera will not be covered in the US, by the manufacturer. With this in mind, the key issue is that many of the on-line retailers are selling non-US cameras at very cheap prices, but are not informing US buyers of this.
Also, be careful of "camera packages," if the retailer is not one with a widely known and good reputation. Camera packages are common and legitimate, when dealing with a trustworthy retailer, be it local or on-line, but they can be a bit dicey with less than reputable retailers. What the scam outfits do, is to sell non-US cameras with lenses, data cards, batteries, etc., that are off brand junk. They also play a lot of bait and switch games.
Bear in mind, also, that since cameras are largely digital these days, they have become like computers in terms of remaining within "cutting edge" technology. Simply out, they don't. What that means, is that you can beat yourself to death, trying to be sure that you get "all the features," just to find out that the "super-duper wiz bang" camera that you bought today, is old news a year an a half from now. I guess my point is that you should decide what your budget is and buy a decent camera within that range, without going crazy over minute differences between brands. The review sites will help you in this decision.
As for "pic cells," those would be pixels and they give an indication of the resolution capability of the processor. Most of the entry level and prosumer DSLRs are in the 10 mega pixel to 12 mega pixel range, these days. Once again, this is an issue that can be overblown at times. There are so many things that affect the creation of a good photograph, that getting too caught up in issues like MP capabilities can be less than productive. For example, the photo below was shot with a 5.0 MP Canon Powershot. I've posted it in these forums a few times and have done so, because its a pretty good example of why the "MP War," is sometimes a bit silly.
???
