Tell us about what you use.

[Max]

We have been camera junkie's at our house for years. Jeannie and Megan both do professional photography work so we always have a ton of camera equipment around. For most of the images you see of mine in the gallery I currently use a canon D20 with a variety of lenses. I also have a G9 that I carry and a pro 1 that I carry a lot but the D20 is what I use for most of the images. We also have a Mark II but I gave that to Megan recently after she got a job for the McKinney Newspaper.

So tell us about what you use now.

Do you like it? Would you recommend it for what type of user? Etc etc.

[Diamond Lil]

I have been using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 since it first came on the market. All of the photos I've posted were taken using it. It benefits are ease of use in point and shoot mode, a small selection of preprogrammed setting sets and flexibility of adjusting aperture and speed settings if desired. The lens range 8.9 - 71.2 mm is decent for a broad range of situations. The built in flash is good, but for real low light situations an aftermarket flash can fit the hotshoe. If you can find this 5 MP camera at a good price I would still recommend it without hesitation.

Having used a Nikkormat FTN SLR for many years with a set of accompanying lens it was a bit challenging to make the digital change over. But, at this point in time the benefits of purchasing a digital SLR are not clear to me. These days the thought of an ultracompact for quick shots here and there along the highways and byways is intriguing.

[Max]

Lil the digital SLR's offer so much in the range of playing with the image. Nothing like being able to set the aperature at 22 and brining everything in a very close up photo into focus or setting the aperature at 1.4 and only having one small part of a large photo in focus while the rest blends away. For the average shooter there really isn't a great deal of need in the slr market but now days with the canon digital rebel under 1k and it's ability to do 10mb images it lets even a novist play. But you know that with the SLR the biggest advantage is the lens selection you have. I use a 70-200 most of the time that is a 2.8 lens because the pictures are just so crisp off it. The glass is still the biggest difference IMHO.

[Diamond Lil]

So what you are saying is the versatility of an SLR and the lens options are the reasons. Those same reasons won't let me just get rid of my old Nikormat and lenses.

[Vrod-Brad]

So what you are saying is the versatility of an SLR and the lens options are the reasons. Those same reasons won't let me just get rid of my old Nikormat and lenses.

Lil,

I agree with Max. I have a simple Canon XLY 7.1 mega pixel camera, point and shoot, easy to use with the ability to modify a lot of settings - simple!

I went to SVA (School of Visual Arts) in Manhattan and they always discussed lenses and the quality of the glass they were made with.

In one of my classes, they showed images taken with a large format 8 x 10 camera (that's a 8" x 10" film negative) for commercial purposes - the quality was outstanding as was the detail.

Leica, Hasselblad, Nikon were all considered top quality as was my favorite Minolta's.

Good lenses and glass are expensive, but as we can see by some of the photos Max posts, it is well worth the results that you obtain...

Brad

[lakedrunk]

I've got a Sony DSC-H1 and I've been happy with it other than it's just kind of big. It takes great pictures and decent video. I also have a Sony DVD Handycam DCR-DVD105, it takes great video and decent pictures, and it's small enough to fit in my pocket (a big pocket)

I find myself using the Cybershot much more for video even though the handycam is better quality video, being that it's a DVD camera if you shake too much (mounted on bike, or riding in Jeepny's in PI) it won't work.

[synseer]

Currenty use a Sony DSC-S40 Cyber-Shot. Had it since early '06 I believe. Been pretty satisfied with it for run of the day picture taking but would like something better for videos.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/assets/3543.jpg

[Max]

Currenty use a Sony DSC-S40 Cyber-Shot. Had it since early '06 I believe. Been pretty satisfied with it for run of the day picture taking but would like something better for videos.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/assets/3543.jpg

Those take amazing photos for the size. As far as video goes now you can actually mix and match the two, my latest HF10 takes 2.5 mega pixel pictures and my latest G-9 digital camera will do video at 1024x768 in fairly high quality so you can now mix and match the two and both are very small units.

[Diamond Lil]

Max, Brad,
You have given me the incentive to play around with the flexibility of the 5700 more. The depth of field changes are something I've forgotten about since leaving the film format behind.

[Michael Hetrick]

I am embarassingly camera poor at this moment. A good apochromatic Takahashi TSA-102s became available and the guy really liked my photo stuff so impulsive, sweaty trade was made.

[Lozinit]

Hi Max!!! Noob here, Artist formerly known as "Spaz"
I just recently purchased a Canon SD870 IS after reading through many point and shoot camera reviews and this one ranked in the top two of all the reviews listed at that time. I haven't been very good at picture taking and always try to blame it on the camera and buy a new one but I know it's me. This one does take nice pictures and it is very small but I still have a lot to learn about digital camera. Hoping to pic up some pointers here maybe and try out my new camera.

[Drew]

My family owns a carpet and rug company.

We are using two Nikon's (D2X and D3X) here in our product studio. The D3X is mounted on the ceiling and tethered to a MAC for remote shots. Give us great head-on product shots. The D2X is our backup/roving/semi-retired camera that we use for vignettes and closeups. Since they both spent most of their life not being touched by a human, you would never know how many shots they have taken, but we beat them up pretty good.

I use a Sony DSC-7 for personal use. Takes pretty decent shots. Looking for a D200 for those 'special times'. The SLR's are so much better when you need action or zoom shots.

[BADAZV]

We have been camera junkie's at our house for years. Jeannie and Megan both do professional photography work so we always have a ton of camera equipment around. For most of the images you see of mine in the gallery I currently use a canon D20 with a variety of lenses. I also have a G9 that I carry and a pro 1 that I carry a lot but the D20 is what I use for most of the images. We also have a Mark II but I gave that to Megan recently after she got a job for the McKinney Newspaper.

So tell us about what you use now.

Do you like it? Would you recommend it for what type of user? Etc etc.

We were never much into photography but we bought an Olympus sp500 a couple of years ago since our kids are into baseball and softball. It stinks!! It is a camera that has to be help 100% still or the pics are blurry. All of the pics in my gallery here and 1130 were taken with it, but dang if we dont have to hold our breath, use the monopod, car hood etc, to stable it.

Now that we have taken anough pics to get the picture bug, we would like to get a nicer camera, but man, cameras are expensive!
We havent justified paying that much for one no more than we use it. But on the other hand, Im sure we would use it if we had a good one.

Another bad thing about our camera is the shutter speed, if the subject is moving any at all, the pic will be blurry. I guess you can tell that I DO NOT recommend an Olympus sp500 :D

So in someones opinion that has been using digi cameras, what is a good camera to get for beginners that is user friendly not that exp, etc?

My sister-in-law has a canon rebel xt i think it is, and it seems to be a nice camera, are they a good beginner setup?
Thanks,


Jeff

[Lozinit]

I also use a Sony Mavica FD88 which is only a 1.3mp but takes awesome close up shots because of the large lens. It's just a pain in the butt to carry the floppies for it will only fit approx 6 photo's on a floppy at high res.

[Michael Hetrick]

I also use a Sony Mavica FD88 which is only a 1.3mp but takes awesome close up shots because of the large lens. It's just a pain in the butt to carry the floppies for it will only fit approx 6 photo's on a floppy at high res.

I had one of them.....that was a good camera.

[roadhog]

although i'm not a camera wizz at all i do like to keep up with new technology ... be it nearly impossible

i have a Minolta A-200 which i carry with me wherever i can and have a Canon PS A570iS for when on (V-ROD) bike trips; this A570iS is a truly excellent 'small' one (7.1 Mp), small enough, fast and good pic quality

pics in the gallery have been shot using both and even though the Minolta costed nearly twice what i paid for the Canon, there isn't really an obvious quality difference ... but as i said, i'm not really an expert, just an amateur, trying to take good pictures for fun

[pegdragger]

I have a Nikon D70 and a couple of lenses. I love shooting with it but it is about four years old and the advances in technology since then are phenomenal. I can't wait to upgrade. I hear lots of good things about Canon, so I may switch over since I only have 2 Nikon lenses.

[Michael Hetrick]

I have a Nikon D70 and a couple of lenses. I love shooting with it but it is about four years old and the advances in technology since then are phenomenal. I can't wait to upgrade. I hear lots of good things about Canon, so I may switch over since I only have 2 Nikon lenses.

I'm kinda in that same boat. I have been drooling over the D80 they have at Costco and am a real die hard Nikon guy....30 plus years. But I read so much good stuff about the Canon product. I don't have any high end or Prosumer equipment so I am poise to just choose what is best....but it is harder for me than the Air Cooled or VROD dilemma. Argh!!!

[mikep]

I have always have been a Nikon guy and just can't seem to switch...

Started off with a Nikon EM and winder in high school.

Then a bunch of FE2's, and F-801s until I could finally afford my first F3.
My last film cameras were a pair of Nikon F4's.

I still have and shoot with the F4 but today I mostly shoot with either my little Nikon P1 or my D200.

As well, I use to own some medium and large format cameras.

Here's a photo of me when I had my studio way back when with my 8x10. The contact prints from this thing were Amazing!!
The Roids were killer expensive though...

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14&stc=1&d=1211430993

[dannyvrod]

Mike, doesn't look like you were on roids there?!

Anyhow! I've been looking to get on a photo forum for a while, now that I see that Max has started one up, it's made my choice pretty damn easy! thanks again Max!

I'm using the Nikon D40 and have been for a few months. I'm a total noob when it comes to photography and bought the D40 cause it was a great deal at the time, and I hated some of the more recent photos from my point and shoot (coolpix S9, I DO NOT recommend it!) ... since getting the DSLR i've taken a few courses to learn how to use it and have picked up a cheap 70-200mm lens and (my fav) a 50mm f1.8 prime.

Looking forward to some c&c here, as well as advice on how to improve my technique and such! I'll upload some pics to the gallery later, but here at work this is the only one I have (of course, its of my bad-ass motorcycle; it's a v-rod, you may have heard of them!):

[LAVrod]

I was shooting with a canon film A-1 through college, a few years ago I bought a Canon XTi. I am now looking at the Canon 40d. My lenses:

Primes:
50mm 1.4
50mm 1.8 MK I (sold)
85mm 1.8
100mm 2.8 macro

Zooms
10-22mm
24-70mm 2.8 L
70-300 USM

Flashes:
430exII
550 ex
3 Photogenic Strobe heads

other:
extension tubes (for macros)


Now looking at
70-200 2.8 L
24-105 4 L

[Michael Hetrick]

I am really angst driven on what body to buy. It is killing me.

Nice shot MikeP. I never played with large format, but have a bit of medium format behind me. SLR's are handy, but you just can't replace what larger format camera's can give you in detail, eh?

[mikep]

I use to do some 4x5 work for product shots and a tiny little bit of architecture.
I had a Sinar with a couple of Schneider lens.

I kind of liked doing product shots. Just me... all alone in the studio... taking my time... creating an image.

I had this one great gig... I would take insurance/catalog photos for an art dealer. He would drop by a bunch of stuff. and I would set it up in the studio and shoot it. Mostly 35mm, it was a cheap gig.
One day I'll tell you about the antique Ivory Kimono buttons. Couldn't describe them on a family friendly site.

[Michael Hetrick]

I'm sitting in a somewhat important meeting reading this site instead of paying attentiion to boring business stuff.

I got it bad.

Mike my favorite subjects were always surfers and sailboats. I never got to shoot any sailboats from the water though. You had quite the opportunity for that.

[mikep]

Well not really...

I did have the autopilot, but generally I was the only person that could handle the helm. :)

If you would have come to Boston, we could have rented a sailboat for the day and gone out for a sail!!! :stilpoke:

[fatterknacker]

from 2004-2007 i used this Logitech WebCamera
http://www.activewin.com/reviews/hardware/cameras/logitech/clicksmart510/images/clicksmart510small1.jpg

got the Canon for christmas. i chose it mostly for the flip-out screen and decent optical zoom
http://www.v3ml.com.br/ml/fotos/fotocanons5is.jpg

[mikep]

Well since we are going down history lane.... Here is MY FIRST digital camera that was not a webcam. We bought it when I had my web design company as a quick way to get customers products on the web. Resolution was not great, but for quick web shots it was great. Before that we were shooting on film and ordering "Kodak Photo CDs" at the lab to be able to publish them on the WWW.

http://www.collection-appareils.fr/appareils/images/apple.jpg

[Michael Hetrick]

Here's mine, I am pretty sure. At least I can't remeber any before this one. Sony MVC-fd7. You got about 3 -5 shots per 1.44 meg floppy disk.

http://www.interment.net/column/review/mavica/mvc_fd7a.jpg

[mikep]

Here's mine, I am pretty sure. At least I can't remeber any before this one. Sony MVC-fd7. You got about 3 -5 shots per 1.44 meg floppy disk.


Wow.. a floppy... You MUST be old! :poke:

[Michael Hetrick]

http://www.collection-appareils.fr/appareils/images/apple.jpg

Lux would be so proud!

[Kainam]

I currently have a

Nikon D200
DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G
VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G

a Nikon 5700

And a Minolta Maxxum 7xi 35mm

[Dozenroses13]

I have a Nikon Coolpix 5700 like Lil does. Since Michael & I started dating though, it has been neglected.... I have recently taken it out for a few shots though. Just a little bigger than I'd like for a pocket camera. One of these days I'll need to upgrade it for more serious work. I took a photography course back in school, but I think I've forgotten
more than I remember unfortunately.

[rjeffs]

Lil the digital SLR's offer so much in the range of playing with the image. Nothing like being able to set the aperature at 22 and brining everything in a very close up photo into focus or setting the aperature at 1.4 and only having one small part of a large photo in focus while the rest blends away. For the average shooter there really isn't a great deal of need in the slr market but now days with the canon digital rebel under 1k and it's ability to do 10mb images it lets even a novist play. But you know that with the SLR the biggest advantage is the lens selection you have. I use a 70-200 most of the time that is a 2.8 lens because the pictures are just so crisp off it. The glass is still the biggest difference IMHO.

I have a Canon 40D - got it for the fast shutter speeds to take dog agility shots. I am looking at the Canon 70-300 IS USM lens now - it is rated very well. I know the L series is best but can't afford that. Any opinions on this lens?

[LAVrod]

I have the 70-300 it is good lens. You will take some fantastic photos. It somewhat soft at the 300 range, and nothing like the L. If you plan to buy the L later on, maybe want to consider saving for L and get it the first time around. Otherwise, it is a good lens to work with in most things, except maybe sports or low light.

[rjeffs]

I have the 70-300 it is good lens. You will take some fantastic photos. It somewhat soft at the 300 range, and nothing like the L. If you plan to buy the L later on, maybe want to consider saving for L and get it the first time around. Otherwise, it is a good lens to work with in most things, except maybe sports or low light.

You have found that this lens is NOT good for sports?

[LAVrod]

Outdoor sports during the day, it will be great. Indoor volleyball, basketball etc you will get some blurry or grainy picts and at 300mm it is more soft than crisp. It may help to use a external flash. I have this lens and have tried the 70-200 2.8 non is. It is night and day. But the 70-300 will do most of what you need.

[LAVrod]

You may also consider, Tamron or Sigma's 2.8 versions of these lenses, to save money but get the higher quality picts. I do not have experience with either but have heard praises for both.

[Michael Hetrick]

What are you buying the lens for? Just to fill a niche or do you have a purpose in mind? All zoom lenses are compromises, in my opinion.

[Kainam]

All zoom lenses are compromises, in my opinion.

I agree, but (to paraphrase a saying from the concealed carry community) any lens you carry with you is better than the lens left at home.

[rjeffs]

What are you buying the lens for? Just to fill a niche or do you have a purpose in mind? All zoom lenses are compromises, in my opinion.

I am buying the zoom lens to photograph dog agility. That is where dogs run an agility course, they do jumps, seesaw, tunnels, A Frame.

[rjeffs]

I am buying the zoom lens to photograph dog agility. That is where dogs run an agility course, they do jumps, seesaw, tunnels, A Frame.

Here are a couple pix of my dog doing agility

[LAVrod]

If these are done outdoors in daylight, you will be fine with the 70-300. At 300mm it is slightly soft, but nothing to worry about unless it is a financial investment.

[Michael Hetrick]

I am buying the zoom lens to photograph dog agility. That is where dogs run an agility course, they do jumps, seesaw, tunnels, A Frame.

So mostly outside with good light. Speed shouldn't matter so much so you don't have to buy a huge light bucket. Probably a good brand name lens with a UV filter and POSSIBLY a polarizer. Using a mono or tri-pod will buy you a little bit of crispness.

If you are going to shoot a lot indoors with lower light you are going to run into some money issues depending on the sync rate and lumens available from your available flash.

[Chip]

I am using the Sony alpha 200. So far, I like it. It has a minolta lens mount, lots of older Minolta lens's out there. I have found an older Minolta 50mm f1.7 lense that is incredible to use with it and a new Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro lens. The battery life is amazing; 500 to 800 photos on a single charge. This is my first DSLR so I can't speak to many of the features of this camera, but I could not be happier with it and the price was reasonable.:D

[Shoe]

Just picked up a Nikon D60 w/18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor VR (vibration reduction) lens with 3.05x zoom.

[tude]

40D Canon with assorted cheap glass..
NO Skills:rofl:

[Max]

40D Canon with assorted cheap glass..
NO Skills:rofl:

I also have a 40D but do have some good glass, we had a 1D markII but gave that to my daughter since she shoots professionally it seemed like it would get better use that way. I really like the new 5D markII coming out that not only does 21 meg a pixel but also shoots video at 1080I out of your good glass.

[tude]

I also have a 40D but do have some good glass, we had a 1D markII but gave that to my daughter since she shoots professionally it seemed like it would get better use that way. I really like the new 5D markII coming out that not only does 21 meg a pixel but also shoots video at 1080I out of your good glass.

Ever miss the 1D series body?
I wanted the MKIII 1DS till they announced the new 5D (which is more in my price range) ..
My best glass is my 70-200 f4L IS with my second favorite being my Sig 10-20 uw and my 85 f1/8.
I have massaged the idea of switching to Nikon with the D300 as the photo quality (to me anyway) is far superior to the 40D but will wait to test the 5D as I have some Canon glass already and have yet to shoot with the full frame sensor..

[Max]

Not really, they are better for sports then regular shooting. The biggest difference was the 8 frames a second it would shoot. I do have some good lenses though. one 70-200 2.8 L and then a 50mm f 1.4 and then of course a couple of 17-35 all good quality canon lenses.

[tude]

8fps is hard to beat..
I have the coveted 50 f1/4 but have not learned to use it properly yet (WB and soft focus issues)..
How sharp is your 17-35mm?

[Max]

How sharp is your 17-35mm?

IMHO the sharpest lens I have is the 70-200 2.8, it just seems to put all the others to shame.

[tude]

IMHO the sharpest lens I have is the 70-200 2.8, it just seems to put all the others to shame.

yep same w/ my f/4 but i need a sharp wide piece of glass..
I am anxious to get this Tokina UW when I can find one..
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tokina/at_x_116_pro_dx

[Springer]

Hi all new here, still shoot some film but for the list of my digital here goes. I got two SLR's a Canon 20D & 5D Mk. II I just picked up also have a A650 IS P&S. As for lens

Canon 18-55 S Kit lens
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Canon 28-200
Sigma 50-500 (BigMa)


and am hoping to save up enough cash to pick-up a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS in the next couple of months. Favorite glass so far are the Tamron 28-75 & the Sigma 50-500 but since Ive been hit up to shoot 4 wedding's this summer and really need the faster glass I think that 70-200 f/2.8 will probably be moving to the top of the list

[LAVrod]

How do you like the 5d mkII? I am considering buying one. Just gotta save more dough.

[Springer]

So far its great, the only thing is do the files ever take up a lot of space an 8 gig card is good for about 283 pic's with the camera set at large RAW and then by the time you do any post processing they will suck up a lot of hard drive space on the computer. But to tell you the truth unless I'm shooting for some one Ill do most of my shooting in SRaw 1 at 10 meg instead of 21 meg. I will say though can you ever do some cropping when you're shooting 21 meg. I just saw the brother in law out in his yard and took a shot, this was at 21 meg and with the Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/FLSTSC/_MG_0558.jpg
and now here is the same shot cropped 100%
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/FLSTSC/_MG_0558a_edited-1.jpg
and it great at shooting low light with very little clean up you can shoot at ISO 6400 and get great looking shots.

[Diamond Lil]

So JB, it appears there are reasons for larger amounts of megapixels other than size...

[Springer]

I don't know how often you would really need all those meg's. The main reason I went for it is for the low light capability's, I really liked every thing I saw and read about it.

[Diamond Lil]

Where I live good low light capacity is an asset.

[Springer]

I shot this of a friend of mine the second day I had the camera and it was dark in their. and just to show how dark I had to shoot it at ISO 6400 at 1/40's of a sec. free hand which is why its a bit on the fuzzy looking side. I'm just not all that steady free hand at that slow a shutter speed.

[tude]

I shot this of a friend of mine the second day I had the camera and it was dark in their. and just to show how dark I had to shoot it at ISO 6400 at 1/40's of a sec. free hand which is why its a bit on the fuzzy looking side. I'm just not all that steady free hand at that slow a shutter speed.
Looks great especially at 6400!
Those shots are hard as hell handheld.

[Diamond Lil]

Was there a flash used for the friend at the bar shot? I'm thinking not.

[Springer]

Nope no flash

[Diamond Lil]

So, I'm getting the idea that the sensor has much to do with it.

[Springer]

From what I was able to gather doing research about them before I got the Mk II and what I seen and read after having had it for a while is that full frame sensor's as a rule do much better at shooting low light then crop sensor's do. There are a bunch of technical reasons for it, all I can say for sure is that I can get as clean or cleaner shot's at ISO 3200 then I could ever get at 800 with my 20D.

[EZE RIDER]

From what I was able to gather doing research about them before I got the Mk II and what I seen and read after having had it for a while is that full frame sensor's as a rule do much better at shooting low light then crop sensor's do. There are a bunch of technical reasons for it, all I can say for sure is that I can get as clean or cleaner shot's at ISO 3200 then I could ever get at 800 with my 20D.


Really good stuff!

I was wondering, do they call your full size sensor FX or is that just a Nikon term?

[Springer]

I'm not sure but I think the FX is a Nikon term and Canon seems just to go by calling them Full Frame but pretty much everybody will answer to FF.

[Diamond Lil]

From what I was able to gather doing research about them before I got the Mk II and what I seen and read after having had it for a while is that full frame sensor's as a rule do much better at shooting low light then crop sensor's do. There are a bunch of technical reasons for it, all I can say for sure is that I can get as clean or cleaner shot's at ISO 3200 then I could ever get at 800 with my 20D.
And my Rebel tops out at ISO 1600

[polizzio]

Well I literally threw away my old film 35mm camera as it didn't work anymore. I currently use a Kodak 5 meg prosumer Z7590 that takes really nice images. I've had it for 2-3 years. About a month ago I purchased a Nikon D60 with a 18-55 mm VR lense, and a 55-200mm VR lense too, so right now I'm learning to extract what I can from the D60. The D60 is pretty nice.

[Diamond Lil]

It sure is pretty down Louisiana way and it looks like you also take water creature pictures. Good stuff John and great to see you here. We look forward to your future postings.

[EZE RIDER]

Well I literally threw away my old film 35mm camera as it didn't work anymore. I currently use a Kodak 5 meg prosumer Z7590 that takes really nice images. I've had it for 2-3 years. About a month ago I purchased a Nikon D60 with a 18-55 mm VR lense, and a 55-200mm VR lense too, so right now I'm learning to extract what I can from the D60. The D60 is pretty nice.


Welcome to the forum! Nice pics.

[polizzio]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome. Did you notice the alligator in the first pic with the bird?

[Diamond Lil]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome. Did you notice the alligator in the first pic with the bird?

Nope! Not until you made mention. It doesn't look like the egret saw it either.
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-shocked015.gif