New Camera?

[Casey]

With so many high-quality-picture-takers, I thought I'd ask your advice on a camera I'm thinking of getting (a gift to us actually from family). Anyway, I've done a lot of reading of reviews, etc., and am this close :uts fingers close together:: to getting it, but then my wife recommended I ask your advice first.

So, the camera is a Sony DSC-R1 (Amazon). I was thinking of getting two accessories to go with it, a carrying case (Amazon) and a lense protector (Amazon). Do I need a lense protector? Of course, I suppose I'd also need some memory storage, so without a lot of looking I found a 2 GB High Speed Memory Stick PRO (Amazon). From reading the reviews, they suggest getting high speed memory on account of the large file-sizes of the images (which can be around 20MBs).

Any suggestions? Tips? Anything else you think we'd need? I was thinking about getting a tripod, but we can do that in the future as well. We're looking at a higher-quality camera because we're thinking of taking on the hobby of photography (we already have experience with an older digital camera that we own). We definitely appreciate your insights!

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Originally posted by StaunchPresbyterian
With so many high-quality-picture-takers, I thought I'd ask your advice on a camera I'm thinking of getting (a gift to us actually from family). Anyway, I've done a lot of reading of reviews, etc., and am this close :uts fingers close together:: to getting it, but then my wife recommended I ask your advice first.

So, the camera is a Sony DSC-R1 (Amazon). I was thinking of getting two accessories to go with it, a carrying case (Amazon) and a lense protector (Amazon). Do I need a lense protector? Of course, I suppose I'd also need some memory storage, so without a lot of looking I found a 2 GB High Speed Memory Stick PRO (Amazon). From reading the reviews, they suggest getting high speed memory on account of the large file-sizes of the images (which can be around 20MBs).

Any suggestions? Tips? Anything else you think we'd need? I was thinking about getting a tripod, but we can do that in the future as well. We're looking at a higher-quality camera because we're thinking of taking on the hobby of photography (we already have experience with an older digital camera that we own). We definitely appreciate your insights!

Before you buy anything else, GET A LENS PROTECTOR. It's MUCH CHEAPER, to replace a scratched filter than to send in an entire camera to have the lens replaced. That is super expensive. Why not just buy a 67mm UV lens though? $50 is a lot of money for a UV filter. I buy $400 lenses for my SLR camera and I only spend about $15 for a filter.

Here is one that would work for $15: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=accessory_detail&addedTroughValue=401645_REG

A few other thoughts:

1. I don't know what your experience with digital photography is but for that price I would buy a Digital Rebel XT with the kit lens (18-55mm). Prosumer cameras are nice but very limiting. You're stuck with the lens it came with. An SLR gives you endless capabiliites and any glass you buy works for every model in that line.

2. 2 GB is a bit of overkill. Unless you're planning on taking hundreds of pictures before you download it to your computer then you can save money. I have a 1 GB card and I am a very prolific picture taker.

3. The one accessory you don't ask about is an external flash. I highly recommend one if you want good results indoors. See one of my posts from a couple months ago regarding bounce flash results.

4. Before you buy anything, if you haven't already done so, visit http://www.dpreview.com and read reviews and seek some input on the forums there.

Hope this helps.

 

[Casey]

Originally posted by SemperFideles
Before you buy anything else, GET A LENS PROTECTOR. It's MUCH CHEAPER, to replace a scratched filter than to send in an entire camera to have the lens replaced. That is super expensive. Why not just buy a 67mm UV lens though? $50 is a lot of money for a UV filter. I buy $400 lenses for my SLR camera and I only spend about $15 for a filter.

Okay. I will definitely get a lens protector!

A few other thoughts:

1. I don't know what your experience with digital photography is but for that price I would buy a Digital Rebel XT with the kit lens (18-55mm). Prosumer cameras are nice but very limiting. You're stuck with the lens it came with. An SLR gives you endless capabiliites and any glass you buy works for every model in that line.

I suppose . . I want something versatile, but not extremely difficult . . and not something that would require purchasing too many additional components. That was my reasoning for choosing a "prosumer" model. In reading reviews, they have suggested the same that you have--that the camera is limited, but that for the price it's a rather good deal--especially for the lense. I read the review off the site you recommended, actually, and that's basically what they said.

2. 2 GB is a bit of overkill. Unless you're planning on taking hundreds of pictures before you download it to your computer then you can save money. I have a 1 GB card and I am a very prolific picture taker.

I'm imagining taking the camera on a trip and not wanting to bring my laptop to keep moving pictures to . . in that case, a larger memory stick is justifiable, yes? Does your camera also store pictures around the 20MB range?

3. The one accessory you don't ask about is an external flash. I highly recommend one if you want good results indoors. See one of my posts from a couple months ago regarding bounce flash results.

How is this (linked) one? It's funny . . I found the camera being sold somewhere else for about $120 less than Amazon (Abe's of Maine) which would mean for the same price I could get this flash! Would a remote for the flash be advisable?

4. Before you buy anything, if you haven't already done so, visit http://www.dpreview.com and read reviews and seek some input on the forums there.

Did it. They had a huge review, and a link to a seller that has the camera for sale for significantly less!

Hope this helps.

Helped a lot -- thanks!!

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Don't have much time:

1. Digital SLR's are as easy to use as the "Prosumer" type. Don't let complexity be a hindrance. It's not an issue. If you intend on becoming serious at all you'll be glad you did it first not later.

2. Valid concern about bringing a laptop. Unless you have a camera that takes 20MB pics then you won't be generating 20MB files. RAW images take up the make pix resolution (about 8MB) but you don't need to shoot RAW unless you're taking serious shots. Super Fine JPG compression loses about 1% quality, is imperceptible to they eye, and an 8MB quality pic is about 1-1.5MB in size.

More later. Check the site and see what Rebel XT folks think and how "easy" it is. With the kit lens it is about the same size as the one you're looking at but it is so much more versatile.

 

[Casey]

Originally posted by SemperFideles
More later.

Patiently waiting!

 

[Semper Fidelis]

OK so to finish:

By the time you finished buying this camera with the accessories noted you would be in pretty deep already for this camera. You're then "stuck" with accessories (including an external flash) that only really work with that prosumer model.

I have had digital cameras of various types for 7 years now. Until 2 years ago I kept upgrading to better prosumers. I had this idea that Digital SLR's were really for "sophisticated" users. I finally decided, however, to get a Digital SLR and wish I had done it sooner. Especially since Canon came out with their Digital Rebel, it made the decision a "no brainer". The Digital Rebel XT was a big jump in capability.

Sure the lens on the Sony is nice and the features are nice but so is the kit 18-55mm lens on the XT. I think you can even find the Digital Rebel XT for cheaper than the Sony. Startup times on DSLR's is amazingly fast and the autofocus is near instantaneous. This is a huge benefit when taking pics of kids who move while you're waiting for that autofocus to kick in. Think later on as well - as technology improves you keep the lenses you might acquire slowly. I don't mind investing, for instance, in a new 17-70mm lens that is great for indoor shots (where I take most of my pictures) because I know that when my current camera body ages in a few years I can put that same lens on a new camera body. When my kids get old enough to play sports I'll buy an Ultra Zoom lens to capture that action.

Regardless of whether cameras are prosumer or DSLR, both come with "quick" modes like sports mode, landscape mode, or portrait mode for example. Operation of the camera, in fact, is nearly identical to the prosumer models I had. The ONLY drawback to DSLR's is that you cannot compose the shot from the LCD display. That is because the mirror is in front of the CCD and must move as the shot is taken. I thought I would miss this feature but I'm quite comfortable and used to putting a camera up to my eye and the benefits far outweigh this single feature loss.

In short, I can think of no reason to commend to you buying a prosumer over a DSLR if the prices are the same. You have expandability without wasting money on lens attachments or flash units that are for a specific camera and you have the speed, autofocus, and quality of a DSLR. Operation is no more complex. Frankly, you'll WANT to become a better photographer when you see the results. I've only learned a few basic tricks to great photography and have never gotten skilled at some of the art that goes into composition and the like but, because the equipment is good, I get awesome pics quite accidentally I might otherwise not get.

One last thing: I hate memory sticks. Sony is the only one that uses them. Compact Flash is much more universal.

Here is what I recommend for you (you can click on each item below to go to the place where I found the price):

Canon Digital Rebel XT with 18-55mm lens - $680 after rebate
1 GB SanDisk Ultra II Compact Flash - $60
Canon 54 mm Filter to protect lens - $13
Canon 430EX Speedlite - $230 (Seems expensive but well worth it)
Lens Cleaning Pen - $10
Some Case - ~ $75 (I recommend you get the camera and accessories and take them to a shop near you with a good selection and try different bags that work for you rather than recommending one here)

Total Cost = ~$970

That's really not bad considering what you were willing to pay already. Seems like a lot of money to some but: you won't have to re-buy your speedlite or your case so if you eliminated those as factors the price is really excellent.

 

[Casey]

Rich,

Thanks so much for all that information! I will definitely look into it and give it heavy consideration, seeing as how you have a lot more experience and familiarity with the products than I do.

A couple simple/quick questions:

1. They won't change the lens-attachment sizes? So older lenses will continue to work with new cameras, but for how long?
2. I have read about people getting tired of sending in their SLR's to get lenses cleaned. Is this a serious problem?

I see your reasoning behind getting an SLR instead of a prosumer. I suppose, in the long run, it's going to be the better option (kinda like building your own computer, and later upgrading different parts).

Added edit:

So then, that Sony camera seems to be expensive for two reasons.

1. It is very high mega-pixel
2. It has a really good lense

Might it be worth getting a slightly more expensive SLR camera that has better mega-pixel capacity and other sightly better capabilities? I mean . . I see the base price of the Sony and it's higher--the base price of the Rebel XT is lower. I have this urge to wait a few months on the flash to spend that extra money on a better model camera?

Maybe that sounds weird. For example: in building a computer, you ought to get a really good motherboard and processor, since these are very difficult and expensive to upgrade later. It's easier to put in a larger hard drive and more memory.

I'm applying that logic to the camera. It's easier to get a flash later, and a better lense. So should I put most of the money on a better camera that can't be upgraded later without simply replacing it?

Then again, maybe this camera will be more than enough to suit all my "beginner" needs.

Another added edit:

I've looked at Canon's website to get more of a feel for their line of Digital SLR products . . now another simple question: Will accessories that I would purchase for the Rebel XT be compatible with a higher-end model, say the 30D, if I were to get that camera in the future?

Thanks again -- I really do appreciate your help!

[Edited on 4-25-2006 by StaunchPresbyterian]

[Edited on 4-25-2006 by StaunchPresbyterian]

 

[Casey]

Rich,

I've pretty much concluded my research and answered most of my questions in the process. I'm going to basically get the package you recommended, besides the possibility of getting a 2GB Compact Flash and the addition of a battery grip (so we'll have the option of using regular re-rechargeable batteries in the future).

Care to share what sorts of lenses and other accessories you've purchased for your camera that you enjoy using?

Thanks again for your help! I'll try not to bug you about the camera until after I've read the manual that comes with it!

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Originally posted by StaunchPresbyterian
Rich,

I've pretty much concluded my research and answered most of my questions in the process. I'm going to basically get the package you recommended, besides the possibility of getting a 2GB Compact Flash and the addition of a battery grip (so we'll have the option of using regular re-rechargeable batteries in the future).

Care to share what sorts of lenses and other accessories you've purchased for your camera that you enjoy using?

Thanks again for your help! I'll try not to bug you about the camera until after I've read the manual that comes with it!

Sorry I missed your question yesterday. I have the following lenses:

Canon 18-55mm lens (the one I recommended, I use it often)
Canon 28-135mm IS
Canon 50mm (nice inexpensive fast lens)
Sigma 17-70mm lens (it's actually in the mail. A birthday gift from my wife)

I also really like the Fong Lightsphere:
http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html

It works better than using an index card behind the flash unit.

In answer to an earlier question: Lenses will work "forever". No worries about them not working on future models.

When you get this thing, I recommend calling up your insurance company and getting a Personal Article Floater on the camera. It insures it against loss or theft or accidental damage. Pretty cheap to have peace of mind.