DSLR Camera reccos
 

I've used a (jinx's) Sony a100, and my son has the a37.

I like them.... but.... I want to get my own camera now, and lens sharing is not really a concern. I'd like to be able to transfer files over wireless... I'd like video that has autofocus while filming.... I'd like the full sized sensor.... but I'd also like to get it all under $1000.

The Pentax got good reviews, but falls down on the video end, and the wireless.

anyone have an opinion? or even a good source of trustworthy reviews?

if I can't get all of the above, which want should I sacrifice?

and what about the mirrorless ones? are they legit?

can anyone talk me out of this one? it looks kind of too good to be true for $750

I was under the impression the only reason for a mirror is so you can see through the viewfinder, and has to jump out of the way to exposé the film, later the image sensor. So if you're looking at the subject on a screen you don't need a viewfinder or mirror.

Damn, there's a lot of interesting stuff at that link, like how to reset all the different browsers when they get corrupted with toolbars.

ugh. the more i read about them, the more difficult the choice becomes.

it seems like the mirrorless are not QUITE to where they are going to be the right choice.

I started looking at the sony a7... and slowly talking myself up in price.... BUT.... there's no internal stabilization, so the lenses will be BUKU.... i don't need that much camera.

now I look at that a6000, and suddenly, it's missing a lot of features. like no external microphone jack... ( really, do i need that??) and the sensor is APS-C (not full sized)


here's a really good review of the a6000... well.. a really involved one at least. linking it here, mainly so I can find it again later... as I'm sure I won't be able to read it all right now.

I just asked Spencer his opinion, and to ask his photography teacher what he would buy. For some reason, that makes me feel old.

This shit changes so fast I got nothing. But I wonder about wireless transfer. Sound gimmicky. These files are going to be so large. Especially video. Won't it take forever? It's not a cellphone camera with little files.

It shouldn't, the subject has become infinitely more complicated and understanding it more specialized. Would you be surprised if the teacher had Spencer ask you about cars?

bruce, I guess it's just the idea of looking to my kid for tech advice. I am used to being the authority in the family on that stuff.

glatt... I think it might be slow, but if it's going on in the background... or if I can bump them using NFC, and transfer.... might be gimmicky, but I seldom sit down at my big computer lately. maybe that will change..... I used to enjoy post production, with jinx's camera's pics, edited on my laptop ...of an evening....


reading about the Nikon D7100 now...

Dpreview.com

I forget the exact steps, but there is some way to search Flickr for all public pictures taken by a certain type of camera. That's been useful in the past for seeing samples. I concur that Dpreview was also a very useful site back in the day. May still be.

The thing I always looked for when looking at sample pictures was how it handled low light situations. If there is a lot of noise. With a full sized sensor, that will be less of a problem, but still something to consider.

Also, the purple fringe you can sometimes get around objects in bright light.

How do you know they haven't been altered in photoshop?

On Flickr? I guess you don't, but people are lazy so most wouldn't bother to photoshop, and if you look at a large enough sample from multiple users, you can learn a lot.

Now I'm thinking maybe the Canon EOS 70D. It has a touch screen, which makes selecting a focal point much easier, even changing points during video. Built in Wi Fi which allows remote control from my phone, and there are 80+ lenses available.

The reviews I was reading on that site kept referring to it, and he highly recommended it.

It has a few limitations, but nothing that snapped my head back.

I'll continue to mull this over another few days.... Bonus comes either this Thursday or next, so....

I don't know the deal with those cameras, but my GoPro has the built in wifi to control it from a phone, and it eats batteries like crazy when that option is turned on. It goes from holding a charge for 3 hours of filming to holding one for 20 minutes. It's a cool option though, when you need it.

Just get a Canon 5D mark iii

Why


Oof. Nope. $2200 body only? Not a pro like you, bub.

Thanks

They give the Canon a gold rating.


Seems like that one will be plenty good enough. I found a good bundle deal with 3 lenses on amazon....

A young Chinese guy with an older English man's voice

Good comparison of canon 70D vs Nikon 7100

The video auto focus is the biggest gap between the two, and the Canon comes out way ahead. Couple that with the touch focus articulating display, and I think I'm sold.

I'm gonna get me a Canon EOS 70D.

You're welcome. :)

I've spent a lot of time on that site, they're comprehensive, exhaustive. They don't appear to be beholden to a given brand, which I find reassuring. I window shop there all the time.

And free shipping. :D

When the time comes, remember you can go the clodfobble's site and click on the Amazon link from there.
That way it doesn't cost you any more, she gets credit, and Amazon will send you a naked picture of her.

Foshizzel

It's true, Jennifer Lawrence's cloud has nothing on mine.

Cloud? Is that what you kids are calling it these day? :smack:

Clod, will that work if it is already in my shopping cart? Or do I need to take it out, click thru your site, and put it back in there?

well, I'm not gonna wait around all day for you to answer...

I emptied my shopping cart, closed the browser..... went to gfclady, clicked through to amazon.... and orderrrrrred THIS:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...IL._SX425_.jpg

The Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera features a 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor to ensure high-resolution images and excellent low-light sensitivity. Both the sensor and processor work together to produce well-detailed, clear imagery that exhibits natural tonality and color gradations with minimal noise when working in difficult lighting conditions. The processor also provides notable speed throughout the camera system, including the ability to record up to 7 fps in full-resolution, quickened AF speeds, and full HD 1080p video recording in multiple frame rates with manual exposure and audio level control.

This Green's Camera World Package Includes:

• Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera Kit
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens this is the one that silently focuses while video records!
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
• Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Lens ~~these other two are kind of shite, but they'll get me started.
• Two Rechargable Li-Ion Batteries
• Home and Car External Charger
• 32GB Class 10 Memory Card
• 2x Telephoto Lens
• .45x Wide Angle Lens
• 3 Piece Filter Set (UV, CPL, FL)
• Macro Lens Set for Close-Ups (+1 +2 +4 +10 Set)
• 6" HDMI to Mini HDMI Cable
• Spacious Carrying Case
• Full Size Digital Camera Tripod
• Digital Slave Flash
• All In One Card Reader (SD, microSD, PROduo, Compact Flash and MORE)
• Memory Card Wallet
• 5" Table Top Tripod
• Pack of Screen Protectors
• Camera Cleaning Kit

Awesome! I am full of envy.

Thanks for the click through, Jim. I appreciate it!

the naked pics are thanks enough.

wowweeeeee.

no, I'm not sharing, bruce.

not the intent, I assure you...

I get a little obsessive when I'm planing to get a new toy.

I put as much as I did up to share the research process and reviews I found helpful for those that may follow.

I'll follow up with my own impressions once it comes ON MONDAY!

I really love my old Panasonic DMC-FZ7, except it has a consumer grade sensor and doesn't do well in low light. I have to crank the sensitivity way up, and then the noise is horrible. I've been trying to take pictures of my daughter in marching band at night football games, and they just don't come out well. If the games were during the day, the shots would be good.

Damn, GIGABYTES, we live in miraculous times.

Sandisk has a new 512 GB SD card.

It's $800.

And 30 years ago 1 GB of storage cost over $300,000.
we do indeed live in miraculous times.

My package has been delivered. It shipped UPS signature required, so I imposed upon my neighbor and left a note for the UPS man to take it around to her door for the sig. ( she works nights, but agreed to help me) .... got the delivery notice at about 11:45, ran home, took it inside and plugged a battery into the charger so I can experiment with it tonight after work.

[/stoked]

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that's just point and shoot with the zoom lens as I had my coffee and organized the parts of the bundle that came. no idea what setting i had it on. but it gets right up in there.

Cool! Pretty narrow depth of field there.

Was that in an automatic mode, or did you choose that wide aperture for that shot?

no idea

Sweet! :thumb:

Little bit jealous, right now...

I'm guessing it was using the Miniature Mode / Filter. Perhaps you can check by reviewing the image in the camera and cycling through the Display options, from none, some, more, max, etc. until it tells you about the image.

hm. Can't tell from that shot. But the aperture of 5.6 is not a super wide one that would normally be associated with such a shallow depth of field.

Miniature mode is an in-camera effect that simulates the effect of a tilt-shift lens, blurring the foreground and the background. We've seen it here a number of times. It makes wide angle shots, like landscapes (real landscapes) look like little models.

So, unpacking the cheap ass tripod that came with my bundle, the plastic handle that cranks it up and down was snapped off. bummer, right? Also, there was no cover on the universal shoe where you mount the flash/external mic.

so I emailed amazon customer support, and they offered to either refund the whole amount if I returned the package, or refund 15% off the total sale price of the package.

um... quick math.... 15% > $220... I'll take door #2, Bob.

so now I can go out and buy a $200 tripod! that's awesome.

+1 to Green's Camera World or Amazon.

Amazon customer support is amazing. They just didn't want to deal with the return. They would probably have to resell the camera as a refurb, and would have taken more than a 15% loss on that.

wtg on the discount.

I've never gotten a new camera that came with a hotshoe cover. Is one listed on the packlist? I've checked and can't find any indication that one is included; I even found a page that indicates that Canon says one is not required. Just curious.

No, and looking at the picture, one is not shown. I guess I can afford to buy one of those too. bonus. seems like it ought to come with one.

I've never seen a cover for a hot shoe. Didn't know there was such a thing.

ETA: One more thing to lose.

Well, that's one less thing to worry about

Congratulations on your new camera! - The Canon 70D is in my sights too, though I have a 60D since summer 2011 and don't want to replace it so soon.

The main point is, that the AF has improved significantly in the 70D.
The best thing in both is the articulating screen, wouldn't want to miss it ever.

If you have any questions, here is a very nice forum for all things Canon photography:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

Good luck!

PS: The expensive thing about (D)SLRs is not so much the body, but the lenses and stuff: Gear Aquisition Syndrome :rolleyes:

Ain't that the truth. I've got a Nikon with thousands of dollars worth cost of lenses sitting in the closet.