Post #278,322
3/15/07 2:28:21 AM
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Camera question - looking to get a 'bridge' digital SLR.
First an aside: I found a new term in the digital still camera industry. A "bridge (digital) SLR" is one that looks and functions a lot like a digital SLR camera, but actually isn't. They're about halfway in price between most compacts and a real entry-level digital SLR (say a Nikon D50).
I'm looking to get a 'bridge' digital SLR. I'm not in any hurry because I'm nearly ready to start booking an overseas trip I'm planning in June/July and I want to get it shortly before that for tax savings. I used to have (access to) a Nikon D70 which, whilst a very capable camera, is out of my price range at the moment and is also a little on the large side. I currently have a Nikon F60, which is a film camera. I saw a colleague a litle while ago with what I remember to be some sort of bridge camera from Sony, but he's since left so I can't look at it or even ask him about it.
A camera store I looked in the other day showed me a [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixs9000z.asp|Fujifilm FinePix S9500] (for some reason known also known as an S9000Z in some markets). I was initially thinking of a [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dsch2.asp|Sony DSC-H2] or later or a [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s3is.asp|Canon PowerShot S3 IS]. However, the salesman recommended the Fuji for two reasons: its zoom control is manual, unlike the other two, and the zoom's wider end is 28mm equivalent whilst the other two is 36mm. Both of these are things I would notice.
But there are two other things I'm not sure about. The Fuji - and indeed, as do the Sony and the Canon - have an Electronic Viewfinder. This is because they are not real SLRs; they just look like one. But I noticed the EVF didn't have a high refresh - it looked like 20fps. This was disconcerting.
The other thing I'm not sure about is the storage format: xD (although it also supports CF). xD is a bit of an also-ran in storage, moreso than Sony's Memory Stick so I'm wary about investing in that.
Thoughts? Comments? Experiences?
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
|
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. | · my ·
· [link|http://staticsan.livejournal.com/|blog] ·
· [link|http://yceran.org/|website] · |
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Post #278,331
3/15/07 7:50:50 AM
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I wouldn't worry about the storage format.
Unless you're going to be buying dozens of the memory cards, I wouldn't worry about the format. Just get one or two that are large enough for your needs, and a reader with a USB interface, and you should be fine. The cards will likely last far longer than the camera.
From your description of the cameras, it really sounds like you want an SLR though. If you don't want to spend that much money (and I probably would wait if I could), the point-and-shoot cameras are pretty amazing these days. I recently got a Canon SD700 IS for my wife for Christmas. I can't report on how well it works, but I was shocked by how tiny it is. It would be trivial to take anywhere.
The P&S cameras seem to have dropped in price quite a bit in the last few months too.
Things seem to be changing pretty quickly in the digital SLR side of the market, at least according to the [link|http://news.google.com/news?q=digital%20slr&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&sa=N&tab=wn|news stories].
To sum up: 1) The memory format should be about the last thing on the list. 2) It sounds like you should wait a while to get something closer to your wants.
My $0.02. HTH a bit. Good luck!
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #278,340
3/15/07 10:06:07 AM
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I've got a Panasonic Lumix FZ-5
[link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz5.asp|http://www.dpreview....asonic_dmcfz5.asp]
They're up to the FZ-8 now, couple years newere and 8MP instead of 5MP. I prefer this form factor when image quality counts. The tiny ones with high MP counts just don't cut it. There's no substitute for lens size.
If you're used to film SLRs, then you'd definitely be happier with a large lens and optical zoom. The Lumix series has digital image stabilization, which really helps when you're out at 12X zoom.
I would still be happier with slightly faster time power-on to first shot. I'd also like an option for an external flash, which some of the other Lumix models have.
Overall I'm very happy with it. My wife uses it in point-and-shoot mode, I can take a little more control (but really haven't needed to that much). It's less convenient than the tiny ones you can put in your pocket, so I'm still looking for a better carrying case for it. If you pick one that has an optional case, spend the extra money for it.
===
Kip Hawley is still an idiot.
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #278,342
3/15/07 10:21:53 AM
3/15/07 10:42:50 AM
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I just got a Fuji Finepix s5200
[link|http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,124353-page,1/article.html|http://www.pcworld.c...ge,1/article.html]
It's an older model, but it has gotten good, solid reviews, and the price is right. Mine was a gift and it cost less than $200, which was a fantastic bargain.
I had been using an HP photosmart 850. Man, I hated that camera. The Fuji is much lighter and faster. Very little shutter lag. Great video clips, too. The menu takes some getting used to. It's not very intuitive. But otherwise, I would highly recommend it. Very nice photo quality.
I bought this snappy accessory kit:
[link|http://store.global-audiovideo.com/fufis5s3acki.html|http://store.global-...fufis5s3acki.html]
Everything you need and then some, at a VERY good price.
Edited by bionerd
March 15, 2007, 10:42:50 AM EDT
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Post #278,343
3/15/07 10:21:59 AM
3/15/07 10:43:25 AM
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whoops- dupe.
Edited by bionerd
March 15, 2007, 10:43:25 AM EDT
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Post #278,349
3/15/07 11:39:36 AM
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D40 is the entry point
and seems to be a pretty good camera.
Too much of today's music is fashionable crap dressed as artistry.Adrian Belew
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Post #278,399
3/15/07 9:11:41 PM
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Still AU$1000 in a system.
That will come down in time, of course. And I wondered, having had a D70, how much I'd miss on the D40.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
|
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. | · my ·
· [link|http://staticsan.livejournal.com/|blog] ·
· [link|http://yceran.org/|website] · |
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Post #278,400
3/15/07 9:22:05 PM
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Its now under 600USD here.
Its the lowest priced digi SLR that I've seen.
Too much of today's music is fashionable crap dressed as artistry.Adrian Belew
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Post #278,415
3/16/07 1:05:34 AM
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But not with a superzoom lens
and anyway, the camera can easily become the cheapest part of a SLR system. I just spent $300 on a flash - but it's worth it (e.g. guide number is 54 meters, rotating/swivelling zoom head, second fill flash). Lens easily cost more.
So for an SLR, I'd say consider the whole system, and what's important to you. Overall, all are pretty good, but have specific good points. For example, Sony/KM (the first), Pentax/Samsung (second), and Olympus (last one so far) all have D-SLR's with in-camera stabilization. For low light use, that's a big plus. Canon has the most wonderful USM (silent ultrasonic motor) lenses, and is probably the best for sports right now, etc.
Plus, you should check out how the camera feels - some cameras just feel better than others (and different people have different preferences)
If you're really going for cheap, and dont' plan on buying more stuff (lenses, flashes, etc), stick with a superzoom digicam. Also, consider buying used (e.g. KEH or eBay with appropriate caution).
--Tony
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Post #278,351
3/15/07 12:20:13 PM
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Better name is "super zoom"
since none of those is an SLR and they're all over 7x zoom.
Given the price (looks like under $350), I'd say go ahead and get one. A D-SLR (I like Sony/KM) with a similar lens (say 28-300mm or 18-200mm) is going to cost significantly more; IIRC, a superzoom D-SLR lens is at least $200 new (and they don't have the best quality).
OTOH, a SLR is significantly more capable and part of a very capable system; about the only digicam that comes close is the [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr1/|Sony R-1] because it uses a APS-sized sensor and has an excellent lens, but it's pricey.
--Tony
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Post #278,373
3/15/07 3:53:18 PM
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I have powershot s2
Love it. Image stabilization is key benefit for shakey me. Zoom is really nice too.
I4 NOW!
Impeach, Indict, Incarcerate, Inject
Bush, Cheney, Gonzalez, Rumsfeld, Rove, Rice
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Post #278,398
3/15/07 8:46:50 PM
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Re: I have powershot s2
I've been looking at getting the [link|http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/index.shtml|s3].
Darrell Spice, Jr. Trendy yet complex\nPeople seek me out - though they're not sure why\n[link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass] [link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare]
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Post #278,418
3/16/07 6:20:22 AM
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S3 had just come out
when I went to buy. I looked at it - only improvements seem to be new software, slight rearrangement of controls, and new housing color - but it cost $100 more. Probably has come down by now.
I4 NOW!
Impeach, Indict, Incarcerate, Inject
Bush, Cheney, Gonzalez, Rumsfeld, Rove, Rice
|
Post #278,452
3/16/07 1:36:06 PM
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low $300s
Per the review I linked to, the changes are:
* Uses a 6 Megapixel CCD (instead of 5MP)
* New ISO range of 80 - 800 (instead of 50 - 400); lower noise than previous sensor
* 2" LCD display (versus 1.8")
* Live histogram in record mode
* New widescreen (16:9) still image mode
* New Sports scene mode
* Black-colored body; slightly larger and heavier than S2
Darrell Spice, Jr. Trendy yet complex\nPeople seek me out - though they're not sure why\n[link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass] [link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare]
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Post #278,487
3/16/07 3:57:48 PM
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It has come down it was $400+ when I looked - get it!
I4 NOW!
Impeach, Indict, Incarcerate, Inject
Bush, Cheney, Gonzalez, Rumsfeld, Rove, Rice
|
Post #278,559
3/17/07 6:24:13 AM
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Wide-angle still only 36mm (equiv), though.
That gives me pause. I should point out that my film camera has a 24-50 lens and a 70-300 lens. And I *do* use the 24 end a bit.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
|
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. | · my ·
· [link|http://staticsan.livejournal.com/|blog] ·
· [link|http://yceran.org/|website] · |
|
Post #278,570
3/17/07 9:04:46 AM
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Is a digital back that uses your existing lenses an option?
If they're high-end lenses, you might find a compatible back. If the cost is an issue, many places like B&H sell [link|http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=UsedHomePage.jsp&A=FetchChildren&Q=&ci=2872|used digital equipment].
Let's see, you've got a Nikon [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=277234|F60]. (I'm assuming the F70 is similar here.) It looks like your lenses [link|http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EYZ9&tag=|should work with the D70], with some caveats (check the comments). B&H has a used D70 back for [link|http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2891&A=details&Q=&sku=800517109&is=USE&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation|$449]. Presumably there are places in Oz that would have comparable deals.
HTH a bit. Good luck!
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #278,649
3/18/07 4:17:43 AM
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Already explored.
That's why I originally picked a D70. ;-) Nikon lens compatability is legendary, and although not 100% they are very thorough at telling you what doesn't work. My lenses will work on a D70 and on a D50. They will be manual focus only on a D40, however.
I actually mentioned my lenses to show why I was favouring a bridge camera with a wider lens. My two are just ordinary consumer lenses, though each worth perhaps as much as a D50 body. Even second-hand, a D70 is nearly as much new, otherwise that's what I'd consider. I will keep looking, though, as the D70 has been superseded and people will be trading up.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
|
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. | · my ·
· [link|http://staticsan.livejournal.com/|blog] ·
· [link|http://yceran.org/|website] · |
|
Post #278,652
3/18/07 6:33:02 AM
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Interesting find.
I was rummaging in Ebay and found a few [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Kodak/kodak_p880.asp|Kodak P880s]. I noticed no-one mentioned them as alternatives, although the P880 has been around for a few years so it's probably getting a little long in the tooth.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
|
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. | · my ·
· [link|http://staticsan.livejournal.com/|blog] ·
· [link|http://yceran.org/|website] · |
|
