Digital camera recommendations

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Digital camera recommendations Varying prices, things to consider

#436 cristina

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 10:41 PM

When I was looking first at cameras and then at additional lenses, I often read related forums to gather information. You might check here: http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00SGMe and at http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=30845591.

It's always interesting to read what other people have to say about what's good and what's not. That's how I chose the Minolta f4 70/210 beercan; it got stupendous reviews from everybody, everywhere. It works very well as a macro lens, by the way. I've used another specifically macro lens that was a POS, if you know what I mean and I think you do.

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#437 Blondie

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 11:34 PM

This site has some good info: Digital Photography School

#438 g.johnson

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 11:42 PM

This is probably a stupid question, but do pre-digital Canon lenses (of which I have a couple) work with current Canon digital SLRs?

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#439 rancho_gordo

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 11:49 PM

Thanks blondie and Cristina. I'm going to to those sites right now.
gjohnson, I suspect the lens I have is a non-digital one and that's why I'm getting the error.

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#440 Blondie

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 11:54 PM

QUOTE(rancho_gordo @ Feb 4 2009, 06:49 PM)

Thanks blondie and Cristina. I'm going to to those sites right now.
gjohnson, I suspect the lens I have is a non-digital one and that's why I'm getting the error.

I know I've seen that some older Canon lenses will work with DSLRs.

Rancho, is your older lens an auto-focus? Try using manual focus and see if it works like that.

#441 peppyre

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 11:54 PM

QUOTE(g.johnson @ Feb 4 2009, 03:42 PM)

This is probably a stupid question, but do pre-digital Canon lenses (of which I have a couple) work with current Canon digital SLRs?

Some do. A friend of mine has a huge collection of lenses that he had for his SLR that he uses on his DSLR.

eta: Definitely switch to manual focus. I actually use my manual focus more often as I can choose my focal point rather than letter the camera automatically choose what it likes.

#442 rancho_gordo

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 12:12 AM

QUOTE(peppyre @ Feb 4 2009, 03:54 PM)

eta: Definitely switch to manual focus. I actually use my manual focus more often as I can choose my focal point rather than letter the camera automatically choose what it likes.

I will but the fabulous thing about this camera is it has nine auto focus points and if you don't like the obvious one, you can select another. (Can you tell I've been reading the manual?)
And if you work in "P" mode, as opposed to full automatic, the flash is off by default (you can turn it on with a button) and you can adjust the ISO settings.

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#443 cristina

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 02:07 AM

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 4 2009, 05:34 PM)

This site has some good info: Digital Photography School

Blondie, thanks for posting this link. It's wonderful--I just subscribed to the newsletter.

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#444 Blondie

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 02:40 AM

Beautiful shot, Steve!

I actually use autofocus most of the time, but do try using manual focus with the old lens to see if that solves your problem.

As far as the shooting mode goes, I mostly shoot in Manual, but I know that's not for everybody. I like the control I get, with the downside that I occasionally miss a shot because I wasn't paying close enough attention to the exposure display.

Canon has a 50mm/1.8 lens that you might want to investigate. I have a similar Nikon one which was less than $100. It's a great portrait lens and far more versatile than I thought, considering you give up the ability to zoom.

#445 Blondie

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 02:49 AM

QUOTE(cristina @ Feb 4 2009, 09:07 PM)

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 4 2009, 05:34 PM)

This site has some good info: Digital Photography School

Blondie, thanks for posting this link. It's wonderful--I just subscribed to the newsletter.

You're welcome! Be warned though, it can be an enormous time sink if you have a tendency toward camera/photgraphy geekdom.

#446 cristina

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 03:19 AM

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 4 2009, 08:49 PM)

QUOTE(cristina @ Feb 4 2009, 09:07 PM)

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 4 2009, 05:34 PM)

This site has some good info: Digital Photography School

Blondie, thanks for posting this link. It's wonderful--I just subscribed to the newsletter.

You're welcome! Be warned though, it can be an enormous time sink if you have a tendency toward camera/photgraphy geekdom.

When DPS sent the email confirming that I had subscribed, just the email contained so much information that I had to jump up from my chair and go do something else, rather than start reading. I told Judy, "That website is going to be dangerous! You may never see me again." We laughed, but I can see that it is so.

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#447 ghostrider

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 02:56 PM

QUOTE(cristina @ Feb 4 2009, 12:39 AM)

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 3 2009, 08:02 PM)

QUOTE(rancho_gordo @ Feb 3 2009, 08:06 PM)

QUOTE(peppyre @ Feb 3 2009, 04:00 PM)

It will take some time to get used to using the viewfinder and no there isn't a work around. It's just like using your old SLR only better.
Enjoy it!!

New question, how do I disable the flash in Macro setting?

Don't know if this will help, but on my Nikon you need to pop the flash up when you need it. It doesn't fire when closed.

I just wanted to echo what peppyre said - I'm so happy for you. I adjusted pretty quickly and now prefer the viewfinder to an lcd. My camera goes with me everywhere, and I even know how to use most of the doodads now.

Yeah, here too...on the Sony, I have to pop the flash when I use it. And I love knowing that what I see through the viewfinder is what I'll get when I look at the picture on the LCD--after, not before it's taken.

Another stark reminder of how long I've been on this planet. Adjusting to a vewfinder? I bought my Panasonic DM-FZ 18 precisely because I learned photography in the pre-digital age & can't quite get used to the LCD-as-viewfinder thing. (Though the LCD is nice for reviewing what you've done! Not to mention all those menu choices.)

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#448 Eddie L

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 04:22 PM

In the point-and-shoot category, this new camera adds some interesting twists. The extended dynamic range mode could be handy, and I like the ability to trade off megapixels for higher sensitivity and lower noise.

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#449 mongo_jones

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Posted 05 February 2009 - 05:16 PM

QUOTE(Blondie @ Feb 4 2009, 08:40 PM)

As far as the shooting mode goes, I mostly shoot in Manual, but I know that's not for everybody. I like the control I get, with the downside that I occasionally miss a shot because I wasn't paying close enough attention to the exposure display.

i'm confused: aren't you supposed to get a dslr when you want far greater manual control of your shots?

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