I'm looking for photography equipment info

[Broken Wind]

I was into photography a few decades ago and life got in the way. My interest is again beginning to bloom but I am way out of date on camera technology, the good, bad, etc.

Nikon was king then. Still?

What is the best place to buy? Ritz was huge back then. I assume everything is on Amazon now.

Any recommendations? I'm not looking to go balls deep immediately, but want to have decent quality.

[DAB]

film is dead.

now, even your lowly phone has a decent camera.

i had Nikon gear, have an older Nikon digital SLR. old lenses still work with the new bodies.

[Dave]

What's the budget, how big of a camera do you want to lug around, and what kind of shooting do you plan on doing? People, landscape, action?

All around performance and bang for the buck, it's hard to beat Sony's mirrorless cameras.

[Rob]

I was into photography a few decades ago and life got in the way. My interest is again beginning to bloom but I am way out of date on camera technology, the good, bad, etc.

Nikon was king then. Still?

What is the best place to buy? Ritz was huge back then. I assume everything is on Amazon now.

Any recommendations? I'm not looking to go balls deep immediately, but want to have decent quality.

Nikon and Canon are both great - it is all just a matter of preference.

You can look at Ritz, but I have found some great deals over time at Amazon.

Also check out B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) and places like Costco.

As with any hobby, you can spend as little or as much as you are comfortable. The biggest thing is finding a good SLR body and a couple lenses. You can grow your collection from there as needed.

:seasix:

[Broken Wind]

I don't have a number in mind yet. Just beginning to survey the landscape.

I like shooting just about anything. I travel a lot and run into all kinds of good photo ops that until now I've been satisfied capturing on the iPhone, but that isn't giving me what I'd really like to get. My deep interest is portrait photography though.

Tell me more about mirrorless technology. What is the advantage there?

[Ol Timer]

Nikon and Canon are both great - it is all just a matter of preference.

You can look at Ritz, but I have found some great deals over time at Amazon.

Also check out B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) and places like Costco.

As with any hobby, you can spend as little or as much as you are comfortable. The biggest thing is finding a good SLR body and a couple lenses. You can grow your collection from there as needed.

:seasix:

:agree:

I have Canon gear and am married to the brand due to the lens assortment I own. Canon and Nikon volley back and forth as current state of the art, but you can't go wrong with either.

When I was in the acquisition stage, Canon owned the long lens world, Nikon the wide lenses. That's probably not as true any more.

B&H is the best there is IMHO. They have huge inventory, lots of expertise, competitive prices and are honest.

[Montehall]

my Dad is a professional freelance photographer.
I believe he's running a Nikon D5, he's never waivered on Nikon

[TripleBlack]

Nikon and Canon are both great - it is all just a matter of preference.

You can look at Ritz, but I have found some great deals over time at Amazon.

Also check out B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) and places like Costco.

As with any hobby, you can spend as little or as much as you are comfortable. The biggest thing is finding a good SLR body and a couple lenses. You can grow your collection from there as needed.

:seasix:

I'd add Adorama to Dixie's list. Despite the name, they are a quality online vendor on par with B&H. I've ordered stuff from both and nothing but good results.

Both B&H and Adorama have good online resource/tutorial sections too and spending some time there can bring you up to speed on digital quickly.

As Dixie says, Canon and Nikon both make great DSLRs. I chose Canon mostly based on having several friends with Canon gear. Figured I could borrow lenses from them as needed. Nikon has been on a roll lately and has eclipsed Canon on the high end ($2k and up).

Suggest you also research Sony and other mirrorless cameras. The performance of the better ones is right there with Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Sony is especially strong on mirrorless, albeit expensive.

Canon has a good refurb center and you can save a lot on a factory refurb form them. They come with a warranty though not as long as their new cameras. My Canon 7d is a refurb and has been perfect. I'm sure Nikon has something similar but not familiar with them.

Finally, research lenses before spending your money. A good lens on an inexpensive body is better than a poor lens on an expensive body. And a good lens doesn't have to be expensive. Maybe my sharpest lens is a 50mm f 1.8 lens that you can buy for $80-90 bux. Very sharp lens although the darn thing is nearly 100% plastic.

[Rob]

Canon has a good refurb center and you can save a lot on a factory refurb form them. They come with a warranty though not as long as their new cameras. My Canon 7d is a refurb and has been perfect. I'm sure Nikon has something similar but not familiar with them.

Finally, research lenses before spending your money. A good lens on an inexpensive body is better than a poor lens on an expensive body. And a good lens doesn't have to be expensive. Maybe my sharpest lens is a 50mm f 1.8 lens that you can buy for $80-90 bux. Very sharp lens although the darn thing is nearly 100% plastic.

:iagree: My wife bought my 70D from the refurb shop at Canon and got a great deal. Also, she took and old broken point and shoot I had that was Canon and they gave her another $75 off the cost of the body as part of some deal they were running at the time.

As for lenses - I too love my 1.8 50mm. Fun lens and amazing pics. I have been looking at a 35mm 1.4 to add to my collection.



Save up to $359.21 Instantly when you buy select Refurbished EOS Digital SLR Cameras | Canon Online Store (http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/1-3-16-save-up-to-359-instantly-when-you-buy-select-refurb-eos-dslr-cameras)

[Mike Mercury]

waiting for the...

"I'm looking for pornography equipment info"

parrot :toetap:

[Jobaka]

I'd add Adorama to Dixie's list. Despite the name, they are a quality online vendor on par with B&H. I've ordered stuff from both and nothing but good results.

:iagree: Same here. I've used both with no problems whatsoever.

[TripleBlack]

Another good online resource for Canon gear is here (http://www.canonpricewatch.com/).

This site consolidates some of the best deals for Canon gear on the web. They also will help broker deals with B&H and other online vendors at prices that the vendors can't publish due to agreements with Canon.

Here's the similar site for Nikon: Nikon Camera and Lens Price Comparisons - nikonpricewatch.com (http://www.nikonpricewatch.com/)

[RedLS1GTO]

As seems to be the consensus, I'd say it's hard to go wrong with Canon and Nikon.

I'm bound to Canon thanks to a bag of lenses and other equipment that I don't want to have to replace but if I was just starting to put things together it would be a tough choice between Canon and Nikon.

[GS Ragtop]

A good place to do research on gear is Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com). I've been using the DP Review site for years -- it's The go-to site for digital camera info.

Ten years ago I got interested in DSLR cameras and went with Canon. IMHO, the Nikon bodies have done a better job of keeping up with technology and user interfaces. But, my bag full of EF lenses keeps me in the Canon camp.

[78SA]

It's my understanding that old Canon lenses aren't compatible with new Canon bodies. Nikon doesn't have that problem so if you have old Nikon gear then you can still use the lenses with a new DSLR body. I suggest a full Frame Body like the D750 unless you want to spend a lot more. I also suggest checking out the new Sigma lenses in Nikon or Canon mount, depending which way you go.

[Milton Fox]

You may find that auto focus capability may be important to you now! Meaning your old Nikon lenses will not be that useful to you as a new lense. VR types will also help if you are not as steady with your hands as you used to be.

Have you considered a simple point and shot? I have replaced my F3 with several over the past decade and the convience of having one pocket camera vs a bag full of lenses and flashes was great. The point and shot may lack speed and some manual functions, but it served me well. Go with the Nikkor lenses if you do!

I have recently upgraded to a Nikon DSRL though and the speed and abilities are even more phenomenal than the point and shots they make. It can edit photos in the camera and has far more creativity then I have ever done in the dark room or photo editing programs!

[ApexOversteer]

waiting for the...

"I'm looking for pornography equipment info"

parrot :toetap:


I know where mine is.

[carlton_fritz]

my Dad is a professional freelance photographer.
I believe he's running a Nikon D5, he's never waivered on Nikon
I think the D5 is only available for pre-order. It is the new King of the Hill though.

B&H and Adorama are my choices for where to buy. I highly recommend holding each camera you have an interest in before you buy.

[Dave]

For anything close to everyday shooting, there is no way I would lug around a DSLR in order to get essentially no advantage out of it over a mirrorless.

Mirrorless offers speed (my Sony a6000 takes 11 shots/second and focuses between each shot), a reasonably compact size, in-camera apps (whereas DSLRs tend to be dumb), wifi and NFC (I can take a shot and have it on my phone seconds later). Can't wait to see how they improve upon it!

[Broken Wind]

Dave, does your Sony have a means to adjust shutter and aperture? I enjoy experimenting with those.

[carlton_fritz]

Many DSRLs today have wifi.

[Burro (He/Haw)]

For anything close to everyday shooting, there is no way I would lug around a DSLR in order to get essentially no advantage out of it over a mirrorless.

Mirrorless offers speed (my Sony a6000 takes 11 shots/second and focuses between each shot), a reasonably compact size, in-camera apps (whereas DSLRs tend to be dumb), wifi and NFC (I can take a shot and have it on my phone seconds later). Can't wait to see how they improve upon it!

Mirrorless has a ways to go before it replaces the DSLR. The big drawback is focusing speed. They're useless for action shots.

[Dave]

Mirrorless has a ways to go before it replaces the DSLR. The big drawback is focusing speed. They're useless for action shots.

Ummm..... no.

I take action shots all the time with my Sony a6000. If there's a DSLR that can come anywhere close to the performance of taking 11 shots every second while focusing between every shot, I'd like to see it. Point, hold the shutter button down, and let the buffer fill up.

With a DSLR, you're going to miss shot after shot as you try to time the shutter right. No thanks.

[Burro (He/Haw)]

Ummm..... no.

I take action shots all the time with my Sony a6000. If there's a DSLR that can come anywhere close to the performance of taking 11 shots every second while focusing between every shot, I'd like to see it. Point, hold the shutter button down, and let the buffer fill up.

With a DSLR, you're going to miss shot after shot as you try to time the shutter right. No thanks.

Interesting. I have no trouble with my DLSR. None.

If you're not having issues with action autofocus that's great. But many are.

[Dave]

Dave, does your Sony have a means to adjust shutter and aperture? I enjoy experimenting with those.

Absolutely. Has shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual mode, plus a lot of internal programs that do a nice job.

[Burro (He/Haw)]

Absolutely. Has shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual mode, plus a lot of internal programs that do a nice job.

I think image quality is about equal between mirrorless and the DLSR and the mirrorless certainly has the advantage for an all day carry camera. But I'll keep my 5D MK III. Plus, I'm not a fan of internal camera programs since I shoot in Manual for pretty much all my flash/studio work.

[Burro (He/Haw)]

5D MK III shot.

Let's see some images from that mirrorless Dave. :cert:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/Layla%2002_zps2tcosqqm.jpg

[TripleBlack]

Ummm..... no.

I take action shots all the time with my Sony a6000. If there's a DSLR that can come anywhere close to the performance of taking 11 shots every second while focusing between every shot, I'd like to see it. Point, hold the shutter button down, and let the buffer fill up.

With a DSLR, you're going to miss shot after shot as you try to time the shutter right. No thanks.


Interesting. I have no trouble with my DLSR. None.

If you're not having issues with action autofocus that's great. But many are.


My 7D shoots 8 FPS and my 5D Mk III is 6 FPS. Both are capable of at least two full seconds in burst mode capturing RAW + Large JPGs and both can capture over a hundred large JPGs before filling the buffer using good CF cards.

The new Nikon D500 does 10 FPS and can capture 79 14 bit RAW images before running out of buffer.

Like Thomas, it's just not a problem for me. I've never missed a shot due to buffer issues and have used burst mode a good deal.

Focusing between shots is cool and I wish my cameras did, however it's usually not an issue unless shooting a lens/setting combo with a very shallow depth of field with a subject moving quickly towards or away from the camera. Improvements in ISO performance has helped minimize this issue also. I was just reading about one of the mid-range Canons, T6i Rebel I think - not up on the mid range stuff much - and see where it does focus between shots in burst mode. Its burst mode tops out between 4 and 5 fps though.

[EDIT] RIF... I should read my manual... The 5D Mk III can auto focus during continuous shooting. With rapidly moving subjects like birds in flight moving toward you, the "keeper" rate isn't that good as the focus tracking is only active between shots. Works much better on kids running. I believe the 7D works the same.

As I mentioned to the OP in a previous post, I'd seriously consider mirrorless if not for my investment in existing lenses etc. and suggested he do the same. If money weren't an object, I'd probably have bought a Sony a7R II instead of the 5D Mk III for it's superior very high ISO performance alone. The other mirrorless advantages aren't too important to me given what I shoot.

Curious how you like the electronic viewfinder. I've heard good and bad about them. How effective is it in low light?

[TripleBlack]

Since I talked about shooting DSLRs in burst mode, I'll throw in a burst mode shot... this was taken with a Canon 7D and a cheap "Nifty Fifty" f1.8 lens (<$100). 1/8000 @ f2.2 and ISO 1000. This was one of a burst of a dozen or so shots while my grandson was running full tilt. Now not all were as sharp as this but several were and I was shooting nearly wide open to squeeze the DOF and blur the background. If I'd stopped down to f8 or so, all the shots would have been sharp enough to use.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/TripleBlackxTwo/IMG_8923_zpsdsr26qmr.jpg

[Ol Timer]

My Canon 1d Mark IV is five years old, which is an antique in the digital technology world. It will shoot 10 FPS with continuous focus - limitations are with the subject at the back of the body, not the camera.

[TripleBlack]

My Canon 1d Mark IV is five years old, which is an antique in the digital technology world. It will shoot 10 FPS with continuous focus - limitations are with the subject at the back of the body, not the camera.

See my edit above. The 5D3 also focuses during continuous shooting.

[RedLS1GTO]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Howe%20Race%20Car/2016/M4S_2791_zpshcxvse2a.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Howe%20Race%20Car/2016/M4S_2792_zpsg30rqro5.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Howe%20Race%20Car/2016/M4S_2793_zpskatlmlvs.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Howe%20Race%20Car/2016/M4S_2794_zpssfwxlaeo.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Nikon_zpsnaarlfpb.jpg

[Burro (He/Haw)]

With a DSLR, you're going to miss shot after shot as you try to time the shutter right. No thanks.
No missed shot's here, nope.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/DD01_zpswpcmqv2y.jpg~original

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/DD02_zpsa8jhgee6.jpg~original


http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/DierksWinter10_zps8c3c1659.jpg~original

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/CNCRelease20144_zps353b7378.jpg~original

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/CNCRelease20146_zps2c7da345.jpg~original