BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Sony Camera DSLR & Future

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July 10, 2012

This is a subject that I have had to deal with myself years ago and struggled to cope with. Dating back to the 80's, I was using professional Maxxum film camera bodies -7000i and 9000i and an assortment of lenses.

Fast forward, me kicking and screaming into the digital age (I thought it was a fad) and I purchased a basic P&S just to become familiar with the technology and learning software.

Then I see that Sony gobbles up Konica-Minolta and becomes a player in the DSLR game and I am able to use my older lenses with the mounts on the bodies. At the time I thought all was just dandy, my photography business was morphing from something part time and lots of fun into taking up more of my time and making large profits/getting published.

I faced yet another fork in the road, needing to upgrade equipment FAST with all the technological advances. Like you, I realised I had virtually NO high end lens options available from Sony. A few Carl Zeiss lenses sure, but compared to both Canon and Nikon.....

I have no insights to Sony's future and cannot assist you there. Like you, I also see they are catering to the basic needs of typical consumers. Not the professional photog on the sidelines of a Bills-Patriots game trying to capture the grimace on the face of a Bills fullback being driven into the turf by a 378 lb. Vince Wilfork.

My choice was, I switched teams to Nikon. The lenses I owned sold on E bay, as did my Sony body. B&H also took some used equipment on trade, at very reasonable prices. I now resent the fact I was suckered in by Sony's glossed over advertising as I lost many great opportunities being limited by inferior lens quality at the time.

Those are my personal thoughts and feedback. I hesitate to be more suggestive than my last paragraph :)

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July 14, 2012

What made you go to nikon? rather and Cannon? the rest of my fmaily uses exclusively Cannon. I have tried to borrow them from time to time - becuase of the lenes they have - and have been thourghly frusterated with them! I hvae not tried Nkon in a test - have been looking for some one that has one I can spend time with. I would really value your opnion on that one. Granted, if I went with Cannon, I would already have a bevy of lenses that I could borrow. But the camera itself makes me mad everytime I use it!!!

thanks so much!

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July 15, 2012

My preference to the Nikon initially came from reading reviews on Sony mount lenses. Almost every reviewer seemed to reference the Nikkor lenses as the bench mark to all comparisons. Even reviews on Tamron and Sigma lenses typically fel far short of both Canon and Nikkor. At that point I was at least motivated enough to research both camera lines.

Not sure why you seem to be struggling with the Canon product. Are you referencing older manual lenses? Aperture rings,external focus?

I love the feel of a heavy, tough built camera body. Nikons D300,D700,D800 and D3 and D4's. The lightweight entry level body's feel like toys in my paws. Plus the fact if someone gets in my view while photographing Bass Head Lighthouse from the side of the cliff I can put a hurting on them with my 24-70, f/2.8. (kidding about that-but guilty of the thought)

Just an idea, have you considered renting a Nikon body and lens for a weekend?

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July 15, 2012

I think my struggle is that I have been using minolta/sony for over 10 years. everything is intuitive at this point. so quick for me to change a setting or make an adjustment on the fly. I am sure with switching to a different brand, it will just take a while to become that intuitive again. Just right now it is frusterating becuase they work differently for me. and I am spending more time just trying to do something simple.

I too like the more rugged feeling of a tough camera body. My problem is I am on a limited budget and the camera I would want to get done not quite fit into what I can afford. :) usually the case! being use to the 22mp and full frame, I would not want to go any lower than that now in switching.

yes I have considered renting. I do know another pro who has used both cannon and nikon.. currtnly using nikon - we are trying to figure out a time when I just spend a couple of hours getting to know the cameras.

Thanks again!

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July 15, 2012

You mentioned "the rest of the family uses Canons". I am willing to bet that they are "Rebels" or the T1-T4, or xxxD series which are all Rebels. As a loyal Canon owner I fully agree that they are a PITA to use. However the 10D-60D, 5D series, 7D, and the 1D & 1Ds series all work with a much more intuiative program. The 1D, 1Ds series are not only expensive but heavy for me. But I am a 70+ year old weakling. Any of the XXD's or better feel like a real camera instead of cheap toys like the Rebels.

Both Canon and Nikon make some lenses and cameras that they should be ashamed of ever producing. They also make some of the finest lenses and versatile cameras around.

After reading your replies and looking at your gallery I feel that either the Nikon D700 or the Canon 5D, not a Mark anything, would be best for the type shooting that you do. Since I have disliked the way the ergonomics are for ME ever since the Nikon F the Canon has always felt better in my hands. I currently use a Canon 5D, didn't like the 5DII even though it is a better camera. You will have to compare both cameras in YOUR hands to see which feels the best. That is the camera to buy regardless of whatever anyone else says.

For both of the cameras I mentioned I recommend purchasing used from KEH or B&H since they both have good return policies. I need to travel 90 miles to check out a camera or else rent one. With KEH read what is included, because if it isn't listed it isn't included. With KEH purchase one rated EX or better and B&H rated at least as an "8". All of the cameras,three, that I currently own were purchased from KEH.

I wish you the best of luck and YES do go full frame. You will never regret it.

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July 16, 2012

thanks for your response. Actually the family uses 60D's, dad has a 5D and a 7D I beleive and a ton of lenses to go with.

I am going to be borrowing one of the 60D's on my vacation next week. in looking at it briefly yesterday, I immedialy needed to look at the manual to find the buttons I am used to on my Sony - exposure compensation is one that is confusing me how to readily find wiht out digging through menus. My Sony has the common switches in easy buttons, exposure comp, drive, creative, ISO and WB. Will see how I do on my vacation with it!

I really want to try out the Nikon to see how that one feels for me, since I really have only test driven the cannons at this point and they have yet to feel comfortable in my hands.

thanks for your advice! :)
Rhonda

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July 16, 2012

Instead of borrowing the 60D, I'm not familiar with it aside from it being a cropped camera and using SD cards instead of CF's, con your Dad out of his 5D. It and the Nikon D700 are better for the type photos you have/are taking. You already know what a cropped camera looks like after processing now try the full frame. It will give you a shallower DOF which helps isolating your subject. Shoot in RAW+JPEG also. The RAW files will turn out super fine and I find them overall to process than my 40D RAW files.

Or perhaps you can borrow a 60D also and make comparisons between the two formats.

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July 16, 2012

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July 16, 2012