 Irene Troy |
Camera suggestions I have been a little hesitant to even bring this subject up – knowing that just asking this question is like opening Pandora’s Box; however, I really need some input, so here goes… As you may know as of March 31, Konica-Minolta will be no longer. I own several KM cameras, lenses, etc. I realize that just because the company is being sold to Sony does not mean that I need to unload my equipment immediately. But, I do need to think seriously about switching to another line. Here is my situation: I am a nature and travel writer working very hard to add photographer to my credentials. I really like my KM 7D and consider it a very good camera for my purposes. There are some drawbacks to the camera – it can be slow and the on-camera LCD display rarely accurately reflects exposure; however, I have learned to live with these problems. I definitely like the built in image stabilization. I am now in the position of really needing a second camera as backup. Even before learning about the trade of KM to Sony I was looking at other cameras. I have pretty much narrowed things down to one of the following: Canon 20D; the new Canon 30D or going all out for the Canon EOS 5D. I am honest with myself; I am not (at least at this point) a superior photographer. I have sold some images, but only those that accompany feature articles that I have written or those images that I have sold locally to nature groups. I don’t know if I will ever have the talent/ability to be a full-time pro photographer. I do not believe that equipment alone makes anyone a good photographer; however, I also think that the right equipment can help. Bottom line: for those of you who have any of these cameras – what do you like and what do you wish were different? What type shooting do you like to do – nature, wildlife, scenic, etc.? If you could upgrade your camera to one of the other cameras, which would you select and why? Any input that anyone wants to offer will be appreciated.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Slim Brady |
Irene, if you can afford it go for the 5D. The LCD screen is niceeeee. A buddy of mine just sold all his stuff ( I think he had 2 20d's, a medium format film camera and 3 35's. And bought 3 Canon D5's. I have a mixture which is quite confusing when you want to scroll the menu. But I rarely shoot with my back-up camera.I would sit on the 30D egg for a while. Alot of people had trouble with their 20D's at first. I had to practice a bit more to fine tune that one.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Slim Brady |
Irene, if you can afford it go for the 5D. The LCD screen is niceeeee. A buddy of mine just sold all his stuff ( I think he had 2 20d's, a medium format film camera and 3 35's. And bought 3 Canon D5's. I have a mixture which is quite confusing when you want to scroll the menu. But I rarely shoot with my back-up camera.I would sit on the 30D egg for a while. Alot of people had trouble with their 20D's at first. I had to practice a bit more to fine tune that one.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Feldstein |
Personally (and professionally) I just don't get it Irene. Why do you have to go out and change cameras when all you need is a backup for the one you already have? If the KM camera you now have has been reliable for you and you like the quality of the images it produces, why not go to something like KEH.com and see what they have in the line of used bodies. I'll lay odds you'll end up saving a fair amount of dough and spend it on other things like a new traveling tripod with a ball head, maybe a new bag...how bout a new pair of shoes, light meter? Portable flash? Whatever you decide on, hope that the manufacturer you chose, like Canon, doesn't arbitrarily decide to stop making and supporting the model you score just so they can offer the public a newer version to buy. See whatI mean? Take it light.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Irene Troy |
Hi Mark – You make a very good point – one that I have been considering. My situation is thus; I have a Konica Minolta 7D that I like very much. It is my sole camera at the moment. My old Minolta 9 – a film camera – needs some expensive repairs. Because I do a fair amount of traveling in some remote areas I really do need a second camera. I have been freaking since I heard the KM is going out of business and may no longer offer support to for their cameras. Even before this latest development I have been contemplating switching to Canon. A few days ago – when I wrote my question – I was scheduled to leave on a 4 week trip to a very remote area of Canada. I panicked thinking I needed to immediately purchase a new camera. Knowing about KM, I figured it was time to make the switch to Canon since they are not about to go out of business. Thankfully, due to some scheduling and weather issues the assignment has been postponed and I can take the time to really consider my options. I am not sure what will happen when Sony acquires KM the end of March. They may supply support for the current line of cameras and slowly phase them out over the next few years; or, perhaps they will expand the line and integrate them into their own line of cameras. At any rate, it seems unlikely that they will simply drop the fairly successful semi-pro line of digital cameras that KM has released over the past two years – the 7D and 5D. I’ve decided to slow down a little; do some more research and figure out exactly what it is that I need and can reasonably afford. Thanks for your input! Irene
|
|
|
|
||
- Carolyn M. Fletcher  Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I've heard that Sony is going to come out with their own version of a DSLR later in the year and I also heard that they may be using the KM mounts and stuff so your lenses will fit. So you might want to hold up a while before you make a decision.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Paul Tobeck |
Unfortunately, camera obsolescence is a fact of life in the digital realm. Manufacturers will only support what they can make a buck on, and KM was losing too much money to the "big 2" for last the last couple of years. That's not to say that your 7D won't provide you with good images for a long time to come, just don't expect Sony to provide any further firmware upgrades. Af far as lenses go, Sony will be developing new lenses for the KM mount just for the simple fact that it's less costly than trying to develop a new proprietary mount for their upcoming DSLR's. So I would say that lens wise, you should be ok, firmware and accessory wise, that could be so-so. If you like the system and are used to it, look around for a bargain on a KM 5D to use as a backup. I'm sure many other KM users are panicking and dumping their stuff.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bob Chance |
I agree with Paul: Don't go and run out to buy new equipment if what you've got works for you and you like it.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||