 Dwight Dolby |
How Does It Feel in Your Hand I'm an old film based SLR camera user. Last year I was given a Nikon 4600 Coolpix P&S. After several months of use, I've decided I prefer the larger bodied camera and of course the ability to control the speed of the shutter and the opening of the aperture. All my photos have the same depth of field and I'm forever shaking the little thing. In addition, I always get more in the photo than what I want. Basically, I've lost all control. I'm trying to work with it, but I'm beginning to crumble. I keep telling myself that a good photographer can take a good shot with any camera. I just want a little blur back in the shallow depth of field shots. Anyway, to go DSLR, I want to know which camera feels most like the old SLRs in your hand. My old Minolta was addictive, simply in its feel and action. It was a satisfying experience just to hold it to my eye. My Coolpix makes me feel like I'm shooting through a cigarette carton. The Canon Rebel looks tempting but when I held it in my hand at a local store, it still didn't restore that ol' feelin'. Is there a DSLR which will feel like MaryAnn at the High School prom?
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings Dwight. Believe me, I KNOW the feeling. And you know what? [You're probably going to get a lot of heated argument over this one] DON'T DO IT !!! Stick with MaryAnn and your Minolta. There's NO substitute for metal and plastic surely ain't it. Yes, there are still some of us left shooting film. We hardly belong at this particular site, but take a look at APUG.org (Analog Photographers Use Group). Most of my work is shot on two very old, extremely well-worn but still very reliable Nikon F-2s with motor drives and Nikkor lenses. Whenever I hit the shutter release, it just feels great from my hands down to my toes actually. Some of the editors I work with have asked me to start shooting digitally. Unless there's a time crunch and they provide the equipment, I continue to refuse. I peeked in at your gallery. You've got good solid work taken with a good solid camera, or so it appears. Why do you need to relearn what you already have that gives you pleasure and spend a small fortune on new equipment for the privilege? I think not. In fact, now's probably a good time to get a spare Minolta body from an outfit like KEH.com and while you're at it, treat yourself to an extra lens or two. And as for your camera shake, leave it. I'm sure you'd get worse with a newer, lighter DSLR body in a windstorm. Besides, it's kinda charming actually, as long as you know where it's coming from and why it is. Take it light.
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Brad A. Davis |
Ha.. I too am an old film nerd.. I have always shot with Nikon the last Film SLR I owned was a NIKON N2000 and still prefer shooting with that over anything. I bought a digital Olympus about 5 years ago that I HATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had no control over it. There was little to NO creativity to it at all. But, it was a point and shoot camera and that’s what it was. I probably would have been just as unhappy with it if it was a film camera. But, I gave up on Digital and went back to film. Last year just happened to find a GREAT deal on a Nikon D70 DIGITAL SLR fully equipped. BRAND new OPEN box display priced under $600.00. PERFECT CONDITION) Knowing it was a rather good deal I purchased it. I will have to tell you that I LOVE this camera. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at first and I am still a film nerd. I LOVE film. I hope it never dies. But, honestly I just love this camera. It was a little advanced for me I had to go and take a class on it here in Chicago just to learn how to work it and get the best use out of it. I use a lot of the automatic features on it. But, they are so varied with full auto and some auto some manual. But, I like the fact that I can go completely manual if I choose. Not only that but, my Nikor Lenses work with it. The only thing I really don’t like about that camera is the software I think that Nikon could have done more with it. But, of you have photo shop it doesn’t really matter. My suggestion though would be to shop around. Like any SLR you may have purchased in the past the camera you choose it really a personal thing.
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Dwight Dolby |
Mark and Brad, Thanks for the interaction. Very enjoyable. Mark, I just have to admit that I can't go back to film based photography. I know I'll use it again, and I spent some money on a film scanner early last year. Its just that the same gripping reality that has taken hold of others has taken hold of me: film and its processing is an expense and a bother to the amateur. The only thing worse than deleting a photo from my P&S memory card (an admission that I failed again at a shot) is paying for my "losers" at the photo lab counter. I keep thinking that though the cost of 700 + dollars seems unattainable (I am not independently wealthy), the continued expense of film will take me there anyway. No, I can't go back to MaryAnn. I just want the next SLR (digital I hope) to "have all the right moves". It sounds like Brad has found a young lady he can dance with, and I'm beginning to sway with the D70 music. Thanks guys! O, and Mark, thanks for the tip on APUG. I went and joined up and will be looking for your work. And Brad, I checked out your gallery and really enjoyed the young members of the wedding party.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Dwight, I was in your shoes a few years ago. I learned photography shooting film, and shot film for many years. Since I'm also a computer and gadget junkie, I flirted with several digital cameras "on the side", and was never really satisfied with them. (Some of them were VERY short relationships - practically one night stands!) I wasn't satisfied with digital until I bought the Canon Digital Rebel (original, not XT). I had been shooting with a Canon EOS Rebel Ti film camera, and had a couple lenses and a flash for it. The Digital Rebel was a natural fit - I could keep my lenses and accessories, and the camera body had an almost identical feel to what I was already using. It fit. If the lenses you have been using with your Maxxum are worth keeping (I would bet they are) you may want to give serious consideration to sticking with that lens mount. You can probably get a good deal on a Konica-Minolta 5D or 7D now, or you could wait for Sony's Alpha Digital SLR due out this summer. Sony has taken over K-M's camera division and has pledged to continue using the same lens mount. If you can move into a dSLR without having to replace your lenses, you can save a significant amount on your initial investment. Take your time and get your hands on several different cameras. No need to rush. Chris
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Kerry L. Walker |
I know how you feel, Dwight. I am an old film dinosaur who has resisted the temptation to go digital - until last week. My new digital camera just doesn't have the same feel as my old Olympus OM-2N or even my old Minolta X-700, much less either of my Pentax 645 cameras. However, it does have its benefits. It is lighter and easier to carry around with me all the time. Although it is only a P&S, it does have a nice zoom feature. Although I really haven't gotten familiar with it yet,and although I don't think I will be shooting weddings with it anytime soon, I believe I will get a lot of use out of it as it never leaves my side. The greatest thing about my new digital camera? It is attached to a really nice cell phone!
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Justin G. |
Just reported on CNN that all hell has froze over.
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Kerry L. Walker |
LMBO!
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Jim Macino |
Well here's a Ford vs Chevy argument if I ever heard one. I gave up my Nikon F3HP last spring. I had bought a Nikon 5700 a year earlier and was getting used to the lighter weight, yada, yada, yada. I ended up adding the battery pack/handgrip because the 5700 sucked batteries dry in minutes. Then they came out with the 8700 which had an optical viewfinder that was a little easier on batteries. This was of course about a month after I bought the 5700. Then about 3 months later, they came out with the 8800, which made the 5700 and 8700 worth about a buck. So in a span of 5 months, my $900 investment went the way of the dodo. So, I always liked the Canon stuff my son shot for years. I went out and bought a 20D, with a titanium case, and haven't even considered another camera. I love it, it has fallen of a table and landed on concrete, and it screwed up the cheap lens that came with it, but the camera is rock solid. In the Ford vs Chevy debate, I'd take the Porsche. - Jim
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Mark Feldstein |
Kerry !!!! HOW COULD YOU ???? I understand the lure of the siren song though Dwight. Of course it has those advantages you mentioned and others as well. I shoot a lot of theatrical stills mostly in black and white. I have to tell you that it's still a pleasure processing my own film and making fiber based prints. I suppose like anything else, it's personal preference. AND Thanks for joining APUG Dwight. I'll look for you there too. :>)
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Brad A. Davis |
Now lets not knock film…… After all isn’t the art of taking photographs about that one time only image that could never be captured again. Though now an equal lover of digital for it’s ease of use and the ability to correct mistakes before processing. Sometimes I really like that anticipation and the happy accidents that happen with film. Of course my hands don’t smell like fixer all the time and not all my clothes are stained with chemicals. Digital I think has enhanced my enjoyment of taking pictures but, I honestly don’t feel that I could ever shoot all digital. Dose anyone else agree???
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Jim Macino |
Dwight, The Canon 20D is "MaryAnn" is refreshed, reincarnated, and you'll marry her this time!
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Jim Macino |
Dwight, The Canon 20D is "MaryAnn" is refreshed, reincarnated, and you'll marry her this time!
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BetterPhoto Member |
KERRY-DIGITAL??? WOULD IT EVER HAPPEN??? Next thing you know, He'll say he bought a calculator. Will wonders never cease? BTW Kerry, Does it do video, too? Mine does.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I don't know. Haven't figured it out yet. Calculator? And replace my abacus? No way!
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Bob Chance |
Okay! I've read so many responses, I forgot who posted the origianl. Oh Yeah! Dwight! Anything you pick up on the low price end of digital, including DSLRs' are going to have that 'you get what you pay for' feeling. I was originally looking at the original Rebel myself and was opting for the 10D, just because I didn't want a plastic camera. Plastic is great for those little disposables, but not for an investment. Bob
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Dwight Dolby |
Well fellas, I went to the gymn (Ritz Camera)last night and asked a few girls to dance. I held the following: Nikon D100, D70, D50; Konica Minolta 5D; Canon Rebel old(6pix) and new (8pix) Maybe I'm a cheap date but the winner is - Nikon D50. Yeah, price had something to do with it. Ritz is offering a deal on the 50 with 10 months - no interest. But really, it was mainly the feel. I didn't get it yet, but I think she is the one. The led display in the view finder is brighter than the Konica and with my eyes aging, I can't dance in the dark any longer. The D70 and D100 were a little too bulky for me. The D50 was trimmed down in some features and didn't look as complicated, yet still provided me the features I liked. I know, in the end, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I hope I will soon be-holden - the Nikon D50, unless of course there is something about her I don't know. Anybody know anything about the 50?
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