Jessinda Kiroyan |
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Which DSLR to choose out of the narrowed-down few?
Hi everyone, I joined just 5 mins ago, yeay! My Q: I've been researching DSLRs for the past year. Been doing lotsa reading, watching prices fall, better lenses released, net researches, reviews from lotsa websites and now comes crunch time. My head still hurts but that's ok. BTW, I live in Melbourne Australia so web-based camera stores and prices are all gonna have AU$. I appreciate global comments! =)
I'm prepared financially to buy a decent DSLR. Reasons: I'm sticking with photography for a long time, better quality prints even considering compressions, etc., I get what I pay for are the main ones.
Choices:
Nikon D70s w/ Tamron 18-200mm
Nikon Coolpix 8800 (35-350mm equi.)
Canon Powershot Pro1 (28-200mm equi.)
KonicaMinolta Dimage A2 and A200 (28-200mm; both have anti-shake device. It's convenient, not coz I shake lots...My grampa camera Canon AT-1 taught me lots3x, he's my Yoda!)
I need a versatile type like the 35-350mm lens (or Tamron AF 28-300mm XR Di) coz I can't afford multiple lenses.
I've considered battery and memory storage requirements for all of them, Pentax *istDs even takes both Lit-Ion and AA batts. I've read of one wildlife photographer's list of equipments which are mobile. It's a little scary and it's made me wonder whether to go digital since I am still fond of slides and lotsa agencies still require them. Granted, he's a prof but in the long run it makes sense with a decent laptop, Fotobar burner, extra batts, possibly an inverter, etc.
I plan on going to Indonesia to shoot the varied (often endangered) wildlife, so I need a capable camera. Electricity's generally available for batts recharge but AA batts are even more widely available there!
My holy book is "Mastering Nature Photography: Shooting and Selling in the Digital Age". For animal behavior studies I watch lotsa Nat.Geographic, Discovery and Animal Planets channels and take notes and read books about other wildlife photographers' experiences. Lonely Planet books don't hurt either.
I would appreciate any constructive comments regarding the listed camera choices, digital accoutrements that go with going digital (apart from Photoshop), perhaps from Jim himself even!
Thanks in advance for possible future comments and/or answers! =)
July 01, 2005
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Karma Wilson |
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You only have one DSLR on your list that I can see and that's the D 70. On your list that's the camera I would choose, but in the price range of the D-70 with the Tamron lens you'd also have the Rebel XT with the Tamron lens and it has 2 more megapixels. Since you're talking nature photography I'm assuming fill flash isn't something you're totally reliant on, and that makes the XT beat out the D70 in my book. I don't know if the Rebel is much more expensive in AU though. Here in the US it's pretty comparible to the D70. I have the 20D with many lenses. The Tamron 28-300 is in my lineup. It's good, but not great. I still use it quite a lot because it's light and versatile and it's the lens I recommend to anybody on a budget because it has such a wide range and even does some macro. Promaster sells a version of the lens (Tamron makes all promaster lenses). I recommend the promaster because it comes with a lifetime warranty. Good luck, Karma
July 01, 2005
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Christopher A. Vedros |
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Jessinda,
I agree with Karma, and would also recommend you take a good look at the Canon Digital Rebel XT. It's called the 350D outside of the US. I'm not saying that the other cameras on your list are not good, capable cameras, but they are not true SLRs. You would be limiting your potential for expanding. Maybe you can't afford an assortment of lenses now, but there's always the future.Good luck! P.S.: Hi Karma!! Haven't seen you around lately. I'm glad to see you're still here. Chris
July 01, 2005
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Andy |
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Jessinda, If you decided on the DSLR and is considering the Tamron 28-300mm lens, I would recommend the newer Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II lens. It's about US$400 and its focal length is around 27-300mm in film format. This lens still gives you the wide angle capability with the DSLR you have in mind. Just a suggestion. You can find the lens info here: http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/18200_diII.php
July 01, 2005
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Jessinda Kiroyan |
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Wow, thanks people! Yeah, I just noticed a gazoomped the true DSLR Nikon D70 w/ the rest of em! In true selfconfessed-nerd-style I've written things down and am heading down to the local camera shops and bugging the bugs outta the techies...Thank you again! =)
PS: I should've put down just 'Jessi' hey?
July 01, 2005
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