DSLR Question

Jeff

Jeff

Stop Staring!!!!!
I have always owned Point and Shoot Cameras and my old Trusty Kodak DX3600 Just isn't cutting the mustard anymore.

I would not mind looking at a DSLR but I am not really up to speed with alot of the features available on those.

With my newfound hobby of flying remote controlled Helicopters, I would like to be able to take good photos at a distance. Let's say 200 feet of objects about 3' long and have some decent detail.

Also I would like to be able to take pictures of small parts of the Helicopters when broken down on a benchtop to illustrate how I installed a component.

I am thinking a DSLR will likely be about the only camera that will give me good pictures from both of these points of view.

So my question is, are there any/many DSLR cameras out there that still have some of the point & shoot features that a novice has come to depend on? I realize I would likely have to buy a specific lense for each of the two functions above. No biggie there as each of these tasks will be performed specifically and I won't be switching back & forth between lenses.

I guess what I am looking for is somewhat of an Entry Level DSLR.

Any Suggestions?
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
Jeff said:
I have always owned Point and Shoot Cameras and my old Trusty Kodak DX3600 Just isn't cutting the mustard anymore.

I would not mind looking at a DSLR but I am not really up to speed with alot of the features available on those.

With my newfound hobby of flying remote controlled Helicopters, I would like to be able to take good photos at a distance. Let's say 200 feet of objects about 3' long and have some decent detail.

Also I would like to be able to take pictures of small parts of the Helicopters when broken down on a benchtop to illustrate how I installed a component.

I am thinking a DSLR will likely be about the only camera that will give me good pictures from both of these points of view.

So my question is, are there any/many DSLR cameras out there that still have some of the point & shoot features that a novice has come to depend on? I realize I would likely have to buy a specific lense for each of the two functions above. No biggie there as each of these tasks will be performed specifically and I won't be switching back & forth between lenses.

I guess what I am looking for is somewhat of an Entry Level DSLR.

Any Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I got the Nikon D40 and I think that is about as entry level as you can get. I could be wrong though.
 
LusbyMom

LusbyMom

You're a LOON :)
Mousebaby said:
I got the Nikon D40 and I think that is about as entry level as you can get. I could be wrong though.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

It was on sale the other day with the camera body the 18-55 lense, the 55-200 lense, a camera bag,dvd and a lense cloth for $549.00
 
Jeff

Jeff

Stop Staring!!!!!
I'll be pecking through reviews and such trying to brush up on these things. I'll look inot this Nikon.

Thanks
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
Jeff said:
I would not mind looking at a DSLR but I am not really up to speed with alot of the features available on those.


Any Suggestions?
Click to expand...

The big advantage of the SLRs is tha ability to change lenses. The dedicated single focal length lenses are optimized for that particular length while "zoom" lens will have compromises to enable them to function.
It boils down to how much do you want to spend?
That nikon sells for about $600 with a lens that won't do the telefoto work you want. You might also need to add a dedicated macro lens. On my last SLR, I had some extension tubes that went between the camera body and lens that enabled macro shots.
 
Jeff

Jeff

Stop Staring!!!!!
aps45819 said:
The big advantage of the SLRs is tha ability to change lenses. The dedicated single focal length lenses are optimized for that particular length while "zoom" lens will have compromises to enable them to function.
It boils down to how much do you want to spend?
That nikon sells for about $600 with a lens that won't do the telefoto work you want. You might also need to add a dedicated macro lens. On my last SLR, I had some extension tubes that went between the camera body and lens that enabled macro shots.
Click to expand...

I was thinking I could go about 2K for camera, lenses I need and all the various support items. I.E. Tripod, extra battery etc.
 
hvp05

hvp05

Methodically disorganized
aps45819 said:
That nikon sells for about $600 with a lens that won't do the telefoto work you want.
Click to expand...
That's true; you'll want more than a 200mm lens. Probably 300mm would be better if you want nice detail, but that's a guess. For the close-ups, you would want a lens designed to do macro work because you can get within just a few inches and focus sharply.

I am a Canonite, so I would steer you in Canon's direction, but Nikon is pretty much on par with them for most peoples' uses. The camera you choose should enable fast shutter speeds (and a shutter priority mode to control that) and low-noise high ISO (referring to the sensor's light sensitivity) so you can freeze the action of your copters.

You may also want to purchase a good external flash for your inside work.

Digital Photography Review and the Digital Camera Resource Page contain exhaustive, reliable reviews on pretty much everything. And they each also have forums.
 
hvp05

hvp05

Methodically disorganized
Jeff said:
I doubt that particular lense is what I need but I have not researched those as yet.
Click to expand...
That lens is good enough for normal snapshots, but not either of the special uses you mentioned. If you don't particularly care for normal snapshots, forego the kit lens and buy the camera body then hand-pick your lenses later.
 
Dupontster

Dupontster

Would THIS face lie?
Wife just bought that exact camera (XSI) to replace her Rebel XT...She really loved the XT but she just wanted to upgrade to a few more pixels (8.2 to 12.2)...She wanted the larger screen too (2.5 to 3)...She also liked the way she could shoot 3.5 frames per second...It just suited her needs a little more....BTW, she is going to sell the XT which is in perfect condition....I know she could save you some money if you want a starter camera in excellent condition...
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
I spent years lugging a big ass camera bag around.
A potrait lens, wide angle lens, long lens, a zoom so I didn't have top swap so often. Close up diopters and extension tubes, filters for the various lenses and effects.
Unless you're seriously into photography as a profession or art form, carrying all that crap is a pain.
So you leave it at home.
If you do take it with you, you leave most of it in the car and hope you guessed right about what to bring on foot.


I take a LOT more pictures with a camera I'm willing to carry

Most of the better semi compact digitals have aperature priority, exposure priority manual settings. If you set that little dial on top of the Nikon or Cannon to "AUTO" all you've got is a big point and shoot.
 
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Jeff

Jeff

Stop Staring!!!!!
Thanks for all the tips so far folks. I'll spend a few days researching and getting familiar with the features and terminology. That Canon XSI is the one that has caught my eye so far.

I supect I'll be getting the sanpshot lens along with it and also two other lenses. No sense in having a camera if you can't sanp a quickie with it from time to time.

Lot of choices with these things. I had better not jump in too fast.

Duponster. Thanks for the offer but I suspect I am going to wanna go new with this.
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
Dupontster said:
She wanted the larger screen too (2.5 to 3)...She also liked the way she could shoot 3.5 frames per second...It just ...
Click to expand...

view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder

That screen is for viewiing the pics, not for taking them
 
hvp05

hvp05

Methodically disorganized
aps45819 said:
If you ste that little dial on top of the Nikon or Cannon to "AUTO" all you've got is a big poiint and shoot.
Click to expand...
Auto is the biggest joke on an SLR. And it's evil. I don't understand why they won't remove it and replace it with something useful.
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
aps45819 said:
view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder - view finder

That screen is for viewiing the pics, not for taking them
Click to expand...

Yup. Can't say enough about having a viewfinder in the daylight. LCDs just don't cut it.
 
wch

wch

New Member
Jeff said:
:killingme

This one caught my eye. Has decent reviews on it from the novice perspective. I doubt that particular lense is what I need but I have not researched those as yet.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with that camera ,very competitive to the Nikons in that class, the only reason I have a nikon now is that I had a nikon before and wanted to use the lenses and attachments. Lenses for canons are easy to find, Think about a trip to Penn camera in Tysons Corner and ask if you can try a couple models.
 
Jeff

Jeff

Stop Staring!!!!!
wch said:
Nothing wrong with that camera ,very competitive to the Nikons in that class, the only reason I have a nikon now is that I had a nikon before and wanted to use the lenses and attachments. Lenses for canons are easy to find, Think about a trip to Penn camera in Tysons Corner and ask if you can try a couple models.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I won't have the funds for a couple weeks so I have time to do some reasearch on this. I know what I want to do with it so that is a start. Now the trick is just figuring out what is out there that will do what I want.

As stated previously I'll be taking allot of pictures of Helicopters. Hopefully when my piloting skills improve I'll be yanking these things all over the sky as they are capable of some extreme 3d Aerobatics.

Below is a short video of what I have gotten myself into

MySpaceTV Videos: Trex 500 6s by Alan Szabo Jr.
 
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