Might Buy Digital SLR....some Q's

[czygvtwkr]

Im thinking of buying a digital SLR a few questions...... I notice there are two lens kits where you get the standard and for only $100 you get a 200 or 300mm equivalent lens depending on the brand, how often do you think you use the higher zoom lens? It seems to be about $100 cheaper to buy this way, is it worth it? What range focal length is usually needed by the enthusiast?

Finally, if I decide that a digital slr just isn't for me how well do they hold resale value if I decide to get rid of it?

Here is one package I am eyeing... Dell : Olympus Corporation Evolt E-520 Black 10 MP DSLR Camera with Zuiko 14-42 mm Lens and Zuiko 40-150 mm Lens - MSRP $599.99 : Digital Cameras & Digital Camcorders : Home & Home Office

Here is another Pentax K2000 Digital Camera w/18-55 Lens Kit - 17312 - RitzCamera.com

 

[jbr13]

Im thinking of buying a digital SLR a few questions...... I notice there are two lens kits where you get the standard and for only $100 you get a 200 or 300mm equivalent lens depending on the brand, how often do you think you use the higher zoom lens? It seems to be about $100 cheaper to buy this way, is it worth it? What range focal length is usually needed by the enthusiast?

Finally, if I decide that a digital slr just isn't for me how well do they hold resale value if I decide to get rid of it?

Here is one package I am eyeing... Dell : Olympus Corporation Evolt E-520 Black 10 MP DSLR Camera with Zuiko 14-42 mm Lens and Zuiko 40-150 mm Lens - MSRP $599.99 : Digital Cameras & Digital Camcorders : Home & Home Office

Here is another Pentax K2000 Digital Camera w/18-55 Lens Kit - 17312 - RitzCamera.com

For your question on the two lens kit. Do you need the extra zoom of a 200-300mm upper limit. You kinda have to answer that. In most cases yes you will want a zoom lens that goes up there. Unless you are thinking about just shooting scenics, wide angles, or on subjects that you can get as close as you want to them. The thing to remember is the lens is where its at! THe better type lens you use the better your photos will come out.

If you have any other questions a good thread to look at first is,

http://forums.somd.com/photography/143965-what-lens-camera-buy-how.html



Good Luck

 

[hvp05]

how often do you think you use the higher zoom lens?

This is a very relative thing; no one answer. It depends on what you will be shooting. Kids? Landscapes? Wildlife? Maybe all, but in varying amounts?

People are usually best between 50 and 100mm, especially between 70 and 80mm (for technical reasons); landscapes are usually 18 to 30mm (for the wide angle); wildlife/sports at 300+ (so you can "sneak up" on them without disturbing them).

I have a 200mm that I hardly ever use because I shoot a lot of landscapes, macros, and people, but not much wildlife at this point. That said, it's still a nice lens to have just because. Better to have it and use it rarely, rather than not have it and be stuck with only a wide angle that can't do what you want.

It seems to be about $100 cheaper to buy this way, is it worth it?

Following from the above, if it's the same lens you would be buying individually (quality, features, etc.), then yeah, get it now and save the money.

What range focal length is usually needed by the enthusiast?

I'd say if you could cover 18 - 135mm with 1 or 2 lenses you would probably be able to shoot most of what you want. But that's a total guess.

Finally, if I decide that a digital slr just isn't for me how well do they hold resale value if I decide to get rid of it?

This question bothers me because I hate to see people get ahead of themselves, as it can result in wasted money, time, and could turn you off photography.

Several years ago I was shooting with an advanced Canon P&S, and it was nice for what it was, but I eventually got to a point where I wanted more power and flexibility. I knew that I was ready to move up. So I purchased a Canon Rebel and it did indeed broaden my opportunities. It was fun, and felt right.

So you have to ask yourself why you want to spend several hundred dollars on something you might not even want. Quite honestly, if I were you, I would wait; perhaps try out someone else's SLR for a while - either a friend's or rent one - and see how you like it after a few outings. If you find an SLR is a bit much, there are some very viable P&S alternatives that are specifically geared for the "weekend warrior" shooter.

 

[jbr13]

I agree with HVP on the last comment for sure. In my opinion the best way to progress to a DSLR is as follows. Buy a $200-300 Point and Shoot that has manual features. This will give you something to learn how to use priority modes, Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. It also will give you a camera that has a good range lens. There are P&S cameras that go up to 20X zoom or more in that price range. Once you use it for a while, you will know if you want or need a camera with the DSLR options and what focal range you will need for lenses. It will save you from trying to sell your camera later because it is just to much camera for you.(Not meant as an insult, you just see this all the time on craigslist.com)

 

[czygvtwkr]

Several years ago I was shooting with an advanced Canon P&S, and it was nice for what it was, but I eventually got to a point where I wanted more power and flexibility. I knew that I was ready to move up. So I purchased a Canon Rebel and it did indeed broaden my opportunities. It was fun, and felt right.

So you have to ask yourself why you want to spend several hundred dollars on something you might not even want. Quite honestly, if I were you, I would wait; perhaps try out someone else's SLR for a while - either a friend's or rent one - and see how you like it after a few outings. If you find an SLR is a bit much, there are some very viable P&S alternatives that are specifically geared for the "weekend warrior" shooter.

Its actually the size that bothers me the most, Im not sure lugging it around is going to keep me from just letting it sit and collect dust or not.

One of the prime reasons I want one is the high iso performance compared to P&S cameras, realistically ISO 400 is the highest setting you can get a decent picture at with them.

 

[czygvtwkr]

I agree with HVP on the last comment for sure. In my opinion the best way to progress to a DSLR is as follows. Buy a $200-300 Point and Shoot that has manual features. This will give you something to learn how to use priority modes, Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. It also will give you a camera that has a good range lens. There are P&S cameras that go up to 20X zoom or more in that price range. Once you use it for a while, you will know if you want or need a camera with the DSLR options and what focal range you will need for lenses. It will save you from trying to sell your camera later because it is just to much camera for you.(Not meant as an insult, you just see this all the time on craigslist.com)

I have one of these Canon PowerShot A720 IS Digital Camera - Review - The Imaging Resource! and it has just about every manual setting and I love it, but I know the sensor size of a point and shoot camera limits its higher iso/low light performance. I've been researching for a good while and have a bit of a background in scientific use cameras (machine vision etc).

 

[jbr13]

I have one of these Canon PowerShot A720 IS Digital Camera - Review - The Imaging Resource! and it has just about every manual setting and I love it, but I know the sensor size of a point and shoot camera limits its higher iso/low light performance. I've been researching for a good while and have a bit of a background in scientific use cameras (machine vision etc).

Great, you are a step ahead already. Just see a bunch of people get DSLR's becasue they take nice pictures, and don't realize it has a little to do with the photographer too. Getting a DSLR and putting it in Auto is not going to just make your pictures that much better, but sometime that is what people think.

I looked at your two options of cameras. Both look very comparible to each other! Good ratings on DPReview.com as well. Here are their professional reviews on the cameras you listed. Remember, these guys pick cameras apart for a living, they make most cameras sound worse than we will notice.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk2000/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse520/


And here is the side by side for the two cameras

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...idebyside&cameras=oly_e520,pentax_km&show=all

 

[czygvtwkr]

Getting a DSLR and putting it in Auto is not going to just make your pictures that much better, but sometime that is what people think.

Most definitely, I hardly use the auto setting on my P&S. I didn't realize how much bigger dSLR's were till I actually held one the other day, that's the only real problem I think I will have with it.

 

[jbr13]

Most definitely, I hardly use the auto setting on my P&S. I didn't realize how much bigger dSLR's were till I actually held one the other day, that's the only real problem I think I will have with it.

If you are a little worried about the size, check out the D40X and D60 at best buy, I think they are pretty small DSLRs

 

[czygvtwkr]

Talk about timing, check out what Olympus is coming out with. Olympus E-P1 Digital Camera - Hands-On Preview - The Imaging Resource!

Will have to wait to see price though.

 

[forceofnature]

Talk about timing, check out what Olympus is coming out with. Olympus E-P1 Digital Camera - Hands-On Preview - The Imaging Resource!

Will have to wait to see price though.

Dont forget the Olympus 4/3 system you are looking at has a crop factor of 2X. That means for any given Lens you double its size. For example the 40-150mm lens in the 520 kit is an 80-300mm 35mm equivalent. Most DSLR's with the APS-C sensor will have a Crop anywhere from 1.4-1.7X.


I am also considering getting the Olympus EP1 camera to add to my camera gadgets.

 

[hvp05]

Most definitely, I hardly use the auto setting on my P&S.

I set my 40D to Auto once and snapped off a few. I felt so dirty afterwards.

I didn't realize how much bigger dSLR's were till I actually held one the other day, that's the only real problem I think I will have with it.

Thanks for the clarification from your initial statement. Personally, I have preferred the SLR feel since I picked up my first one. I appreciate the more substantial feel, buttons are more easily accessed, and every action is deliberate.

If you don't mind my asking, are you male or female?

Talk about timing, check out what Olympus is coming out with. Olympus E-P1 Digital Camera - Hands-On Preview - The Imaging Resource!

Yeah, timing... that thing is a total retro throwback.

Quickly scrolling through the details, a couple things did catch my eye: Leveling indicators. I had a teacher who would make constant use of that feature; if there was any common flaw he most despised, it was crooked horizons. And then multiple exposures; first time I have seen that ability outside a post-editing program.

One negative is, much like its P&S brethren, you would have to use the LCD to frame up your shots. You can buy a viewfinder, but it's another $100. Beyond that, the viewfinder locks into the hotshoe on top, which is where your external flash would need to go if you want to use that... big point being, you could not use both simultaneously.

Will have to wait to see price though.

The introductory basics lists an MSRP of $800. :shrug:

 

[czygvtwkr]

If you don't mind my asking, are you male or female?

Im a guy, a large one at that, so its not that its heavy or too big for me its the convenience factor that may have it sitting collecting dust that bothers me, I hate that.

 

[hvp05]

Im a guy, a large one at that, so its not that its heavy or too big for me its the convenience factor that may have it sitting collecting dust that bothers me, I hate that.

Oh. That is a matter of motivation, then. If you really want to go shoot, you will, regardless how cumbersome the gear.

 

[czygvtwkr]

Posted a few of the pictures that I have taken with a digicam in the forum just so you all can see what I have taken pictures of lately.