Looking to buy, need user advice.

[gevorg]

It will primarily be used by my wife as a 'point and click' camera

Another vote for RX100.

 

[Syborg1211]

Which is another reason NEX is a great option. The NEX doesn't have a complex menu system, its more of a hybrid between point and shoot and DSLR.

I looked into the NEX system a few months ago for a friend. I'm not a fan. None of the lenses are very sharp, and the ones that are half-decent cost an arm and a leg. It's not the system I would buy into. I would either go m4/3 or aps-c dslr if doing beginner interchangeable lens systems, but to each his own.

 

[iGas]

I haven't used all brands of cameras; the brands I have used rarely have a 'default shutter speed' option set to ( say, 1/60th sec) as a default. If they have that option at all.

Your 5D is slightly beyond the scope of what we're talking about - it likely has the minimum shutter speed. Does that work in auto mode, or just P mode? Cameras vary with where that feature exists.

Your 25 years of experience goes slightly beyond the scope of someone looking for their first DSLR type camera.

I tested in Full Automatic Mode with ISO set to Auto select, and the camera is intelligent enough to select the best shutter speed, aperture, and ISO be it in full sunlight or low light situation.

P mode set Aperture, and Shutter speed automatically adjusted accordingly, but it also allow you to shift aperture and shutter speed. However it doesn't retain the aperture after a few seconds of no activity and you don't keep your finger on the shutter button. (Aperture Priority retain the aperture that you set after your change mode and back to it, it will retain mode after you shut off and turn it back on, and it will keep the aperture setting even after you shut off the camera and change lens).

I tend to shoot in Aperture Priority mode because I want to control depth of field, and sometime I use shutter priority for action (I still prefer Aperture Priority for action over that of Shutter Priority). I rarely shoot in Full Manual Mode unless I'm in difficult lighting situation where I use spot metering, and perhaps play around with HDR.

 

[homebrew2ny]

Is this a good deal/kit for a beginner?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+D3...99202500050011

Sorry for all the noob questions...

 

[Syborg1211]

If you have a Costco membership or a friend with one, they have the same kit plus a wireless transmitter for 729 or maybe less in the store.

Bhphotovideo has the d3200 with 18-55 kit lens plus bag and memory card and what not for 546.95. Then you can add the 55-200 into you cart for a discount and only 146 additional. Total cost under 700 and no tax if you're not in the New York area. I'm guessing Adorama has a similar deal as bhphoto and adorama are usually the same.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Is this a good deal/kit for a beginner?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+D3...99202500050011

Sorry for all the noob questions...

D3200 + 18-55VR = $479

55-200VR = $134

$479 + $134 = $613

I'd take the $136 difference in price and shop for a bag that YOU want, not bundled in the package.

If it were me, personally, I'd skip the 55-200mm and get a 35mm f/1.8 and then save up for a longer, better telephoto down the line like the 70-300VR AF-S.

EDIT: Yes, everything I listed is either refurbished or used. The conventional wisdom in the past has been that often times refurbished Nikon camera bodies are more reliable than new ones, because they have actually undergone stricter QA. I don't know if that also extends to lenses. The only camera hardware that I've purchased new is my 50mm f/1.8. My D7000, 18-105 lens, and 70-300 lens, and both my speedlights were all purchased used.

 

[homebrew2ny]

Wound up getting a canon t3i, thanks again for all the input.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I am wrestling with the same issue right now. I currently have a Canon S95 and enjoy shooting in Av,Tv or M (versus Auto) but the lack of focal length and DOF makes me crave another more powerful camera.

So, I've narrowed it down between the D7100 for an SLR and then a "pocket" cameras Fuji X100S or Sony RX100.

I doubt I'm ever really going to want to carry around a DSLR + lens(es) especially when traveling/walking around, so I think the X100S is the best option, but the fixed focal length is really killing me. I'd probably get a single black rapid style "speed" strap for use with both sized devices (so something with integrated case is out) since I'll eventually get a refurb D7100.

Thoughts? (sorry for the thread hijack!)

 

[blastingcap]

I am in the market for a quality camera. I am not opposed to a DSLR as long as it fits my needs. What I am mostly looking for is...

1. Build quality
2. Ease of use
3. Quality photo's (even in low light usage)
4. Fast shutter time. (I do not want any lag)
5. HD video 720 or 1080 is ok, but quality is a must.

These things are a necessity...

But I would also like wireless if available.

I have been to a few places test driving out some cameras, but would like to differ to the knowledge base here. It will primarily be used by my wife as a 'point and click' camera, but I want something a bit more than your average $200+/- digi-cam. I have no set budget but would like a 'best bang for the buck' type unit. Having said that, I am not a professional photographer and am not going to spend $10,000 either.

Anyway, anyone have any hands on advice as to where to narrow my look? Thanks in advance!

Do you need to capture fast action? (Probably not.) But if so, DSLR or Nikon 1 are the best at continuous focus tracking.

Do you have to have interchangeable lenses? If no, then RX100 and LX7 are your best bets.

RX100 has no wireless but look at user reviews. It's the real deal. I have one. It's basically displaced my DSLR and MFT cameras. With its built-in fast lens, a RX100 is actually better in low light and has longer zoom range than MFT/crop DSLRs with kit lenses.

If you are ok with slightly bigger cameras, try the LX7. It's not too far off from an RX100 and can take stuff like EVFs and remote shutter release cables. No longer pocketable though.

 

[radhak]

S95


5D Mkii

Not trying to pull this thread OT, but those are some amazing shots, particularly these two!

 

[homebrew2ny]

Just wanted to say my wife LOVES her new toy (Canon T3i). She is reading and learning everything she can about all the settings and features, and taking the time to use and learn them as well. I am actually quite surprised and pleasantly pleased at her conviction.

Anyway, she is happy, I am happy. Here is a couple examples of he new found hobby. Not the best photos, and probably horribly compressed, but I like it and it is much better than the quality of our digi-cams!

 

[adreamer]

My wife has been using a Canon S95 for the past 2 years and it takes excellent photos and has been the goto camera for travel especially low light photos. I also like that I can set up the camera to shoot in RAW mode. It really has a lot of beginner "don't think about it" settings but you can pretty much set it up like a DSLR to shoot anything. The camera has an f/2 lens..so in low light you still have to pay attention to what it is focusing on.

We recently upgraded her to a S110 and now I am using the S95 (mostly for diving).

 

[adreamer]

But to follow up the Ti3 is a good choice.. we have an older model and love it to. We use it alongside our S110...both have their uses.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Just wanted to say my wife LOVES her new toy (Canon T3i). She is reading and learning everything she can about all the settings and features, and taking the time to use and learn them as well. I am actually quite surprised and pleasantly pleased at her conviction.

Anyway, she is happy, I am happy. Here is a couple examples of he new found hobby. Not the best photos, and probably horribly compressed, but I like it and it is much better than the quality of our digi-cams!

I realize this is veering slightly off topic for the thread, but you should really explore some RAW image processing software, if you don't have anything already. Adobe Lightroom is reasonably priced and fully featured. You can even download RawTherapee for free. -- I've used it myself, and it has the tools that you need, but they didn't seem as logically laid out as I would've liked. My experience is a few version updates past, however, and I was coming from being a little "pre-programmed" myself after learning (and loving) Adobe Camera Raw.

 

[henryp]

Bhphotovideo has the d3200 with 18-55 kit lens plus bag and memory card and what not for 546.95. Then you can add the 55-200 into you cart for a discount and only 146 additional. Total cost under 700 and no tax if you're not in the New York area.

For the record, at this time we do not add sales tax if an order is shipped to any address outside NY state. If (when) the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 is enacted things will probably change.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

For the record, at this time we do not add sales tax if an order is shipped to any address outside NY state. If (when) the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 is enacted things will probably change.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

:thumbsup:

 

[Syborg1211]

For the record, at this time we do not add sales tax if an order is shipped to any address outside NY state. If (when) the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 is enacted things will probably change.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Well I'm sure as hell glad I've ordered my ~12k in gear from ya'll in the past few months instead of later this year then!




Wonderful_Pork - Take caution that the X100S is not pocketable by pretty much anyone's standards. I'm a tall guy with larger than average pockets, and there's still no way that thing's going in the pocket. If it doesn't fit in your pocket, you're carrying a bag or carrying the camera on your neck/shoulder. I was deciding between the X100S, Coolpix A, and RX100, and I ended up on the RX100 for this reason. Love the RX100 by the way.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Take caution that the X100S is not pocketable by pretty much anyone's standards. I'm a tall guy with larger than average pockets, and there's still no way that thing's going in the pocket. If it doesn't fit in your pocket, you're carrying a bag or carrying the camera on your neck/shoulder. I was deciding between the X100S, Coolpix A, and RX100, and I ended up on the RX100 for this reason. Love the RX100 by the way.

Thanks for the input. I'm still leaning towards it since it has an APS-C sensor, and isn't quite as obvious/distracting as a DSLR (or heavy!)

I'm considering getting a Black Rapid SNAPR 35 shoulder bag and ultimately forgoing a "full" DSLR for the next year or 2. I really only take photos when traveling or on vacation, and portraits/candids at that (maybe some buildings, etc) but no sports or high speed stuff.

 

[demiro]

I've had the X100 and now the RX100. No doubt the little Sony can't beat the APS-C sensor on the X100 (or X100s), but that camera has really got to fit your shooting style to justify the cost imo. If it does then I say go for it without reservation. Otherwise the RX100 is a great option. It is pocketable, and delivers better IQ than it should.

Too many great choices out there right now. First world problems to be sure.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I've had the X100 and now the RX100. No doubt the little Sony can't beat the APS-C sensor on the X100 (or X100s), but that camera has really got to fit your shooting style to justify the cost imo. If it does then I say go for it without reservation. Otherwise the RX100 is a great option. It is pocketable, and delivers better IQ than it should.

Too many great choices out there right now. First world problems to be sure.

Thats a good point - I'm a total tourist/candid photographer. I know the exposure triangle and general composition techniques, but I'm not going to sit somewhere for an hour for the light to make it the "perfect" shot. Draw - compose - snap, good enough for iPhoto/Flickr.

I don't really zoom much now, and the Sony aperture drops pretty quick from the f1.8 as it zooms out.

As you said, total first world problems. I suppose I could just wait to see if sony updates the RX100 this year and buy some guitar stuff with the $650 saved.

 

[demiro]

The RX100 seems to finally be seeing some price softening, but the Sony geeks I know told me not to expect a replacement real soon and convinced me to buy now.

The other P&S to consider is the Fuji X20 (or X10 if you are more of a JPEG shooter). Fast zoom throughout the range of the lens, but you lose pocketability of the RX100.

You could grab a used X10 & a used X100 for <$1000. Play around with them and decide if either, neither or both make sense, and likely re-sell for a nominal loss (if necessary).

 

[blastingcap]

The RX100 seems to finally be seeing some price softening, but the Sony geeks I know told me not to expect a replacement real soon and convinced me to buy now.

The other P&S to consider is the Fuji X20 (or X10 if you are more of a JPEG shooter). Fast zoom throughout the range of the lens, but you lose pocketability of the RX100.

You could grab a used X10 & a used X100 for <$1000. Play around with them and decide if either, neither or both make sense, and likely re-sell for a nominal loss (if necessary).

Slightly off topic, but do those Sony geeks know if there is gonna be a remote shutter release or at least a threaded socket for cable releases in any revision to the RX100? That's one thing that really bothers me about the camera, as I can work around the other deficiencies (e.g., I can use an optical slave flash so no hotshoe is okay... and having no EVF sucks but then again it's pocketable and the brightest LCD mode isn't too bad) except that one... there's no good way to attach a cable release to the camera.

 

[Ciber]

Throwing in another vote for the RX100. Also have a 5D MKII and NEX 5N. The RX100 gets the most use followed by the NEX, the 5D mostly collects dust.

 

[zCypher]

5D MkII (I would have missed this shot with the PS camera due to shutter lag).

LOL, you don't say...! I love this shot, seriously it looks amazing. I have always had a sorta passive interest in photography, but recently started looking more into it as I'll be on some vacations with the gf and need something more than phone and crappy P&S. After a lot of reading and discussion, I decided on the Panasonic GX1 for the gf and a DSLR for me. So far I'm very happy with the GX1, she is using it a lot and very excited about it. I wanted something almost pocketable, but with much better capabilities (the GX1 has decent AF and low-light performance plus interchangeable lenses). She just took a few shots of flowers and her cat click if you want to see, nothin special though, and they turned out amazing compared to anything she's taken with her phone or P&S cameras, and this is all on auto without learning anything yet.

I'm pretty interested in either the Nikon D3100 - D5200. I have learned in my search for camera goodness, that a few things are more important than the technical specs. 1 - you. You need to know what kind of pictures you will be taking, and you need to keep your photography skills in mind. In the case of the GX1 for gf, I knew she would be taking a lot of pics on vacations, so I didn't want to pick something too bulky.

Another thing I learned is it's probably a better idea to invest more into lenses and gear as opposed to waste all your money on the camera body and cheap out on other stuff. I have seen some pretty impressive pics taken with a basic Nikon D3100, and that's not high end by any stretch of the imagination when it comes to DSLRs. So I would say pick the camera that has the features you deem most important, at the lowest price (used or refurbished is not always a bad idea), and try to find the best deals on GOOD lenses.

take anything I say with a grain of salt as I don't actually have my DSLR yet

 

[dutko2385]

Are you looking to only use the camera for pictures or do you also want to take video with it? That can make a difference if you want like a GoPro type or something semi-professional.