Anyone REALLY into photography?

[Simo]

I can feel that very soon I will be purchasing a digital SLR camera.

Currently Im thinking of sticking with the trusty Canon range.

Before I go into more details, it'd be good to know if anyone understands all of this stuff? smileys/smiley17.gif

I want some advice on which model to go for... smileys/smiley9.gif

[mattvts23]

No joy so far simo.

Maybe try Pauley or Dave G, arnt they in to photography.

[C2_VTR]

Judging by the machine Mike brought out at the Westerham meet I'd say he could know a thing or two......

[Simo]

Yeah, good point Matt, but theyre on ssc... and I find it a pain in the arse to chat on there smileys/smiley17.gif

Mr Galpin has a model similar to one I am considering.

Im not sure whether to go for the EOS 350D type, which is in simple terms a very fancy digital camera with simplified manual settings, etc.

http://www.jessops.com/images/products/CAN@EOS350DSTLK.jpg

OR, go for the full on WOW I dont know what half of these functions are supposed to do EOS 20D.

http://www.jessops.com/images/products/caneos20d.jpg

[mattvts23]

SSC difficult to talk.

You are joking arnt you smileys/smiley17.gif smileys/smiley17.gif lol

[Simo]

SSC difficult to talk.

You are joking arnt you smileys/smiley17.gif smileys/smiley17.gif lol

I guess if I stood on my head, put my fingers in my ears and stuck my tongue out, maybe I could convince you that I wasnt being serious smileys/smiley17.gif

[barrett]

i'm into my photography but being a student i havent been looking at
new cameras at the moment, due to the depressing factor of not being
able to upgrade my equipment!!

I've always stuck with Fujifilm cameras, currently have the S602 Zoom
Professional camera which I find does everthing i need to plus some more
stuff i havent got round to learning how to use!! lol

The joy of Digital is you can play around with settings and see the results
immediately.

Before you buy it think do i actually need one this expensive as they are
only for certain occasions type cameras. E.g they are big and bulky and
dont just slip easily into your pocket!!!

Advice on which camera would simply be look up what each function does
(no point explaining to you as your wont remember) and then see if you
would actually use that function!

Oh and cannon cameras are always sweet cameras to work with!!

[saxobaby]

My bro got a new Nikon SLR camera, he bought it with filters, wide angle lens etc added up to thousands!

[Jungle_Jim]

im doing a degree in photography, i personally would either go for a nikon or canon. and as at the end of the day you are not using it for prefessional use either a canon Eos 350d or nikon d70 / d100 would be fine mate.I on the other hand get to play with nikon d2x's which cost £2995 body only smileys/smiley4.gif

have a look on www.dpreview.com as the have reviews and samples etc, very useful site buddy

[tgazvtr]

something i am thinking of getting into, i want to do a course on it at college. smileys/smiley17.gif

both of them cameras look trick mate.

[JaxoSaxo]

tesco's throw aways rule!!!

[MikeCracknell]

Greetings Simo,

I am into Photography - have my own ickle photography business...

Pesonal experience says that the best one to buy is the EOS 1DSII, but that'll set you back £9000.

I have the 10D, and LOADS of add on lenses (well 4) - have always had Canon, and they are good. The 20D replaced the 10D, and it certainly has better features - it starts immediatey, and can take loads more pictures per second (ideal for car photography) the 350d can only do 3 a second, and only has enough buffer for 9 pictures.

The 20D is better for sports and car photography, it looks beefier, and has an edge over the 350D in terms of features and adjustability of settings....

Get the 20D smileys/smiley20.gif smileys/smiley20.gif smileys/smiley20.gif

Mike

[saxx]

i just need one where i cant put my finger over the lens smileys/smiley17.gif



simo that one u had at trax looked rather technical in itself!!!

[oz_borne]

WOW

look at you all go. I just nick the camera from school/work every so often, and take pics of my car. It does the job. (and it wasn't me who broke the battery cap, honest.)

smileys/smiley14.gif

[Simo]

Cheers for your input Mike...

My head is telling me to go for the 20D, but my wallet is telling me to go for the 350D smileys/smiley17.gif

Im a little put off the 350D, as it seems a little entry level... but thats the level I should maybe start at?

Its been years since I used my Olympus SLR (non digital), and I was always amazed at the shots it created!!

The 20D seems like the one I would be most happy with, but its about £400 more than the 350D. smileys/smiley24.gif

Hmmm... I dont know what to do smileys/smiley5.gif

[tgazvtr]

why start at entry level? because when you get more used to the camera surely you will then want to upgrade witch is that expense again. i would go for the best you could afford mate smileys/smiley4.gif

[MikeCracknell]

Go onto Ebay, and look for them - there is a company called digitalrev that do them cheap with uk warranty etc...

You think the 20D is expensive... My 10D cost £1500 body only when that came out - and its crap by todays standards...

Mike

[MikeCracknell]

Here you are:

20D kit (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-20D-UK-Body-Canon-17-85mm-UV-Filter-No-VAT_W0QQitemZ7551901631QQcategoryZ30020QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem)

350D Kit (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-350D-UK-Lens-Kit-BLK-2GB-60x-CF-Battery_W0QQitemZ7552170436QQcategoryZ30020QQtcZph otoQQcmdZViewItem)

If you do from them, I expect you to upgrade to UPS smileys/smiley4.gif

Mike

[puzzledzippy]

i have got the fuji 602 zoom and its great, i recoment it highly.

[MikeCracknell]

Well Simo??? Have you bought one yet??? Get the 20D - you know you want to - thats what PLASTIC is for smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif smileys/smiley2.gif

[Simo]

Hey, Ive not even managed to get home yet. lol

Will take a look later on...

Is this link significantly cheaper Mike?? smileys/smiley2.gif

[MikeCracknell]

Yes, and if you charged import tax (which you will) you fax them the C.O.D invoice and then they paypal you back the money!

I bought 8 EOS 300D's from them when they first came out, and sold them on e-bay for a small fortune!

Mike

[tgazvtr]

mmmmm they both look nice smileys/smiley17.gif

[Simo]

I've just been into Jessops on my lunch hour to enquire... I know prices are cheaper online, but this is a useful comparison.

The 350D, with single lens 18-55mm is currently priced at £599

The 20D, with the same single lens 18-55mm is currently priced at £940, with £100 cashback from Canon, making the end price £840!

I would probably go for a double lens kit, or buy a second lens seperately.

So what do you pro's reckon?

The discoutned 20D price, means its ONLY £241 more expensive than the 350D.

The gy in the shop was obviously trying to sway me towards the 20D... which if Im honest my heart is telling me that too.

The 350D is a superb camera though and may be better suited to me, whilst I get into the world of digital SLR.

CONFUSED!!!

http://www.jessops.com/images/products/CAN@EOS350DSTLK.jpghttp://www.jessops.com/images/products/caneos20d.jpg

[saxx]

if u bought the 350d how long would it keep u amused until u decide u want a bigger and better one?

[Frevo]

As I said before, the 20D isn't that different. There was gap between the 300D and the 20D, but now that the 350D is here I can't think of many reasons to go for a 20D.

My advice: get a 350D with kitlens and a Canon EF 70-200/4.0 L USM lens (there's cashback on the lens). Even better (if you can stretch to it) is to buy the 350D body with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM lens and the Canon EF 70-200/4.0 L USM.

Put it this way: a 350D with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM lens takes better pics than a 20D with a Canon EF-S 18-55/3.5-5.6 kitlens (and it has more range aswell.. and IS (image stabilasor)).. both combo's are about the same price.

[Simo]

The differences as I see them... from a non-technical perspective smileys/smiley2.gif

- The 20D is a full size SLR.

- The 20D has a faster frame rate. (handy for motorsport?)

- The 20D has an extra wheel on the abck for quick changes and photo navigation.

That's probably about all smileys/smiley24.gif

The 350D is probably the better deal, I agree. smileys/smiley14.gif

Any more opinions????

[Simo]

Oh... and if going for a 350D... black or silver? smileys/smiley17.gif

The black ones appear to be more expensive for some reason????

[MikeCracknell]

20D 20D 20D

More flash and far more gadgety, and everyone has the 300/350D!

[Jungle_Jim]

yep gotta agree go with the 20D, but if you do go for a 350D make sure its black, the silver ones looks poo, plus they scratch to fook really easily, black ones look more professional smileys/smiley14.gif

[Frevo]

The differences as I see them... from a non-technical perspective smileys/smiley2.gif

- The 20D is a full size SLR.

- The 20D has a faster frame rate. (handy for motorsport?)

- The 20D has an extra wheel on the abck for quick changes and photo navigation.

That's probably about all smileys/smiley24.gif

The 350D is probably the better deal, I agree. smileys/smiley14.gif

Any more opinions????


-What do yuo mean with Full size? The sensor is about the same size (both crop factor 1.6)

-Frame rate is a bit faster.. but I don't have the feeling I need that tbh. 350D is 3 fps, the 20D 5. Just gives you more pics, which isn't always handy btw.

-350D has a wheel on top for navigation

350D with L lens!
(and even if you get a 20D, you will want an L lens and you'll regret it if you don't get one. I do! Never I regretted getting a 350D instead of a 20D.. but a 70-200/f4 L makes me moist smileys/smiley17.gif )

[Frevo]

20D 20D 20D

More flash and far more gadgety, and everyone has the 300/350D!



Flash is the same... and an external flash is way better anyway smileys/smiley2.gif

And what's more gadgety about a 20D?

[Frevo]

Oh... and if going for a 350D... black or silver? smileys/smiley17.gif

The black ones appear to be more expensive for some reason????

Black!

[Simo]

I meant that the 350D is smaller... the 20D is considered a full-size SLR, whereas the 350D is considered a compact SLR. smileys/smiley24.gif

Size isn't everything though smileys/smiley17.gif

Im still undecided... but I can see myself leaning towards the 350D, due to other things I want to buy smileys/smiley2.gif

[tgazvtr]

i would go for the 350d myself more affordable and more money for extra bits. deffo in black though. smileys/smiley4.gif

[Frevo]

I meant that the 350D is smaller... the 20D is considered a full-size SLR, whereas the 350D is considered a compact SLR. smileys/smiley24.gif

Size isn't everything though smileys/smiley17.gif

Im still undecided... but I can see myself leaning towards the 350D, due to other things I want to buy smileys/smiley2.gif

That problem is solved by getting the battery grip. I would get that anyway. I bought the grip aswell. Thought it was pointless at first, but I wouldn't like to use it without the grip now.

You do need other things... expensive (zoom)lens, bag (just got a lowepro mini trekker), tripod, flash, etc etc. smileys/smiley2.gif

[Simo]

Yeah, the grip has the buttons on it too doesnt it for easy reach smileys/smiley17.gif

Im going to a meeting now, then im going back to jessops for another look... Will by money stay in my wallet though? smileys/smiley15.gif

[Simo]

smileys/smiley9.gif smileys/smiley9.gif

[al_VTR]

are you the proud owner of a new camera Simo ???

[Simo]

Maybe smileys/smiley2.gif








*cough* - battery on charge</font>

[Frevo]

Spill!~

[Simo]

I decided to play sensible...

I opted for the 350D, as I'm confident it will offer loads and loads of good quality features for easily the next few years. If I get more into it after that point, there will be newer models available smileys/smiley2.gif

Was considering gettin ghte 350D with twin lens kit and grip, but decided that I didnt want to rush into something and get two lenses, which might not be exactly what I want.

Sooooo...

I went for the 350D with 18-55 EF-S lens and a battery/grip.

After some thinking about what I want to get out of it, I will buy another lens. Probably something 200mm+ smileys/smiley17.gif

Off home from work to have a fiddle smileys/smiley2.gif

BTW - I went for the black model smileys/smiley2.gif There were free accessories on offer with the silver versin, but I decided that black was best.

[Jungle_Jim]

good choice matey, how much did you get it for if you dont mind me asking cos i need to upgrade mine some time soon

[Frevo]

Good choice.

The next thing you want is this:

http://www.canon.nl/Images/16_27043.gif

smileys/smiley2.gif

God I regret not buying that.. smileys/smiley13.gif

[Simo]

Woah... now thats a lens!! smileys/fcuk.gif

It'd look more like a missile launcher than a camera carrying that thing about smileys/smiley17.gif

[barrett]

lol, thats one mofo of a lens!

Good work on the camera there Simo'. Whats the first photo going to be
of? The car, the floor, the desk?

[Simo]

Its still not been unwrapped smileys/fcuk.gif

Battery is charged... Im going to Suies in about ten minutes... I will un-pack the camera then smileys/smiley2.gif

I need to buy a mother of a CF card now. Just dug out a 128Mb one, but that wont last long smileys/smiley17.gif

[barrett]

amazon and ebuyer have been quite cheap recently for camera memory
cards.

What mega pixelage is the camera? What size is each photo that it takes?

[tinsel]

i know its a bit late in the day (sorry) but as a pro photographer i would have gone for nikon or fuji !
I use the Fuji S3 pro which is nikon fit so all nikon D lens fit it smileys/smiley17.gif vey good good camera !

But as the saying go's you get wot you pay for.

All in all not a bad little camera you went for any trouble with it or if you need any help feel free to P.M me M8ty smileys/smiley2.gif have fun smileys/smiley17.gif

[Simo]

Cheers Adam... the more help the better once I have a proper play with it tomorrow smileys/smiley17.gif

I don't need a proper professional camera though, so I'm sure this will be great for me.

Not read the instruction book yet, but I've done a few quick snaps to check it out smileys/smiley17.gif

===

Mike, the photos are about 3Mb each, on the current setting?? The camera is 8 mega pixel.

Here's a reduced size image of Suies new puppy smileys/smiley17.gif

/members/Simo/837Z2_holly.jpg

[barrett]

the photo looks good, nice definition.

I still need to rumage my mannual out for my camera to work out how to
use some of the setting on it still!!

The double exposure setting is always good fun. Don't know what its
called but it alows you to split the photo into two. So on the left you
could have half a smily face then on the right you can have the other half
of a sad face. Hard to explain, will have a look for some of the ones i did
a while back, and post them up

[Jungle_Jim]

yeah i know what you mean think its called the sitch function / panaramic mode.

simo: looking good buddy, i would definately advise a vertical grip, i have one on my Eos 5 and it makes the world of difference, helps reduce camera shake

[barrett]

what do these grip things look like?

[Frevo]

Cheers Adam... the more help the better once I have a proper play with it tomorrow smileys/smiley17.gif

I don't need a proper professional camera though, so I'm sure this will be great for me.

Not read the instruction book yet, but I've done a few quick snaps to check it out smileys/smiley17.gif

===

Mike, the photos are about 3Mb each, on the current setting?? The camera is 8 mega pixel.

Here's a reduced size image of Suies new puppy smileys/smiley17.gif

/members/Simo/837Z2_holly.jpg

Next time you take a pic of that dog, focus on the eye. smileys/smiley2.gif

[Simo]

The puppy is only about 5 weeks old or something... It only opened its eye for that shot, as a firework went bang outside smileys/smiley17.gif

I got about ten photos of it asleep. LMBO! © sax-p

Done a bit of point and clicking tonight... but thats not what this camera is about. I need to have a read of the book now smileys/smiley14.gif

[Simo]

For peeps still interested... here's a couple of shots of the new camera smileys/smiley17.gif

/members/Simo/2981Z_cam1.jpg

/members/Simo/C5F88_cam2.jpg

[VTaaRon]

think you must be the first person i know to buy an amazing new camera and then use your old one to take pics of it! a great site for cards is www.dvd.co.uk have a look through cheap as chips

[Frevo]

Is this better? smileys/smiley2.gif

http://images15.fotki.com/v233/photos/5/54570/465400/IMG_930401border-vi.jpg

[barrett]

smileys/smiley3.gif Poor ixus!!

Camera is looking rather good there simo'

[Simo]

smileys/smiley17.gif

I want to be able to do macro shots... and the focal range on this current lens is not close enough. (min ~ 0.28m)

Can you buy a conditioning lens or something to shorten the focal range?

BTW - still not read any of the books smileys/smiley17.gif

[barrett]

just cleaned the dust off my camera and got the batteries on charge ready
for the fireworks tonight!

Will have to see how it goes. I'm playing rugby this afternoon then, going
go-karting. Then I will either go see some fireworks and get some
groovey photos, or I will end up going out with the rugby lads, and being
very hung over tomorrow!!!

[Simo]

MIght try some fireworks shots tonight too smileys/smiley17.gif

An interesting macro shoot setup article. (http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/buyersguide/fullbuyersguide.cfm?buyersguideid=12)

[Frevo]

smileys/smiley17.gif

I want to be able to do macro shots... and the focal range on this current lens is not close enough. (min ~ 0.28m)

Can you buy a conditioning lens or something to shorten the focal range?

BTW - still not read any of the books smileys/smiley17.gif

I've got a Raynox DCR-150 Macro/Close-Up lens.
Very cheap! smileys/smiley4.gif

[Jungle_Jim]

simo you can buy close up filters, similar to the uv one you already have on it, they come in a varitey of different zooms. however the better way of doing it would be to buy a lens like my sigma 28 - 135mm which has a macro function as it is excellent focusing at any distance from the subject rather than the filters where you will have to be a sepcific distance away, both not too close or too far away

[Jungle_Jim]

as for firework pics i recomend about a 4 second exposure, it gives you some interesting results. i have hudreds of firework pics from when i went to france

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/1135/bang18qn.jpg

[Simo]

Cheers... Im off back to Jessops to take a look smileys/smiley17.gif

[GreenSaxo]

u buy anything from jessops sim?

nice camera.. i want one!! smileys/smiley17.gif

http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/300D/lenses.jpg

[Simo]

smileys/smiley17.gif

Yes Mark, I bought a +4 close-up filter, a Canon carry case and a tri-pod smileys/smiley2.gif

It took me about an hour of taking shots to work out how NOT to let the flash come on. I really do think I should flick through the instructions now smileys/smiley17.gif

Still been having fun though and the close-up filter works great smileys/smiley17.gif

Meet Saphie, the dog. smileys/smiley2.gif

/members/Simo/AF1EC_saph1.jpg

/members/Simo/65BZ7_saph2.jpg

[Scott]

hmm think i might treat myself come christmas time tosmileys/smiley4.gif

[Simo]

I'll have to pop upto Glasgow and let you have a look at it smileys/smiley2.gif

I want to take some firework photos tonight... Its gonna have to be manual settings with flash off... any tips people? smileys/smiley2.gif

[pug_boe]

nice pic of your dogs bogies
lol nah it looks cool

[GreenSaxo]

Hello Saphie, what a nice nose you have, next time simo goes to take a picture.. sneeze over his nice camera!!! smileys/smiley17.gif

[MikeCracknell]

EEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Bogeys!!!

smileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gifsmileys/smiley4.gif

Anything Canon is quality, well any D-SLR Canon is quality!

[lozi_murias]

My boyfriend just got a Canon EOS 5D (which i've stolen) and its bloody marvellous! You're talking about £2k though...
It has extra settings than the 20D such as monochrome - which believe me is amazing - and the extra megapixels really make a difference.

I reckon the next thing you want is a new lens, probably a telephoto like the 70-200 someone suggested, it's great for taking faraway shots of stuff like bikes / cars on a track - and you can do a lot better than the 18-55 that came with the 350D for a portrait / macro lens.
Make sure anything you buy has IS (ImageStabiliser) 'cos it does help.

I don't have a souped up saxo, (yet,) by i do have a verrry souped up camera!

BUY IT SIMO!!

Lozi
-x-

[Frevo]

It has extra settings than the 20D such as monochrome

350D has monochrome aswell


and the extra megapixels really make a difference.

In what?


BUY IT SIMO!!
-x-

He already has... a 350D smileys/smiley14.gif

[Jungle_Jim]

most important thing about the 5D over the 20D or 350D is that it has a full sized sensor, which has the same proportions as 35mm film and is better quality than sensors in lower spec slr's. it is a really nice camera, but abit pricey, you can still get excellent results with a 350D.

[barrett]

hmm think i might treat myself come christmas time to:
D

If you are still thinking about it there is a deal going where if you buy it
with a mastercard you get £100 cash back! Might be worth a look in. My
uncle has just bought one so if you want more info i will find out.

[Frevo]

most important thing about the 5D over the 20D or 350D is that it has a full sized sensor, which has the same proportions as 35mm film and is better quality than sensors in lower spec slr's. it is a really nice camera, but abit pricey, you can still get excellent results with a 350D.

You can buy nearly 4 350D's for one 5D though.. and 99.999% of the people won't be able to tell the difference in picture quality.

[boz]

very nice camera there smileys/smiley2.gif
i should have got myself one when i was in singapore, electical stuff was dirt cheap over there smileys/smiley13.gif