Need new Digital Camera

[PAKMAN]

Hi all !

 

Our Olympus 'point and shoot' digital bit the dust or more accurately bounced off the driveway and we need to replace it. I was thinking of going on to a full DSLR camera like the Nikon D3000 or D5000. I need something that I can do a lot with but is still easy for my wife or daughter (who won't read a manual) to just point and shoot and get great pictures. I'm tired of cameras that take a long time to get off a second shot and want something that shoots well at outdoor events like night time football games.

 

I would also like to do some much better pen photography. Would the standard Nikor lens that these cameras come with shoot up close? They come with a 18mm to 55mm. I also think I would pick up a combo deal with a 55mm to 200mm.

 

Please give me your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Perry

[farseer911]

  On 2/22/2010 at 1:08 AM, pakmanpony said:

Hi all !

 

Our Olympus 'point and shoot' digital bit the dust or more accurately bounced off the driveway and we need to replace it. I was thinking of going on to a full DSLR camera like the Nikon D3000 or D5000. I need something that I can do a lot with but is still easy for my wife or daughter (who won't read a manual) to just point and shoot and get great pictures. I'm tired of cameras that take a long time to get off a second shot and want something that shoots well at outdoor events like night time football games.

 

I would also like to do some much better pen photography. Would the standard Nikor lens that these cameras come with shoot up close? They come with a 18mm to 55mm. I also think I would pick up a combo deal with a 55mm to 200mm.

 

Please give me your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Perry

 

Perry,

 

If you can swing it, I would go for the Nikon D90 with the 18-105 VR lens. It is a great camera with a super piece of glass. Hangs around $1000, but it is a stellar camera that you will not be disappointed with. It has a great lowlight auto focus, the same metering system and the D300/700, and every bit as good.

 

The 18-105 is a great everyday lens. I personally use the Tamron 18-270 VR and the Tamron 17-50 2.8 VR (which I traded the 18-105 in for) Then down the road pick up the 35mm 1.8 or the tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vr version (super lens great price now that the VR version is out) Then save a bit for the Tamron 70-200 2.8 for your sports and zooms. Three lenses that will round out your camera bag and will probably offer you everything you ever needed.

 

Ohh and down the road get an sb 400 or 600 flash or a used sb800.

 

Your mileage may vary

 

thank

K

[RLTodd]

You might want to spend a bit of time reading the reviews.

 

Myself, I am biased toward people who use cameras and write a review, rather than people who test a camera and write a review.

 

Ken Rockwell has some interesting comments on the D3000 and D5000.

[Siv]

Perry, if you want to take good pen photos, get yourself a tripod and a light tent. The camera doesn't really matter.

[cerberusdog]

Greeting to London from London,

 

I have a Nikon D40 and #2 son has the D60. We are both very happy with them! I have had to do some close up photography of intricate parts on medical equipment. The stock lenses that come with the camera or OK, but just OK. If you want good close ups you can do what I did and go to eBay. For less than $20 you get close up lenses than screw onto the stock lens and let you get very good detail. It will let you really focus in on a nib and the writing on it. Nikon or Cannon, you won't go wrong and the SLR digital cameras give you great versatility.

[wimg]

As the D5000 has a cmos sensor, the D3000 a CCD, I would personally opt for the D5000 if I had to choose between these two.

 

SNR is much much better on the D5000, and hence Image Quality (IQ) as well. Ok, I have to admit, I am a stckler for IQ more than anything else .

 

Anyway, HTH, warm regards, Wim

[RLTodd]

  On 2/22/2010 at 1:08 AM, pakmanpony said:

......... Would the standard Nikor lens that these cameras come with shoot up close? They come with a 18mm to 55mm. ..........

 

I think close focus is 11". Should be close enough unless you want full frame of nibs.

 

Then the +1,+2,+4 closeup diopter set should be enough.

 

Can't stress enought the importance of a tripod and some form of difused lighting.

 

Everyone needs to read the articles or books on jewelry and closeup photography.

 

I am not a big fan of the light tent. It is nice for a catalog shoot, but it produces a rather bland image.

 

If one can go the bucks, even homemade, lights w/difusers and reflectors give one much more control, the ability to create and move highlights, and can produce more intereting pictures.

[limesally]

Perry, I have the D60, which is the immediate predecessor to the D3000 and D5000. It certainly does fill your requirement of being usable as a point and shoot if needed, but also giving you much more control if needed. I do have the two lens you mentioned and while they're good all-around lenses, I'm not sure you would find them as useful for pen photography. Going from a P&S that probably had a macro function, you'll notice this. You'd probably want to either buy a macro lens or use the diopters mentioned above.

 

If I were buying a camera right now, I would opt for the D5000. The low light pictures I've seen taken with it have been incredible.

 

And while it's true that you can take great pictures with a P&S - ethernautrix here provides stellar examples - you might enjoy the added versatility you'll get with the DSLR, as well as lack of that pesky shutter delay you mentioned.

 

eta: One day, I would probably like the D90 farseer mentioned upthread, but for the bucks, I'm happy starting with the D60. You might prefer jumping straight ahead to that one though.

Edited February 22, 2010 by limesally

[soulboy]

Hi Perry, you seem to have set your mind on an Olympus DSLR? Have you looked at the Canon EOS450D (Rebel XSi in the US) as the 500D is out these are being discounted. I have had one for a while and find it is a good camera, it works well in full auto as a p&s (for the wife?) but when you get to know the other features it can take amazing shots if you are willing to put in the time to learn how to use it. Like you I came from a p & s camera to a DSLR and found it a bit complicated at first so I shot most of my photos in full auto, I have since purchased a book on how to get the most out of my Canon and slowly my photos are improving. My choice was narrowed down to the D90 and the 450D so I went to my local photographic shop and played with the cameras to see how they felt to use. I chose the 450D for 3 reasons.

A couple of my mates have Canons so I could try out their lenses.

It felt better in my hands.

The selection of lenses that were available.

Whatever camera you choose you are going to have some fun learning how to use it and I am looking forward to seeing the results on here in the future.

Steve

[PigRatAndGoat]

If shutter lag and low shooting rates annoy you, a DSLR is a step in the right direction.

I'm not too aware of what the differences are between the D3000 and D5000, but I'm sure they both suffer from the same pitfalls. Either would be a fine choice, but I'd personally save a few bucks and go for the D3000. I'd put the extra money towards what really matters: good lenses. If you'd like to do really good macros, a proper lens to do the job is essential. I've used the 18-55 VR before, and I wouldn't use it to do any close up work. You could, however, use heavy cropping to get the same effect but I'm not too sure how good the quality is after you've enlarged the image by so much.

Oh, and the people you're sharing this camera with should be happy too. These DSLRs are very light, and have automated modes that they can use easily.

Tell us what you get!

 

PRAG

[Siv]

I bought my wife a DSLR (she's experienced in using SLRs from the film days and wanted one) and myself an point & shoot.

 

In the end, my wife uses the P&S mostly (convenience, portability etc) and I use the DSLR to take pen and watch photos.

 

I think both cameras have their place and since you can get a pretty decent P&S for $100, it's silly not to have one.

[RLTodd]

You might also want to take a look at the Canon Powershot S90 or G11.

 

Also whatever is the current successor of the Canon S5is.

[GirchyGirchy]

Step 1: go to a store which sells them and actually try them out.

 

Cameras are like pens, some people like 'em, some don't. I'd definitely look at Canons, Nikons, and Pentax at the least....all offer very good budget DSLRs. But the ergonomics are very different for each.

 

If you're set on the D3000 or D5000, either should be a good starting point. Spring for the VR versions of the 18-55 & 55-200 if you possibly can. They're very good basic lenses. If you upgrade later, keep 'em as backup or sell them. Photo stuff holds its value pretty well.

 

Good luck, and have fun!

[farseer911]

  On 2/24/2010 at 6:51 PM, GirchyGirchy said:

If you're set on the D3000 or D5000, either should be a good starting point. Spring for the VR versions of the 18-55 & 55-200 if you possibly can. They're very good basic lenses. If you upgrade later, keep 'em as backup or sell them. Photo stuff holds its value pretty well.

 

 

 

The pentax comes with a proprietary version of Image stabilization built into the body!!! and the K-x line with a lens package is under $700 shipped. Good ISO to noise ration, 4.5 frames a second shutter, Image Stabilization, regardless of lens. Not a bad package.

 

BTW I am firmly in the Nikon Camp myself. D3, D300, D200 (infra-red converted), F5 and My classic F2. Yes I still have film...

[OldGriz]

  On 2/22/2010 at 1:08 AM, pakmanpony said:

Hi all !

 

Our Olympus 'point and shoot' digital bit the dust or more accurately bounced off the driveway and we need to replace it. I was thinking of going on to a full DSLR camera like the Nikon D3000 or D5000. I need something that I can do a lot with but is still easy for my wife or daughter (who won't read a manual) to just point and shoot and get great pictures. I'm tired of cameras that take a long time to get off a second shot and want something that shoots well at outdoor events like night time football games.

 

I would also like to do some much better pen photography. Would the standard Nikor lens that these cameras come with shoot up close? They come with a 18mm to 55mm. I also think I would pick up a combo deal with a 55mm to 200mm.

 

Please give me your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Perry

 

I just went through the process of looking for a Digital SLR for my daughter...

I originally decided on the D3000 for it's size and price as it was for my 11 yr old and I did not want a large camera and did not want to sell the farm to get one.

I shoot a Nikon D80 that I love, it does everything I want, but it is a large camera..

 

After a load of research, I found out the most of the reviewers have panned the D3000 badly, some claiming it is the worst DSLR that Nikon has made.

The all recommended purchasing a D40, the camera the D3000 replaced. The D40 is still available with the 18-55mm lens.

I went that route through Amazon (paid $500) and am extremely impressed with the camera. My daughter loves it and has taken some amazing pictures for a beginner.

 

I did not research the D5000 due to price

[OldGriz]

  On 2/22/2010 at 2:00 AM, Siv said:

Perry, if you want to take good pen photos, get yourself a tripod and a light tent. The camera doesn't really matter.

 

I truly hope you are kidding... because the statement makes no sense whatsoever...

 

I don't care if you have a tripod as steady as a mountain and fully enclosed room size light tent with computer controlled illumination, IF you don't have a decent camera with an accurate shutter and a sharp lens you are going to get garbage pictures...

[sumgaikid]

Perry,whatever you get,make sure that you get or that it has macro capability. That's the most important

thing when taking pen pics.

 

 

John

[enricof]

Being firmly in the Minolta/Sony camp, I won't elaborate about the camera you're thinkng about.

 

The usual 18-55 + 55-200 combo will cover you general photography needs for years (or even forever), expecially in the VR version.

 

If you are moving from a P&S to a DSLR, I must warn that you could be disappointed from the results.

 

Sorry to bother, but there are some technicalities involved; let me try to explain.

 

P&S usually have fairly good macro features at short focal lenght and, because of low luminosity and small sensors, very deep DOF (range of distance that will be rendered in focus).

 

General purpose DSLR lens are usually not able to focus very near, even if branded as macro. Usually you can reach the "pen scale", but not the "nib scale".

 

To get the best results you need additional accessories or a specialized lens (I use and recommend a Tamron 90/2.8, available also for Nikon mount)

 

The real problem is that DOF will be very small, and you will have to close the iris and increase the time (therefore you'll need a tripod or a flash, but that's another source of technical difficulties).

 

In conclusion, using a DSLR can give better results, but will require more effort than a good P&S.

Edited February 25, 2010 by enricof

[RLTodd]

  On 2/22/2010 at 1:08 AM, pakmanpony said:

......I'm tired of cameras that take a long time to get off a second shot and want something that shoots well at outdoor events like night time football games.

......

 

Oh, I kind of skipped that.

 

If you are serious on that point, really serious, you will have to do quite a bit of research. That feature increases the cost of a camera quite a bit. (since it is a processing issue within th body this is a pretty accurate comparison.) "To get that peformance it is like stepping up from a Dell bargain of the day to the Alienware line."

[generalist]

Go for a DSLR and make sure that you get the auxiliary equipment like a heavy duty tripod, strobe flashes, reflectors, cable releases and lenses.

 

I personally run a couple of Canon Digital Rebels, one with a standard lens, one with a telephoto. I don't like the hassles of swapping lenses, especially since that increases the odds of getting dust inside the camera. It is also useful in certain events to be able to swap them out quickly. (You also have the added 'bonus' of people thinking you're a pro photographer.)

 

Of course, I was doing 35MM SLR photography for a few decades before I went digital, so I was used to SLRs and interchangeable lenses. Unfortunately for the budget, my old camera was from a third tier manufacturer who had gone under. I had to buy all new lenses and camera bodies.

 

Note that you might want to use the telephoto to get closeups of things like pens. It will give you a greater depth of field with less distortion. If you do this, you will need the tripod.

 

Also note that most of the prosumer DSLRs have 'automatic' settings that allow a novice user to take decent pictures in point and shoot mode. I've let my high school aged kids use the Rebel with the standard lens and they have come back with reasonable pictures.