New Gear. Drool!!!!

[Allen_Wicks@adobeforums.com]

Wade I do not agree (surprise) with the statement "Canon and Nikon and Fuji and Olympus make fine lenses they are not Carl Ziess [sic] quality." This is 2004, and Zeiss and other firms each produce lenses in a range of quality. To suggest that all Zeiss glass is better than all Nikon glass does not make sense.

Even if Zeiss is the world's premier lens maker, a relatively inexpensive consumer grade Sony point-and-shoot with Zeiss's cheapest lens on it is still just that: an inexpensive point-and-shoot. Many of the lenses Nikon (or Canon, or whomever) makes costs more than the whole Sony camera, with lens!

Also in my experience directing a buyer to "talk to several camera dealers" rather than peruse threads like this one is bad advice. Camera dealers are very often motivated to "make a sale" rather than necessarily to provide the best advice. If they make more markup on brand z or get better support from the brand z rep they are likely to lead you there rather than to brand x. Professionals on this forum, yourself included, are giving freely of their experience with no financial motive. Linda can choose the commentary that makes sense.

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

I love this thread!

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

Allan are you sure of that you could I guess say that about Minolta but their lenses are consistent the same for Lietz. I haven't used a SONY still camera myself but as I understand it the optics will rival anything market professional or otherwise.

This is from amateur and professionals alike who have compared. Now you may in fact be correct in this case as I have not tried either. But if I go by the way you have come to conclusions about things and they way these individuals have told me of their experience and also from some results that I have seen I would have to go with their opinions and observations before I could trust what you say!

For instance your observation above is based on an assumptions that could or could not have meaning. I based what I wrote on what I know about the company and it's history and my experience using their lenses with professional and amateur cameras.

They have been supplying lenses for both professional and amateur cameras since day one and have always been consistent I have not heard anything different to date have you?

[Todie@adobeforums.com]

Zeiss designed the lens for Sonny, didn't build it, so it's not Zeiss glass
(but it's not bad).

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

Leitz. :)

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

For my needs and price range, I still lean toward the Canon or the Nikon. I think half the fun is planning and getting excited about my next purchase.

[Cindy@adobeforums.com]

I think Linda has enough to choose from.

[halscheyer@adobeforums.com]

Linda, way back in the early part of this thread I told you I had a Sony F828 and i love it. Now both Nikon and Canon have come out with 8 MP Prosumer cameras and i will bet both of them are fantastic. The F828 is my 6th digicam. I prefer the prosumer models over the SLRs because they are light and handy and you do not need to buy or carry a lot of extra equipment and lenses. Ramon is right about zoom lenses, but they are not really all that bad, unless you are a pro and need to enlarge to poster sizes. I have been taking pictures since 1947; started with a TLR, went to SLR, but am enjoying my digicams immensely. With a good computer, a good printer, and PS you have control of the picture from start to finish and you will surprise yourself with some of the wondrous pix you will take and process to your and others satisfaction. All of these new good cameras are $1000 or less and with the prosumer models you do not have to buy extra lenses, just filters and an auxiliary flash unit, which you will need anyway.

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

Halscheyer,

I prefer the prosumer models over the SLRs because they are light and handy
and you do not need to buy or carry a lot of extra equipment and lenses.

The light and handy part does appeal to me, especially since I like to take outings to pretty places on my bike.

Ramon is right about zoom lenses, but they are not really all that bad,
unless you are a pro and need to enlarge to poster sizes.

Good point. One client's wife has often mentioned to me that she would like to see me use my photos to create posters to sell through their Web site. This was a year ago though and not sure she still feels that way. If so it points me back to the SLR.

All of these new good cameras are $1000 or less and with the prosumer models
you do not have to buy extra lenses, just filters and an auxiliary flash
unit, which you will need anyway.

More good points.

Thank you!

Linda

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

BTW, I did research some Sony's over the weekend and the model I was looking at did not get the highest ratings from all users. Many complained of a purple halo in the shadows as well as noise... if I remember right. Not sure where I found that review but I think this is the model I was looking at.

<http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf828/>

[Wade_Zimmerman@adobeforums.com]

Don't do it Linda…DON"T… don't go over to the darkside…film is the true art form of photography…don't go to the Darkside…I beg you stay…well actually what do I care…go ahead buy another digital camera…the SLR might professional might be more fun!

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

LOL! Now it's my turn Wade... A lot has changed in the past five years... you need to come out of your cave and smell the roses. :)

What do you think people? Will this be the year that Wade goes digital? ;)

[Zeb@adobeforums.com]

I've just tried the Nikon D70 and was pretty good for the price. It handled better than the Kodak Pro SLR/n which is incidently priced much lower than the model it replaced.
There was a show deal with over £1000 ($1800) off the Canon 1Ds, (still £4450 ~ouch!) so I wonder if that is getting updated soon.

[Todie@adobeforums.com]

Wade should stay with film. Digital SLRs aren't great for wide-angle shooting.
(he's developing at the lab I work for, and it's fun to say "hi!" when I see him there: )

Linda, Most likely you'll buy an SLR and a zoom lens : )

[Ann_Shelbourne@adobeforums.com]

If you want sharp pictures you need to be able to focus accurately.

You can't do that on a preview screen -- an SLR is essential for that reason above all others.

And, to my mind, interchangeable lenses lenses are vital if you really want to progress as a photographer.

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

Todie: You're probably right... on both counts. :)

[Todie@adobeforums.com]

Manual focusing is easy on the Sony.
When in doubt, shoot a bit wide, at a lower f-stop :)

[Cindy@adobeforums.com]

And, to my mind, interchangeable lenses lenses are vital if you really
want to progress as a photographer.




I will vouch for that. I just bought a macro lens and have learned soooo much. It is a whole other world.

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

When in doubt, shoot a bit wide, at a lower f-stop




Hope Linda doesn't misconstrue that. Smaller aperture (and the resulting greater depth of field) is not to be confused with a lower f-stop number, which would mean a larger aperture and less depth of field.

As for wide, Todie probably means at a shorter focal length (zoom out rather than in if using a zoom lens).

[LRK@adobeforums.com]

Some of this makes sense, some of it will make more sense when I have a new SLR camera in my hands.

Not sure how much I could practice in manual mode with my Nikon 990... but I loaned it out so I can't check it right now.