I want to buy a camera... Advice?

Post by **Lil Josh** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:30 pm

I baught a Mini-DV last year and soon realized i'm not a video kind of guy. I really love the way pictures can turn out if shot correctly. So, my question to the climbing community is what kind of camera would you advice me to consider? I've been looking at the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8 Mix camera. But I want your suggestions please. Thanks.

-Lil Josh

Post by **Wes** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 10:40 pm

I had a digital rebel that was pretty nice. I am using a 20D right now and love it. Canon might be coming out with some new model this month, so maybe wait and see what those are, and if they have any effect on the price of the current line up. Also, be sure to include money for CF cards, an extra battery, and maybe a nicer lens or two.

Post by **travelinyouth** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:26 am

I work at Ritz Camera in cincy, so questions you should ask yourself are: Do I want an SLR? And what do I want to do with the camera... profesional, studio etc.? And how much do i want to spend??

But for the most I agree with Wes. Canon Kicks ass! their sensors are nicer and their focusing system seems to be faster. Now, which do you get the 20d or the XT?? The 20D is a bit more pro status and a bit faster, but if you aren't in need of Studio setup capability and 3 frames a second is fastest enough for you; then you should get the XT. If you want the studio stuff and the 5 frames a second then rock the 20D or like Wes said hold up a second and see what they are coming out with here in the near future.

Post by **Mulva** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:27 pm

Hey little buddy(ok..i'm from Hoosier Heights...can u guess who I am?) ;~)!

Don't mean to start a religious war.....but I love Nikons...so if you might be interested in a Nikon...check out this comparison chart. I'm sure Canon has something similiar. It's a good way to view the features of each camera and the price on one page. It might help! I know of several people who bought the D70 and love it!! Like TravelinYouth said..it depends on how you want to use the camera. I've seen some pretty kick ass point and shoots as well....once again..depending on what you want to do with it and how much $$ you have to spend.
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... chart.html

Post by **Wes** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:32 pm

Yep, Nikon has some cool stuff as well, I just started with a canon film slr, so it was what I was already kinda knew. The D200 looks super cool...

Post by **flashmaster** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:21 am

DON'T DO IT!!! your gonna go into large amounts of debt and stop climbing, Start going on Photography road trips, only one arm will be really strong from jugging, you'll go to hueco for 10 days and only climb 1 day(actually only a half day), your gonna get rashes from sitting in your harness for hours at a time, your gonna start lugging up 3 ropes (none of which you would ever want to fall on) and a whole bunch of extra gear. Not to mention all the hot strong ladies who will want you to take pictures of them. Then you have to deal with their jealous boyfriends walking in on you taking naked pictures of their girlfriends. thats a whole other topic though. As for the camera though......
Well my 2 cents....
I've been shooting Nikon for 6 years now. It is impossible to beat their lenses, period...... and thats what you really want to invest your money in.
Their optics are of the highest quality around. So if I were you, go with the good glass. Cannon/nikon will always be coming out with more and more advanced digital bodies forever. True, Cannon may be a bit ahead in the digital sensor market but its only a matter of time before nikon comes out with a comprable sensor. I just went to the dark side a month ago, got a D200 and so far allright. I just isn't the same as film though. the colors arent as brilliant and saturation is just allright. Not to mention all that white balance bullshit is a pain in the ass! If i were you get a nice film body and learn the ropes a bit and Also spend a few grand on developing and film before going digital. No No just kidding. dont do that, its a lot of money that can be spent on other things like lenses. The important thing to look at is not only the megapixles but also the color sensor. I've talked to a lot of reps and they have all told me that nikons color sensor roproduces more true to life colors when compared to cannon. but what it truly comes down to is price. At least for most people and cannon is a lot more affordable "bang for the buck" so to say. But dont sacrifice quality for quanity. Hope my rambling helps.
Happy Buying

Post by **tsparks** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:50 am

I recently bought the Nikon D50 and love it. It is Nikon's entry level SLR, with basically all of the same features as the D70. But I think for most of us it would be hard to go wrong with Canon or Nikon, and I would second the idea of getting a lens in addition to the one that comes in most kits. Just getting a nice telescopic lens will make a huge difference in the pictures that you take.

Post by **flashmaster** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:02 am

one key difference in the d70/50 is the color sensor. 1005pixel/420pixel which means less quality color reproduction.

Post by **walrus** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:53 am

4 time Nikon lover here. It all depends on what you want to do with it. If you want a lot of flexiblity and options a slr is the way to go. Prices are starting to drop a little on these as the newness wears off.

Post by **Mulva** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:31 pm

Has anyone done any night shooting with their digital cameras? I took a photography class this past year and started having alot of fun with night photography. That class actually was what convinced me I wanted a digital. Our instructor hated digital cameras...but I found it so expensive (all the film/developing) and am hoping I can get similiar results with digital AND take a lot more pics. I do like film for black and white. With digital don't you always have to alter the image for black/white results?