Buying a camera is frustrating

[jimiismydaddy]

I havent purchased yet, but Im really leaning towards the sony. Its just hard to pass up with all the cheap minolta glass im finding on ebay. Hell, I can get lenses with film SLRs attached to them for under a 100 lol.

 

[ShutteredEye]

I didn't read the whole thread, so this may have been pointed out already.

Have you priced Adorama or B&H? They will be much cheaper than the $800 you quoted in your original post...in fact I think I saw an XT for $499 on Adorama's site a few days ago...

 

[Iron Flatline]

btw... If memory serves me correctly.. Konica Minolta (now Sony) pioneered the in body IS technology.

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Do people not realize sony makes the majority of the CCDs out there for cameras of all makes? ( Nikon, Canon P&S, included)
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ZaphodB is correct.. Canon CMOS in DSLR.. Sony CCDs in Canon P&S. Many people miss this fact hence "Canon P&S" in my original posting.

Now if Polaroid and Kodak get off their bums and join the party...

Kodak makes very good sensors, including the one Leica is using in their new DRF, the M8. Read me.

 

[Frequent Traveler]

Hey there Jimi -

i'd be buying those "cheap" Minolta lenses sooner than later b/c the big photography gear show (PMA) is in March. The widely held opinion - SPECULATION ALERT!!! - is Sony will release a new dSLR body as well as some new (old Minolta?) lenses. It seems like the natural progression of technological "things" and Sony is a (if not THE leader) strong leader in electronic gadgetry.

By the way, that new camera/lens release will be accompanied by Sony advertising - a marketing force to be reckoned with and those currently "cheap" Minolta lenses will have greater demand than ever - demand increases with limited supply and price goes up. ;-)

Enjoy your decision-making. Don't forget - photogrpahy is about moments, not gear (right? - HA!!!!).

fm

 

[Iron Flatline]

Yeah, I have huge admiration for Sony's marketing abilities, AND their ability to put a LOT of inventory out. I went by a major camera store in Berlin last week, and Sony had brought in enough inventory to completely fill both their large display windows with a special Sony Alpha display - with 60-80 cameras, not just the boxes or some kind of mock-ups. Sony can do great things when they want to, and they are VERY tired of having their company be monopolized by the PlayStation group. Their quality is usually top-notch, too.

 

[usayit]

Kodak makes very good sensors, including the one Leica is using in their new DRF, the M8. Read me.

Ahah... I knew you would jump on that...

Well yes... you and I both love our Leica's but you still have to admit that Kodak (and the Leica M8 ) are relatively "low volume" when compared to Sony's CCDs as well as Canon's and Nikon's photography equipment.

There was a bit of a bright moment for Kodak when they teamed up with the likes of Nikon and Canon to produce a couple DSLRs but that was short lived.

oh .. and shame on Polaroid for discontinuing their Time-Zero film... what a mistake.

 

[table1349]

There was a bit of a bright moment for Kodak when they teamed up with the likes of Nikon and Canon to produce a couple DSLRs but that was short lived.

/quote]

You mean like this? http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/14N/14NA.HTM

Does look interesting to say the least. Especially with all those great Nikor lenses to choose from.

Sorry, didn't know that they discontinued it. It does look really interesting. A full frame body with Nikon lens capabilities.

 

[usayit]

Yes...that is one of them. They also had one that had a canon EF mount. I believe the body was based on a Sigma design.

According to those who used them, they had issues with usability, ergonomics, performance, and reliability.

 

[firemedic0135]

This is a photo I took the other day at the zoo.Take alook at the exif and judge for yourself if Built in IS works.Its not a perfect picture but it was handheld at 450mm. I am not saying that IS is perfect or better than in the lens but giving you some info to go on.

Camera make: SONY
Camera model: DSLR-A100
Date/Time: 2007:01:27 13:19:25
Resolution: 536 x 800
Orientation: rotate 90
Flash used: No
Focal length: 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm)
Exposure time: 0.020 s (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

Camera make: SONY
Camera model: DSLR-A100
Date/Time: 2007:01:27 13:19:00
Resolution: 800 x 536
Flash used: No
Focal length: 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm)
Exposure time: 0.025 s (1/40)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

 

[usayit]

At a focal length of 450mm, the rule of thumb is that you can hand hold at 1/500 of a second. Most IS will give you two or three stops. It will be difficult to get a sharp picture even with IS at 1/40 or 1/50 of second. No one said IS does not work.... its just not magic. In the old days people would manipulate the other factors involved: aperature, focal length, ISO, or >>TRIPOD<<.

Darich said:
The anti shake built into the camera body isn't nearly as effective as a similar system built into the lens.

Jeremy Z said:
By all accounts, lens-based IS is more effective.

Sure sounds like you two are in agreement.

 

[SaSi]

. To answer Sasi's question, seeing as this is my first slr, Im probably more of a group A. Sony probably has the most appeal right now since I can get those Minolta lenses on ebay dirt cheap.

I would strongly suggest that you have a look at Olympus before you decide. The big kit with two lenses is hard to pass by also, and the lenses are brand new and autofocus.

I have seen cheap lenses at ebay and even bought some. They must be old and manual focus before they become cheap.

Additionally, the 2x crop factor in the 4/3 Olympus means that you can buy a 300mm lens and have 600mm effective, which is especially helpful for wildlife.

And just for the record, in case someone wonders, I am not an Olympus user. Rather a Canon user for the last 30 years or so.

 

[Iron Flatline]

Ahah... I knew you would jump on that...

Well yes... you and I both love our Leica's but you still have to admit that Kodak (and the Leica M8 ) are relatively "low volume" when compared to Sony's CCDs as well as Canon's and Nikon's photography equipment...

And I'm not even going to mention IR sensitivity, or banding, or ghosting...

 

[usayit]

So you noticed that too huh?

I came >< this close to getting the M8 (and selling my r-d1) when I first handled it. Then.. my sanity kicked in when I reminded my self that I paid 1/4 the price of a new M8 to get my r-d1. That M8 will take WONDERFUL photos 98% of the time but I was also afraid that the 2% would ruin my respect for Leica.

BTW... Leica adopted the 4/3 mount from Olympus in their Digilux 3. They will follow up with some excellent Leica glass in 4/3 mount. Something to consider if you have deep pockets. If you don't need that red dot auto boost ego feature, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is the same camera. (Am I the only one that still thinks Delorean when I see DMC?) Just thought to bring that up since someone mention Olympus.

 

[Jeremy Z]

BTW... Leica adopted the 4/3 mount from Olympus in their Digilux 3. They will follow up with some excellent Leica glass in 4/3 mount.

Which is not to say that Olympus Zuiko is not also excellent glass... I rate it right up there with Pentax & Zeiss.

By the way, what does '4/3 mount' mean? Is it a reference to the aspect ratio of the sensor, or does it actually have something to do with the mount.

 

[usayit]

It was my understanding that the 4/3 mount was the name given to the mount itself... A quick google yeilded this link for more information:

http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_7045.htm