jim84
TPF Noob!
Hello, I have been considering purchasing a dslr for some time now, but have been sitting back and waiting. I figure as time passes, newer cameras come out, and prices go down on older ones. For example now I could get a used t2i, instead of an xsi, for probably the same price as if I had gotten a camera a few years ago... I also haven't had a real need for one, no great adventures or anything to photograph.
I've been making do with my point and shoot digital cameras. I don't remember what I had a few years back, but then I was given a Fuji XP10. I liked that it was waterproof, good for taking out snowboarding, or floating down the river in an inflatable raft. Well, it wasn't long before it ended up at the bottom of a lake. Best Buy has the better model the xp 20 for sale, with a floating strap. I got that and have been using it for probably a year and a half. What a piece of junk. If left on for a few minutes, it goes out of focus and will not focus on anything until it is turned off then back on. It takes a long time to turn on, and a long time to take a picture. It also is really bad in poor lighting conditions. The only good thing I can say about it is that it is waterproof. I tried contacting fuji about my troubles with the camera, but they only replied once and asked for a sample photo, and then never replied again (contacted them again, no response). Definitely not buying another fuji product.
So I know that I'm not going to be getting anything waterproof if I'm looking at a dslr unless I buy an expensive case. I have heard some are weather resistant? Pentax?
What I would like is something that can take sharp, clear photos in a variety of lighting conditions, and can focus and take the picture quickly. I'm tired of waiting for the point and shoot, only to find out by the time it got around to taking a picture, the subject was out of the frame. I would like to be able to take good pictures in low light conditions without a lot of noise, as well as be able to do long exposure shots. I would like to also take some HDR shots, and nature, landscapes, and birds/animals. I like the convenience offered with a point and shoot, that it's small and I can pack it around in my pocket, but the image quality and performance trade offs seem pretty big. I am intrigued by the mirrorless cameras but it seems if I want the larger sensors, and lens options I am going to be spending more then if I went with a dslr.
Video isn't really a concern, I have a decent HD camcorder that I don't use much. If the chosen camera has video, it's a bonus, but not necessity. One pet peeve with video is rolling shutter (and a pet peeve if this shows up in photos).
So my biggest irritants with my point and shoots have been SLOW and poor quality in low light.
I like macro photos so I think that would be something I would like to get into, in the future, but seems to be more of a lens issue. I have heard of using extension tubes to accomplish some macro photo's cheaper?
I am only looking into photography as a hobby, and pictures will only be shared online (unless I really get into it and change plans).
So I've been looking around, and there are just so many options out there. All of them have their strengths and their weaknesses, a lot are very similar, and hard for to determine which is best suited for me. Some have stabilization in the body, others on the lens? One thing I try to keep in mind is I know a couple people with Canon (rebel and t1i), so if I wanted to share or swap accessories or lenses, Canon would be the better choice. I'm not sure how often that would come up though.
I'm not sure of all the differences between the t(1,2,3) and the i versions. Nikon looks good too, D3100, 3200, 5100... I'm not even sure what I should be looking at from Pentax, though it seems most hobbyist/enthusiasts go with Canon or Nikon. Have I overlooked a Canon model that would suit me better? Which will give me better odds of picking up a good deal on used lenses?
I've read that the sensor size is more important then the number of megapixels, and it's better to get good lenses and a cheaper body than the other way around.
Sorry for the long post, I don't expect specific answers to every question, I am just trying to provide as much insight into my expectations or potential uses of a camera, I figure more information is more helpful than not enough.
Thanks for taking the time to get through this, and potentially offer your insight / suggestions. Perhaps I am over thinking it and should just choose one.
Additional note I forgot, I am not concerned with a flip out screen.
I've been making do with my point and shoot digital cameras. I don't remember what I had a few years back, but then I was given a Fuji XP10. I liked that it was waterproof, good for taking out snowboarding, or floating down the river in an inflatable raft. Well, it wasn't long before it ended up at the bottom of a lake. Best Buy has the better model the xp 20 for sale, with a floating strap. I got that and have been using it for probably a year and a half. What a piece of junk. If left on for a few minutes, it goes out of focus and will not focus on anything until it is turned off then back on. It takes a long time to turn on, and a long time to take a picture. It also is really bad in poor lighting conditions. The only good thing I can say about it is that it is waterproof. I tried contacting fuji about my troubles with the camera, but they only replied once and asked for a sample photo, and then never replied again (contacted them again, no response). Definitely not buying another fuji product.
So I know that I'm not going to be getting anything waterproof if I'm looking at a dslr unless I buy an expensive case. I have heard some are weather resistant? Pentax?
What I would like is something that can take sharp, clear photos in a variety of lighting conditions, and can focus and take the picture quickly. I'm tired of waiting for the point and shoot, only to find out by the time it got around to taking a picture, the subject was out of the frame. I would like to be able to take good pictures in low light conditions without a lot of noise, as well as be able to do long exposure shots. I would like to also take some HDR shots, and nature, landscapes, and birds/animals. I like the convenience offered with a point and shoot, that it's small and I can pack it around in my pocket, but the image quality and performance trade offs seem pretty big. I am intrigued by the mirrorless cameras but it seems if I want the larger sensors, and lens options I am going to be spending more then if I went with a dslr.
Video isn't really a concern, I have a decent HD camcorder that I don't use much. If the chosen camera has video, it's a bonus, but not necessity. One pet peeve with video is rolling shutter (and a pet peeve if this shows up in photos).
So my biggest irritants with my point and shoots have been SLOW and poor quality in low light.
I like macro photos so I think that would be something I would like to get into, in the future, but seems to be more of a lens issue. I have heard of using extension tubes to accomplish some macro photo's cheaper?
I am only looking into photography as a hobby, and pictures will only be shared online (unless I really get into it and change plans).
So I've been looking around, and there are just so many options out there. All of them have their strengths and their weaknesses, a lot are very similar, and hard for to determine which is best suited for me. Some have stabilization in the body, others on the lens? One thing I try to keep in mind is I know a couple people with Canon (rebel and t1i), so if I wanted to share or swap accessories or lenses, Canon would be the better choice. I'm not sure how often that would come up though.
I'm not sure of all the differences between the t(1,2,3) and the i versions. Nikon looks good too, D3100, 3200, 5100... I'm not even sure what I should be looking at from Pentax, though it seems most hobbyist/enthusiasts go with Canon or Nikon. Have I overlooked a Canon model that would suit me better? Which will give me better odds of picking up a good deal on used lenses?
I've read that the sensor size is more important then the number of megapixels, and it's better to get good lenses and a cheaper body than the other way around.
Sorry for the long post, I don't expect specific answers to every question, I am just trying to provide as much insight into my expectations or potential uses of a camera, I figure more information is more helpful than not enough.
Thanks for taking the time to get through this, and potentially offer your insight / suggestions. Perhaps I am over thinking it and should just choose one.
Additional note I forgot, I am not concerned with a flip out screen.
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