Moving into Entry Level SLR's

[dmanning11]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to get some opinions.

Currently I have a Panasonic Lumx DMC-LX5 and after a year learning with this power compact camera, wanted to make the jump to an entry level SLR.

I have just come across a second hand Sony Alpha SLT-A33 with a twin lens KIT (18-55mm & 55-200mm) for $399 AUD.
Is this a good stepping stone at a good price or should I hold out for a higher end Canon?

Please any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KmH]

What do you consider a 'higher end Canon', and is $399 AUD the extent of your budget?

 

[dmanning11]

Maybe something like a Canon EOS 7D.
I don't really have a Budget per se, but I don't see the point in spending a lot of money on a hobby that I may not pursue forever.
Also I always love a good Bargain. If i can get a $1000.00 camera for $400.00 then sell it a year later for minimal loss then I consider that a good investment.

 

[cgipson1]

Keep in mind that if you do decide to stick with this as a hobby, and want to grow... that will mean upgrades! Eventually you may even want Pro level equipment for the benefits it offers. Sony has no PRO equipment... and if you are invested in it (lenses, accessories, etc), it can be very hard (expensive) to change to a system that will provide what you want. Sony's are also know for poor High ISO / Low light performance... Very noisy.

I highly recommend either Nikon or Canon to people thinking about buying a DSLR. Remember... sometimes a good price is NOT a good price when you consider what you are getting!

 

[skieur]

The Sony A900, A700, and A77 are pro level equipment and the A77 has low noise at ISO 1600. Their new twilight mode reduces noise even above ISO 1600. In camera panoramas including 3D, HDR, etc. and 8 to 12 frames per second add to their features.

skieur

 

[Derrel]

You want advice? Here's the best advice anybody could give you:

N_I_K_O_N.

 

[SCraig]

If you go to the DxO Mark web site and look at the overall ratings the Alpha 33 is 44th overall and the EOS 7D is 62nd. Both of them are hampered by their low light performance.

Not everyone agrees with the results DxO comes up with but it's a good place to start.

 

[dmanning11]

Thanks everyone you have given me a lot to think about. That's a very useful website for comparing cameras.

What about a Canon EOS 550D, I just found a second hand one for $300.00AUD
it only comes with a single 18-55mm lense, but at that price I can spend another $600.00 on a better second hand lens without worrying to much.

 

[cgipson1]

The Sony A900, A700, and A77 are pro level equipment and the A77 has low noise at ISO 1600. Their new twilight mode reduces noise even above ISO 1600. In camera panoramas including 3D, HDR, etc. and 8 to 12 frames per second add to their features.

skieur

A900 - No longer produced! Why? Who knows?

A700 - No longer produced! Why? Who knows?

A77 - consumer - prosumer (crops sensor)! NOT Pro! Per Sony!

Canon and Nikon both have far better noise performance above 1600 than Sony does.

Just correcting incorrect information that might confuse someone.

OP.. research this for yourself... make up your own mind!

 

[sovietdoc]

You want advice? Here's the best advice anybody could give you:

N_I_K_O_N.

This is about as good of an advice you're going to get as if you've asked the Catholic Church for "true God"

 

[dmanning11]

Well everyone will think I'm a fool but I am a sucker for a great deal.

I Got a second hand Sony SLT-A33 with a 18-55 SAM, 55-200 SAM, 75-300 SAM, and a 50mm F1.8 Prime lens for $450.00 AUD.
i checked the camera and it reports it has only taken 48 shots, so it literally brand new.

 

[skieur]

The Sony A900, A700, and A77 are pro level equipment and the A77 has low noise at ISO 1600. Their new twilight mode reduces noise even above ISO 1600. In camera panoramas including 3D, HDR, etc. and 8 to 12 frames per second add to their features.

skieur

A900 - No longer produced! Why? Who knows?

A700 - No longer produced! Why? Who knows?

A77 - consumer - prosumer (crops sensor)! NOT Pro! Per Sony!

Canon and Nikon both have far better noise performance above 1600 than Sony does.

Just correcting incorrect information that might confuse someone.

OP.. research this for yourself... make up your own mind!

A900 still available on the net and from some dealers

A850 still available.

A77 semi-pro replacement of the A700 which was also considered semi-pro

Above 1600 images from Canon and Nikon are no better than Sony.

Just correcting your incorrect information.

skieur

 

[DiskoJoe]

Well everyone will think I'm a fool but I am a sucker for a great deal.

I Got a second hand Sony SLT-A33 with a 18-55 SAM, 55-200 SAM, 75-300 SAM, and a 50mm F1.8 Prime lens for $450.00 AUD.
i checked the camera and it reports it has only taken 48 shots, so it literally brand new.

Pretty decent deal. Have fun.

 

[dmanning11]

I never understood what everyone ment by sharpness untill now, the 18-55 lens is so fuzzy when compared to the 50mm prime.
also I found that I took a bunch of pics outside and when I got home there were the same fuzzy 3 dots on all the pics!!

It was some tiny marks on the semi transparent mirror. I cleaned them with a felt pen and it's much better now.
Just one of the joys of owning this type of SLR I guess. I have to make sure that all 4 optical surfaces are clean.

Aside from that I'm loving the telephoto zoom and the control over my depth of field.

But one thing bothers me is how to do really close up macro shots, do I need a teleconverter or a macro lens or both? Or is there something else that I need?
Oh and I mean really close up shots like see the lenses in an insects eye close.

 

[dmanning11]

Turns out I only needed an extension tube.

Ta-da