Time for an dslr

[jonny pallisey]

hi all -iv been using a Canon A460 for years now [taking about 10k] shots per year of artwork sized 2x2feet max from about 6 feet away . Thing is its done the job,but this camera doesnt last the course iv gone thru several.Rather than buy yet another used one im thinking would a dslr be a better bet? i take photos outdoors in the main . Have been browsing ebay and plenty of Sony A200 and Canon 450d , would they be worth a punt ? Also are these noisy shutters ?iv been used to almost silent image taking bothering nobody taking images when others are sitting eating nearby for example i dont want to draw a lot of attention . Many thanks for anyone who writes back iv not ever used a dslr or held one

 

[JoeW]

Because everyone is going mirrorless these days, there are some good buys to be had on DSLRs. What kind of artwork are you shooting? Paintings? Sculptures? Installations? Your answer has some impact on the type of camera and the lens and support equipment you get.

If you're shooting primarily paintings, you can get a very competent DSLR for a couple of hundred dollars and a cheap tripod (so your lens is parallel to the painting. You don't require a lot of depth of field and the painting isn't moving (if you're using a tripod) so a basic kit lens will be fine.

 

[jonny pallisey]

Because everyone is going mirrorless these days, there are some good buys to be had on DSLRs. What kind of artwork are you shooting? Paintings? Sculptures? Installations? Your answer has some impact on the type of camera and the lens and support equipment you get.

If you're shooting primarily paintings, you can get a very competent DSLR for a couple of hundred dollars and a cheap tripod (so your lens is parallel to the painting. You don't require a lot of depth of field and the painting isn't moving (if you're using a tripod) so a basic kit lens will be fine.

im shooting paintings and sculptures . Iv not been using a tripod up till now i relied on a spirit level bulb glued to the top surface of the A460 so it took a level image ,is a tripod pretty much essential with a dslr ? im one of those sorts who rarely looks in the viewfinder as i found if i do the images are crappier than if i hold it steady at waist height-shooting from the hip!!

 

[DigiFilm]

If you're shooting 10k shots per year, you're going to want a professional grade camera with a shutter tested to a quarter million shots or more, or at least a mirrorless camera with a good electronic shutter to eliminate all of the mechanical moving parts. Anything less and you'll end up repeating your current experience.

Your post is reminiscent of the axiom: "Buy once, cry once." Instead of continuing to dump your money into a bunch of old worn-out cameras, just do it once and get it out of the way. That doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money.

Example: A new Panasonic G7 with 14-42mm kit lens is $450 (US). Micro-Four Thirds sensor, 16 MP, electronic or mechanical shutter. Compact in size.

Using the electronic shutter, not only will this camera last forever, but it will shoot silently and the image quality will smoke the little Canon P&S. Add a tripod for low-light still shots.

 

[DigiFilm]

im shooting paintings and sculptures . Iv not been using a tripod up till now i relied on a spirit level bulb glued to the top surface of the A460 so it took a level image ,is a tripod pretty much essential with a dslr ? im one of those sorts who rarely looks in the viewfinder as i found if i do the images are crappier than if i hold it steady at waist height-shooting from the hip!!

Tripods are essential for holding the camera dead-still when shooting in low light. Low light results in slower shutter speeds, which makes it difficult to hold the camera still for sharp photos. The camera I gave as an example has built in stabilization, which will help to a certain point.

 

[petrochemist]

If you're shooting with a Canon EOS, then the lenses you currently use will work fine on the Canon digital EOS range. Many of these will be available for less than you are currently spending on film, so even if the shutter fails after a year you'll be saving on switching to a used DSLR.

I'm amazed you didn't upgrade years ago!

 

[RAZKY]

If you're shooting with a Canon EOS, then the lenses you currently use will work fine on the Canon digital EOS range. Many of these will be available for less than you are currently spending on film, so even if the shutter fails after a year you'll be saving on switching to a used DSLR.

I'm amazed you didn't upgrade years ago!

The Canon A460 is a 5mp fixed-lens bridge camera.

 

[DigiFilm]

If you're shooting with a Canon EOS, then the lenses you currently use will work fine on the Canon digital EOS range. Many of these will be available for less than you are currently spending on film, so even if the shutter fails after a year you'll be saving on switching to a used DSLR.

I'm amazed you didn't upgrade years ago!

Canon A460

 

[petrochemist]

The Canon A460 is a 5mp fixed-lens bridge camera.

Ah
I obviously should have googled it first!
thanks for the correction

 

[RAZKY]

hi all -iv been using a Canon A460 for years now [taking about 10k] shots per year of artwork sized 2x2feet max from about 6 feet away . Thing is its done the job,but this camera doesnt last the course iv gone thru several.Rather than buy yet another used one im thinking would a dslr be a better bet? i take photos outdoors in the main . Have been browsing ebay and plenty of Sony A200 and Canon 450d , would they be worth a punt ? Also are these noisy shutters ?iv been used to almost silent image taking bothering nobody taking images when others are sitting eating nearby for example i dont want to draw a lot of attention . Many thanks for anyone who writes back iv not ever used a dslr or held one

A better quality bridge camera than your Canon ought to suffice for what you're doing. I have a 5.1mp Kodak P-850 bridge camera with a Schneider 36-432 full-frame equivalent lens that I bought new in 2005 and use for documenting everything around the house, yard and workshop, family get togethers, etc. It has over 180,000 shutter actuations - the flash died some time ago but everything else functions fine. I expect there should be other brands available that would last longer than what you've been using.

 

[RAZKY]

Ah
I obviously should have googled it first!
thanks for the correction

And I should have double-checked before commenting - it is not a bridge camera!

 

[jonny pallisey]

If you're shooting with a Canon EOS, then the lenses you currently use will work fine on the Canon digital EOS range. Many of these will be available for less than you are currently spending on film, so even if the shutter fails after a year you'll be saving on switching to a used DSLR.

I'm amazed you didn't upgrade years ago!

i know it seems ridiculous to be using such a doozie set up to take all those images.I slid into photography related to artwork and because nobody said anything to the contrary i stayed using what came to hand . Anyhoo im now at the point of stepping up a plate or two im tired of only taking pics in perfect daylight/ buying AA batteries every week too prob that adds up to 500 £ alone [over 4 yrs. Thanks for all the info !

 

[Thiophilos]

If you are just doing casual photography of paintings, you could use your phone. Frame the pic so the painting's sides align with the edges of the LCD.

But if the requirements are demanding, get a full frame DSLR or mirrorless camera. Use a tripod and proper lighting on stands, with crossed polarizers to eliminate unwanted reflections.

Choose the gear to meet the needs.

 

[Jeff15]

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