Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dslr and SLR

Transition Lenses: SLR to DSLR

yamel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:10:20 -0800

When is an old camera lens good enough to influence which DSLR body to purchase? I never had an expensive kit, but have one prime lens used on my Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 that I quite like. It's identifying marks include Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1,7/50.

So, I went from really liking photography to moving to digital point and shoots and am now ready to move back to enjoying photography with a DSLR. Is this lens, along with a so-so telephoto, enough to influence what to buy? There's so much confusing information about adapters that I'm not quite sure if this is even possible with the lenses I already have.

By the way, I do understand that this would limit me to manual focus. I'm completely comfortable with this unless you can tell me there are other features other than autofocus I'd be missing out on.

Thanks!

Film like digital pictures...

ashaw — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:30:11 -0800

Photography-filter: As a total beginner to photography, I've been learning all about the basic techniques with my new DLSR. However I've been recently getting very inspired by film photography shot on 35mm film like Lomos, Yashica T4s. How can I emulate this style on a Digital SLR? [More inside] I've done my homework which has amounted to "Use film to look like film". But if I absolutely have to use a DSLR how would I achieve effects similar to the following photos:

I like the hues in the back of this one and this one (NSFW).
I like the lo-fi 'fogginess' (is that the right word?) of this one and this one.
I like the washed out bluish hues of this one and this one.

I love little things like light leaks, vingnetting and accidental quirks which I'm willing to accept is near impossible to achieve.

Post production techniques? What kind of camera settings should I use?

I try to shoot film when possible, but as a student it's prohibitively expensive.

Cheese! Wanted a Sigma DP2 but having doubts, recommendations?

doctor.dan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:54:12 -0800

I've been thinking of buying a new point-and-shoot camera for a while. I've had some lame experiences with previous point-and-shoots (blurry photos, bad colour balance, etc), so I'm asking the green for some advice. I initially had big hopes for the Sigma DP2 because of its SLR sized sensor, but have been reading some very mixed reviews.

Any recommendations for a small-factor camera that shoots gorgeous pictures, as the DP2 does, but without the supposed downsides?

I've had a read through a similar previous question, but don't really know what I'm looking for.

camera recommendation for graphic designer?

MaddyRex — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:13:52 -0800

What's the best camera for a cash-poor graphic designer? I'm making my big camera purchase & I realize I'll have to compromise on something. I don't know too much about cameras but I know a lot about graphic design & I'm looking for something that will basically help someone with currently minimal photo skills (I promise I'll work on them) generate clean, high resolution images. My price range is around $400. Ideally I'd want something that's at least semi-portable.

How important is it to have a dSLR? One photographer I know recommended the Canon Powershot g10 for a graphic designer. Another told me this was a total waste of money & that I should go straight to a dSLR. Thoughts? Help! Thanks!

Cheap DSRL for low-light?

Monday, stony Monday — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:20:21 -0800

What cheap kit should I get to take relatively low-light photos? So I found out that shooting hockey indoors is out of my price/skills range. Still looking for a camera. My subjects would be people in low-light situations, at close range (players on the bench, people in the crowd). Later, I'd use that setup to shoot family gatherings. Ideally, I'd like to spend less than $1000. I own no lenses, or body. It seems that a DSLR with an APS-sized sensor + a fixed lens would offer me the best compromise in terms of low-light performance vs. weight vs. cost.

This leads me to:

This Nikkor lens + a D40 (or D60 if I should) seems like the cheapest/lightest setup with a "normal" (like a 50 mm lens on a 35 mm camera) perspective. Amirite? Is there a good reason to avoid the D40?
Should I step up to a Sigma 30 mm/1.4? Here in Canada it's more than double the price.

Fast 50 mm lenses are relatively cheap. Would putting one on an APS body be an hindrance, given that I intend to shoot in close quarters (e.g.: people in a living room)?

Finally, am I overthinking this? Would whatever cheap kit zoom be enough for my purpose? For "shooting around a hockey game", a zoom would be nice since I could get relatively "close" to the players on the opposite bench.

Oh, and should I care about stabilisation, since I'm shooting people?

Upgrading from a 20d to ...

pbh — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:41:14 -0800

Digital SLRs: Canon 10-series or Digital Rebel in low light? I've been borrowing a Canon EOS-20D for the last few weeks, and I think I'm ready to finally buy a DSLR. I have a bunch of lenses for an old EOS Elan-IIe, so I'm more or less wedded to getting a Canon DSLR. Most of my photos are candids in low light. With the 20D, I've been shooting with a 50mm F/1.8 prime and I've been pretty happy.

It looks like I can get a new Digital Rebel Xsi and a used 40D for about the same price locally (no meaningful warranty on the 40D though).

I've looked at previous discussions on AskMeFi about low light, the 20d, and so on, but I can't figure out:

1. In what ways a recent digital rebel would be a downgrade from the 20d that I've been shooting with?
2. Is the light sensitivity any different? I've been reading some comparisons (e.g., this) and it doesn't seem to make a difference within the same format, but the rebel feels a little blurrier/slower so I'm not quite sure.
3. Should I be considering anything else, like robustness of the body, weight, or how configurable it is? I'm obviously not a pro, but I'm likely to be traveling a fair amount with it.

Best low-light lens for Nikon D80?

bollockovnikov — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:03:51 -0800

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon D80 that works well in low-light conditions. Something relatively compact and not too expensive would be best. I already own a 18-200mm VR lens, which is OK in low light, but not very compact.

I would obviously like my new lens to be useful in a range of situations, but I am more interested in the portrait to 10 metres range.

I do not own a flash unit and don't intend to buy one.

Thanks

Old Lens with New dSLR?

awesomebrad — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:41:32 -0800

dSLRfilter - What will a dSLR think about my 30 year old lens? I've recently started photography as a hobby, and have been using a very old Nikon EM from 1979 that my parents had lying around the house. It only has one lens, a 50mm f/1. Series E, which I quite like. My limited but growing understanding of dSLRs tells me that because I won't be getting a full frame camera, the image is going to be different in some way because the lens is designed for film. What is that something? Is there anything else that will prevent it from working with a new camera?

Bonus: thoughts on Nikon D40 v. D60? I'd go with the D40, but I'm a bit concerned about not having a dust removal system...how big of a problem is that?

Guides/tricks for my new DSLR?

meerkatty — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:55:24 -0800

Please help me use my new DSLR camera. Are there guides/tricks for specific cameras online? I took a course today on how to use my new Canon Rebel xti, which came with a handy password protected guide online. (The guide was far superior to the camera manual - with explanations of when and why you would use a certain function, complete with photo examples.) The course was a little basic for my needs but I can't take the more advanced part of the course for a few months. Are there guides along these lines available online?

Big bonus points for anyone who has the password for Henry's School of Imaging Canon xti Part 2 guide.

What entry level DSLR + prime lens to get?

rsanheim — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:57:32 -0800

I'd like to get an entry level DSLR with *only* a basic prime lens for under $600. Is this doable? My wife and I own a crummy Pentax P&S, and we would like something better. She has shown a pretty good eye for photography, so I'd like to get her something to help her develop her skills. Most of our shots are of people, in low light conditions and with moving subjects.

I've been thoroughly convinced that getting a fixed focal length lens is the way to go when moving into DSLR, and just avoiding the kit lens if at all possible. So my question is what DSLRs should we look at getting, and are there any nice combo deals that have just the body + 50mm prime lens we should look at? Is this possible to get while staying under roughly $600?

Which SLR camera to buy: Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D40?

madman — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:53:53 -0800

I want to step into the big bad world of digital SLRs but don't really have a huge budget. Please help me choose between the Nikon D40 and the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (also known as EOS 400D). I currently have a point n' click Canon A95, which I use mostly for shooting food photos (evidence is on my Flickr stream). I've had this camera for a couple of years now, and would like to graduate to an SLR camera. The Canon camera's limitation is the ridiculous amount of time it takes to acquire focus sometimes (makes a mess of moving subjects like people), and its uselessness in low-light photography. I'd like to be able to shoot portraits and street photographs also, and am looking to buy an entry level SLR. I don't expect to be shooting wildlife or landscapes much, since I don't get to travel anywhere as much as I'd like to.

My photography guru friends recommended the Nikon D80, but that's $200 more than the Canon Rebel XTi and also beyond my budget. I don't want to spend more than $750 on everything put together, so my choices are between the Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40.

Which of those cameras would you recommend? I also intend to buy a f/1.8 50 mm lens to go with the camera, which should be a fast enough lens for day to day photos. Any other lens recommendations?

A blogger, a camera and a course - my memory fails me.

slactoid — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:01:38 -0800

Anyone remember a (big?) blogger taking a photography class a few years back? I just got a dSLR and am reading everything I can find. For some reason, there's a thorn stuck in my brain that keeps reminding me of a blogger a few years back who decided to take a photography course to get better with their camera. I'd love to find their site / posts about it. My google skills have failed me. I also didn't book mark it on del.icio.us for some reason (it's possible that del.icio.us was just getting started when this all happened...). Here's one thing I remember:
One photo was of a parking lot (in snow?) with a single car in it (the car at the far left IIRC).

I don't expect much, but if this sparks a memory in anyone who can give me more to search on it'd be awesome.

20D or 30D? You tell me!

hammerthyme — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:05:57 -0800

Help me choose which Canon DSLR to buy and where to buy it. I'm going to buy a digital SLR and it is currently a toss up between the Canon 30D and the 20D. A few years ago, I owned the 10D and loved the rugged body but am not too sure about the ruggedness of the 20D or 30D.

My other problem is where to buy it from. I'm not opposed to buying refurbished from a site like refurbdeport.com but I am a little afraid of buying a "brand new" 30D for $499 from a site like expresscameras.com. If you think I'm better off with another camera, I welcome the input; any/all advice is nice. Thanks.

Which Nikon dSLR should I buy?

The Michael The — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:53:57 -0800

Which Nikon dSLR would you recommend for an advanced amateur, and why? I'm looking for a Nikon dSLR. I will be taking portraits, landscapes, urban scenes, travel photos, and art photos. Sports or action shots really aren't a concern. I'm an advanced amateur, and also a broke-ass grad student, so I can't just buy a new D200 like I wish I could.

I have an N80 film body right now, and with it two nikon AF primes (50/1.8, 28/2.8), which would be nice standard and portrait lenses. I was looking at the D40, as the image quality really is fantastic, on par or better (no, really) than any of the more expensive Nikons that I've looked at (based on the side-by-side image comparator on Imaging Resource... the D40 shots with stock lens really are mindblowing in lack of artifacts and richness of blacks). I also know the D40 won't autofocus my AF primes (which was the subject of a bitter debate yesterday here on AskMeFi). That doesn't bother me so much, as I spent the first several years of my photographic life with an old all-manual AE-1.

In lieu of the D40 and sticking to new cameras, I could afford a D50 body, which isn't too much of a step up (darker smaller viewfinder, smaller LCD screen, single-color histogram) but would AF my AF lenses.

If I wanted to go used, I could get a D70 (not D70s), which would be a bit higher-end than the D50 and has two dials for shutter and aperture for better all-manual control.

I've also been looking at the D100, which is ancient, but still 6MP and formerly a pro-level body. This is the most intriguing option, because it's likely a great camera (and certainly was at the time it was new), but will its age induce longing for newer features?

So if you have experience with the D100, or on multiple of these bodies, let me know what you think. Thanks!

Finish my work for me

AnyGuelmann — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:31:42 -0800

Help me find the perfect digital SLR camera to substitute my Minolta Maxxum 300si I have already done research and read reviews, now I need to be influenced towards one of my available choices.
Biased photographers, influence me away.

Myself as a photographer:
- Totally amateur
- Totally pretentious
- Not quite there as far as technique goes, but eager to improve

My preferences:
- 8x plus zoom
- 6 Mpx at least, but no real need to go beyond that
- Fast startup
- Manual focus, or an auto focus that gives me choices and lets me choose
- Possibly a stabilization feature, as long as somebody tells me it really works
- $500 - $800 range, lens included

My targets:
- Architecture and art - wide angle just important as good zoom (right?)
- Close ups of "step by step" DIY projects, Instructables style
- Pets, lots of close ups
- Travel and vacation, with a flare for those (pretentious) artsy shots

The selection so far:
- Pentax K100D / 18-55 mm
- Nikon D70s / 18-70 mm
- Canon Digital Rebel XT / 18-55 mm
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50s / 12x zoom

My doubts:
- Will I be able to screw in filters on all of these? I like filters.
- Should I buy separate body and lens?
- Btw, what are the basic filters I should have? I currently have the somewhat tacky fog and four-point star
- I guess a couple of these are not really SLRs, but will that make a difference, based on I told you above?
- The Maxxum 300si was discontinued, but did Minolta substitute it with any equivalent digital camera I might take a look at?

GPS ready Digital SLR Cameras

0bvious — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:16:52 -0800

GPS ready Digital SLRs : What are the best available? Coming soon? Am I better waiting until the industry catches up? I've been eyeing up digital SLRs for a while now (my past askmefi question), and have decided a GPS ready one would really hot things up.

(For those who don't know, Geo Positioning System (GPS)cameras will stamp every photo with your exact location on planet earth as it's taken.)

What's your opinions on this tech? Worth waiting until the next camera season?

Thanks

Help me pick out a D50?

dance — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:28:46 -0800

I'd love some help choosing a specific D50...please! Hi there, I'm keen to buy a Nikon D50 in time for a holiday in a week. There are a couple on eBay UK at the moment, and I'd love some advice if anyone has the time or inclination.

Specifically I'd like to know if what I'm looking at is good value for money, or if it's not.

These (I think) are all the D50s on eBay at the moment

and I am specifically interested in:

this one, from an Edinburgh photography shop, comes with two lenses (18-55 + 55-200) but priced at a massive(?) £530 inc p&p. Ends in a few hours

this one, from a seller who hasn't sold much at all, seems like it has the same two lenses as the above. currently at £265.00 but there are two days to go. p&p £15. Would I even get it in time though...

Any suggestions would be more than welcome. I'm going to sell my Nikon Coolpix 4500 to raise part of the funds.

Sporty Shots at low light

Hands of Manos — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:14:12 -0800

Okay, I know it's been asked MANY times here but I have a specific question about shooting a picture in low-light settings. So here is the set up, I am taking pictures of a sports event at a skating rink which will have nothing more than tungsten lighting. I've got an external flash, I can fstop down to 2.6 on either a 50mm or 3.5 with a 24-85mm.

What I'm trying to figure out is the best way I can get the crispest shots I can with the most ambient lighting possible. My problem comes in that I have a hard time bouncing light off the ceiling and I've never been able to get a decent custom white balance.

I've tried Arpeture priority and Shutter as well, but something tells me I am messing up somewhere. I try NOT to shoot at 1600, but that seems to be my best bet if I want to catch an action shot.

For some reference:
I'm using a Canon Rebel
(lenses were already mentioned)
Tripod
External Flash