Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
I would like anyones opinion as to what digital slr they would purchase if they had the choice of starting afresh with no lenses or flash units owned previously to sway the decision. I note the fine portfolios on the site from the Nikon D70 and Canon 300 and 20D to name a few of the more popular models and am aware of the 350d soon to be available, but what of the more expensive models from these makes, I have read and seen fall-off from certain photos from the 1Ds which has a full frame sensor but also some remarkable photos too and the ones so far from the 1Ds Mk2 look as though they have been flattened by an editing program such as 'neat image' to be fair I havn't seen to many from the latter. The Nikon D2x seems to put up a fair challenge going by independent write-ups and with regard to the price difference from the top of the range Canon's.
So what do you think from a fast moving industry would be a wise investment? and what about the two thirds system such as the Olympus? havn't seen much of this camera either on this site.
Quote: what about the two thirds system such as the Olympus
Don't you mean the Olympus four-thirds system?
If money was no object, I'd want a Mamiya ZD (when it finally arrives) or a Hassleblad H1.
But you only need one or the other, the ZD back is for the 645AFD/RZ67ProIID.
Why couldn't they make it compatible with the 645Super/Pro/ProTL? (not that I could afford it though). I suppose, that's my answer. If you can afford a ZD back, then you can afford the complimentary camera/lenses.
Reasonably speaking (sort of...) I would go for the 20D - really impressed by the AF system, low noise on ISO3200, 4fps, E-TTL II (combined with 580 EX flash - amazing results!!!). For the rest of the money - I'd invest in good L glass kit, filters (Lee of course), 580 EX flash unit and a good bag or two to hold it all.
If money wouldn't be a prob then I'd go for the 1DsMKII - never heard anyone swearing it..... If I think about it, I can say the same about Mamiya or Hassleblad... arrgh, I don't know.
Lucky me I don't have the money to make such decisions 
Ilia Kagan.
I think at the moment I would go for the Canon 20D. As an enthusiast I would not spend thousands going for a pro model, the middle ground may suit me. I'm on a learning curve and chose Pentax at the end of last year but I look now at the multitude of accessories available for Canon.
If I won the lottery I could see the Medium Format looming and me as a famous landscape photographer.....Hmmmm!
If you have no existing gear I'd buy into a proper, all digital system i.e. The 4/3rds system.
It's more about what SYSTEM you buy into rather than any one particular body. As your kit grows, the cost of jumping brand becomes mega.
You won't go wrong with Nikon or Canon, just make sure that which ever system you pluck for, it has all the bits for the type of photography you do. Any "lead" one has over the other will swap on a regular basis.
I know people with the Olympus E1, and it is an excellent camera. Without any legacy gear, it looks appealing, but right now cannot compete with Nikon or Canon in terms of system and professional support. The system is growing but, how brave are you?
Personally, as a Nikon user, I'm dreaming of a D2x...
As the others say go for a system, so for me that would be Nikon or Canon lens mounts. So any Fuji, Canon or Nikon dSLR would do. Next dSLRs and life. Lots of things are said about build quality. In fact build quality is not what is being discussed. It is perceived robustness and that is different. The sales life of a dSLR is about 2 years. So think 3-4 years on I will replace it. 20D nice camera, but over priced IMHO. Nikon 100D good camera but getting old and very over priced.
My advice would be to get one from 300D, 350D or D70. Any will get you started, and they all come with decent support.
cathalAt said
"It's more about what SYSTEM you buy into rather than any one particular body. As your kit grows, the cost of jumping brand becomes mega.
"
Interesting and mostly true but if you consider lens mount as part of the definition of a system then it falls down doesn't it? Isn't it the case that some Canon DLSRs can take EFS lenses and some can't? Correct me if I'm wrong.
ite becomes worse if you consider sensor size and part of what defines a system: Canon have 3 different sizes in their DSLR range. Moving from a 350D to a 1D for example would change the FOV of all your lenses and moveing to a 1DS would change them again.
and...
"
but right now cannot compete with Nikon or Canon in terms of system and professional support.
"
Hmmm, can't agree there. Olympus provide a professional support package. Can you be more specific?
If you're talking about the amount of lenses then remember that unless you buy a Pro camera with a 35mm sized sensor then most of your lenses will have been designed with focal ranges that aren't really as useful as they are on a 35mm camera e.g. how useful is a 28-135mm when you apply a 1.6x FOV to it? How many EF-S lenses has Canon made for example ( really don't know this, maybe it's loads!)?
Also, Olympus have just announced the first ever constant f/2.0 standard (14mm-35mm) zoom. That could be a really handy lens for Pros (it'll be expensive no doubt) - No one's ever done that before. Also, don't forget that Olympus will GIVE you an OM adapter for free to allow you to use the huge back catalog of high quality OM Zuiko lenses.
Admittedly Canon and Nikon look unlikely to fail as market leaders but do you want to buy something just because that's what everyone else has?
I realise Canon (and Nikon) have a lot to offer but so others!
Good luck in choosing.
I wouldn't take much notice of portfolios in relation to your question, because that is more a measure of the photographer's ability than the abilities of the camera/system. I have a great new camera in the pentax *istds but much less ability than most on here!
There are new pentax lenses being announced just about every week at the moment, and I am able to use 30 year old lenses too without an adapter.
Don't close your mind to any particular brand too early, don't be swayed on your first visits to the shop, or as above by what most people use.
All Canon dSLRs take EF lenses. The later dSLRs that have APS sensors take EF-S lenses, The cut off point is the 300D. Older cameras, 10D, 30D do not take this lens mount. I read a statement from Canon, about a year ago, that they saw a long future for the EFS for enthusiast use, with full frame for Pro and those that want the best. Nikon apear to have gone smaller sensor size for all.
I looked at Olympus, having always admired their OM series cameras, and fell off my pearch at the price of the camera and lenses. The lower cost sigma lens options are designed for APS sensors
There are plenty of second hand Nikon and Canon lenses. 28-135 translates as 45mm to 216mm. well 50mm used to be the standard lens and when zoom came out 70 to 200 was popular so.....
As for fitting old OM series lenses, well is that any different from using EF lenses, except you lose AF?
I agree with the above, as a long term canon user I now have 4 SLRs, and 2 fifferent mounts. I would hate to think that the EF-S mount is going to leave my Eos bodies in the same situation the introduction of EF did with my manual focus bodies!
Agree bout the price of Olympus lenses too, puts the whole system out of reach, for most, when starting from scratch due to the lack of third party lenses.
At the moment there are several good cameras available for reasonable money and then there is the other end of the scale with second mortgage purchases. I assume that you are looking at the reasonable end of the market. When I purchased my first DSLR, a Fuji S2, it was probably the pack leader, out performing both the Nikon D100 and the Canon 10D. The other reason for the that purchase was that if and when Fuji or Nikon brought out new cameras I would have a choice because Nikon lenses obviously fit both. I'm still waiting for a D200 to make and appearance and the Fuji S3 is really overpriced by at least 500. My choice, if I were still working semi-pro would be the D2X and if I talk nice to the wife it may well be.
Digital Photo Magazine (sorry folks got to publicise that one) has a good test between Dynax 7D, Pentax *istD, Nikon D100, Fuji S3, Olympus E1 and the Canon 20D. The Canon comes out easily on top and that's not the first review that I've read that puts this camera way out in front.
Any one want to buy an S2 and a load of Nikon glass?
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...Featured e2 Photo
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top