I'm Buying A New Camera, Your Input Will Be Helpful.

[Gluecifer]

Well, I'm retiring my old Fuji S1500. It's done very well for the last 5 years or so and it's now time to step up to a digital SLR.

You guys know what I photograph most, so I'd like to hear everyone's suggestions for what they use and why.

Happy to spend about a grand or so.

Thanks guys!



Rock On.

 

[DrmZ]

I use a Nikon D80. The current version is the D90. I bought it used and I´m very happy with it.
There´s a lot of good cameras on the market. The Nikon was my first choice because it got good reviews and it feels right in my hand.
The trend in digital SLR´s in the consumer range is to get smaller. I don´t like that, because I need to have a good grip on my camera.
You should go to a store and test some cameras first to find out which one feels right for you.

And don´t spend too much on the camera body because the most important part is the glass!
The lenses that come with the body as a kit are usually low quality. Its a better idea to buy a mid-range body and a good lens instead of a semi-pro-range body with kit lense.

For detailed reviews of cameras and lenses look here: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/digital_camera_and_lens_reviews.shtml

 

[Gluecifer]

thanks Drmz!! Always interested in your thoughts!

I'm kind of done reading reviews and such, been doing so for the last 9 months or so.

I'm more after everyone's personal opinion, to me it's just as valid as anyone elses.

By the way, I'm heavily leaning towards an Olympus PEN E-P3.


Looking forward to hearing more ideas however! One thing I've learned is it's really hard to buy a rubbish camera, it's more about getting the one that works and has features to your individual tastes.



Rock On.

 

[DrmZ]

I see you look for a small camera.

Its a sexy camera. But I wouldn´t buy it because my hands are too big.
And you have much less choice for lenses and accessories compared to Canon and Nikon system.
If you´re looking for a nice small camera with good quality its a good choice.
If you´re looking for a camera to upgrade over the years there´s better choices in this price range.

 

[walkgirl]

canon ixus :sin:

 

[stormsven]

Some other bridge Fuji . Love em. My ex girl is a photographer and have one in her bag for lomography with her. She is saying - best unexpected pictures are taken mostly with bridge cameras. SLRs need a lot of attention and investment. And some bridge cameras can beat some SLRs . Fuji have splendid matrix for the smallest amount of money . Go for a new model bridge Fuji IMO.

 

[Gluecifer]

Was looking at the Fuji FX100 actually!

I'm not massively worried about the lens situation as one of my firends has a bunch of vintage Olympus lenses I could use with a ring adaptor.
The dpreview.com sample pix from the Olympus really sold me, I must say.


Thanks for the input guys! Keep em coming, not buying for a couple of weeks yet.



Rock On.

 

[stormsven]

Was looking at the Fuji FX100 actually!.

 

[vladi123456]

I agree with some of the posters here - get a Nikon
The hottest model right now is Nikon D5100. Get body only - and get 35mm 1.8 lens for it. And get a small superzoom - Sony HX9 or something similar. Using two cameras at the same time is more convenient than changing lenses, in my opinion

 

[Zippy]

I bought a Canon EOS 550D a few months ago and I am very happy with it. I've got the small standard lens which isn't bad at all but an upgrade would still be a good idea.

 

[hollyrockets]

Not sure what kinds of deals they have at the Costcos in Oz, but my daughter picked up a Canon T2i with a zoom lens, memory card, bag and a bunch of doo dads for around $1,100. She says she likes Canons because a lot of lenses fit other Canon cameras if you move up. I think that's a pretty neat thing. That's all I got, though.

 

[Gluecifer]

Thanks for the comments guys! I've considered the full DSLR but I'm not jazzed about carrying around a big rig and one of things I've read consistently in the reviews of the Micro Four Thirds cameras is that it's a much easier option for carrying around and getting great shots. I've decided on the Olympus PEN E-P3 in part due to this and after reading lots of reviews and impressions it feels like it's right for me. Especially the in camera filters, which will be awesome for glam radio shoots as it does out of the caemra what I try to do in photoshop with a lot less consistent results.

Thanks again for replying!

Also, I'd never ever buy a Nikon because I hate the song in their commercials so much.
But in all honesty, I don't think I'm ready to get the worthwhile results from a full DSLR camera yet, I think this Olympus will give me the best of both worlds.



Rock On.

 

[vladi123456]

Have you looked at Sony NEX line? They have a bigger sensor than m4/3, and most reviews I've seen say that Sony has better PQ than m4/3 cameras.

 

[Gluecifer]

Yeah, I did Vladi. Most of the head-to-head reviews of all the high end micro 4/3's give the Olympus the nod over all the other models in the stuff that matters to me, even with the smaller sensor size.



Rock On.

 

[hardmen]

Consider read some reviews of some Panasonics with Leica lenses (delivers great shots).

Cheers.

 

[vladi123456]

Yeah, I did Vladi. Most of the head-to-head reviews of all the high end micro 4/3's give the Olympus the nod over all the other models in the stuff that matters to me, even with the smaller sensor size.

Rock On.

Cool, then post some pictures when you get it