Looking for my first camera.

[Honu]

Did you just mention a P&S? lol ok, IDK the camera so not gonna get into that, the "promo" wording sets a pretty large order but so did the Sigma SD1 lol.

check out the RX100 insane good pocket camera
one of those you can have it with you ALL the time
never will say its as good but amazing files that will blow you away when you see stuff that comes out of it when someone good is behind it
I cut back on my gear this last year again selling off all my canon all my L glass and a ton of other stuff to go but still have about 8 cameras left and one of those that have voigtlander and zeiss and lecia glass in the arsenal but its rarely used these days but its fun to have
ironic I use my iphone a lot ahahahhahah


I used to hump around two 1 series body 3 L series glass and two primes for over 100 jobs a year often all day long after years and years I can say I am glad to have cameras that do not weigh that much and produce better photos than those cameras ever did having a small light setup I am more apt to bring it out
I kinda suffer from burn out sometimes ? one thing myself and most others can say the OMD or other cameras are just flat out FUN to shoot with and make you laugh at how good some of the glass and files are out of it !!!


also ditto the Happy dad day

 

[jeffryscott]

This "discussion" is rather humorous as the original poster hasn't even responded since asking the question of what camera to buy.

All this debate about Canon or Nikon or whatever is overkill for someone who was looking originally at a budget dSLR, the Nikon 3100. Professionals in general buy into a system, not a camera body.

What the pros in this thread are debating are the professional aspects of a system, very few consumers are ever going to do anything with their pictures but look at them on a computer, or maybe print some 4x6's at Walgreens. My 3.2 megapixel Canon elph from 10 years ago would suffice for this. Hell, I had a full bleed magazine cover with a shot from that elph.

That aside, any modern dSLR or mirrorless camera is going to be a huge step forward for someone like the OP. To the OP and others looking for an entry level camera, determine what features are desirable: weather sealing to keep dust and water out? Huge selection of lenses? Legacy lenses?

Ultimately, choosing a camera should be about what feels good in the hand and provides what you need. My guess is the OP, and most like him or her, will never advance past the kit lenses that come with it, so having access to a 800 5.6 or other exotics is a moot point.

I previously had recommended a Pentax K30, but for $899 this K5 kit is a bargain compared to the offerings from the big boys. It features complete weather sealing and good range: http://www.adorama.com/IPXK51855B.html

I don't think anything the big boys offer can compete in image quality or weather sealing at this price point. I just bring up this camera because it is nice compromise in size between other APS-C cameras and m43 with fantastic image quality across the ISO range. Most people only look at the Nikon and Canon dSLR offerings, so wanted to throw this out as another option.

Oh, and while I'm not currently a professional, I did work professionally for newspapers and magazines for over 25 years.

 

[john101477]

I will take your word for how I perceived the malicious sarcasm. Your are right, the internet leaves out a couple of key elements to a good conversation, emotion and personality.

IDK who Bruce is on the forum oddly but did message him back and fourth a couple times on Youtube. Very talented although I think his bread and butter is anything where he adds a person Or food. I have a lot of landscape images much like the Tetons shot of his. I was hampered by time and light and ended up hating them all. His outdoor portraits are better than his landscapes. From blah to OMG = just add a model. The safari shot should be a best of in the world IMO it is that good.

As for the cameras, we maybe closer to the same page. I will say that glass is only a part of the continued domination of DSLR's. If it was "just" glass many of these guys that swear by their 3 pieces of glass are already covered and with the savings of getting rid of their $20k+ worth of glass that could be in a OLY... That said I do believe that MILC is the future of cameras primarily because the removal of moving parts is a good thing for photographers and will offer a higher longevity and durability than current offerings. I am not sure of the "smaller" sensors exactly. no sensors are not the end all be all but if yo compare the differences between a aps-c to a FF and a m43 to a aps-c, they share many of the same equiv drawbacks. I am still trying to figure out the Sony you showed me yesterday. It is different but can it live up to the hype? the one thing all cameras are hampered by is that MP technology is the driving force and so limits ability based on size. OLY and PAN got one thing right and that is the sharpness through much of the ISO range. IDk why the NEX7 at ISO 3200 looks like garbage and the m43 looks fairly clean but at ISO 400 the NEX7 looks slightly better than the m43, Mega Pixel count IDK?

I personally can not even comprehend pulling out a m43 for a commercial shoot lol. You had to have had a lot of creative leeway. Thinking on it though, the Oly OMD does have a certain "look". I wonder how many could get away with a (for lack of a better word) lesser camera for some commercial work and product photography but refuse simply because of outward appearance? Hmmm

Of the other top shooters I mentioned, styles and purposes are very different I think. I tend to lean toward the Moose/Gardner way of thinking but have also delved into the artistic landscapes a few times.. I had one that really made me question the direction of photography early last year. He was putting on a workshop near me and charging crazy ridiculous prices to basically shoot areas I shoot all the time and they are all free. He did not even bother to consult with the board that takes care of the property he was demonstrating at. It left a very bad taste and I almost showed up just to let the people know they could have showed up for free lol. I am one of those who believe in the best bang for the buck and am very against people fleecing others for nothing other than to get rich. Even at 35 I have gone from rags to riches and back to rags, But I did it honestly which is extremely important to me.

 

[Honu]

Glass is the huge thing

I do use my Oly like a long lens these days again that 75 1.8 is INSANE sharp and nice in every way truly brings a smile and with the IBIS in the OMD its a killer combo
and a macro setup and use my DSLR as my wide setup and as my base 12-35 (24-70) lens which I find kinda boring range I would rather shoot wide or compress it in

I dont think smaller sensors are the future for pros as much as they are a option to have very small glass that is just as good so it is for sure a tool in the kit kinda thing
maybe like a T/S lens ? something you can pull out when needed or for some working events I used to cover a lot of food festivals on Maui 3 days of humping gear on your feet and nothing gets printed big ?
also these days so much delivery is for web use that huge files are not as needed ?


the sony RX100 keep confusing it with the FF model ? RX1 or something ? dumb naming on sony part IMHO

yeah for a P&S it can live up to its name its for sure not going to be something you dump something for more add to it
I was skeptical at first and then when I saw some stuff shot with it I was like WOW again for something that truly fits in a coat pocket or small bag

read that one blog Ming I linked to he is a leica guy also very good and known shooter for high end watches which many are his clients and he uses it sometimes now

yeah the M4/3 thing I guess its more a confidence thing of the client knowing I can produce and they see the final file ?
also delivery is often web based these days and nor print ? AND the client is not new but one that comes to you all the time for your work

I had a few clients that used me just for architecture and landscape resort stuff and another for store items fabric and stuff and also their food work we got along great the other tog and I cause we know we dont cross into each others field of work we can deliver

a good example if you saw that coke can with the vanilla scoop of ice cream being scooped out of it a few years ago on billboards all over ? and for other advertising my buddy shot
I know he uses med format backs and DSLR for his work
but he is in another scale when we are talking 5 and 6 figure budgets for one shot

thats to bad about the abuse of celebrity if you want to call it that I do know a lot of photographers who were very good got a following now seem to be selling themselves and stuff over their work
saw it in the wedding biz OK hire a super hot model go to a super killer location and shoot and shoot and yeah amazing you can come up with a WOW image hahahah DUH

 

[LR Max]

Wow. Getting fierce in here.

Throwing back in for a Canon G series or comparable nikon.

 

[john101477]

Nah not fierce I think we figured out where we were trying to go with the convo.

Honu,
Social media has really changed the print market. I have a really good photog friend in Red Bluff Cali that took over and rebranded another company because of the studio setup. Over the last few years they have changed how the sell themselves and have become THE high end photographer to go to in Northern California. Where many togs seem to be selling their work short, they have been able to put emphasis on the prints, and social media products as stand alone deals and that does not even include the the "sitting fee" that they have cleverly renamed to pay for their time itself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[john101477]

Sounds like I will look in to the RX1 when I get to a comp. I would imagine a frequent client would probably be accustomed to howbyou do thomgs and as you said, confident in your ability to produce.

There are so many photographers out there now. It is tough to follow everyone. Lol. My biggest issue is actually marketing myself. Some of those who got the jump are at that celebrity status like say McNally, who is a brilliant photographer, but some times you have to ask, is he that good!!! Not Joe himself persay but those who have hit celebrity status.

I am looking forward to advancements and while I do not see me trading in yet.. it wont be to long

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Honu]

I am a huge paper in hand person love the feel of really nice papers !
I am 49 though and have that old darkroom background for fiber

my canon 8100 is in the garage dead now though
have to decide what to get since I am changing my direction going to hold off for now
lucky I am kinda a color guru guy and very good at custom profile building and stuff and kinda want to get more into family portraits but fun stuff not cheesey stuff miss printing since its been dead for a little while then again newer printers are nicer now problem is I want a trailer and a Kayak and ...
hahahahah wife holds me off on toys sometimes

great to hear they have been able to sell prints ! cause its like seeing a painting in real life vs on the internet ! nothing the same !!!


yeah the cheaper P&S model of sony ? the around $700 not the FF model which is cool but at what $2800 or so ? cool but limited use the little $700 P&S is something I might pick up cause I wanted that tilt screen and wanted the hot shoe

one other camera I want to play with is the new Fuji 100s since it can flash sync up to 1000 pretty easy with a leaf shutter and its not hypersync at 1000



not sure if you print yourself ?
http://diamond-jet.com/pictoricotop.aspx
I used to use their white film ? its insane cool for certain things
almost like a old cibachrome in a way ?
not sure if they have sample packs still or sample prints to send out ? but its cool stuff
that and of course other nice papers like German etching and stuff

Nah not fierce I think we figured out where we were trying to go with the convo.

Honu,
Social media has really changed the print market. I have a really good photog friend in Red Bluff Cali that took over and rebranded another company because of the studio setup. Over the last few years they have changed how the sell themselves and have become THE high end photographer to go to in Northern California. Where many togs seem to be selling their work short, they have been able to put emphasis on the prints, and social media products as stand alone deals and that does not even include the the "sitting fee" that they have cleverly renamed to pay for their time itself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[john101477]

First time to sit at my comp in a few days here. maybe now I can type without misspelled words.

So you like the RX100 with the newer 1 inch sensor that is about $700? I know their site makes some pretty bold statements have you been able to play with this little P&S?
This is the first i am seeing of the RX1 FF camera. @ $2800 it is not a cheap camera by any means but I wonder if it fills a gap for a light FF camera? At 5 FPS I dont know that it would be a perfect fit for sports or wildlife but it looks like it would be a decent fit for travel shooters...

I have heard amazing things about the little fuji 100s. I have even considered it as a walk around. I would life to see the manufacturers of these every day cameras weather/environment sealed. I had bought my wife the Nikon P7100 when it came out and she has used the heck out of it. I like the images that it takes and she even put in for a local contest with an image she took with it. The built in "extras" are pretty cool like the selective color etc. Played with a Samsung NX 300 recently and it was pretty slick. I liked the UI a lot and even enjoyed the feel of it in my hands.

I sadly do not print. I have thought about it repeatedly but when you have print labs like Bay Photo and Mpix it is tough to jump into a big print system. In my previous career we used to use a Canon Prograf for blueprints and maps but it was to expensive to run for photography although it was capable. I have thought about getting something for small prints and packages that I don't need printed above 12x18. Not sure it would pay off though against other labs. I calibrate and make sure I follow the print labs recommended setup for color profiles. Bay Photo has treated me pretty good over the years so I am not sure I would be gaining anything by printing myself.

 

[Honu]

I have not played with one yet rx100 but a few trusted friends all pro photographers have
All are blown away realizings its a P&S style of course
The tilt screen was what I was waiting for so handy I use my omd waist level a lot just press on the screen where I want it to focus and take the pic quite fun so will wait for the new tilt screen rx100 II or whatever they are going to call it ?
Also fuji is announcing two new cameras so the rumor sites say
But the sony rx100 is truly tiny

RX1 seems cool just have a hard time paying that much hahahhaa
Might rather have the fuji 100s and its leaf shutter instead and both niche camera for sure

Since inkjets can produce better gamut than lab prints ? So the new Epson could do a better job but some companies do really nice high end printing on those printers and offer a nice range of papers
For sure some of it is immediacy and control
Also its fun but not cheap and takes up room so I hear ya in the lab thing and why I have not rushed to replace mine

 

[bajasurf]

Wow. I had to check to see if I had logged into a discussion on Photo.net. The reason I dumped that site a few years back was because of all the hostility between " my camera is better than your camera idiots". Recommend a camera that you believe will meet his needs and let him do a Goggle search. We know he will find many different reviews and now you made a suggestion and he can make the decision. I have been reading this post for a few weeks and I am so confused that I actually got my Nikon F3 and N90s and loaded both with film. Haven´t developed the film but man do I feel good. Didn´t spend half of the day checking lcd screen and rushing home to download into my laptop. I probably shot a bunch of crap but my day was not ruined.

 

[ywen]

+1.. plenty of places to dispel one's wealth of camera technology knowledge and viewpoints.. no need to by showy in a "looking for my first camera" thread.. go out and take some pics! I stopped staying up to date on the latest camera tech.. iphone 5 is now my most utilized camera.. iphone + VSCO cam app kicks major *****.. way better than carrying my CF tripod + DSLR kit + filter kit? (LOL, graduated ND.. who cares!?)

 

[john101477]

I have not played with one yet rx100 but a few trusted friends all pro photographers have
All are blown away realizings its a P&S style of course
The tilt screen was what I was waiting for so handy I use my omd waist level a lot just press on the screen where I want it to focus and take the pic quite fun so will wait for the new tilt screen rx100 II or whatever they are going to call it ?
Also fuji is announcing two new cameras so the rumor sites say
But the sony rx100 is truly tiny

RX1 seems cool just have a hard time paying that much hahahhaa
Might rather have the fuji 100s and its leaf shutter instead and both niche camera for sure

Since inkjets can produce better gamut than lab prints ? So the new Epson could do a better job but some companies do really nice high end printing on those printers and offer a nice range of papers
For sure some of it is immediacy and control
Also its fun but not cheap and takes up room so I hear ya in the lab thing and why I have not rushed to replace mine

Never really cared one way or the other for tilt screens, although it beats getting down on your stomach to get the shot lol. I have just never let that be a factor in what I buy.
I have been to busy the last few months to really look to hard at anything new. a brief run down and if I have it at hand I can play with the camera for a few but that's usually while waiting on customer service lol.
I did pick up a new lens a coupe of months ago. a 16-35 f4. I kind of have mixed feelings with it now. I spent a bit of time with it before I bought it but now that I have used it in the field a bit it is OK but I feel it could be better, even at it's price point.

I have heard great things about the Epson printers but the only Epson I had crapped out on me after a few months. It was a cheap model though so I did not expect to much better.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Look at this guy, gets all hopped up about the D3100 and then starts in on his trusty iPhone... brilliant hahaha
As for Photo.net that place used to be packed full of Film only guys that detested Digital. Doesn't surprise me that anyone would leave.
The Wonderful thing about the Internet is that if you do not like what is being said you can go elsewhere. We don't all live in free countries where we can talk about what we please but I happen to...

 

[Honu]

that is one reason I love the tilt screens less laying down and also for shooting over head !
agree I would not factor it in for most folks
but I own a lot of gear so for me I can kinda wait

I do wish my D600 or my older 1 series canons had them !!!! after using them working I really love them

for wide lens I picked up one of the new nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED !
first variable fstop zoom I have owned for any pro style body but have to say very impressed with it for the price
I kinda miss the 14mm end of super wide ? but going to wait a bit and see what comes out for the OLY ? till then I am OK with the 18 as my widest for now
since I tended to shoot my 16-35 2.8 at both ends with the widest being most of it ! I almost went with a prime ?
saw some early shots from this lens though and thought it was pretty good



I have owned Epson and Canon and HP printers all crap out at some point
I figure 3-4 year shelf life then its bye bye !

 

[john101477]

I don't own a LOT of gear but the gear I buy is usually of the better available.
I had originally planned to purchase a couple of primes this year but when the time came, I thought I would beat the odds a little and buy a used piece from B&H and maybe do a little trip with the family.
I had settled on a DX lens, which was breaking my own rules but the reviews for the 17-35 were very good and I figured what the heck. Rated at a 9 from B&H I figured nothing could go wrong but when I got the lens it seemed to "walk" a lot toward the 35mm end. Sent that lens back and ended up down at the local shop where I started to play with the 16-35 f4. 2 days later I bought the lens and have been mostly happy with it with one exception. It tends to have a hard time focusing in some situations regardless of light. usually the beach is it's undoing go figure. It does a great job other wise in every other situation. It gets used at the widest about 80% based on what my comp says. If I wanted to carry everything all the time I would love to shoot primes only but in many of my activities it is not the easiest thing to do. I have a couple that are spot on with everything and have served me well.

So, it looks like you switched manufacturer? was there a reason? I switched after my first canon because if a problem after I started using a hotshoe on it.

IDK, I may buy a good printer in the future for quick prints for family and stuff but at this point I have so many other things I would like to add to the arsenal, plus having to be a responsible father and husband lol, that a printer is on the back burner for a while.