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Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: narked on October 24, 2007, 20:24:36

Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: narked on October 24, 2007, 20:24:36
Recently upgraded my Canon 300D to the newer 400D, and have spent more and more time using it. So was just wondering if there are any more keen DSLR users out there.

Started a blog to try to advance my photography, with the aim of taking at least 1 photo a day that I can say I'm happy with. Only missed 1 day out so far, and that was down to stupidly forgetting to put the memory card into my camera! For anyone who is interested, you can view the blog here (http://cambriansnapper.blogspot.com).

So, what kit do you use and what sort of photography do you enjoy the most?

Personally I'm using the Canon 400D, along with the 18-55mm kit lens, Canon 50mm f1.8 Mk2, and a cheapo Kodak 55-210mm lens. Also using a cheap Jessops tripod, which isn't too bad if you use the self-timer and mirror lockup functions on the camera. Next planned purchases are a better quality telephoto, possibly upto a 300mm, and a better tripod.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on October 24, 2007, 20:57:28
I've had a 10D since 2003 and love it.  Preferred styles are candid portraits & travel stuff;  people are really my thing.

Hence I use a 24-70L and a 70-200L for 99% of what I shoot.  I also use a couple of Canon flashes for formal portrait stuff.  I definitely find the lenses make much more of a difference to the results than the camera body!

I keep meaning to stick some samples on the web but never quite get around to it...
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Budgie on October 24, 2007, 21:06:30
I also use the EOS 400D and have had it for about 10 months now.
It has a 18-55mm and a 70-300mm lens which do most of the stuff I want.
My photos vary but most of the good stuff can be seen on my website: http://www.hebrides-photos.com
Most of the photos on the site were taken with 35mm SLRs but there are quite a few on there taken with the 400D and a Fuji S5000.  :wink:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Smego on October 24, 2007, 21:57:54
I have a Sony A100 with a 18-75mm lens ans a 70-300mm, also have a big flash unit, wireless remote and 4g memory card, love it to bits.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: L90OOK on October 24, 2007, 22:04:21
Quote from: "thermidorthelobster"
I've had a 10D since 2003 and love it.  Preferred styles are candid portraits & travel stuff;  people are really my thing.

Hence I use a 24-70L and a 70-200L for 99% of what I shoot.  I also use a couple of Canon flashes for formal portrait stuff.  I definitely find the lenses make much more of a difference to the results than the camera body!

I keep meaning to stick some samples on the web but never quite get around to it...


Dave they do take a great picture...They don't float though  :(biglaugh):

I'll get me coat  :oops:  :lol:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: laser_jock99 on October 25, 2007, 00:19:20
Quote from: "Budgie"

My photos vary but most of the good stuff can be seen on my website: http://www.hebrides-photos.com


Like the Aurora Gallery- further North and no light pollution. You're very well placed there!

I currently use two DSLRs Fuji S2 Pro & S5 Pro with Nikon lenses. As others have said earlier I think it's the lens quality that makes biggest difference to pictures. Kit lenses are okay- but thats it. 'Okay' and generally made to a budget. Many are entirley plastic and even feature plastic moulded lens elements in them! Decent pro-lenses are in different league and well worth a bit of spend.

My lens collection includes:

Nikon ED 180mm F2.8 (a very sharp lens)
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAINS%20PLANES%20STEAM%20ENGINES%20ETC/Image5.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Nature%20and%20Wildlife/Dscf50401.jpg

Nikon ED 80-200mm F2.8 (my everyday workhorse)
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Image13.jpg
 
Sigma APO 300mm F2.8 (for getting in close
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Nature%20and%20Wildlife/Dscf4252.jpg

Sigma 15mm F2.8 fisheye and latterly a Sigma 10-24mm fisheye zoom- which is capable of some really bizzarre effects- but I love wideangle shots.....
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/HILUX%20SURF%204RUNNER/WIDE_002.jpg)

Happy shooting!
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: freelanderpx54 on October 25, 2007, 00:27:42
Nikon D70 for me. Mainly Wedding Photography and some Portraiture work. I like to do landscapes and natural history but I only seem to be able to find time when the weather is naff

John
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: JumboBeef on October 25, 2007, 09:06:23
I use a 400D and have a rather large tripod. :D

(http://www.elevonphotography.co.uk/images/sf1.JPG)

I might be upgrading to a 40D soonish.  I would love a D1, but it weighs too much.

Edit: I would love this 40D  :lol:

(http://www.canon40d.net/oh_40_d.jpg)
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: cardiff_gareth on October 25, 2007, 11:18:17
Quote from: "JumboBeef"
I use a 400D and have a rather large tripod. :D

(http://www.elevonphotography.co.uk/images/sf1.JPG)


thats a tall tripod !!!

I'm using a Sony H2 with in theory isn't a true DSLR as the lenses cannot be interchanged but it gives me all the manual features of a DSLR with a 10x optical zoom lens.

If I'm doing some professional or have a good play and add to my portfolio then i'll use my Canon Eos 5 and use a good quality film. I'm a sucka for black and white  :roll:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Skibum346 on October 25, 2007, 11:28:50
Just been bought a PEntax K10D...  :D

Still learnin' all it's functions!
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: freeagent on October 25, 2007, 12:09:16
NIkon D50... awesome, i'll never be as good a photographer as this camera would let me be...

my thing is landscapes and travel photography... oh and our baby growing up.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Boddle on October 25, 2007, 13:20:59
Have Canon 400D

Most commonly used Len Sigma 28-300mm which does for most things
Larger Wildlife (Birds Deer ETC) Motorsports
I have 2x converter for this but can be a pain as you need to manually focus and you tend to need to set speed or aperture manually because the converter effect the the light sensor

Macro Len SIGMA 50mm F/2.8 EX DG MACRO
Great for taking photo's of Spiders and insect and smaller flowers

I have just purchased a Sigma 10-20mm 10-20 f/4-5.6 Lens (Wide Angle Angle of View: 102.4 - 63.8 degrees)
Great for taking scenery as found on a trip to Cornwall at the weekend
I'm still getting to know it

I would like to purchase a lens up to 500mm for future use as I tend to do most of my Photography with a friend who makes a living out of Wildlife Photography that regularly meanly long distances but would help get round lighting and manual focus require on 300mm lens with 2X on

I most get some more recent stuff onto the net but here is a few of my photos

Coombe Park Nr Coventry (http://www.boddle.me.uk/Coombe/Index.htm)
Nettle Hill Nr Coventry (http://www.boddle.me.uk/Nature/Index.htm)
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: cardiff_gareth on October 25, 2007, 13:42:09
these links people are putting on here, the sites show thumbnails in a portfolio form. I like  :P
where do you get them from, are they free :?: :?:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: laser_jock99 on October 25, 2007, 14:16:00
Quote from: "cardiff_gareth"
these links people are putting on here, the sites show thumbnails in a portfolio form. I like  :P
where do you get them from, are they free :?: :?:


I use http://photobucket.com/  the basic package is free but there is a $20 per year 'pro uprgrade' I'm using which gives 5GB online storage and more bandwidth.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: smo on October 25, 2007, 20:24:14
Nikon D200 user here
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: zacspeed on October 25, 2007, 21:46:26
Nikon D50 here too!
My flickr  (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zacspeed)page.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on October 25, 2007, 21:53:43
You've just provoked me into finally putting some of my photos online. (http://web.mac.com/thermidorthelobster/Photography/)
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: laser_jock99 on October 25, 2007, 22:17:17
Quote from: "zacspeed"
Nikon D50 here too!
My flickr  (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zacspeed)page.


Like the lighthouse picture- Quality!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1248339316_ac5596b084.jpg?v=0
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: zacspeed on October 26, 2007, 21:40:14
Quote from: "laser_jock99"
Like the lighthouse picture- Quality!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1248339316_ac5596b084.jpg?v=0


Thank you Jock  :D
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 26, 2007, 23:07:55
Funnily enough I have been mulling over which DSLR to buy - not looking for top end camera as I cant justify the expense
At the mo my choice is either Canon 400D or Nikon D40x
Anyone have any recommendations or opinions on my choices ?
Thanks
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on October 26, 2007, 23:47:00
Canon people will say Canon, Nikon people will say Nikon.

All I'll say is that I switched from Minolta to Canon and I've been very happy indeed with Canon.

Canon's lens range is regarded as being top notch, if that makes a difference to you.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Niel on October 26, 2007, 23:51:20
D50 and D1 Nikon's, D50 higher res. new Jan this year, D1 bought secondhand June this year as daily carry camera and for faster sports stuff, lower res. (though higher res. sensor it uses 4 pixels on sensor for one rendered).
Lot's of old manual primes and zooms (and a few film Nikon bodies too).

I tend to use fine jpg most of the time, though D50 in raw is brilliant the D1 raw isn't so good and its slow write speed makes it unusable for its intended mission, it also makes a good weapon...
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: narked on October 27, 2007, 01:26:08
Can't comment on Nikon, but I'm very happy with my 400D. It's vastly superior to my 300D which it replaced. I was almost tempted by the Nikon as it was cheaper at the time due to being on offer, but that would mean replacing the lenses too.

But as said before, Canon people say Canon...
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: cardiff_gareth on October 27, 2007, 10:04:56
I used to sell all manufacturers so I'm not biased. Canon and Nikon are the two main players in terms of features, build quality and also optical quality. If given a choice I would have a Canon over a Nikon, purely because I have a film SLR set up and most accessories would be interchangable. Nikon used to be known as being a little bit complicated in terms of accessing features but this has been addressed in recent models. If you go for Nikon, then the ED lenses are about the best lenses you can ever buy, optically they are amazing but for an amateur this is well OTT and so is the price of them :shock:

Which ever manufacturer you get then your not going to be disapointed :wink:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 27, 2007, 13:49:29
Thanks for the info guys
I may throw the Nikon D80 into the equation as well
Price wise I am coming up with the following at all about the same price
Which would be the best buy and which package would suit my photographic needs best - I intend to shoot mainly landsape with some motor sport etc
Nikon D80 with 18-135 mm lens
Nikon D40X with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses
Canon 400D with 18-55mm and 90-300 mm lenses, camera bag and 1GB card
All comments gratefully accepted !
Thanks
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: andycwb on October 27, 2007, 14:25:37
I got a Canon 400D recently and love it.  Excellent camera, excellent handling, and much smaller and lighter than a 40D.  I had a Nikon D2 in my hands this week and it was too heavy to use as a tourist.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 27, 2007, 14:38:53
Quote from: "andycwb"
I got a Canon 400D recently and love it.  Excellent camera, excellent handling, and much smaller and lighter than a 40D.  I had a Nikon D2 in my hands this week and it was too heavy to use as a tourist.


TBH it's the smaller and lighter bit that's bothering me Andy - I've got hands like shovels and I'm worried it will be too wee for me
suppose the answer is to go into a shop and get a feel for them  :wink:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on October 27, 2007, 16:13:17
If handling's an issue then you might actually prefer the 40D.  The prosumer Canons have an arguably better feel to them than the consumer ones.  I'd find it hard to move to a 400D because I'm used to things like the big wheel on my 10D, which I find more intuitive to use.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 27, 2007, 16:30:21
BTW Narked - sorry for high jacking your thread !   :lol:  :oops:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: andycwb on October 27, 2007, 18:20:28
Quote from: "v8kenny"
TBH it's the smaller and lighter bit that's bothering me Andy - I've got hands like shovels and I'm worried it will be too wee for me
suppose the answer is to go into a shop and get a feel for them  :wink:

To give you an idea, my hands fit very nicely into Arnie's handprints at Planet Hollywood.  I find the 400D is just fine.  

But go and have a play.  If you're anywhere nearby, you're welcome to pop round and have a play with mine if you want with no sales pressure.   The 40D has lots more buttons, but I find the 400D is a good compromise between having lots of buttons and having lots of menus to navigate.

I've got the kit lens and a 28-135mm IS USM at the moment.  That gives me a great range for travel photography which was the immediate need.  Oh, and I've got a 50mm fixed focus lens to return sometime soon (to thermidorthelobster) and I'll probably buy my own sometime soon.

Sometime next year I'll probably invest in a longer telephoto lens, and a decent flashgun.  But that kit does me nicely right now.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 27, 2007, 18:32:07
Thanks for the offer Andy but I couldn't be much further away from you !
I think I might jump on the ferry tomorrow and have a look in Dixons and Currys
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: cardiff_gareth on October 27, 2007, 23:44:14
Quote from: "v8kenny"
Thanks for the offer Andy but I couldn't be much further away from you !
I think I might jump on the ferry tomorrow and have a look in Dixons and Currys


prcies there will be terrible. ger a copy of AP or PP and look at the mail orders. Then and only then do you go there with the price match promise  :wink:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Nick4X4 on October 28, 2007, 02:50:10
I'm a Nikon D100 user with two or three lens ect. ect. and love it to bits
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Edge on October 28, 2007, 07:31:35
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/index.php seems a good place to look for extra advice. They seem to advise go for a Nikon for better upgrade possibilities.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: v8kenny on October 29, 2007, 18:57:30
A quick update but first of all thanks to Narked for this thread in the first place - it helped me get my finger out and buy a new camera !
Also thanks to everyone for all the help and comments
Went into Currys in Greenock yesterday and had a "feel" of the Canon 400D and the Nikon D40x
The Nikon immediately felt right so that's the one I plumped for (another deciding factor is it uses SD cards which I already have plenty of, instead of compact flash cards used by the Canon, which I would have to buy )
Canon was £429.99 inc. 18-55mm lens
Nikon was £ 399.99 inc. 18-55mm lens
Trouble was the only Nikon they had left was the display model which actually worked in my favour as I managed to negotiate a wee discount for being on display - they knocked £39.99 off so I got it for £360.00 all in
Just need to find the time to read the manual and start taking some photos now !
    :wink:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Wolfie on October 29, 2007, 21:33:14
EOS 20D for me.

I went for the more robust metal body as I have been known to take the poor thing into the netherworld, or dangled it off the edge of mountains.

The choice of an EOS of some variety was made as I already had several lenses that fit.

Usual use for it is motorsport, where the 5 frames per second is an advantage (take loads of shots and there's a chance that there will be the odd decent one)
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: laser_jock99 on October 29, 2007, 22:10:27
Quote from: "zacspeed"
Quote from: "laser_jock99"
Like the lighthouse picture- Quality!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1248339316_ac5596b084.jpg?v=0


Thank you Jock  :D


Enter the photo here:
http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/events_and_leisure/2009_calendar_competition.html#
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: narked on October 29, 2007, 22:35:21
No worries, glad I helped in some way ;)

Unfortunately not had much chance to take any photos over the last few days, however I've got a week off now so will make a point of going out with the camera to try to get some nice sunsets.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: Popoff on October 30, 2007, 00:12:37
Just got a Canon 40D with the 17-85 IS USM fitted in a kit then went mad and got a 100-400L IS to go with it! Super combo the “is” is fantastic, now want to get the Sigma 10-20 for some extreme wide shots and the new 70-200L f4 IS would be next on my wish list! Now need the time to get out and have a proper play :D

I would have had a Nikon D40s over the Canon 400D as the Nikon felt better, they are the two I was looking to get, then had a go with the 40D and you can just tell its better made, with a lot better spec too, so as usual spent double what I had went out to spend :!:  :lol:
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: laser_jock99 on October 30, 2007, 01:10:04
Quote from: "Popoff"
Just got a Canon 40D with the 17-85 IS USM fitted in a kit then went mad and got a 100-400L IS to go with it! Super combo the “is” is fantastic, now want to get the Sigma 10-20 for some extreme wide shots and the new 70-200L f4 IS would be next on my wish list! Now need the time to get out and have a proper play :D

I would have had a Nikon D40s over the Canon 400D as the Nikon felt better, they are the two I was looking to get, then had a go with the 40D and you can just tell its better made, with a lot better spec too, so as usual spent double what I had went out to spend :!:  :lol:


You won't really go wrong with either the Nikon or Canon DSLR's both brands offer great camera bodies and lenses for all budgets. The only reason I went down the Nikon/Fuji DSLR path was the fact I already had a bunch of Nikon lenses.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on October 30, 2007, 10:15:28
Quote from: "Popoff"
and the new 70-200L f4 IS would be next on my wish list!

I've not used the f/4, but I can highly recommend the 70-200L f/2.8 IS.  Cracking bit of kit.
Title: Any DSLR users out there?
Post by: narked on October 30, 2007, 18:30:46
Showoff!

My only fast glass is my 50mm prime.
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