TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:11 pm

What are folks using? I am in the market for a good ebay find and I don't really know what to use. I am more of an old skool black and white 35mm kinda guy. What is good to use for a manual digital camera? I want to be able to control focus, aperture and shutter speed(if they have that on digital)

thanks for any advice ya'll can give.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:22 pm

By "manual" I assume you mean something that you can control, not just point and shoot. A digital SLR camera is what you need and they can get pricey.
A buddy of mine has a Canon digital rebel and it is a badass camera. I have a canon S2Is and it is a point and shoot camera, but you can also run it in a manual mode and set shutter speed and aperature yourself. It also has a 12 OPTICAL zoom that is amazing.It is IMHO one of the finest point and shoot digital cameras. Can you tell I am a Canon fan? :lol:
I used to use a Canon T-90 back in the 35mm days.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:24 pm

I'm using a Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, its not an SLR but it was the closest that I could afford at the time. I prefer my 35mm's over that camera because I can control focus. I have limited control of the shutter speed on my digital. If I could afford it at the moment, I would definitely buy a digital SLR which run for about $600-700 for a good one. Digital SLRs basically have all the same control as a 35mm SLR.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:27 pm

nott5989 wrote: I'm using a Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, its not an SLR but it was the closest that I could afford at the time. I prefer my 35mm's over that camera because I can control focus. I have limited control of the shutter speed on my digital. If I could afford it at the moment, I would definitely buy a digital SLR which run for about $600-700 for a good one. Digital SLRs basically have all the same control as a 35mm SLR.

this is the main reason why i trying to find out what good brands of slr there are out there. and as far as cost this is why i am looking on ebay. i can get one for alot cheaper there than going to best buy or any camera store

Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:44 pm

I'm a Nikon guy, but both Nikon and Canon make a very sound D-SLR.

If you don't need anything too fancy, then look at the base model of the Nikon D-40x. Does probably everything you need it to, plus more, if needed, if we all read the instructions like we're suppose to. :D

While working at newspapers, I would use a Nikon D-2...serious camera with a monster price tag.
However at home and for studio work, I use my D-200.
Both are great cameras, but generally speaking, the more money one throws down, doesn't always mean better camera...

Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Hasselblad I'm pondering in ordering. 8)

Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:10 pm

newbugguy wrote: I'm a Nikon guy, but both Nikon and Canon make a very sound D-SLR.

If you don't need anything too fancy, then look at the base model of the Nikon D-40x. Does probably everything you need it to, plus more, if needed, if we all read the instructions like we're suppose to. :D

While working at newspapers, I would use a Nikon D-2...serious camera with a monster price tag.
However at home and for studio work, I use my D-200.
Both are great cameras, but generally speaking, the more money one throws down, doesn't always mean better camera...

Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Hasselblad I'm pondering in ordering. 8)

Damn man, gonna getcha a hot rod huh?

Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:39 pm

newbugguy wrote:

Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Hasselblad I'm pondering in ordering. 8)

What hassy are you thinking of ordering? 503cwd? or an H?

Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:55 pm

I have been using the Nikon D-70s for the past couple years. I love the camera. It has all the functions you listed plus a ton more. The price of the D-70 has come down quite a bit from when I bought min, so they are getting pretty affordable for the every day photographer. One of the draw backs of the D-70 is in dusty or wet environments. They aren't the best at sealing out the elements. The D-200 is going to be my next purchase (much better in the sealing aspect). Just keep in mind that close to 90% of your photo quality is in the lens. :wink:

Some of my stuff http://blarneyhouse.blogspot.com/

Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:13 pm

MIne is an older Fuji S3000. About 5 years old, but it is still going. I bought it as a rebuilt off Ebay, and got a full warranty.
I think the newest version of it is a Fuji S7000.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:05 pm

A mate recently got the Canon XT400 digital rebel.

It's a good camera, I'm going to get one myself as I kinda miss using my old Minolta film SLR. You get the bare bones manual SLR, plus the all the convenience and gadgets of technology.

Good price too, $700 - $800 with get you a camera with a few lenses and accessories off Egay.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:03 pm

benmac wrote: newbugguy wrote:

Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Hasselblad I'm pondering in ordering. 8)

What hassy are you thinking of ordering? 503cwd? or an H?

Pondering the 503. It's still $10,000, but it's digital, and has the classic look and feel their "vintage" film models.

Now the H, it's a nice camera...but with almost 40 megapix, and a price tag of $30,000...it's way beyond my range.
Photography puts food on my family's table, but unless you're a famous dead photographer, or a trust fund baby, I don't know how you could justify 30-large for it. Now if a studio company wanted to buy it, and have me use it...well, I could get used to that. :D

As a side note, and straying from topic, it's interesting the thought of Hasselblad and the digital world, really.
For all the people who bought into the "world" of Hasselblad, me being one of them, we bought them for their superior glass and overall ability to reproduce in the darkroom with our 2 1/4 film, versus reg 35mm film.
There was no comparison in the mobile camera world...large format is just too much of a pain in the ass for me to use.
Sadly, even the resolution of the old standard of 2 1/4 film doesn't hold up to a $200 8 megapix HP camera anymore... :lol:

Such advancements in a little amount of time.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:13 pm

I'd have to agree on the Nikon D-70s.
I've had mine for a little over a year now and love it. It's not top of the line, to the minute technology today but for me it was a great "starter" D SLR. I put down my old FE2s years back and wanted to jump back into the photo world. When I don't feel like setting up this and that and messing with all the options it makes a great "point and shot" on auto mode also

Body, couple of good lenes and a nice hard case for less then a grand... not a bad set up.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:18 pm

I want about 10x OPTICAL zoom and "burst" setting, where one can hold down the shutter and take multiple pictures in sequence, like for sports photography. Can anyone recommend a brand and model number?

Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:20 pm

Cusser wrote: I want about 10x OPTICAL zoom and "burst" setting, where one can hold down the shutter and take multiple pictures in sequence, like for sports photography. Can anyone recommend a brand and model number?
A 10X zoom would be in a point and shoot style camera not SLR. My wife has a cannon point and shoot that I believe has 10X optics and will take 4 or 5 frames per second in bright sunlight but reaches the end of the memory after about 6 frames.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:26 pm

newbugguy wrote: benmac wrote: newbugguy wrote:

Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Hasselblad I'm pondering in ordering. 8)

What hassy are you thinking of ordering? 503cwd? or an H?

Pondering the 503. It's still $10,000, but it's digital, and has the classic look and feel their "vintage" film models.

Now the H, it's a nice camera...but with almost 40 megapix, and a price tag of $30,000...it's way beyond my range.
Photography puts food on my family's table, but unless you're a famous dead photographer, or a trust fund baby, I don't know how you could justify 30-large for it. Now if a studio company wanted to buy it, and have me use it...well, I could get used to that. :D

As a side note, and straying from topic, it's interesting the thought of Hasselblad and the digital world, really.
For all the people who bought into the "world" of Hasselblad, me being one of them, we bought them for their superior glass and overall ability to reproduce in the darkroom with our 2 1/4 film, versus reg 35mm film.
There was no comparison in the mobile camera world...large format is just too much of a pain in the ass for me to use.
Sadly, even the resolution of the old standard of 2 1/4 film doesn't hold up to a $200 8 megapix HP camera anymore... :lol:

Such advancements in a little amount of time.

Haha gotta love the zeiss glass. You know Fuji makes the H series, and makes two models, the Fuji and the Hasselblad. You can buy one that is stamped Fuji and get the same quality for about 1/4 of the cost. Ive used the 503 and an H3D 22 and I have to say I dig the 503 more, the zeiss optics are sharper corner to corner than the Fuji glass they put on the H series. Though the H has the plus side of being able to use their new 28mm super wide lens, which I have to say is amazing.

Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:16 am

i_am_cool_fred wrote: I want to be able to control focus, aperture and shutter speed(if they have that on digital)

Most digital cameras allows you to make manual setup asked above. But digital-SLR is alot better at that. Also keep in mind all digital cameras (including) has a shutter lag (may take the pictures a split second after you press the shutter). Better SLRs has a faster lag time, something you may want to check out if that's an issue for you. Also same goes with fast multi-pictures (if you want 3 pictures per second, etc).

Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:21 am

Kubel Nick wrote: i_am_cool_fred wrote: I want to be able to control focus, aperture and shutter speed(if they have that on digital)

Most digital cameras allows you to make manual setup asked above. But digital-SLR is alot better at that. Also keep in mind all digital cameras (including) has a shutter lag (may take the pictures a split second after you press the shutter). Better SLRs has a faster lag time, something you may want to check out if that's an issue for you. Also same goes with fast multi-pictures (if you want 3 pictures per second, etc).

i'm not necessarily concerned with "Shutter Lag" as much as how long the shutter stays open to allow light to the "film" or whatever you want to call it on a digital camera.

lag really sucks on a point and shoot sometimes though...another reason why i don't like point and shoots...i also like the idea of being able to hold down the button and several photo's get taken.

i appreciate all the suggestions and am really getting a better idea of what to look for on ebay...the bad thing about ebay is i can't just grab a camera and try it a couple of times to see if it is what i like, this is why i am asking ya'll what to use.

Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:25 am

i_am_cool_fred wrote: What are folks using? I am in the market for a good ebay find and I don't really know what to use. I am more of an old skool black and white 35mm kinda guy. What is good to use for a manual digital camera? I want to be able to control focus, aperture and shutter speed(if they have that on digital)

thanks for any advice ya'll can give.

Sony Malvica, 3.5" floppy disk, 10x digital zoom.....
Before you start laughing, the best part about the floppy drive is 1 disk holds about 20-25 pix, you dont end up with 250 photos on a memory chip that need to be downloaded, organized and filed. Take the floppy, label it, shove it into a three ring binder, and forget about it.

Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:08 pm

we have 2 canon 20d slr cameras and i would highly recommend them although i do kind of wish we had a small quality point and shoot for times when i would like a camera but don't want the bulk of the 20d.

Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:36 am

I just bought a Cannon SLR XTI, and it kicks ass 8) I bought it from adorama.com for $640.00 which included a a really nice bag, 2GB memory car and an extra battery and the 18mm-55mm lens. The best part is, I didn't pay sales tax (since its out of state) nor shipping

I had bought the camera for my forensic class, and taken pictures of everything without skipping a beat. Now all I need is a bigger flash and some other lens.