[GenericEclipse]

Anyone here a photographer? I have a 35mm SLR with some lenses and saving for a Sony A100 Digital SLR and some lenses. Anyone have some experience with DSLR's? Not only sony but Nikon, Canon, etc.

[SimonTuffGuy]

I've got a Nikon D50 and it's great. A good entry level DSLR and it won't kill your wallet.

[GenericEclipse]

Yeah I played with a D50 and a D80. I like the D80 simply because its a 10+MP. My gf wants a D80 though so I might go a different route. We have aspirations of starting our own photography business. Too bad Photoshop CS2 is $700+

[SimonTuffGuy]

Yea... The D80 is nice too... I didn't need anything that great. :P

And I'm glad I had my company pay for Photoshop for me.

[GenericEclipse]

HAHA nice! Photoshop elements seems ok and has many of the same features but doesn't have the RAW editing capability that CS2 has. Still looking into what I want to do about that.

[koisanke]

A D50 soon to be replaced with the D40, or the D80 are good cameras to start out with. I would go with the D80 if you have the money available. Now as for Cannon a 5D will do you justice if you wish to go the Cannon route. I do not know too much about the Cannons, but did a shoot with one 2 weeks ago.

I shoot a D200 getting ready to buy a second in the spring.

Photoshop elements is ok unless you really want to mess with RAW and trying to layer effects. Depending on what type of Photobuisness you want to do, you will not need the power of Photoshop CS2 for a while.

[Tri_X_Troll]

What brand is your 35mm? Are you happy with it, and how many lens do you have? If you've got a fortune invested in AF lens then I'd get a DSLR that they fit.

Personally, If I were to be buying an DSLR, I'd buy one from a company that has a history in cameras and optical equipment. I'd buy a Nikon, just for the quality and history in fine cameras. I mean seriously, the F5 was the best 35mm ever.

I have a digital point and shoot, and I realize that it is vastly different than the SLR, but there are still things that are common to each manufacturer, and here is my breakdown. I worked at a one hour photo in college and played with the digital cameras.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Breakdown based on digital point and shoots

Sony - good camera, history in electronics, nice easy menus, decent pictures, and common features

Kodak - decent camera, often lacking in features, really easy to use

Cannon - decent camera, ok to use

Nikon - all around nice camera. the flash seamed weak on the ones I tried out.

Fuji - crazy complicated menu features

Cannon - nice camera, slightly advanced features

Minolta - more crazy complicated menus with kick *** optical quality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a side note, I prefer medium format film over digital.

[R. Potts]

I bought my Canon 20d last January. It is great. I have been very satisfied with the results. Canon released an 'updated' model the 30d, which has a bigger lcd and a few other goodies. DSLR's are great, you have all the controls as you would with a slr, with the capabilities to instantly view the photos you have taken. I bought mine from B&H Photo/Video out of NY. They were great!! GOOD LUCK.

[Tracey]

I shoot with Nikon digital SLR's. I love them....As far as lenses I shoot with Nikkor (Nikon), Sigma and Tamrons, depending on the shot I am trying to create...It is easy to drop 5-10 grand on a body and a few lenses especially if you get into the long focal lengths like a fast nikon 400mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II which can run you 8 plus grand just for this one lens...In other words the sky is the limit when it comes to the photography hobby. I have several friends that have 20 plus grand in camera gear. Take your time and do your homework before you start dropping the cash on a camera. Make sure you know what you want and what your long term goals are before you open your wallet.

[Tri_X_Troll]

I love B&H. I order my black and white paper from them

Originally Posted by rpotts

I bought my Canon 20d last January. It is great. I have been very satisfied with the results. Canon released an 'updated' model the 30d, which has a bigger lcd and a few other goodies. DSLR's are great, you have all the controls as you would with a slr, with the capabilities to instantly view the photos you have taken. I bought mine from B&H Photo/Video out of NY. They were great!! GOOD LUCK.

[jeep_on]

I’ve got a Nikon D70 and love it. Its now just over two years old, and works like new. It will soon be replaced by a D80. The D50 is a great camera that won’t break your wallet. Nikon has great support for a wide variedly of lens for any possible angle and zoom you mite need.

[GenericEclipse]

The 35mm I have is a Minolta and I have the basic lens and a Tamron 70-210mm lens. Older...from the 80's type stuff. Still creates some pretty good photos. I'm just starting to dislike the wait for processing and my equipment is getting kind of old.

My gf has it made though. Currently she has a Nikon N55 with 2 AF lenses so they will work with the D80 she wants.

Me on the other hand, the Sony A100 I want is $900 with a lens at Best Buy but I can find any Konica/Minolta AF A mount lens and it will be compatible with it. I have done all kinds of research, reading, and playing with cameras and I think this is the one I want. Sony took Konica/Minolta's DSLR division and added more quality to it. In everything I have read, the A100 is the best bang for the buck when it comes to 10 megapixel DSLRs. With the cameras I have played with, I agree with that.

The business we are going for is wedding photos, portaits and really any other studio/on location shoots. We have the talent and a plan, we just need to beef up the equipment.

[Xride]

If your GF is getting a Nikon why dont you get a nikon too so you can share the lenses? The Body is the cheap part.

The available lenses for the Nikon are MUCH better then the sony.
Not to mention if you are shooting weddings you will be using a speedlight. And the Nikon SB800 is one of the best speedlights out there.

The D80 has a Nikon vertical grip available for extra batter power too, not to mention that Nikon has long had the longest lasting batteries.
If you both shoot Nikon D80s you can share memory too.

I shoot with a Nikon D80, 28-70 2.8 lens, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8, and 85mm 1.8
I recently got the 18-200 too, but thats more for my vaction carry all lens then to be used for pro shots.
With both of you shooting a wedding I would have the 17-55 on one and the 28-70 on the other, and have the 70-200 on hand for candid type shots if its a large area.
The 85mm is one of the best lenses for portraits too.

The D80 body is what 900? The lenses I have is over 8k.



Also with the cost of film and developing it doesnt take long to pay for a dSLR.

EDIT:
I just looked up the sony wiht lens, and non of the kits I could find for under 1100 came with a lens that would be good enough for professional use.
well I couldnt find a kit (even on ebay) that had a lens good enough for pro work.



The D80 with the nikkor 18-135 kit is 1250 bucks. Get yourself an OCZ 4gig SD card for 100 bucks and while the lens wouldnt be good enough for studio it would do allright for a wedding.
Dont try and save a couple hundred now if you are going to make a career from it.

Also for doing portraits you will need studio lighting.
I use Alien bees and they are great, but with a couple strobes, the transmitter for it, the stands a soft box barn doors umbrella etc your looking at least another 1700-2000.
I use 2 alien bee B800 strobes, and have a few different light modifiers, probably to the tune of 3500 worth.

If you have questions you can feel free to PM me or email jeff@jekomedia.com

[Twisted]

If you're serious about getting into photography, just make sure you go Canon or Nikon. They both make great cameras and can't go wrong with either. Plus they are getting down in price to where they are hard not to afford.

I personally shoot Canon and love it but Nikon makes just a good of equipment. Its all personal preference. Besides, the camera doesn't make the photo, the person behind it does.

[mattman8706]

i have a nikon but have used a canon many many times
i like the nikon more but they are both great
but i like the good ol 35mm
theres nothin like the smell of developer and fixer on your hands for a few days