Old School Photographer needs advice...

[gkarris]

Wow, been a while since I bought a nice digital camera (I've bought a few of those pocket ones).

I have a nice Olympus Digital from back in the day, but I think it needs to be upgraded.

I have an old Nikon SLR film system so a few bodies and lenses.

What is a good all in one camera with a nice lens and zoom?

A Panasonic with a Leica lens?

A Sony with a Zeiss lens?

What else is there?

On a tight budget - been buying too much stuff this year...

I'd like a compact SLR type of camera with a built-in lens with a large zoom.

Going to a Stargate Con in the Summer....

 

[cube]

Bridges are not SLR. They have an electronic viewfinder.
Many are not really compact, but the size of an SLR.

 

[gkarris]

^^^^

Recommendations?

 

[cube]

Price?

 

[gkarris]

Around $300.

I'm looking at these:

Sony with Zeiss Lens:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&productId=8198552921665087302&langId=-1

Panasonic with Leica Lens:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1206124823&sr=8-5

I know it's not just the lens, but the sensor in these things (back in the day it was the type of film you used).

My old Olympus 3 Megapix had a nice lens and sensor, but it's kinda old:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_product.asp?id=521

EDIT: I had to fix the info the camera I have - older than I thought...

Thanks!

 

[147798]

Around $300.

I'm looking at these:

Sony with Zeiss Lens:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&productId=8198552921665087302&langId=-1

Panasonic with Leica Lens:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1206124823&sr=8-5

I know it's not just the lens, but the sensor in these things (back in the day it was the type of film you used).

My old Olympus 3 Megapix had a nice lens and sensor, but it's kinda old:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_product.asp?id=521

EDIT: I had to fix the info the camera I have - older than I thought...

Thanks!

Cameras today can be helped by good lenses, but the good lenses can also be thwarted by bad software and bad sensors, like you said. I have experience with the pocket-sized cameras, and now also entry-level DSLRs, but not the format you are looking at. But, I would say you should check out this forum, but also camera review sites and their forums live Steve's Digicams (google for the site) and dpreview.com and I think also dcresource.com. There are also others.

I think Canon makes the S5 which is a format like the Pana and Sony. Some folks have had good things to say about that.

There's also the Canon G9, which has a larger sensor than most of these compacts, and full manual control including RAW capabilities. That's what I've just picked up and been playing with for a couple of weeks. Smaller than the format you are looking at, but bigger than a pocket camera. But the G9 is more like $440.

 

[gkarris]

Cameras today can be helped by good lenses, but the good lenses can also be thwarted by bad software and bad sensors, like you said. I have experience with the pocket-sized cameras, and now also entry-level DSLRs, but not the format you are looking at. But, I would say you should check out this forum, but also camera review sites and their forums live Steve's Digicams (google for the site) and dpreview.com and I think also dcresource.com. There are also others.

I think Canon makes the S5 which is a format like the Pana and Sony. Some folks have had good things to say about that.

There's also the Canon G9, which has a larger sensor than most of these compacts, and full manual control including RAW capabilities. That's what I've just picked up and been playing with for a couple of weeks. Smaller than the format you are looking at, but bigger than a pocket camera. But the G9 is more like $440.

That's it! I couldn't remember the website you can go to that has a comprehensive database and review of cameras.

Thanks!

 

[cube]

The dpreview database is still not up to date.
You might also find some errors in it.

 

[gkarris]

^^^

Got another one? Thanks.

 

[cube]

That's where I go, limitations and all.

 

[cube]

There's also photographyblog.com

 

[147798]

If you google "<cameraname> review" (for example "canon G9 review") you'll get lots of review site hits.

There can be factual errors, but what I like the sites for, is they use the same sample still lifes to take pics. So, if you open up two browsers with the two cameras you are considering, you can see sample shots side by side, check vignetting issues, etc. etc.

 

[cube]

Many of the hits for "XXX review" are buyer comments or just camera descriptions.

 

[gkarris]

Thanks to all for helping. Well it looks like the Panasonic if I was to get that type of camera.

Now, I don't think I'll be doing "film" anymore anyways, so if I was to trade in my Nikon 35mm SLR system (3 bodies, 5 lenses), which DSLR should I get?

Pentax
Canon
Nikon

?

(runs and hides...)

 

[Lovesong]

Thanks to all for helping. Well it looks like the Panasonic if I was to get that type of camera.

Now, I don't think I'll be doing "film" anymore anyways, so if I was to trade in my Nikon 35mm SLR system (3 bodies, 5 lenses), which DSLR should I get?

Pentax
Canon
Nikon

?

(runs and hides...)

Umm... how about sell the film bodies, and get a Nikon DSLR- all your lenses, flashes, etc. will still work on it. Careful with the D40/40x/60, as they don't have a focus motor, and thus you might have to manually focus. The D80, on the other hand will be a nice addition to your arsenal.

 

[147798]

Many of the hits for "XXX review" are buyer comments or just camera descriptions.

True, but I just typed in "G9 review" and got, in order;

digitalcamerareview.com
dpreview.com
cnet.com
theonlinephotographer.com
photographyreview.com
popphoto.com
cameralabs.com

All are reviews of the product, none of them are garbage sites. My experience is that within the first page are usually links to some good review sites. Quicker than posting a message that says "hey, can someone tell me which camera is better" then reading the responses for 3 days (kidding, kidding)

 

[ChrisA]

What is a good all in one camera with a nice lens and zoom?

We'd all like a digital SLR that fits in a shirt pocket and sells for under $200.

What's your budget? $250, $500, $750? How will you use the images? On screen, small prints, on the web? Wall size prints?

What camera do you have now and why don't you like it.

THe more info you give the more relevant the advice can be

 

[Techguy172]

Thanks to all for helping. Well it looks like the Panasonic if I was to get that type of camera.

Now, I don't think I'll be doing "film" anymore anyways, so if I was to trade in my Nikon 35mm SLR system (3 bodies, 5 lenses), which DSLR should I get?

Pentax
Canon
Nikon

?

(runs and hides...)

I would keep the Nikon lenses and trade your bodies and get a D80 really nice camera.

 

[ChrisA]

if I was to trade in my Nikon 35mm SLR system (3 bodies, 5 lenses), which DSLR should I get?

If yu already have Nikon why not stay with it. Yu can find a digital body that will work with what other equipment you already have. Which digital body depends on what you already have. You can spend anything you want. Used DSLR bodies are good deals too.

 

[SuperCompu2]

S5 IS from Canon is a good camera. I've heard (and seen) great things about these cameras. Not your average point-and-shoot.

 

[cube]

Do you have AI or AI-S lenses?

 

[npederse]

As a Canon guy, I recommend either the S5 or the G9 -- different styles, but both are good. You may be able to pick up a used S3 for a very reasonable price. I'd check fredmiranda.com for used canon/nikon gear.

If you go the SLR route, then you should definitely look at the Nikons, like a D80. Should allow you to use all of your old lenses. Really depends if you like how the camera feels and the control locations. A lot of the film Nikonians easily transition to digital.

But any of the major names produce a decent slr nowadays. The differentiator for me is lens availability, particularly used lens, which is why I recommend Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Minolta.

 

[Abstract]

How old are your old lenses?


I'm going to say Nikon D40X unless we get more info about your old gear.

 

[gkarris]

How old are your old lenses?


I'm going to say Nikon D40X unless we get more info about your old gear.

My lenses are really old, and won't work with a 40x, some are not even compatible (something with the mount?).

Most, though, are the original Nikon Auto-Focus Lenses.

I'm on a tight budget, so I'd have to trade everything in to get a DSLR.

Thanks.

 

[iJordo]

well the best SLR-type cameras....

are all Canon as far as I have seen I would look at the
Canon Powershot S5 IS... it is only running a little under 300$ but has an amazing zoom on it and does alot of SLR type manual features! The Powershot G9 is also fantastic....and finally the PowerShot SX100 IS they are all good......
It would probably be a good idea to look your options up on the sight
http://www.dpreview.com before you buy....it has alot of info...!
Take Care and good luck