More Digital Photography Talk

[kayls]

I'm looking to get a DSLR and one of my camera stores is having a sale right now.

Let me know everything you guys know about these cameras! Especially the lenses as I'm not to knowledgeable in that category.

Thanks for your help guys,

- K

[ShutterbugGail]

Nikon DSLRs are very good and you should be happy with either choice. But do ask about the focus motor drive before deciding on which camera. On some models, the drive is not built into the camera body. The focus motor drive is built into many Nikon lenses. As a result, a camera may not be compatible with all lenses. Depending on the lens, some or a combination of functions may not be supported such as autofocus. Certain shooting modes or exposure meters may not work in manual mode.

It might be helpful to think ahead about what types of lenses you want to use to determine if they are compatible with the camera.

We have some information on DSLR lenses that you might find useful:

DSLR lens basics:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/dslr-dilemma/dslr-lens-basics/

DSLR lens types:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/lens-types/

DSLR lens uses:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/lens-uses/

[kayls]

It seems my friends dads' store is out of the D60 kit. But they did mention this kit. I really know nothing about Olympus cameras (except for my parents had one)

Here is the kit.
http://vistek.ca/store/DigitalSLRs/246293/olympus-e450-2-lens-kit-w-1442mm-40150mm-lenses-1gb-xd-card-camer.aspx

[ShutterbugGail]

Olympus makes very fine DSLRs too. They don't do quite as well as Nikon and Canon at high ISO, however it will be better than a compact camera.

Compared to the Nikon and Canon brands you were considering:

The Oly uses Compact Flash cards

It has in-camera image stabilization (the advantage of in-camera IS is that it stabilizes any lens that can be attached to the camera and those lenses tend to be less expensive than ones with built-in IS. The main disadvantage is that in-camera doesn't stabilize the scene as you look through the viewfinder).  One type of IS isn't necessarily better than the other; but one may better serve your needs depending on the type of subjects you photograph).

Nikon and Canon offer more lens choices.

I know you take a lot of concert photos so keep the following in mind about the 420 and decide if it still meets your needs. It has:

A small viewfinder

Only three focus points

It's supposed to have a better LCD than it's predecessor, which turned noisy and monochrome in low light.

Hopefully you can try it in the store before purchasing.

[kayls]

I ended up getting the D3000 which so far I am extremely happy about. Haven't had the opportunity to shoot a concert yet as I've been working on getting photo passes.

For those that aren't familiar with concert photography, venues won't let you in with a camera with a detachable lens. So I can't get in with the new cam till I get a photo pass and those are pretty difficult to come by.

Anyways, here are some pictures of the camera as well as some of me just playing around with the camera.

Let me know what you guys think... Also I've been advised that I should invest in http://vistek.ca/store/CameraLenses/242466/nikon-afs-35mm-f18-g-dx-nikkor-lens.aspx apparently its really good for concert photography.

anyways on to the pictures!

[ShutterbugGail]

Congratulations on the purchase of your new camera. Looks like it will be perfect for your needs.

The Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8 G DX Nikkor Lens would be a fine choice. It has a very fast lens, good for low light photos. With a camera crop factor of 1.5, it will give you the equivalent of a "standard" 52.5mm lens. Depending on where you sit, you may end up croppig some images, but the 35mm is lightweight and doesn't break the bank like some fast telephoto lenses.

Look forward to seeing some photos taken with your new toy.

Thanks for the info on photo passes! Hope you get one.


Related reading: DSLR crop factor conversion chart
http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/crop-factor-conversion-chart/

[kayls]

I just got the official word that I got my first photo pass for this event.

http://www.edge.ca/ConcertCalendar/Details.aspx?ID=117895


I'm very excited! I will be posting pictures soon.

I'm bringing both my cameras (gotta make use of my G11 low light feature )

[kayls]

Here are some pictures from the concert i got a photo pass for with the D3000:
Moneen


Die Manequin


Maestro Wes Fresh


and here are some photos i took the other night at the laura marling concert with my G11:
Nathaniel Rateliffe & The Wheel




Laura Marling




Feedback very much welcome.

[ShutterbugGail]

You took some fabulous photos, kayls! Lighting is spot on. They are such an improvement over the ones you posted when you first shared concert photos in this forum.

The G11 is serving you well! Do you enjoy using that most for concert photos, or do you prefer your new DSLR?

[kayls]

Thank you very much Gail.

I think the DSLR for concerts.. I'm able to take so many more pictures, and dont have to wait for the camera to load n such.

I'm still playing around with both cameras just trying to use them both with the features they have to offer.

Canadian Music Week is coming up in about a month. I will be applying for accreditation soon under my own name (I'm in the process of developing my own website) (this is not a fun thing to do) so I'm really hoping that I get approved.

www.canadianmusicfest.com is the website for CMW, its pretty cool and would be an unbelievable learning experience for me.

and this is the link to the application, if anyone has suggestions for when I fill it out that would be fantastic.

http://www.cmw.net/cmw2010/media_accreditation.asp

Thanks for the positive feedback. As soon as I get my website up and going I will definitely post a link for it, as well as post my progress here. I <3 this forum

[ShutterbugGail]

(I'm in the process of developing my own website) (this is not a fun thing to do) so I'm really hoping that I get approved.

Tell me about it. 

It's a lot of work, but it can be fun too. I no longer develop my own website, but here's a forum I used frequently and found very helpful when I did. You'll get lots of expert help and even site reviews there.

http://www.frontpagewebmaster.com/

Let us know when your site is up.

[kayls]

I just bought a used Nikon AF 50mm f1.8 for 80 bucks. Pretty good deal I think. The lens does look pretty complicated. I will have to do some research on it for sure.

[kayls]

I just officially purchased www.turnupmyphoto.ca

[ShutterbugGail]

Let us know when your website it up. Looks like the hosting service is geared to photographers. I'm not familiar with that service so it will be nice to learn something about it.

Enjoy your 50mm f.18 lens. Anyone who owns a similar lens knows it's a great lens for the money. I have one and enjoy using it, though the Bokeh isn't the greatest. It's a decent portrait lens on my camera. The focal lens multiplier of my Canon XSi makes it the equivalent of a 80mm lens.

Related reading:

Bokeh

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/bokeh/

Focal Length Multiplier

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/dslr-dilemma/focal-length-multiplier/

[kayls]

My site www.turnupmyphoto.ca is officially live.

Check it out! Tell me what you think and how I can make it better!

[ShutterbugGail]

My site www.turnupmyphoto.ca is officially live.

Check it out! Tell me what you think and how I can make it better!

Very nice Kaylis! I like your personal photo...it makes me chuckle.

You're off to a very good start and I wish you well. My main suggestion is to apply a light sharpening on some of your photos before uploading. You took some really great shots, well posed, composed and good lighting. Try to get the shutter speed a little faster for some.

I don't go to those types of concerts and find your photos very interesting.

Keep us posted as things progress.

[kayls]

New post. Check it out

www.turnupmyphoto.ca

[ShutterbugGail]

Very nice, kayls. Well written too!

[kayls]

Thank you Gail

Another new post.. plus a CD giveaway! Tell your friends!!!