Author Topic: School me on SLR cameras  (Read 1648 times)

Offline JH27N0B

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School me on SLR cameras
« on: November 08, 2011 - 01:13:46 PM »
I have a Canon pocket camera I like and have used a lot.  I have a old Nikon SLR film camera I used to use a ton but not often now.
My Canon does well at outdoor car shows for photographing cars.  I have been disappointed in some other uses though, like when taking pictures of model cars the depth of field isn't good.  Photographing cars at indoor shows has had mixed results.
I used to go to a lot of air shows and used 300 and 400 mm lenses, I still go to a few every year and when I use my old Nikon and start shooting off a series I get some funny looks from people when they hear the sound of my motor drive firing away on the old dinosaur! 
So I have been thinking of getting a digital SLR.  For now, I would just used it mainly for real and model cars, but I would like something that next summer I could buy a 75-300mm lens to use for airshows, and have at least a 4 fps speed for that use.
I'm to get a severance and unused vacation days check coming this week, from my job I got laid off from a month ago, and with MCACN coming up in a week and a half, I thought I might like to use some of that check to get something to have in time for the show.
Is there a recommended camera in the $500 range that would fit my needs, perhaps even something used?
« Last Edit: November 08, 2011 - 01:15:33 PM by JH27N0B »




Offline HemiDog

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2011 - 02:33:02 PM »
I have an older digital Canon Rebel SLR and I am no expert on photography, but you can really tell a difference in the pictures.  If you get into it, you will find that you will need to buy at least two lens and then the one that comes with the camera will never be used again.  I ended up forking over money for a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and use it as my all around lens.  It takes good close up and decent distance shots.   I also use a EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, but looking back I would have probably rather have a wide angle or macro lens in my arsenal.   It takes good pictures, but I just don't use it much.
Lens are not cheap!  They can and usually do cost more than the camera!   Which you probably already know if you used to have a 300mm and 400mm lens.

For taking pictures of models, I would recommend getting a camera without the lens (used to be able to find those kits online), and invest in a macro lens for taking picture of objects that are close.

As for taking pictures of real cars, what ever lens you use, add a polarized filter to it!  It is amazing what cutting the suns reflection off of windows, chrome and car bodies will do to add snap and clarity to your pictures.  Usually those can be rotated to get the effect or remove it.

As far as manufactures, Canon and Nikon seem like they are tops for ease of use combined with quality.  I think you would be happy with either of their entry models which run right at msrp of $500.  Mine is an older 8 mega pixel camera and I am more than happy with it.  With that resolution and higher, it makes it easy to go back later and zoom and crop the picture to get exactly what you are after.   The higher the resolution, the more you can reach into a picture and do that.   Most new cameras now start with at least 10 and 12 mega pixel.

If you are looking at spending only $500, you might consider Craigslist or local ads for a used camera and you might be able to score a good lens or two with it.

Not sure how much help that was, but hopefully you can get a little bit out of it.  :bigsmile:  :cheers:

Here is a sample (it has been compressed from the original) that shows what the polarized filter will do.  If the filter was not on you wouldn't see the windshield so clearly and the glare would much greater.

Oh yeah, by going digital, all of your unaltered images will have information imbedded in the file that give you detail as to what camera was used, what lens, focal length, etc...   Kind of cool to have.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2011 - 02:46:45 PM by HemiDog »

Offline 06Daytona

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2011 - 03:11:46 PM »
I have a Canon EOS 20D that I've had since 07 and I really like it, although it isn't cheap. I bought my daughter a Canon Rebel T3 a few months ago and it's probably pretty close to the same specs as my 20D. With Canon you can put just about any lens/accessory on any Canon camera, so if you decide to go high end later, or you have a friend with a Canon you can swap lenses. Nikon have really nice camera bodies, but not all the lenses are interchangeable with all their camera bodies.
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Offline JH27N0B

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2011 - 04:24:15 PM »
Some great information, thanks!  :cheers:
I am looking for a foundation tool I can grow with, being out of full time work for the time I can't afford everything right now. If I can get a camera and a lens that will work well indoors and for shots of models.  But I don't want to get a camera now, and next year buy a zoom lens and be at an airshow trying to shoot an F18 making a 400 knot pass or trying to photograph cars at a race, and find I didn't get what I needed when I bought a camera a year earlier!
Sadly, my old Nikon rig isn't AF, otherwise I possibly could have used some of my many lenses with a digital Nikon SLR!
My Canon powershot A590 has been a great camera, so that makes me lean toward a Canon now.  They seem a little less expensive than Nikon too.  Back in the day when I was photographing planes all the time, most of the airport fence rat gang seemed to use Nikons though a few had Canons.  Canon and Nikon seem to be the top dogs when it comes to cameras so I probably can't go too far wrong with either.
Since I live in a crowded metropolitan area, there are some large camera shops around, I should stop in and see if they have any deals on any used cameras.  That way I might get a limited warranty if I go the used route.

Offline JH27N0B

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2011 - 04:33:35 PM »
Thanks for the advice on the polarizing filter too.  I have one with my old film rig, but had sort of forgot about it.
Been wrestling with glare on a lot of pictures I've been taking in recent years with my pocket cameras, like the one shown.  The polarizing filter would have eliminated the glare on this picture for example right?

Offline HemiDog

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2011 - 04:53:19 PM »
yep.  Would have taken care of the rear rim, the front fender, and probably would have sharpened the front windshield.
BTW I just PM'd you a deal that is running on a Canon.   A little more than you want to spend, but deal none the less.

Offline JH27N0B

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2011 - 05:10:07 PM »
I got the PM with the link on the refurbished Canon.  Looks good!  I'm supposed to have my check on Thursday, once I get that in hand, I am going to have to act fast if I am going to buy something now.  I am taking my car to the MCACN show a week from Thursday, and I would like to have something in hand and have figured out the basics by Friday afternoon when I am at the show to detail my car but for some reason be seen wandering around the convention center looking at every car but my own!
Thanks again for the help.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2011 - 09:03:27 PM »
the Canon Sx30IS is an awesome camera too , it has 35 x zoom & 12 or 14 mega pixels , is light & extremely versitile

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Offline JH27N0B

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2011 - 11:49:18 AM »
Sounds like the Canon in the link was a bargain, but apparently it sold out almost immediately so I missed out on it.
I ended up going to a local Wolf Camera store, and they had a Canon T3 on sale for $499.  They also had a Canon 75-300 for $99 with the purchase of the camera.  Even though it had been my intention to wait on a telephoto until next summer, it made all the sense in the world to get the lens at that price now rather than pay over twice that price to upgrade my equipment next year!
They had a 2 filter set, UV and a polarizer, for $35, so I got that too.
Next year I will look into getting a macro lens, but for now I am good to go!
And they have a deal where if the item you buy is advertised by anyone cheaper within 15 days, they will refund the difference.  Black Friday is less than 2 weeks off!
Can't wait to take a bunch of pictures with my new camera next week at MCACN! :woo:
Thanks again for the advice guys!

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2011 - 12:42:09 PM »
you did well , the accessories were a very decent price  :2thumbs:

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Offline 06Daytona

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2011 - 01:17:35 PM »
Great choice on the camera and smokin deal on the long lens. I have that lens and I really like it.
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Offline sprecks

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2011 - 01:18:31 PM »
Glad to hear you got your camera. I don't mean to hijack your thread but I am thinking of upgrading also. I have a line on the following camera. I would appreciate any of you guys that know. Tell me if this is a good deal.
EOS Digital Rebel XTi/EOS 400D Digital Camera (includes eyecup, body cap, and installed battery for the date/time clock
     10.1 megapixels
     2.5 LCD Display
* Lens:  EF-18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
* Lens:  EF 75-300mm f/1:4-5.6 III
* Power Source:  Battery Pack NB-2LH x2 (with one protective cover)
* Charger:  Battery ChargerCB-2LW
* Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
* Video Cable VC-100
* Strap:  EW-100DBII with eyepiece cover
* EOS Digital Solution Disk (bundled software)
* Software Instruction Manual (PDF)
* Pocket Guide - Quick start guide to shooting
* EOS Digital Rebel XTi/EOS 400D Digital Instruction Manual
* Software Guide - Gives an overview of the bundled software and explains the software installation procedure
* Compact Flash Memory Card SanDisk Ultra II 2.0GB
* Compact Flash Memory Card SanDisk Ultra 2GB
* Pentax Cleaning Cloth
* Canon Book for Digital Rebel XTi - purchased separately.  Used, excellent condition, 260 pgs.
$500.
What do you think? Is it worth it? It's about 4 years old and I know the owner. It has been well taken care of.
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Offline 06Daytona

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2011 - 02:02:26 PM »
It sounds like a good deal to me. Take a look on fleabay and see if there's anything comparable to give you an idea of what they're going for. I have the same two lenses and with those two you're pretty much covered for standard photography. 
1972 Cuda 340 4 barrel 4 speed that looks like a 71
2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel 4X4
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (Kidmobile)
1972 Dodge Charger 318 auto
1970 Challenger 440/727 auto
1973 Plymouth Duster 340/auto (Making it Panther Pink for the wife)
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (It doesn't save gas, it just diverts it to the Cuda/Challenger)
In desperate need of more property for my growing Mopar family

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: School me on SLR cameras
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2011 - 03:08:15 PM »
looks decent to me as well , the spare batteries are $70 or so alone

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