My thoughts on buying cameras
After my nth request on facebook for advice on "what camera should I buy?", I wrote a short bit of advice on the subject this afternoon. I've got it posted at: http://www.facebook.com/notes/larry-colen/what-camera-should-i-buy/480971259242 If you're on facebook, and have thoughts, advice, or corrections on the subject, I'd appreciate your commenting there. For those people who are not facebook enabled, but still curious, or who like pontificating on general principles, this is what I wrote: Like anyone with a serious interest in photography, I often get asked for advice about what camera to buy. First of all, I know almost nothing about "point and shoot" cameras. The market changes every few months, and when I need a small camera I put my DA40 pancake lens on my K-x and have a "pocketable" camera with amazing performance. Most of my interest these days is in DSLRs, and cameras with equivalent performance. Cutting to the chase, the short answer is that if you need to ask someone what camera to get, then it pretty much doesn't matter. Just about any DSLR on the market is a better camera than you are a photographer. If you are serious about photography, what you should do is buy a used DSLR for a few hundred bucks, take photos with it for a few months. You'll be best off using it in manual mode, learning about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how to use the histogram and blinkies to check your exposure. After a while, you'll find out where the camera doesn't work for you, and have an idea of what you really need in performance so you'll know where you can best spend your money. There's also the chance that you'll find out that your $300 used camera works just fine for you and rather than spending $1500 on the prosumer body, you can spend that money on two or three nice lenses. Or, better yet, pizza and beer. For the long answer, the specifications that the camera companies like to spout have almost no relevance to the average person. Unless you are shooting professional sports, you don't need 7 frames per second. Unless you regularly print photos bigger than 12x16 you don't need more than 3MP (that 3, not 13, not 30). The only really relevant easily measured specification is sensor size, and that's only between sensors that were developed at about the same time. The performance difference between "full frame" and APS sensors is two to three years in low light sensitivity, and a factor of about three in system cost. The difference between APS and 4/3 is similar in low light sensitivity, but 4/3 costs about the same as APS. The way a camera feels in your hands is vitally important, and incredibly personal. The ergonomics of the controls and menus are also important, but people can get used to almost anything. Each brand, or lens mount system, has its own strengths and weaknesses. Likewise SLR and EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lenses) systems each have advantages and disadvantages. Like many still photographers, I had no particular interest in the ability to take video with my DSLR, but I've been blown away by the quality of video that you can get with a big sensor and good lenses. Canon makes decent gear. I don't know a lot about the specifics, especially since I've never liked the ergonomics on any of the Canon SLRs that I've used. Then again, I've never used them long enough to get used to them and appreciate their ergonomic decisions. Canon has the big advantage of being the default brand, which means that it's easy to find gear to buy or borrow. The do not, however, work with manual focus Canon lenses. I started photography in 1973, during the time when if a pro was shooting 35mm, they were using Nikon gear. You'll generally find that if someone has been into photography for more than 20 years, most likely their DSLR is Nikon. Nikon is reputed to have the best flash system, and if you get one of their better bodies, you'll be able to use their AIS mount lenses with the same capabilities that they had on the film bodies. In addition, pre-AIS lenses can generally be adapted to work on AIS bodies, so with Nikon you've got close to 50 years worth of awesome legacy glass to choose from. Unfortunately, the low end Nikon bodies aren't so backward compatible. Sony has the cheapest full frame body on the market, and it has amazing sensor performance. It's compatible with autofocus Minolta glass. Sony has in body image stabilization. I shoot Pentax because at the time I bought my first DSLR you got the best performance for your money at the low end of the market with Pentax gear. About a year ago, i bought a Pentax K-x and have been amazed and thrilled at its performance, especially for a body that you can buy for less than $500. DxO ranks its sensor performance among the best in APS sensors, out performing $1500 cameras such as the Canon 7D. I regularly use ISO 6400 on it to photograph dancers and musicians in very cha
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Larry Colen wrote: Canon makes decent gear. I don't know a lot about the specifics, especially since I've never liked the ergonomics on any of the Canon SLRs that I've used. Then again, I've never used them long enough to get used to them and appreciate their ergonomic decisions. Canon has the big advantage of being the default brand, which means that it's easy to find gear to buy or borrow. The do not, however, work with manual focus Canon lenses. Well, but, they DO work with Pentax manual focus lenses with an adaptor... If they didn't I wouldn't have met you in Chicago :-) They don't autofocus, of course . And it doesn't tell you the real opening you shot at on the exif ... thanks to Cotty for revealing this possibility . ann -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
I started to write a humorous look at this called "Godfrey's Guide To Buying Cameras or How I Spent A Lot Of Money Selling Camera Equipment", but it got too complicated. When asked "what camera should I buy?" nowadays, I usually ask what camera someone has and why they want to buy a new camera. In most cases, they don't need a camera, they need kicker to make photographs again. The buying disease spread by marketing and tech reviews and specification websites has done its job ... everyone believes a new camera will make their photographs great. I tell them to take the money they'd spend for a new camera and buy a plane ticket to Tibet instead. Sell everything but whatever camera they have now and one lens, then spend two months taking 10,000 photos with it. When they get home, they'll either know exactly what camera they should buy or they'll realize they don't need a new camera at all. Few take me up on my advice. ;-) -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: My thoughts on buying cameras
> I tell them to take the money they'd spend for a new camera and buy a > plane ticket to Tibet instead. Sell everything but whatever camera > they have now and one lens, then spend two months taking 10,000 photos > with it. When they get home, they'll either know exactly what camera > they should buy or they'll realize they don't need a new camera at > all. > > Few take me up on my advice. ;-) Hmm. When I first decided to go to Ethiopia I had an MX and maybe 2 lenses. I decided I needed a back-up body so I bought a Super-A. Then I decided I needed some back-up lenses, which meant having to have several primes to cover the range of my lenses. All this kit needed a secure case which would go on top of a bus, so I had to have a Pelican case. Of course it would be ludicrous not to take a tripod too, so I had to buy one of those. My original idea had been to go scuba-diving when I was there, but I was lucky enough to learn before I bought all the underwater equipment that Ethiopia has no coast. The experiences of that first trip convinced me for the second one that I needed more robust equipment, and the main and back-up cameras should be the same. So I had to buy 2 LXs. Obviously that meant I needed several focusing screens and prism heads, just in case, as well as better quality lenses than I had before - such as the A* 85mm and 135mm. And because I might see some wildlife I needed a 400mm lens and teleconverter. Somewhere in between time I joined the PDML, which did nothing to restrain me. B -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've been traveling. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 11:59 AM, Bob W wrote: >> I tell them to take the money they'd spend for a new camera and buy a >> plane ticket to Tibet instead. Sell everything but whatever camera >> they have now and one lens, then spend two months taking 10,000 photos >> with it. When they get home, they'll either know exactly what camera >> they should buy or they'll realize they don't need a new camera at >> all. >> >> Few take me up on my advice. ;-) > > Hmm. > > When I first decided to go to Ethiopia I had an MX and maybe 2 lenses. I > decided I needed a back-up body so I bought a Super-A. Then I decided I > needed some back-up lenses, which meant having to have several primes to > cover the range of my lenses. All this kit needed a secure case which would > go on top of a bus, so I had to have a Pelican case. Of course it would be > ludicrous not to take a tripod too, so I had to buy one of those. > > My original idea had been to go scuba-diving when I was there, but I was > lucky enough to learn before I bought all the underwater equipment that > Ethiopia has no coast. > > The experiences of that first trip convinced me for the second one that I > needed more robust equipment, and the main and back-up cameras should be the > same. So I had to buy 2 LXs. Obviously that meant I needed several focusing > screens and prism heads, just in case, as well as better quality lenses than > I had before - such as the A* 85mm and 135mm. And because I might see some > wildlife I needed a 400mm lens and teleconverter. > > Somewhere in between time I joined the PDML, which did nothing to restrain > me. > > B > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
On 8 December 2010 19:37, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: > LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) > > I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I > have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm > using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've > been traveling. You know what's going to happen on your next trip... —M. \/\/o/\/\ --> http://WorldOfMiserere.com http://EnticingTheLight.com A Quest for Photographic Enlightenment -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
And if it does, the gear packed and ready to ship will be there in a day. No biggie. G On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM, Miserere wrote: > On 8 December 2010 19:37, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: >> LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) >> >> I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I >> have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm >> using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've >> been traveling. > > You know what's going to happen on your next trip... > > > —M. > > \/\/o/\/\ --> http://WorldOfMiserere.com > > http://EnticingTheLight.com > A Quest for Photographic Enlightenment > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
From: Godfrey DiGiorgi LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've been traveling. I'm carrying three cameras on my China trip, K20D with K10 as backup. The third camera is the LX I'm planning to use to shoot my last two rolls of Kodachrome. This time when I disappear off list, y'all will know it's nothing to worry about. 8-D It's almost here, and I'm getting pretty excited. Already wearing my passport in a little pouch that hangs around my neck so I won't take a chance on forgetting it when the big day arrives. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Some enthusiasts take considerable pleasure in the act of using the equipment. (no snide comments, please.) For them, the particular camera has to feel right in the hand or it gets left behind. This becomes a harder thing to judge in a mostly "buy online" field like photography has become. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 10:30 AM, John Sessoms wrote: > From: Godfrey DiGiorgi > >> LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) >> >> I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I >> have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm >> using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've >> been traveling. >> > > I'm carrying three cameras on my China trip, K20D with K10 as backup. The > third camera is the LX I'm planning to use to shoot my last two rolls of > Kodachrome. > > This time when I disappear off list, y'all will know it's nothing to worry > about. 8-D > > It's almost here, and I'm getting pretty excited. Already wearing my > passport in a little pouch that hangs around my neck so I won't take a > chance on forgetting it when the big day arrives. > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. > -- Steve Desjardins -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Will you be able to the the Kodachrome in for processing before the deadline? http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/ On 12/9/2010 10:30 AM, John Sessoms wrote: From: Godfrey DiGiorgi LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've been traveling. I'm carrying three cameras on my China trip, K20D with K10 as backup. The third camera is the LX I'm planning to use to shoot my last two rolls of Kodachrome. This time when I disappear off list, y'all will know it's nothing to worry about. 8-D It's almost here, and I'm getting pretty excited. Already wearing my passport in a little pouch that hangs around my neck so I won't take a chance on forgetting it when the big day arrives. -- Where's the Kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering Kaboom! --Marvin the Martian. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Well somehow that didn't make any sense, but you probably know what I mean. On 12/9/2010 11:51 AM, P. J. Alling wrote: Will you be able to the the Kodachrome in for processing before the deadline? http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/ On 12/9/2010 10:30 AM, John Sessoms wrote: From: Godfrey DiGiorgi LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've been traveling. I'm carrying three cameras on my China trip, K20D with K10 as backup. The third camera is the LX I'm planning to use to shoot my last two rolls of Kodachrome. This time when I disappear off list, y'all will know it's nothing to worry about. 8-D It's almost here, and I'm getting pretty excited. Already wearing my passport in a little pouch that hangs around my neck so I won't take a chance on forgetting it when the big day arrives. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: My thoughts on buying cameras
> Well somehow that didn't make any sense, but you probably know what I > mean. Welcome to the PDML. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Well somehow that didn't make any sense, but you probably know what I mean MARK ! Kenneth Waller http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/kennethwaller - Original Message - From: "Bob W" Subject: RE: My thoughts on buying cameras Well somehow that didn't make any sense, but you probably know what I mean. Welcome to the PDML. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Except that the Second Law of Thermodynamics being what it is ... the universe trends toward maximum perversity. You've just guaranteed yourself that if you ever do need your back-up gear shipped, UPS-FedEx-USPS-DHL is going to misdirect it to an auto-parts jobber somewhere in New Jersey where it will languish until you can no longer accomplish the job you needed it for. 8-D From: Godfrey DiGiorgi And if it does, the gear packed and ready to ship will be there in a day. No biggie. G On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM, Miserere wrote: > On 8 December 2010 19:37, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: >> LOL! ... they have you in their grip, Bob. ;-) >> >> I only carry a backup body when I'm doing an assignment. Otherwise, I >> have a spare body at home, packed and ready to ship, in case what I'm >> using packs it in unexpectedly. Nothing's ever broken on me when I've >> been traveling. > > You know what's going to happen on your next trip... -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
From: "P. J. Alling" Will you be able to the the Kodachrome in for processing before the deadline? I hope so. The deadline to have it at Dwayne's Photo is Dec 30. We'll be arriving back in the U.S. at Newark Airport on Dec 22. According to the information on the airport's web site there is a Post Office "Business Service Center" in each of the terminals. If I hit the ground running, USPS Express Mail should get it to Dwayne's on time. I've already printed out the order forms for Dwayne's, and I have it on my "To Do" list to stop by the Post Office tomorrow for other business. I'll see if I can pre-pay the Express Mail and have the stamped envelope with me when I arrive at Newark on the return trip. I'll also check and see if they have any information on actual USPS service points at Newark Airport. They say "No plan survives contact with the enemy", but that's the one I got right now. If worst comes to worst, I should be able to Express Mail (or FedEx) it from Raleigh on Dec 23. I'm also carrying a couple backup rolls of E6 "just in case". -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Godfrey, Diane wants to know where you are going in China. She has made 2 trips there and wants to go back. She said she cried when she had to leave Tibet. Enjoy your trip. Ted "The eye of the viewer becomes the eye of the Photographer." Albert Maysles -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
On Dec 9, 2010, at 16:24 , John Sessoms wrote: > From: "P. J. Alling" > >> Will you be able to the the Kodachrome in for processing before the >> deadline? > > I hope so. The deadline to have it at Dwayne's Photo is Dec 30. Best of luck on that. Because of the "XMas Rush" in transporting may be clearing up by the 25th, cross your tripods! A quick inventory of my freezer stash produced 11 rolls of Kodachrome KR-25/36 that expired in 1997, and 8 rolls of KR-64/36 that expired in 1999. They are currently thawing, in hopes that I can shoot that many rolls in the next 10 days or so. It's not the amount, it's finding that much subject matter within 100 miles that I don't have to hike to. The current weather patterns are pretty solid rainGuess I'll do the nearby wetlands, the Olympic National Forest, Mts. Rainier, Baker & St. Helens. That's a lot of driving in 10 days. That's $190 for processing, plus shipping both ways. Hmmm. I'll shoot a test roll of each ISO and ship it off tomorrow PM and hope to get them back before I've shot the rest so I can judge whether to even have the rest processed. Burning the film is the easy part. Having something to show for it, harder. Joseph McAllister pentax...@mac.com “ Nature is considerably more creative and inventive than humankind. Without Nature there isn't any humankind. Without humankind, Nature is fine.” -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: My thoughts on buying cameras
Ted, Tell Diane that I have no plans at the present time to visit China. I'd love to, however. There are too many possibles for where I'd like to visit were I to go, which I'll have to deal with prioritizing when it comes time to plan a trip. Tibet is high on my list, however. Something about the high places of the world attracts me. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 5:13 PM, Theodore Beilby wrote: > Godfrey, Diane wants to know where you are going in China. She has made 2 > trips > there and wants to go back. She said she cried when she had to leave Tibet. > Enjoy your trip. > > Ted > "The eye of the viewer becomes the eye of the Photographer." Albert Maysles > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
