Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-17 Thread John Francis
 
 On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:46:04 -0500 (EST), John Francis wrote:
 
   On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:22:29 -0500 (EST), John Francis wrote:
   
If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch
space on a different physical drive [...]
   
   Different than what?  The one that PS is installed on?  The one the OS
   is installed on?  The one that the photo is stored on?
  
  Ideally, different from all the above - I've know people use a
  dedicated drive just as a photoshop swap device.
  
  Basically you don't want the disk heads to have to [move] ...
 
 Oh, I understand that, but let's look at it realistically.  I've got my
 OS on one drive.  My swap file on another drive (don't want it on the
 same drive as the OS).  Photoshop on another (don't want, well,
 anything on the OS and swap drives).  Photoshop scratch space on
 another (like you were saying).  And my photo storage on another. 
 That's five physical drives.  AFAIK, you can't even do it with regular
 old IDE (or -66 or -100).  You have to have SCSI or Serial ATA or
 something.  For me, it might happen.  I'm a computer geek.  For most
 people it won't.

For a four-physical-drive setup, I'd suggest:

 o  One drive for OS and software (read once at process startup)

 o  One drive for OS swap file (and data backups, etc.)

 o  One dedicated for photoshop scratch space

 o  One (large) drive for image storage.

Sharing one drive for the OS and software installations isn't going
to be a problem; anything there will only get touched once.
In fact I'd even consider putting the photoshop scratch space on the
same physical drive (although on a separate partition) if pushed.
The usage patterns don't overlap all that much; the OS/Software gets
read at process initialisation time, and the photoshop scratch space
is only used once you've got everything started up and have read in
some image files.

Put the OS swap file  the photoshop scratch disk on separate disk
controllers, though.  That way you can overlap I/O transfers.



Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Cotty
On 14/1/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged:

If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch space
on a different physical drive takes some of the pain away.  But it's
far better to have enough memory in the first place, and never going
to disk at all.  Even the fastest disk transfer speed is still much
slower than main memory speeds.  Try to get more memory first; a second
drive is a palliative, not a solution.

As I understand the way Photoshop works, this is not correct. It is not
the user that decides if Photoshop has to swap to disk, it is Photoshop.
And it will readily do so depending on a number of factors including
levels of history vs file size etc. I am prepared to stand corrected, but
I am pretty certain that it works this way. Hard drive speed is not as
important as some indicate; Photoshop craftily utilises the Scratch
Disk(s) to enable optimum performance. Using a second drive is very
important - selecting the startup disk as a Scratch Disk will slow
performance.

Fire away!




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   |  People, Places, Pastiche
||=|  www.macads.co.uk/snaps
_
Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk



Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Bill D. Casselberry
Cotty wrote:
 
 As I understand the way Photoshop works, this is not correct. It is not
 the user that decides if Photoshop has to swap to disk, it is Photoshop.
 And it will readily do so depending on a number of factors including
 levels of history vs file size etc. I am prepared to stand corrected, but
 I am pretty certain that it works this way. Hard drive speed is not as
 important as some indicate; Photoshop craftily utilises the Scratch
 Disk(s) to enable optimum performance. Using a second drive is very
 important - selecting the startup disk as a Scratch Disk will slow
 performance.

ah, but Cotty!

just because PhotoShop for Macintosh has such elegant
interface w/ the hardware is certainly no guarantee that
an equally graceful operation is possible on all other
computer platforms

!;^DBill

-
Bill D. Casselberry ; Photography on the Oregon Coast

http://www.orednet.org/~bcasselb
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-



RE: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread zoomshot
Bill,

There is nothing wrong with the PC interface...lets not have a
PC war

Version 8.0 is fine, as Cotty said, certainly 7 and 8 run ok with two disks.
In version 8.0 make sure that the level of detail is set to low in the
browser. You should run with 512Mb as a minimum for reasonable performance.

HTH

Regards,

Ziggy
 

-Original Message-
From: Bill D. Casselberry [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: 16 January 2004 16:56
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices


Cotty wrote:
 
 As I understand the way Photoshop works, this is not correct. It is 
 not the user that decides if Photoshop has to swap to disk, it is 
 Photoshop. And it will readily do so depending on a number of factors 
 including levels of history vs file size etc. I am prepared to stand 
 corrected, but I am pretty certain that it works this way. Hard drive 
 speed is not as important as some indicate; Photoshop craftily 
 utilises the Scratch
 Disk(s) to enable optimum performance. Using a second drive is very
 important - selecting the startup disk as a Scratch Disk will slow
 performance.

ah, but Cotty!

just because PhotoShop for Macintosh has such elegant
interface w/ the hardware is certainly no guarantee that
an equally graceful operation is possible on all other
computer platforms

!;^DBill

-
Bill D. Casselberry ; Photography on the Oregon Coast

http://www.orednet.org/~bcasselb
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-






Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Bill D. Casselberry
zoomshot wrote:
 
 There is nothing wrong with the PC interface..lets not have a
 PC war 

not a chance - just funnin' around   :^)

... still using PShop v2.5.1  sys8.1 on a 90mhz PMac 7200
w/ 128meg RAM - 72meg allocated to PShop. Of course, I have
no film scanner and just scan in prints on an old 300dpi
flatbed only to get pics up on the web.
 
... stone knives  bearskins   Bill  

 
-
Bill D. Casselberry ; Photography on the Oregon Coast

http://www.orednet.org/~bcasselb
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-



Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Bob W
Hi,

Friday, January 16, 2004, 4:55:51 PM, you wrote:

 ah, but Cotty!

 just because PhotoShop for Macintosh has such elegant
 interface w/ the hardware is certainly no guarantee that
 an equally graceful operation is possible on all other
 computer platforms

http://www.web-options.com/nerdkrieg.tif

-- 
Cheers,
 Bob



Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Shel Belinkoff
Same thing in WinDoze, bill ...

Bill D. Casselberry wrote:
 
 Cotty wrote:
 
  As I understand the way Photoshop works, this is not correct. It is not
  the user that decides if Photoshop has to swap to disk, it is Photoshop.
  And it will readily do so depending on a number of factors including
  levels of history vs file size etc. I am prepared to stand corrected, but
  I am pretty certain that it works this way. Hard drive speed is not as
  important as some indicate; Photoshop craftily utilises the Scratch
  Disk(s) to enable optimum performance. Using a second drive is very
  important - selecting the startup disk as a Scratch Disk will slow
  performance.
 
 ah, but Cotty!
 
 just because PhotoShop for Macintosh has such elegant
 interface w/ the hardware is certainly no guarantee that
 an equally graceful operation is possible on all other
 computer platforms
 




Re: Photoshop performance (was: Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Anders Hultman
Bob W:

http://www.web-options.com/nerdkrieg.tif
Oh thank you ever so much! I have long wanted to see that particluar strip.

As you might know, it is featured in In The Beginning Was The 
Command Line, the excellent eassay on computer culture by Neal 
Stephenson.

The essay is available in many places on the net, for example here:

  http://www.spack.org/index.cgi/InTheBeginningWasTheCommandLine

anders
-
http://anders.hultman.nu/


Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-16 Thread Doug Franklin
On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:46:04 -0500 (EST), John Francis wrote:

  On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:22:29 -0500 (EST), John Francis wrote:
  
   If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch
   space on a different physical drive [...]
  
  Different than what?  The one that PS is installed on?  The one the OS
  is installed on?  The one that the photo is stored on?
 
 Ideally, different from all the above - I've know people use a
 dedicated drive just as a photoshop swap device.
 
 Basically you don't want the disk heads to have to [move] ...

Oh, I understand that, but let's look at it realistically.  I've got my
OS on one drive.  My swap file on another drive (don't want it on the
same drive as the OS).  Photoshop on another (don't want, well,
anything on the OS and swap drives).  Photoshop scratch space on
another (like you were saying).  And my photo storage on another. 
That's five physical drives.  AFAIK, you can't even do it with regular
old IDE (or -66 or -100).  You have to have SCSI or Serial ATA or
something.  For me, it might happen.  I'm a computer geek.  For most
people it won't.

TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ




Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-15 Thread Cotty
On 14/1/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged:

While not disagreeing with your overall conclusion, there are times when
I miss the LCD viewfinder of my PowerShot G1 - trying to take low-eyepoint
shots with the *ist-D means I have to lie flat on the ground.  Sometimes
this is merely inconvenient; other time's it's effectively impossible.
A tilt-and-swivel LCD makes things a lot easier.  It also works well when
I want to put the camera somewhere where there isn't room for me to stand
behind it, or for over-the-head shots, etc., etc.

John, I use an angle finder extensively. Always when on the tripod (as
I'm taller than it) so viewing is a breeze. Low angle shots no problem.
Is one available to fit the *ist D?




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   |  People, Places, Pastiche
||=|  www.macads.co.uk/snaps
_
Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-15 Thread John Francis
 
 On 14/1/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged:
 
 John, I use an angle finder extensively. Always when on the tripod (as
 I'm taller than it) so viewing is a breeze. Low angle shots no problem.
 Is one available to fit the *ist D?

I've seen posts here that suggest the refconverter A or M would work.

Neither would really help me, though;  In many of the cases where I'm
trying to get an ankle-height viewpoint I wouldn't be able to kneel
down to look through a refconverter.  (Kneeling down in front of a
race car making a pitstop is frowned upon by race officials :-)

The nice thing about the LCD viewfinder is that you can see it from
several feet away, at least well enough to check overall framing.
An LX with a waist-level finder would work there, but not when I'm
holding the camera at arm's length and poking it round the edge of
the Jersey barrier or catch fencing.


On a totally unrelated note:  I happened to be watching a 30-year-old
TV show the other day (Lord Peter Wimsey: Murder Must Advertise), and
couldn't help noticing just how bad the distortion was on the cameras
of the day!  Barrel distortion on the wide-angle shots, and pincushion
on the others.  Zoom lens technology has since made amazing strides.
(100x or better zoom ratios, anyone?)



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-15 Thread Shel Belinkoff
I asked this question a while ago and was told by leon Altoff that he
uses the refconverter A ... refconverter M should also work.

Cotty wrote:

 John, I use an angle finder extensively. Always when on the tripod (as
 I'm taller than it) so viewing is a breeze. Low angle shots no problem.
 Is one available to fit the *ist D?



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Mark Roberts
Kostas Kavoussanakis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, J. C. O'Connell wrote:

 Old Pentium (I) PCs may still work too, but
 that doesnt mean I would still want to use
 them.

Not even as a firewall?

The analogy does not work in my opinion anyway. After a point (1GHz
PIV for example) you don't really need much more processing power,

Yep. I'm using a 1GHz machine now. I don't fell the need for any more
speed, really. Even for working on 90 megabyte images in Photoshop.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Mark Roberts
Rob Studdert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

On 13 Jan 2004 at 17:04, J. C. O'Connell wrote:

 Im not talking how long its sold, Im talking
 how long you want to use it. I have SLRs I
 still use that are 40 yrs old, I wouldnt use
 any digital camera more than about 5 yrs old.

We are now approaching the point of diminishing returns. DSLRs will have a 
longer service life than earlier ones as the resolution is approaching that of 
the taking lenses. 

You *will* see people using Nikon D1x's when they're 5 years old and
older. And I expect they'll be pretty satisfied users.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread mapson

Yep. I'm using a 1GHz machine now. I don't fell the need for any more
speed, really. Even for working on 90 megabyte images in Photoshop.
I was working on some images today. While processing them the file was just 
over 1 Gb, after flattening and saving as TIFF, it is 310Mb now. ;-)

--
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com


   (*)o(*) 
Robert
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread mapson
At 12:04 AM 15/01/2004 +1030, you wrote:

Yep. I'm using a 1GHz machine now. I don't fell the need for any more
speed, really. Even for working on 90 megabyte images in Photoshop.
I was working on some images today. While processing them the file was 
just over 1 Gb,


SORRY it was meant to be just over 1/2 Gb 500-550Mb ;-)

after flattening and saving as TIFF, it is 310Mb now. ;-)

--
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com


   (*)o(*) 
Robert
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


   (*)o(*) 
Robert
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Mark Roberts
mapson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

At 12:04 AM 15/01/2004 +1030, you wrote:

Yep. I'm using a 1GHz machine now. I don't fell the need for any more
speed, really. Even for working on 90 megabyte images in Photoshop.

I was working on some images today. While processing them the file was 
just over 1 Gb,


SORRY it was meant to be just over 1/2 Gb 500-550Mb ;-)

after flattening and saving as TIFF, it is 310Mb now. ;-)

I've worked on multi-layer images around 300Mb.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Steve Desjardins
A DSLR is not a PC.  The software doesn't have to change and the job
doesn't change.  Once you have a resolution you find acceptable  (Some
are waiting; I'm happy now) the camera will function until its breaks,
you can't read the cards, or you just want a new toy.  IMHO, the last
factor is what limits the lifetime of the cameras.  It is also equally
true for film cameras, which is why I have five of them.


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/13/04 05:02PM 
Old Pentium (I) PCs may still work too, but
that doesnt mean I would still want to use
them.
JCO


   J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com 


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 2:57 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Subject: RE: Used DSLR prices


Why should build quality *not* be important?  The shelf life, as you
call
it,
by which I presume you mean useful life, is as long as the build
quality
allows it to be.  Simply because there's something out there that is
considered
more modern technology doesn't mean that an existing camera has
outlived its
usefulness.

The *ist-D will continue to produce images of like quality for as long
as it
continues to function.  Better built cameras take more abuse and
continue to
function longer.
Simple, really.

Quoting J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED]:

 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?
 JCO


-
This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ 



RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Bucky
Hi Boris,

All of what you say is true, but the fact remains that the original poster
was talking about a given model of DSLR being rendered *obsolete*, not
merely somewhat less attractive,  by new models.  His point was that DSLRs
are essentially throwaway cameras because of the rapid march of technology,
and hence the purchaser shouldn't worry about build quality.



 -Original Message-
 From: Boris Liberman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: 13-Jan-04 23:29
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: Used DSLR prices

[some stuff snipped]

 Now, notice, I haven't been talking of anything that belongs to
 digital only. All of the above is valid for film cameras... And
 unfortunately, it *is* software. Hence it requires more memory, faster
 processors, better programmers *duh!*, and so on...

 Naturally, none of these will change the scene you're shooting or your
 potential ability to click the shutter at the right time with the
 right speed at the right aperture for the right film/sensor.




Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Steve Desjardins
All of these fall in the new toy category.  If you are the kind of
person that is happy with a 20 yr old film camera, then you can hang on
to a DSLR for a while.  The real difference here (and this is why the
camera companies are so excited about this) is that DSLR's have
something to improve.  The film cameras have long since maxed out on
features and the only real improvements were AF speed.  Now the camera
makers have a hook (resolution) to tempt folks who can spend
$1000-2000/yr on equipment.


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/14/04 02:28AM 
Hi, Bucky!

Software has gotten more complex and bloated.  The images I will want

to record with my camera will not (except that my friends seem to
swell 
as they age).

The analogy between cameras and personal computers is fundamentally
inappropriate.

I am afraid I have to disagree. Apart from swelling of your friends 
g, but really. Consider this - speed of auto focus, complexity of 
flash operation, suitability of matrix metering in wider set of cases 
- all this is basically pure software with very little addition of 
hardware. Let's say, in AF the stronger motor would be good, but 
decision as to where to turn it and when to stop is purely software.

Now, notice, I haven't been talking of anything that belongs to 
digital only. All of the above is valid for film cameras... And 
unfortunately, it *is* software. Hence it requires more memory, faster

processors, better programmers *duh!*, and so on...

Naturally, none of these will change the scene you're shooting or your

potential ability to click the shutter at the right time with the 
right speed at the right aperture for the right film/sensor. 

Cheers!

Boris



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread graywolf
You are aware that you are talking to a guy whose favorite picture taker is a 
50+ year old Pacemaker Crown Graphic, right?

OTOH you are right, the problem with using the old laptop is it won't run newer 
software. But that is analogic to using an old film camera for which film is no 
longer available such as a 116 Kodak folder. So they do compare.

Digital cameras are electronic devices. Electronic devices have historically 
gotten better and better, and cheaper and cheaper. The laws of physics say that 
can not go on forever. But it is going to be awhile until we reach that point.

Basically, a DSLR only has a usable lifetime until it is no longer supported 
with parts, service, and software upgrades. That is also analogic to computers.

They will probably be viable until they are about 5 generations old, but will be 
crippled compared to new ones from about 3 generations (meaning the model after 
next). Compare that to the Canon D30 v. D60 v. 10D.  Next gen. the D30 will be 
so obsolete that only diehards won't want replace it. Yes a 3mp image will still 
be usable, but there are a lot of things besides resolution involved here. Such 
things as repairs, speed, noise, newer storage devices, etc. will become problems.

--

Bucky wrote:
Software has gotten more complex and bloated.  The images I will want to
record with my camera will not (except that my friends seem to swell as they
age).
The analogy between cameras and personal computers is fundamentally
inappropriate.


-Original Message-
From: graywolf [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 13-Jan-04 20:16
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Used DSLR prices
Hey, I have a 486/33 IBM Thinkpad. The build quality is supurb,
but it is pretty
much useless in todays world. Unless of course all you need it
for is word
processing.
--

J. C. O'Connell wrote:


Old Pentium (I) PCs may still work too, but
that doesnt mean I would still want to use
them.
JCO

--
--
  J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com

--
--
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 2:57 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Used DSLR prices
Why should build quality *not* be important?  The shelf life,
as you call

it,
by which I presume you mean useful life, is as long as the
build quality

allows it to be.  Simply because there's something out there that is
considered
more modern technology doesn't mean that an existing camera has
outlived its

usefulness.

The *ist-D will continue to produce images of like quality for
as long as it

continues to function.  Better built cameras take more abuse
and continue to

function longer.
Simple, really.
Quoting J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED]:



Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
due to technical innovations, could someone please
explain to me why build quality is important?
JCO


-
This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/

--
graywolf
http://graywolfphoto.com
You might as well accept people as they are,
you are not going to be able to change them anyway.





--
graywolf
http://graywolfphoto.com
You might as well accept people as they are,
you are not going to be able to change them anyway.



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Boris Liberman
Hi!

Bucky, I am afraid I either misread his post or language barrier 
played yet another joke on me.

All of what you say is true, but the fact remains that the original poster
was talking about a given model of DSLR being rendered *obsolete*, not
merely somewhat less attractive,  by new models.  His point was that DSLRs
are essentially throwaway cameras because of the rapid march of technology,
and hence the purchaser shouldn't worry about build quality.
It is highly illogical (or should I say, silly g) to render a 
technology throw-away no matter how aged it is. E.g. I use Visor 
Platinum (circa 2000) which is very old, probably even ancient in 
modern PDA world. But it does *all* I want it to do at the moment. 
When it would be something that it cannot do that I must have, I will 
replace it. Or of course it could totally break before that. Then I 
will be forced to replace it.

My ME Super is not obsolete. It is very old and very unattractive for 
some people. But it is my main camera while ZX-L being a backup or a 
body which I take if I have to have AF.

Anyway, back to the chase g... DSLRs are not throwaway cameras 
unless it would be discovered that for some technical reason their 
sensor or shutter cannot work more than given amout of time, say 3 
years. Then of course, it would be plain stupid to buy DSLR if it is 
known that it was used for 3 years. This by they way was my concern 
some messages ago. It is unclear to me what does it mean excellent 
condition DSLR. State of used sensor is something that would seem to 
be difficult to judge.

Nevertheless, I do think that people would change their DSLRs more 
often just because fancier ones and cheaper ones would hit the market. 
Perhaps it will not happen with Pentax but for different reasons 
wink...

Ultimately, I think we reached the point that you and I agree on our 
opinions. It is time to move on to next discussion BigFriendlyGrin.

Boris



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Boris Liberman
Hi!

Now the camera makers have a hook (resolution) to tempt folks who can spend
$1000-2000/yr on equipment.
Steve, you're so absolutely right. And what if prices go below 
$1000/yr on equipment level?! It is even hard to imagine g.

Boris



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread bucky
Tom,

I agree with you in certain respects.  In particular, I agree that DSLRs will 
not last forever, and will probably not have the lifespan of, say, an MX or 
your Crown Graphic.

My point (and the one that Mr. Desjardins is also making, I think) is that if 
you look at the sole tangible product of a camera - a picture - there is a 
certain level of quality, a combination of objective and subjective factors, 
that, once reached, will not go away until the camera fails utterly.  

This is the issue which JCO raised and with which I quarrel - takes the 
position that build quality is irrelevant for a digital camera because they 
have the approximate lifespan of a nematode, something I simply reject.  I 
expect my *istD to last me for many years, first as a primary body, perhaps 
later as a back-up.

As someone else pointed out, new technology is nice to use, which is why I kept 
Z1ps as well as LXs on the go at the same time.  If Pentax brings out a new 
DSLR with substantially improved image quality (nothing else would be enough to 
coax me), I'll probably buy it.

begin really OT editorial part---

I'm still a little miffed at Pentax for being so slow - I bought a PS because 
I got tired of waiting for Pentax to get their shit together and give me a 
digital product that I could use my lenses with.  The PS produces amazing 
pictures, no doubt about it, but the motor skills involved in getting the most 
out of it are entirely different and I found that I had to alter my shooting 
habits substantially to get good results. Also, I can't seem to think 
photographically without me eye to a proper eyecup - looking at a screen 
doesn't seem to work well for me.  Add to that the fact that you're stuck with 
a narrow range of focal lengths, and it just doesn't tally to a good tool for 
my needs. 

It's not that I didn't like film, but that I simply have not got the time 
anymore to shoot, process, scan, catalogue and photoshop slides, with the 
result that my shooting trailed off to a trickle in the several months leading 
up to the *ist-D's release.  Digital fits my needs and my time constraints so 
much better that I am willing to out up with the difficulties - for me, they 
are far outweighed by the benefits. 

If Pentax had waited much longer, you'd have seen a whack of Pentax FA* glass 
for sale on eBay and I'd be gone to Canon.  


Quoting graywolf [EMAIL PROTECTED]:

 You are aware that you are talking to a guy whose favorite picture taker is a
 
 50+ year old Pacemaker Crown Graphic, right?
 
 OTOH you are right, the problem with using the old laptop is it won't run
 newer 
 software. But that is analogic to using an old film camera for which film is
 no 
 longer available such as a 116 Kodak folder. So they do compare.

-
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Shelf Life (was: Re: Used DSLR prices)

2004-01-14 Thread Frantisek Vlcek
 This seems reasonable.  BTW, does anyone have any idea or know of any
 reference as to how the sensor will age?

Hi Steven,

   this would interest me as well! It would be interesting to know
   somebody with an early kodak DSLR! I will try to ask at local
   agencies how their first Nikon D1 were doing now.

   I think there are few things to look out in aging:

   1) colour dyes. Change over time AND change with exposure to light.
   I really don't know what the mosaic colour filters are made of,
   although Kodak might have revealed it in one of their technical
   PDFs.

   2) the transistors themselves in the CCD/CMOS. In analogy to
   computers, whose CPUs can develop something like hotspots over time (especially if
   overclocked or ran at higher voltages). These hotspots are areas of
   worse conductivity? I am not an expert, and it's been a while since
   I read that article. So the imaging chip itself could age as well,
   with hard usage.

   3) the chips responsible for the image processing and other
   computer tasks - well, the first computerised cameras (AE1?,T90, F4,
   even LX has some little chips inside, no?) are still working, so
   this shouldn't be much of a problem if they are designed properly.

   4) the other things are just the same as in film cameras - shutter,
   AF, ...

If somebody with more technical expertise knows about the first two
points, tell us please! When things get more comlex, just more bad can
happen... I want a Luddite digital!!! :)

Frantisek



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread John Francis
 
   The PS produces amazing 
 pictures, no doubt about it, but the motor skills involved in getting the most 
 out of it are entirely different and I found that I had to alter my shooting 
 habits substantially to get good results. Also, I can't seem to think 
 photographically without me eye to a proper eyecup - looking at a screen 
 doesn't seem to work well for me.  Add to that the fact that you're stuck with 
 a narrow range of focal lengths, and it just doesn't tally to a good tool for 
 my needs. 

While not disagreeing with your overall conclusion, there are times when
I miss the LCD viewfinder of my PowerShot G1 - trying to take low-eyepoint
shots with the *ist-D means I have to lie flat on the ground.  Sometimes
this is merely inconvenient; other time's it's effectively impossible.
A tilt-and-swivel LCD makes things a lot easier.  It also works well when
I want to put the camera somewhere where there isn't room for me to stand
behind it, or for over-the-head shots, etc., etc.



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Mark Roberts
John Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 Yep. I'm using a 1GHz machine now. I don't fell the need for any more
 speed, really. Even for working on 90 megabyte images in Photoshop.
 
 -- 
 Mark Roberts

Most of the time Photoshop is not cpu limited.  The most important
factors are:

  o  Memory size.  3x - 5x overall image size is a good yardstick.
 A 256Mb machine would be marginal for working with 90Mb files.

  o  Disk speed.  You need to read and save those images, and that
 is critically dependent on how fast the disk transfers data.
 Waiting for image I/O is non-productive time, too, so it has
 a significant psychological impact.

  o  Memory speed.  Your image data won't fit in the data cache,
 so memory bandwidth becomes extremely important.

Once you've got all those taken care of is time to start thinking
of cpu speed.  You'll notice this most when running complex filters
(although you will see some difference even on simple filters such
as smoothing, sharpening or resizing).  For some of the most cpu-
intensive tasks Photoshop is supposedly able to make use of more
than one CPU in a multi-cpu configuration, although I haven't tried
that myself.

I'm using 512 meg of RAM and just upgraded to a faster #2 hard disk (my
#1 hard disk has only the operating system - Win2k - on it; hard disk #1
has all my applications and data files). I noticed a big speed
improvement with Photoshop after the upgrade. I'm going to upgrade the
other hard disk soon. 

Interestingly, my motherboard only supports ATA 66 and my hard disks are
ATA 100 and ATA 133. I may do the motherboard upgrade next.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread John Francis

If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch space
on a different physical drive takes some of the pain away.  But it's
far better to have enough memory in the first place, and never going
to disk at all.  Even the fastest disk transfer speed is still much
slower than main memory speeds.  Try to get more memory first; a second
drive is a palliative, not a solution.
 
 A very important consideration for running PS is that of using two hard
 drives.  PS uses a scratch disk when memory allocation is at the limit. 
 It's highly recommended to use a second disk for this.
 
 John Francis wrote:
  
  
o  Memory size.  3x - 5x overall image size is a good yardstick.
   A 256Mb machine would be marginal for working with 90Mb files.
  
o  Disk speed.  You need to read and save those images, and that
   is critically dependent on how fast the disk transfers data.
   Waiting for image I/O is non-productive time, too, so it has
   a significant psychological impact.
  
o  Memory speed.  Your image data won't fit in the data cache,
   so memory bandwidth becomes extremely important.
 



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread bucky
Quoting John Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED]:

 While not disagreeing with your overall conclusion, there are times when
 I miss the LCD viewfinder of my PowerShot G1 - trying to take low-eyepoint
 shots with the *ist-D means I have to lie flat on the ground.  Sometimes
 this is merely inconvenient; other time's it's effectively impossible.
 A tilt-and-swivel LCD makes things a lot easier.  It also works well when
 I want to put the camera somewhere where there isn't room for me to stand
 behind it, or for over-the-head shots, etc., etc.
 


True enough - swiveling screens are a big plus in certain situations.  My 
friend has a G2, and he can even shoot behind him for candids that catch 
strangers unawares and often give quite beautiful results.




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Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Shel Belinkoff
Agreed, but not everyone can get more memory into older machines.  I can
only get 768mb into my P3 (have 512 at present), and now that I'm
starting to work with larger files, the extra scratch space is very
welcome.  I'll probably add a little more memory when I can get around
to it.

John Francis wrote:
 
 If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch space
 on a different physical drive takes some of the pain away.  But it's
 far better to have enough memory in the first place, and never going
 to disk at all.  Even the fastest disk transfer speed is still much
 slower than main memory speeds.  Try to get more memory first; a second
 drive is a palliative, not a solution.




Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread John Francis
 
 I'm using 512 meg of RAM and just upgraded to a faster #2 hard disk (my
 #1 hard disk has only the operating system - Win2k - on it; hard disk #1
 has all my applications and data files). I noticed a big speed
 improvement with Photoshop after the upgrade. I'm going to upgrade the
 other hard disk soon. 
 
 Interestingly, my motherboard only supports ATA 66 and my hard disks are
 ATA 100 and ATA 133. I may do the motherboard upgrade next.

I'd guess that your new hard disk has a faster sustained throughput rate;
either a faster rotational speed, or higher capacity per cylinder, than
your original disk.
Although an ATA 133 disk can transfer burst data faster than an ATA 100
disk, that only works while the disk cache is providing the data. Image
files are far too large for that, so transfer at the throughput rate of
the actual disk hardware, which is directly proportional to rotational
speed.  I'd suggest you do the calculations for your hardware before you
consider updating the motherboard - you may find that even ATA 66 is fast
enough to keep up with your disks.




Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-14 Thread Herb Chong
and adjust your Photoshop memory settings. the default is to use half your
physical RAM at most before swapping. if you have enough, you should set it
to much higher than 50%. i use 80% on my 1G machine.

Herb
- Original Message - 
From: John Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: Used DSLR prices



 If you have to swap to disk, then putting the Photoshop scratch space
 on a different physical drive takes some of the pain away.  But it's
 far better to have enough memory in the first place, and never going
 to disk at all.  Even the fastest disk transfer speed is still much
 slower than main memory speeds.  Try to get more memory first; a second
 drive is a palliative, not a solution.




RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Malcolm Smith
Cotty wrote:

 Interestingly, I haven't seen many for sale. Not in dealers' 
 ads in AP, nor on eBay. I think most people buying these 
 cameras have considered the facts and are not going to 
 stomach the heavy loss in selling used. If you've bought a 
 D60 for £1600 (me) then you're (me) hardly going to want to 
 sell it for a pittance - I'd rather keep it as a second body, 
 as a few have already said. If I did sell, I would want about 
 a grand, maybe 900 but who in their right mind would pay that 
 when a brand new 10D can be had for a little bit more? It 
 would be insane.

I too have made a hefty 'paper' loss, if you look at selling it right now -
but that was never the plan from the outset, so it is a non argument. I
jumped onto the digital scene, because the *ist D provides an image quality
I can live with now and years down the road. The only question I have is
wondering if the digital cameras will endure as long as my film cameras.
Pretty much like computers, you know that your latest machine will be old
stuff in two years time and to keep up to date (if such is your thing) you
know that you will be putting your hand in your pocket, to bridge the
plummeting value of your old equipment.

The real mystery is who buys new cameras (film or digital) and sells them
months later. I know lots of people who have cameras but have had them
years.
 
 I think all here who bought the *ist D would be very 
 reluctant to sell in a year's time. Even in two.

Or five.

Malcolm





Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Mark Roberts
Steve Desjardins [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I think you might see a sell off if Pentax came out with a reasonably
priced ($2000) FF DSLR.  

And if my granny had wheels she'd be a trolley...

I doubt, however, that I would dump my *istD for an 8 mp APS sensor 
successor quickly unless it was $1000.

Quite.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread alex wetmore
On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, Steve Desjardins wrote:
 I doubt, however, that I would dump my *istD
 for an 8 mp APS sensor successor quickly unless it was $1000.

If such a camera came out the *ist D would probably be worth $500 or
less.  At that point I would probably keep it as a second body.

I'm already wishing that I had a second body as a backup, but not
enough to spend $1350 on purchasing one.

alex



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Mark Roberts
alex wetmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, Steve Desjardins wrote:
 I doubt, however, that I would dump my *istD
 for an 8 mp APS sensor successor quickly unless it was $1000.

If such a camera came out the *ist D would probably be worth $500 or
less.  At that point I would probably keep it as a second body.

The point is that the *ist-D *wouldn't* depreciate much if no one was
willing to sell theirs off to buy a replacement. And clearly most people
(correctly, in my view) don't see a *major* improvement coming for a
couple of years. I think the next one or two DSLRs will be less
expensive cameras. The next step *up* will probably not be big enough to
get *ist-D owners to feel the need to move up.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re[2]: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Bruce Dayton
One other thing to consider for us current owners:
I would really like a backup DSLR at some point.  If/when a better
body is released, I would be more inclined to keep the *istD as the
backup and then purchase the new body, rather than unload the old
body.

Also, there would need to be a significant improvement (more than
Canon D60 to 10D) to make me consider buying it (aside from needing/wanting
a backup body).  Something like a FF sensor.

-- 
Best regards,
Bruce



Tuesday, January 13, 2004, 8:56:34 AM, you wrote:

SD I think you might see a sell off if Pentax came out with a reasonably
SD priced ($2000) FF DSLR.  I doubt, however, that I would dump my *istD
SD for an 8 mp APS sensor successor quickly unless it was $1000.


SD Steven Desjardins
SD Department of Chemistry
SD Washington and Lee University
SD Lexington, VA 24450
SD (540) 458-8873
SD FAX: (540) 458-8878
SD [EMAIL PROTECTED]





Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread John Francis
 
 It will be interesting to see if APS DSLRs ever move up to 8 or more
 megapixels. I don't know that the increase in pixel count on the same
 size sensor would give enough improvement in image quality to be worth
 the additional storage space (larger buffer in camera, more and bigger
 CF cards, greater use of hard drive and CD-ROM space). I don't think it
 would be for me.

But those are exactly the areas which do get cheaper over time, rapidly.

Two years ago even a 1GB CF card or Microdrive was very expensive, and
the 4GB drives hadn't been released.  A 250GB hard drive (and a DVD
writer) would have cost more than my entire desktop system.

In another year or so CF card size will have increased by another factor
of 4 (at constant price), hard drives will be bigger, and in-camera
buffers will be larger.  The in-camera processor will be faster, too.
That 8 (or, more likely, 10) MP camera will buffer more images, and
process them faster, than the *ist-D does today.



Re: Re[2]: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Mark Roberts
Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

One other thing to consider for us current owners:
I would really like a backup DSLR at some point.  If/when a better
body is released, I would be more inclined to keep the *istD as the
backup and then purchase the new body, rather than unload the old
body.

Also, there would need to be a significant improvement (more than
Canon D60 to 10D) to make me consider buying it (aside from needing/wanting
a backup body).  Something like a FF sensor.

Right. I expect the trade-up/depreciation statistics for the *ist-D to
be very similar to those of the D-60 or 10D: You simply don't see them
on the used marked.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Mark Roberts
John Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 It will be interesting to see if APS DSLRs ever move up to 8 or more
 megapixels. I don't know that the increase in pixel count on the same
 size sensor would give enough improvement in image quality to be worth
 the additional storage space (larger buffer in camera, more and bigger
 CF cards, greater use of hard drive and CD-ROM space). I don't think it
 would be for me.

But those are exactly the areas which do get cheaper over time, rapidly.

Two years ago even a 1GB CF card or Microdrive was very expensive, and
the 4GB drives hadn't been released.  A 250GB hard drive (and a DVD
writer) would have cost more than my entire desktop system.

In another year or so CF card size will have increased by another factor
of 4 (at constant price), hard drives will be bigger, and in-camera
buffers will be larger.  The in-camera processor will be faster, too.
That 8 (or, more likely, 10) MP camera will buffer more images, and
process them faster, than the *ist-D does today.

Cost isn't the big issue. Power consumption is one and the limited
improvement in image quality going from 6 to 8 megapixels is another. I
don't expect to see 10 megapixels in an APS-size DSLR for a couple of
years, and even then only as a result of the ongoing pixel wars rather
than any real improvement (bragging rights, in other words). Smaller
pixels will always make more noise than larger pixels and a 1 gig CF
card will always hold more 6 megapixel images than 10 megapixel images.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread John Francis
 
 I want to ask veterans of Pentax movement g this question - when 
 MZ-S came out and started to receive favorable reviews - how many 
 PZ-1(p) owners started to unload their cameras in order to buy the 
 newest one? Please understand this question correctly - I do not 
 intend to cause a shift towards PZ vs MZ debate, nor do I intend any 
 pun. I merely want to know the factual answer to my question.
 
 You see, it appears to me that the so called gadget factor or 
 appreciation of thereof is much higher on this list than it actually 
 may seem to be...

I certainly bought the MZ-S as soon as it came out (so early that I
ended up with one that didn't have the film-advance firmware fix).
But I didn't get rid of my PZ-1p.



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Steve Desjardins
But I don't really want to shoot faster, so this is a moot point for me.
 As an example, the Nikon D2H doesn't tempt me at all, although I think
the D1X is neat.  I also suspect that the Baby D won't be built quite as
well as the *ist D.  I actually think the final real street price of the
*istD ($1350) is a realistic one.  Unless something really neat happens
(like the wheelie granny scenario) I suspect I won't be replacing this
camera for at least 5 years.  If they had a really cheap one I might buy
it as a backup.  And that very statement goes to show what a bad
influence you people have been on me . . .


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/13/04 01:13PM 
 
 It will be interesting to see if APS DSLRs ever move up to 8 or more
 megapixels. I don't know that the increase in pixel count on the
same
 size sensor would give enough improvement in image quality to be
worth
 the additional storage space (larger buffer in camera, more and
bigger
 CF cards, greater use of hard drive and CD-ROM space). I don't think
it
 would be for me.

But those are exactly the areas which do get cheaper over time,
rapidly.

Two years ago even a 1GB CF card or Microdrive was very expensive, and
the 4GB drives hadn't been released.  A 250GB hard drive (and a DVD
writer) would have cost more than my entire desktop system.

In another year or so CF card size will have increased by another
factor
of 4 (at constant price), hard drives will be bigger, and in-camera
buffers will be larger.  The in-camera processor will be faster, too.
That 8 (or, more likely, 10) MP camera will buffer more images, and
process them faster, than the *ist-D does today.



RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread J. C. O'Connell
Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
due to technical innovations, could someone please
explain to me why build quality is important?
JCO


   J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com


-Original Message-
From: Steve Desjardins [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 1:44 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Used DSLR prices


But I don't really want to shoot faster, so this is a moot point for me.
 As an example, the Nikon D2H doesn't tempt me at all, although I think
the D1X is neat.  I also suspect that the Baby D won't be built quite as
well as the *ist D.  I actually think the final real street price of the
*istD ($1350) is a realistic one.  Unless something really neat happens
(like the wheelie granny scenario) I suspect I won't be replacing this
camera for at least 5 years.  If they had a really cheap one I might buy
it as a backup.  And that very statement goes to show what a bad
influence you people have been on me . . .


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/13/04 01:13PM 

 It will be interesting to see if APS DSLRs ever move up to 8 or more
 megapixels. I don't know that the increase in pixel count on the
same
 size sensor would give enough improvement in image quality to be
worth
 the additional storage space (larger buffer in camera, more and
bigger
 CF cards, greater use of hard drive and CD-ROM space). I don't think
it
 would be for me.

But those are exactly the areas which do get cheaper over time,
rapidly.

Two years ago even a 1GB CF card or Microdrive was very expensive, and
the 4GB drives hadn't been released.  A 250GB hard drive (and a DVD
writer) would have cost more than my entire desktop system.

In another year or so CF card size will have increased by another
factor
of 4 (at constant price), hard drives will be bigger, and in-camera
buffers will be larger.  The in-camera processor will be faster, too.
That 8 (or, more likely, 10) MP camera will buffer more images, and
process them faster, than the *ist-D does today.



RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread bucky
Why should build quality *not* be important?  The shelf life, as you call it, 
by which I presume you mean useful life, is as long as the build quality 
allows it to be.  Simply because there's something out there that is considered 
more modern technology doesn't mean that an existing camera has outlived its 
usefulness.  

The *ist-D will continue to produce images of like quality for as long as it 
continues to function.  Better built cameras take more abuse and continue to 
function longer.  
Simple, really.

Quoting J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED]:

 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?
 JCO


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RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Chris Brogden

Not everyone feels the need to replace a perfectly good camera every time
a better one comes out.

chris


On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, J. C. O'Connell wrote:

 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?
 JCO

 
J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com
 

 -Original Message-
 From: Steve Desjardins [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 1:44 PM
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: Used DSLR prices


 But I don't really want to shoot faster, so this is a moot point for me.
  As an example, the Nikon D2H doesn't tempt me at all, although I think
 the D1X is neat.  I also suspect that the Baby D won't be built quite as
 well as the *ist D.  I actually think the final real street price of the
 *istD ($1350) is a realistic one.  Unless something really neat happens
 (like the wheelie granny scenario) I suspect I won't be replacing this
 camera for at least 5 years.  If they had a really cheap one I might buy
 it as a backup.  And that very statement goes to show what a bad
 influence you people have been on me . . .


 Steven Desjardins
 Department of Chemistry
 Washington and Lee University
 Lexington, VA 24450
 (540) 458-8873
 FAX: (540) 458-8878
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]

  [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/13/04 01:13PM 
 
  It will be interesting to see if APS DSLRs ever move up to 8 or more
  megapixels. I don't know that the increase in pixel count on the
 same
  size sensor would give enough improvement in image quality to be
 worth
  the additional storage space (larger buffer in camera, more and
 bigger
  CF cards, greater use of hard drive and CD-ROM space). I don't think
 it
  would be for me.

 But those are exactly the areas which do get cheaper over time,
 rapidly.

 Two years ago even a 1GB CF card or Microdrive was very expensive, and
 the 4GB drives hadn't been released.  A 250GB hard drive (and a DVD
 writer) would have cost more than my entire desktop system.

 In another year or so CF card size will have increased by another
 factor
 of 4 (at constant price), hard drives will be bigger, and in-camera
 buffers will be larger.  The in-camera processor will be faster, too.
 That 8 (or, more likely, 10) MP camera will buffer more images, and
 process them faster, than the *ist-D does today.




RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread alex wetmore
On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, J. C. O'Connell wrote:
 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?

Just because a camera is only sold for a short period of time doesn't
mean that it has a short functional life.  I'm still using a Sony
DSC-S75 as my PS camera.  This is a 3.3mp camera that came out around
the same time as the Canon G1 (3 or 4 years ago?).  Tons of stuff has
been released since then that is better, but that old camera still
does what I bought it for and does it well.

The *ist D isn't going to take worse pictures in 5 years just because
there are better D-SLRs available in 5 years.

alex



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Mark Roberts
alex wetmore [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jan 2004, J. C. O'Connell wrote:
 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?

Just because a camera is only sold for a short period of time doesn't
mean that it has a short functional life.  I'm still using a Sony
DSC-S75 as my PS camera.  This is a 3.3mp camera that came out around
the same time as the Canon G1 (3 or 4 years ago?).  Tons of stuff has
been released since then that is better, but that old camera still
does what I bought it for and does it well.

The *ist D isn't going to take worse pictures in 5 years just because
there are better D-SLRs available in 5 years.

The Nikon D100 has been on the market for a year and a half so far. They
may introduce a successor at PMA next month but it probably won't be
available until summer (which would give the D100 a lifespan of 2 years)
and I'd be very surprised if it turned out to be enough of an
improvement to make D100 owners even consider trading up. It took two
years for the D2h to be replaced.
Heck, the D1x was introduced in the summer of 2001 and hasn't been
superseded yet! Another PMA announcement? Could be, but it still seems
like a healthy lifespan to me. I would expect D1x/D1h-class cameras to
be kept and used by their owners just as long as film cameras.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread Bill D. Casselberry
 
J. C. O'Connell wrote:
 
  Old Pentium (I) PCs may still work too, but
  that doesnt mean I would still want to use
  them.
 
ugggh! - I wouldn't have wanted too have to use one
of those even when they were cutting edge

;^D   Bill

-
Bill D. Casselberry ; Photography on the Oregon Coast

http://www.orednet.org/~bcasselb
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-



RE: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread J. C. O'Connell
One word : PHOTOSHOP!


   J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com


-Original Message-
From: Rob Studdert [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 6:15 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Used DSLR prices


On 13 Jan 2004 at 17:04, J. C. O'Connell wrote:

 Im not talking how long its sold, Im talking
 how long you want to use it. I have SLRs I
 still use that are 40 yrs old, I wouldnt use
 any digital camera more than about 5 yrs old.

We are now approaching the point of diminishing returns. DSLRs will have a
longer service life than earlier ones as the resolution is approaching that
of
the taking lenses. Your CPU analogy is poor also as PC purchases are mainly
new
users, there is far less upgrading going on than their used to be. Lets face
it
unless you are a gamer or running out of HD space what would be the
advantage
of pushing up the CPU MHz?

Rob Studdert
HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA
Tel +61-2-9554-4110
UTC(GMT)  +10 Hours
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications/
Pentax user since 1986, PDMLer since 1998



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread William Robb

- Original Message - 
From: J. C. O'Connell
Subject: RE: Used DSLR prices


 Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
 due to technical innovations, could someone please
 explain to me why build quality is important?

Because its nicer to use something that is well built than something that
isn't.

I wouldn't want to own my friend's Rebel D because it feels like it is a
cheap peice of crap.

Build quality should also mean better pictures, as the equipment should be
better mechanically calibrated, and able to hold that calibration for a
longer time in the real world.
A cheaply built camera won't take very many bumps before it goes out of
adjustment.
And, some of us actually intend to hold onto equipment for several
generations past the shelf life of the product.

For myself, there are a few things that Pentax can do to improve the DSLR.
If they do make a camera that specs out well enough that I think it is worth
opening my wallet for, then my present digital SLR will become a back up
camera.
At that point, it is nice to know that my back up is a well built camera
that I can depend on, in the event that my other camera fails.

When I was shooting weddings, my front line camera was a K-1000, but I
always had my LX in the bag in case the K-1000 failed.

William Robb



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-13 Thread graywolf
Hey, I have a 486/33 IBM Thinkpad. The build quality is supurb, but it is pretty 
much useless in todays world. Unless of course all you need it for is word 
processing.

--

J. C. O'Connell wrote:

Old Pentium (I) PCs may still work too, but
that doesnt mean I would still want to use
them.
JCO

   J.C. O'Connell   mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   http://jcoconnell.com

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 2:57 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Used DSLR prices
Why should build quality *not* be important?  The shelf life, as you call
it,
by which I presume you mean useful life, is as long as the build quality
allows it to be.  Simply because there's something out there that is
considered
more modern technology doesn't mean that an existing camera has outlived its
usefulness.
The *ist-D will continue to produce images of like quality for as long as it
continues to function.  Better built cameras take more abuse and continue to
function longer.
Simple, really.
Quoting J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED]:


Since all DSLRs so far have had a short shelf life
due to technical innovations, could someone please
explain to me why build quality is important?
JCO


-
This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/

--
graywolf
http://graywolfphoto.com
You might as well accept people as they are,
you are not going to be able to change them anyway.



Used DSLR prices

2004-01-12 Thread Steve Desjardins
I noticed in a KEH flyer that an Ex  D30 was going for $850.  Given
that the *ist D is starting lower ($1350 US should be the new street
price), the $600 predicition of Cotty seems like a good one.   


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-12 Thread Mark Roberts
Steve Desjardins [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I noticed in a KEH flyer that an Ex  D30 was going for $850.

Wow. That's much *much* higher than I would have expected! You can get a
6 megapixel 300D for that price!

Given that the *ist D is starting lower ($1350 US should be the new street
price), the $600 predicition of Cotty seems like a good one.   

What does a used D60 go for now, do you suppose?

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-12 Thread Steve Desjardins
A LN- goes for $1079.  This is pretty high by comparison to current new
prices.  Although I don't look at the digital section regularly (as
opposed to Pentax lenses, for example ;-) I suspect that there just
aren't a lot available.  That D30 is already gone.  In a few years,
there could be more DSLR bodies available.  OTOH, E10 and E20's are
still commanding more than I would have thought.


Steven Desjardins
Department of Chemistry
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 458-8873
FAX: (540) 458-8878
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/12/04 09:00AM 
Steve Desjardins [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I noticed in a KEH flyer that an Ex  D30 was going for $850.

Wow. That's much *much* higher than I would have expected! You can get
a
6 megapixel 300D for that price!

Given that the *ist D is starting lower ($1350 US should be the new
street
price), the $600 predicition of Cotty seems like a good one.   

What does a used D60 go for now, do you suppose?

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com 



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-12 Thread Christian

- Original Message - 
From: Cotty [EMAIL PROTECTED]


 Dealers are flogging off the Sigma SD-9 brand new for not much more than
that
 (anybody actually ever seen one of these??)

Seen and touched, but not used.  Back in the day, I was about to switch
brands to Sigma because they offered a ton of features in their SLRs for a
good price.  I'm glad I didn't because I never would have met you clowns!

Christian
Not flogging off for the record...



Re: Used DSLR prices

2004-01-12 Thread Kostas Kavoussanakis
On Mon, 12 Jan 2004, Cotty wrote:

 I think all here who bought the *ist D would be very reluctant to sell in
 a year's time. Even in two.

Yes, but for different reasons than D60 owners.

:-P

Kostas