Help JP Pick Out His New Camera

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Yes, it's that time, my old ass digital camera needs to be retired. It's a cheapo thing, the lenses can't be changed, I can't take photos at night without a flash doing it freehand without it blurring so horribly I would use it to create abstract artwork, it's only 3.1 megapixels and I've dropped it a few times onto concrete.
Yeah. Anyway, the camera I'm currently lusting over is this fine, sexy thing. This cam would set me up for, hell over a decade. Honestly, at 10.1 megapixels I don't see a reason to upgrade for a long time (even the techfreak that I am), that's a better resolution than 35mm film, which is pretty damn good in and of itself.

[ceptimus]

Looks good. What is the standard lens it comes with? The most important thing (I think) is to get a good zoom lens that covers the range you use most. I don't do much wide angle stuff, so a lens that goes from about 35mm up to 300mm or more (these are 35mm equivalent figures) is what I look for.

My current camera doesn't have interchangable lenses, but it does everything I want at present.

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/ca...x.php?&flash=9

[JoeP]

Go for it! I need to make a similar purchasing decision myself sometime soonish.

Originally Posted by Johnny Pneumatic

at 10.1 megapixels [...], that's a better resolution than 35mm film,

Is it? Depends on the size of prints you want to make, and especially in the low-light conditions you mention, the dynamic range of digital cameras is somewhat less than good negative film and way less than slide film.

[Dingfod]

The biggest advantages I see to digital cameras over 35 mm is how many images can be stored (my 5 Megapixel Sony Cybershot has a 1 Gig Memorystick), ease of transfer to computer and internet, and no film to buy, ever. Your choice there, Johnny, looks like a fine one.

[Javaman]

Popular Photography has a review of the XTi and another that you might want to consider:

Hands On: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Hands On: Nikon D80 DSLR

[Ari]

That is a very nice looking camera there. I have the original digital rebel (300D) and have found it to be a great camera. One thing to look at before you buy Canon or Nikon (both pretty good) is what can be added to it since you aren't buying a camera as much as a system, since once you buy a body you are stuck with the type of lenses that come with it, and once you buy lenses you are stuck with the bodies that will fit.

I have found Canon to be quite nice, although I may now save up and upgrade, the XTi has added the features I have wanted.

Speaking of money, you should also figure in a second battery and a CF card or two (if you don't already have some).

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Thanks guys.


I can't remember what it's called or how it works, but it's a CCD technology I read about in Popular Science I think four, five years ago that is equlivant to having twice (or three times, something like that) the resolution of a CCD with the same megapixel count. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Is that in all current digital cameras now? That'd make sense, given how long ago that was.

[Javaman]

The Canon has a CMOS sensor which is different than a CCD and CMOS has advantages over CCD. I'm just regurgitating here -- I don't have any actual knowledge.

[Dingfod]

Damn, my Sony Cybershot only has CCD.

[Ari]

It's also important to not get too wrapped up into the megapixel game. Sensor size and lens quality are quite important too and it probably wont be long till the quality of a shot is related to the lenses used and not the sensor.

A larger sensor (one reason dSLRs are more expensive than digicams and don't have LCD view finders) allows for more light, so the camera doesn't have to pump up the gain as much for low light shots (high ISO shots) which is why a dSLR will have much less noise using the same ISO as a digicam.

Speaking of noise, if you plan on taking images in low light areas I would suggest buying a noise reduction program (they are either stand alone, or filters for photoshop) which can really clean up a noisy shot and allow you to make low light shots look nice.

About sensors

[pescifish]

Considering your area of study and how photography is a big part of your work in those areas, you should get the best you can possibly afford. Of course, I don't have a clue as to what that might be, but I hope you can get it!

[Ari]

What is your area of study?