Topic: Shoping for a new Digital Camera (Read 2457 times)

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #60 on:** November 05, 2009, 11:26:19 PM »

Quote from: Jim Dick on November 05, 2009, 09:26:16 AM

I also have the Canon Digital Rebel and 40D. I use the Canon L-series 100-400 IS for most of my long shots. I own a less expensive 70-200 Canon lens but it is not that great. Also have the kit lenses that came with both Canons.

Hi Jim -- enjoyed reviewing your webpage of images. Good stuff!!!

What is your opinion of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens? Have been following about 10 of these on eBay and they are going for around $400 or so. Reviews are good on the ones I have read so far. A 400L series is farther out that I need to go -- plus after investing in my 50D, can't spare those kinda bucks on a long lens.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #61 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:29:49 AM »

Hi Dan,

Thanks! I sometimes get lucky.

I'm one of those guys that find it hard to get rid of a good camera but always like to stay abreast of what is new. Monetarily I have to temper that feeling.

I would personally recommend the latest Canon iteration of their DSLR. The 50D is now out and has some features the 40D is lacking but a 40D at the right price might just fit the bill. I've had great shots with a 3mpx camera and better shots with a 6mpx camera. Not sure if there's a great difference between a 10mpx camera vs a 12mpx camera.

Tom · « **Reply #62 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:01:52 AM »

FWIW I was in Costco yesterday, and they don't have the $200 rebate. They do, however, have the original $150 rebate (at checkout) on the XSi.

seilerbird · « **Reply #63 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:53:56 AM »

The 70 to 300 Canon lenses are very slow focusing, making then not very good for wildlife. If you want to shoot wildlife with Canon the 100-400 is your only choice if you want to get serious.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #64 on:** November 06, 2009, 11:30:32 AM »

Quote from: Bob Buchanan on November 05, 2009, 11:26:19 PM

Hi Jim -- enjoyed reviewing your webpage of images. Good stuff!!!

What is your opinion of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens? Have been following about 10 of these on eBay and they are going for around $400 or so. Reviews are good on the ones I have read so far. A 400L series is farther out that I need to go -- plus after investing in my 50D, can't spare those kinda bucks on a long lens.

Bob,

Thanks. As I said before, I sometimes get lucky. :-) I just posted more yesterday and will continue to add to the folders. I'm allowed 5 uploads a day.

I don't have any experience with the lens you mention but I'm not happy with the 75-300 I own. It seems to be flimsy compared to the L-series or even the kit lens I got with the 40D. Mine does not have the USM focusing or IS. I'd go to a photo shop and try the lens before buying.

JerArdra · « **Reply #65 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:37:45 PM »

A couple of times shutter lag has been mentioned for airplane, wildlife, and other action shots On my Panasonic FZ30 "pseudo" DSLR fixed lens (36 to 420MM optical) the shutter lag is less than 1/10th of a second if pre focused as measured by Steve of Steve's DigiCams in his review of the FZ30. My question is, is that good or yucky?

JerryF

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #66 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:15:43 PM »

Quote from: JerArdra on November 06, 2009, 06:37:45 PM

A couple of times shutter lag has been mentioned for airplane, wildlife, and other action shots On my Panasonic FZ30 "pseudo" DSLR fixed lens (36 to 420MM optical) the shutter lag is less than 1/10th of a second if pre focused as measured by Steve of Steve's DigiCams in his review of the FZ30. My question is, is that good or yucky?

Jerry, I'm looking at long Canon lens. The issue when shooting action such as birds or planes in flight is "total" lag time during a multi shot burst. Total lag time is time to focus plus release the shutter and store the image. My XT would do 3 fps, my 50D will do 5+ fps. Normally I would press the shutter half way down to get focus, then the rest of the way to take the shot.

However, if shooting action such as a bird or plane, I can place my dSLR in a mode that essentially leaves the shutter half way down. So then as the subject moves away from focus, the AF keeps changing the focus -- and in the case of my 50D does that at 5fps (AF plus storing each image).

The lens AF must be able to "keep up" as far as total lag time is concerned when shooting fast action shots. I believe the FZ series have a Continuous AF mode that will keep the lens in focus during a burst, so the question is how fast is "that" lag time?

Not sure where this came up or if I understand the question -- so if I'm explaining oranges and your question was about chairs --

JerArdra · « **Reply #67 on:** November 07, 2009, 06:31:49 PM »

Bob,

Thank you...I see the complete picture now. I'll have to see what the number of Frames per Second are that the FZ30 can do. Yes it does have auto focus and I often hold the shutter release down as a pre focus technique. Good answer thank you.

JerryF

Pierat · « **Reply #68 on:** November 07, 2009, 06:54:27 PM »

Bob, does the 50D automatically do that in burst mode, or is there a custom function that you use? (I have one, too lazy at present to find the manual.) Thx - John

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #69 on:** November 08, 2009, 02:25:03 AM »

Quote from: Pierat on November 07, 2009, 06:54:27 PM

Bob, does the 50D automatically do that in burst mode, or is there a custom function that you use? (I have one, too lazy at present to find the manual.) Thx - John

John, the AF mode on the 50D can be One Shot, AI Focus, or AI Servo -- for One Shot at a time, AI Servo for moving subjects, or AI Focus to make it switch automatically if the subject moves after a one shot setting. There is a AF-Drive button on top -- or, use the quick menu to change modes.

If you find your manual, look on page 84.

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #70 on:** November 08, 2009, 04:20:57 AM »

Quote from: JerArdra on November 07, 2009, 06:31:49 PM

Thank you...I see the complete picture now. I'll have to see what the number of Frames per Second are that the FZ30 can do. Yes it does have auto focus and I often hold the shutter release down as a pre focus technique. Good answer thank you.

You're welcome, my friend.

HERE is a review page from dpReview posting test results of Continuous AF speeds with a FZ-50. A bit slower than the 30, but higher quality resulting images.

Also keep in mind that the FZ's have to pause between bursts, or suffer additional slowdown of fps, whereas the larger dSLR's have much larger buffers and higher shutter speeds (1/8000th). Until the buffer is full and needs to dump to the storage card, the 7D continuously fires at 8fps -- while continuously adjusting the focus!!

My 50D does 5fps whereas the new Canon 7D does 8fps. HERE is a video of a test between the 7D and a Nikon D700 -- both with 70-200mm lenses. The Canon lens is an L series with IS and the quiet motor and one of the best lenses in the Canon line. The car in the video is coming straight at the camera at 60mph and demonstrates how far this technology has come!

AI Servo mode on the Canon stands for Artificial Intelligence -- and Servo is a system where a mechanical movement predicts what the next movement should be based on feedback from the preceding movement. That's the kinda thing we used to see in Star Wars episodes, and now we find it in our digital cameras.

BTW, I like the terminology of Continuous Shooting Mode used by Nikon and Panasonic vs. AI Servo by Canon . . .

seilerbird · « **Reply #71 on:** November 08, 2009, 08:36:35 AM »

50d does 6.5 fps

Dan Walters · « **Reply #72 on:** December 01, 2009, 04:43:51 PM »

Well, I finally did it. I ordered the Canon Rebel XSi after much reading and pondering which camera to get. I decided that I didn't need the video capabilities of the Canon T1i, Nikon D5000 or D90. I didn't want to spend $1,000 or more either, and I wanted to get a longer zoom lens to go with the short zoom. Canon extended the $200 instant rebate on the purchase of the camera and 55-250mm zoom lens until January, and I ordered them from Amazon today. Total for the XSi with the 18-55mm lens and the 55-250mm lens ended up being $640 with free shipping and no tax. I had gotten $125 in gift cards for my birthday, which I applied to the purchase, bringing my total out-of-pocket for the camera and 2 lenses down to $515. Now I can't wait to get the camera and start learning to make good pictures. Thanks to everyone who shared their input and advice.

Dan

Tom · « **Reply #73 on:** December 01, 2009, 05:33:12 PM »

Congratulations Dan! Looking forward to seeing some of your photos taken with the XSi. Although I have a very long way to go, I'm becoming more comfortable with my XSi every time I use it.

Dan Walters · « **Reply #74 on:** December 01, 2009, 05:46:40 PM »

Thanks Tom. I've looked at the photos you've posted and I can already see you're getting the hang of it. I hope mine will turn out as good as yours have.

Tom · « **Reply #75 on:** December 01, 2009, 05:59:08 PM »

I'm a slow learner Dan, at least when it comes to photography, but many of the tips posted by the good photographers here eventually sink in.

One caveat - you'll soon be looking for your next lens

I've already experienced so many situations where I feel I need a "longer" zoom.

seilerbird · « **Reply #76 on:** December 01, 2009, 06:10:20 PM »

Quote from: Tom on December 01, 2009, 05:59:08 PM

I'm a slow learner Dan, at least when it comes to photography, but many of the tips posted by the good photographers here eventually sink in.

One caveat - you'll soon be looking for your next lens I've already experienced so many situations where I feel I need a "longer" zoom.

The whole problem is that if you get a 2000 mm lens it still won't be quite long enough. One of Murphy's Laws I think. You can never be too rich, too good looking or have a long enough zoom.

Tom · « **Reply #77 on:** December 01, 2009, 06:19:43 PM »

Understood Tom.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #78 on:** December 02, 2009, 08:18:44 AM »

Quote from: seilerbird on December 01, 2009, 06:10:20 PM

The whole problem is that if you get a 2000 mm lens it still won't be quite long enough. One of Murphy's Laws I think. You can never be too rich, too good looking or have a long enough zoom.

Tom,

How true! I have the 100-400 with 2X extender and it still doesn't come close to what I'd really like!:-)

Dan Walters · « **Reply #79 on:** December 02, 2009, 04:54:41 PM »

It's too late Tom. I've already been looking for my next lens, and I havn't even gotten the camera and 2 lenses yet. But like Tom Seiler said--you can never get enough zoom. But, I think the next thing I'll be looking at is a low light prime lens so the bigger zoom will have to wait--at least for now.

Dan

Tom · « **Reply #80 on:** December 02, 2009, 05:05:59 PM »

Dan,

My next purchase for the XSi will be an external flash.

Dan Walters · « **Reply #81 on:** December 02, 2009, 05:17:42 PM »

That's on my list too.

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Author Topic: Shoping for a new Digital Camera (Read 2457 times)