DSLR advice?

Frankiestylee

I've decided to buy a digital SLR and I'm wondering if you could advise me on which one to get?

It's mainly going to be used to go along with journalistic pieces... I had bought a canon ixus for the job, but it's lacking in a few areas. So basically I need a camera to take photos to go along with some freelance pieces etc.
I do a lot of gig reviews so I need a camera that can take some good photos in low light.

While I'll probably end up messing around with the camera to take some arty shots, it's going to primarily be a work horse to capture straight forward photos (incase that makes any differance).

I really don't know what I'm looking for, infact I'm totally lost when it comes to cameras. I've read a lot of threads on this board and I've gotten a bit confused with all the abbreviations and numbers flying about, so any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I'm still a student so I don't have a huge amount of cash to spend on this. I'd say at a very maximum I could spend €1000, but that's at a maximum stretch, I'd be much more comfortable paying between €500-€700 for the camera.

Roen

Wait a week or three for Photokina, some new announcements will be made and you may see a price drop. May see.

Frankiestylee

What's photokina?:D

davmigil

I guess it's a trade fair. Either that or a new board game. I'm too lazy to google it

Two questions really you have: 1. What DSLR is good in low light 2. What lens is good at capturing gig photos in low light.

1. Is easy enough: On a budget Canon 350D seems to perform best, especially with higher ISOs (ie sensor displays more sensitivity with less noise than competition at high ISOs).

2.This one I will leave to the experts, but I guess this may be where the cost will be

Frankiestylee

Yeah, I thought that canon 350D might pop up, I had a look at the nikon vs Canon threads and it kept popping up.

melekalikimaka

*cough* d50 w/ 50mm 1.8 *cough*

Frankiestylee

melekalikimaka wrote:

*cough* d50 w/ 50mm 1.8 *cough*

Now to really show my ignorance... what make is a D50 ? Canon?

Thirdfox

Nikon D50 I would think... There's a Canon 50D though right? (Waaaay out of your budget though )

How about a Panasonic Lumix FZ1 or something similar? Not a dSLR but has 12x Optical zoom and Image Stabilisation. Much cheaper too.

Then again I'm not an expert - good luck finding a suitable camera! (Remember to try before you buy!)

DotOrg

for concert photography a canon 350D is more than good enough (or a nikon D50) but you'll need an expensive lens to capture low light scenes, especially if you're reviewing gigs in smaller venues than the point etc. if you want to consistantly get good shots

perhaps you could always ask a music photographer to shoot the gig whilst you concentrate on writing the review?

Frankiestylee

Ah, DotOrg, I was about to pm you or your beloved for this sort of advice.

Yeah asking a music photographer to take the photos makes perfect sense for bigger gigs, but for the online version of the magazine I'm looking at reviewing as many bands as possible, regardless of style/status and it'd be handier to be able to take some random shots.
Plus I need a good camera for taking shots to go along with stories.

So will I be causing a fight by asking Canon 350D or Nikon D50 ? Or are they similar in function and just a case of which feels better?

What sort of lens should I get then? Or should I stick with the lens that comes with the camera until I'm used to it?

Shiny

melekalikimaka has a point there with the 50mm prime although
depending on the venue it would be difficult to frame your
shot.

For higher ISO, which will be essential in your case, the 350d
wins.

DotOrg

canon and nikon are pretty much equal in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, something like the new Canon 18-55mm f2.8 IS lens would be perfect as it will work great in small venues under low light conditions. but maybe learn with the kit lens, it's only worth about €80, and until you understand aperture, shutter speed and iso, don't buy a lens.

but there are loads of music photographers who shoot regularly in places like the voodoo loungue, dorans, fibbers, carnival, whelans etc who've already got thousands of euros worth of expensive lenses, who'd be only too happy to see someone who wants to use their services

bovril

Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a question re this

Canon 18-55mm f2.8 IS lens

The kit lense on the 350D is a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 non USM lens

Can I ask what the diffs are, is it mainly down to aperture ranges? Also what does the IS/ non USM stand for?

Cheers
B

davmigil

The S in EF-S denotes that the lens is designed for cameras with smaller than 35mm sensor size (APS size sensor I think). Will not work properly on 35mm film cameras or 35mm size digital sensor (e.g. Canon 5D).

USM - Ultrasonic Motor I think - quiet and fast focussing auto-focus motor system part of lens. IS = image stabilised - compensates for camera shake, allows you to stop down 1-2 stops without much increase in blurring.

melekalikimaka

Shiny wrote:

For higher ISO, which will be essential in your case, the 350d
wins.

with a 50mm 1.8 you could keep you iso down pretty low i would think

Thirdfox

1.8 aperture + ISO 200 = 4.8 aperture + ISO what? 1600?

melekalikimaka

mneh, noise ninja does cleans most my noise up... but i see your point, i guess the canon does have that one up (I don't think i've ever admitted that before, my therapist will be so happy )

Thirdfox

Lol, I was just wondering what ISO on a 4.8f aperture would be required to shoot the same picture as a 1.8f with ISO 200... wasn't trying to debunk your point at all

melekalikimaka

i don't think iso could really make up that amount of difference tbh, might give that a test next time tho, tis interesting point

Fionn

browsing through some mags yesterday:

"what Digital Camera" had a four way test and concluded the best all rounder for features, performance value etc.

1. Canon 350 D
2. Nikon D 70 S
3. Olympus E 500
4. Sony Alpha 100

"Digital Photo" magazine had a roundup of budget DSLRs too
Gold Award went to the Canon EOS 350 D with Silver going to Nikon D 50 these two were streets ahead of any of the other cameras in the review which came from Olympus, Pentax Samsung and Sigma.

you should be able to get a body only Canon 250 D for around €650 online and the balance could go on a better lens than the kit lens. I got two kit lenses and i was sorry i ever got them - total waste of money. I guess if you want good quality you need quality lenses.
Maybe a Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM, can be got for around €450 which wouldn't push you too much over your budget!

I'm sure something similar could be got for the Nikon solution too.

Frankiestylee

I'll check some camera shops next time I'm in town, unless the 350D is horrible to hold, I'll order it online. Any site in particular that's good? I think I was looking on digitalmania.de or something that was advised in another thread... I'm reading bad things about some pixmania site... any other sites I you'd recommend?
I think I might go with the standard lens until I learn how to use it properly, it seems to add only about 80 onto the price.

sombaht

Frankie,
The AC-Foto site is pretty good. Haven't used them myself but a work mate did and had no problems whatsoever. Prices are quite good, EOS350D body only for €595. Site is here http://www.ac-foto.com/ac/shop/shop.php

Cheers,
sombaht

P.S. as an aside they also are advertising the 400D, no price as of yet but the LCD on the back looks massive!