Any photographers out there?

[MatthewL]

I have had my Sony A330 now for around 5 years and been looking to up upgrade, its seem some hammer and I think its had its time.

 

I went into the local camera shop the other day and there was the Sony a58, perfect as it will accept the bigger lens I have but then I got into a discussion on Facebook with a group of friends and the majority are either Nikon or Canon. When I looked before they were way more than I wanted to spend and the Sony felt right but now some of the results I am seeing from Nikon's is making me think.

 

Any thoughts from out in EduGeek land, what do you use?

 

I've not exactly got a budget as I did not intend to upgrade, I had wanted to replace the PC and put a driveway in so nothing breaking the bank really.

[Ric_]

Any photographer you ask will say whatever system they use is best. I use Canon gear... I chose Canon due to the abundance of second hand gear initially which kept down costs. As time has gone on, I've collected gear and become used to how my cameras work. I would never dream of changing.

 

If you've invested in gear that works with the Sony system, it makes sense to keep it unless there's some desperate need to change brands.

[MatthewL]

I've only got the one bigger lense which I don't use that often. My gut is saying go with Sony but I want the quality and if it means a change I might have to.

 

I'm going into the shop on Friday to have a play with the two, I am really undecided as I like my Sony but friends who have Nikon the quality seems far better.

[pcstru]

but now some of the results I am seeing from Nikon's is making me think.

It is all very well looking at other photos taken on other equipment and ... thinking, but where does that end? You will likely always be able to find something better simply because there is stuff out there that will make your eyes pop and your pocket weep. Better to look at your own photo's and ask if you are happy with them and only if you are not happy should you then ask why, and how can you fix that.

Any thoughts from out in EduGeek land, what do you use?

Personally I use Canon gear. I don't think there is much to choose between them and Nikon. In either case put decent glass in front of any of their bodies and you can achieve quality images suitable for large format printing.

[Pyroman]

Have a look on flickr but do a camera search, see what can be achieved with what gear you currently have and the gear you're looking at purchasing. have a look and see if there';s an owners group for your camera on there.

[36Degrees]

I bought myself a Nikon just before Christmas which I'm really happy with. I looked at an equivalent Canon but in the end decided I preferred the Nikon.

[unixman_again]

I have my Ricoh KR5, which I bought with my first pay cheque in 1979. When I was looking for am upgrade in 2000, I bought a Pentax LX of 1980 vintage. It's a truly beautiful camera, solid as a rock and takes all of my existing lens. About 10 years ago, I went into Jessops, to see about a new camera and the chap asked me what I had. When I told him about the LX, he said "There's a door over there, I suggest you go through it." When I asked why, he told me that if you've used a camera of that vintage, anything new would feel cheap and horrible. The only upgrade he could suggest, was something like a Nikon F4 or F5, but I'd need to buy all new lens. I also have an Exakta Varex VX of 1953 vintage, which is older than me. There is something special about using a 60 year old camera, which still takes perfect photos.

[mowgli82]

I think that any DX SLR will be fine, alot of the time its not the kit that makes the photo its the person behind it that makes the photo. I am of the Nikon camp myself and have a D5100 which is great for what i use it for, you can spend and spend on kit

[jinnantonnixx]

I've got an old Canon DSLR with some nice lenses (including L lenses).

 

I've also got a little Sony NEX. The NEX gets far more use, as the Canon + battery grip + lenses is so huge. The NEX is easy to carry and takes nice photos.

 

I've even bought an adapter for the Sony so I can use cheap M42 lenses, just as an experiment.

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/110680-dslr-help-9.html#post1263331

 

I shelled out £920 for the Canon body many years ago, and it's still going strong, despite being utterly outclassed (on paper) by every newer model. But I won't be upgrading as I don't need to.

 

I'd certainly consider buying a good second-hand DSLR. There can be real bargains to be had here, especially from serial upgraders.

Edited April 13, 2015 by jinnantonnixx

[CHR1S]

I originally had Canon, but on my last upgrade went into Jessops and had a play with every camera they had.

 

At the time the Canon cameras had gone a bit plasticky so I switched to Nikon.

 

I have no brand loyalty so it was an easy choice. As others have said a well looked after camera can last decades, so a second hand buy is a great idea.

[ChickenDhansak]

Just some thoughts from someone who has a FX (Full frame) DSLR. You don't need to break the bank, but personally I would spend more on a good lens (or lenses) than I would on a body going the DX or FX route. Quality lenses will outlast a camera body under normal use. That said, I think you can get good results from most modern bridge or DSLR cameras if you learn their strengths & weaknesses and practise. There are some very well priced second hand camera bodies on the market if you know where to look. I'm not sure whether I can post links here (advertising?) but I'm happy to pm you if you want further info and to get an idea of the second hand market if that's a route you want to consider. Nikon & Canon look like the market leaders but I have seen excellent results from people using Fuji Finepix or Sony SLRs which would cost substantially less.

 

Link below that explains DX & FX formats

FX & DX Format Lenses Explained | Learn About FX Lenses & DX Cameras from Nikon

 

Link to a good review/news site

Digital Photography Review: Digital Photography Review

 

Link below from an independent reviewer of various makes, models & lenses (I've found his reviews helpful in the past)

New Camera and Photography Articles, Nikon DSLR camera and lens

Edited April 13, 2015 by ChickenDhansak

[MrMat]

I used to shoot Canon (550D) but made the switch over to a Sony A7 a few months back and I'm absolutely loving it. Sony cameras are great they're just not as popular as the other bunch (mainly due to the lack of optical viewfinder i would imagine!).

 

The best advice I could give is go and have a play with them all. Find the one you feel most comfortable with. Some people like Canon, some Sony and some Nikon. The image quality between all the top manufacturers to so close now it's barely worth considering (unless you're a specialist in Landscapes or Sport etc).

[LosOjos]

I'm in a similar boat to you, whilst on holiday last week my Canon 40D finally gave up the ghost. Going to see if I can fix it but I suspect it's just had it's day now (it was used very heavily by my grandad before he gave it to me so it owes nobody a thing!)

 

I'm a Canon shooter simply because of my grandad; having Canon meant I could borrow his lenses and eventually he gave me the 40D I currently use. However, now I have the choice, I'm most likely going one of two ways: get a Sony dSLR (I've seen fantastic results from these and good glass seems to be available at much more reasonable prices than for Canon/Nikon) or go for a mirrorless. I had a mirrorless when I first got in to photography seriously, but hated it. However, they seem to have come a long way now and many photographers I know will admit their mirrorless systems get much more use than their dSLRs these days, some having dropped their dSLRs completely. If I go this route, I have heard nothing but positive things about Olympus.

 

Might not help much but that's where I am at the moment!

[ChickenDhansak]

I'm in a similar boat to you, whilst on holiday last week my Canon 40D finally gave up the ghost. Going to see if I can fix it but I suspect it's just had it's day now (it was used very heavily by my grandad before he gave it to me so it owes nobody a thing!)

 

I'm a Canon shooter simply because of my grandad; having Canon meant I could borrow his lenses and eventually he gave me the 40D I currently use. However, now I have the choice, I'm most likely going one of two ways: get a Sony dSLR (I've seen fantastic results from these and good glass seems to be available at much more reasonable prices than for Canon/Nikon) or go for a mirrorless. I had a mirrorless when I first got in to photography seriously, but hated it. However, they seem to have come a long way now and many photographers I know will admit their mirrorless systems get much more use than their dSLRs these days, some having dropped their dSLRs completely. If I go this route, I have heard nothing but positive things about Olympus.

 

Might not help much but that's where I am at the moment!

 

These guys might be able to help you @LosOjos

Repairs

[kennysarmy]

Sold ALL my full frame canon gear and have gone down the mirrorless route with the FUJI X-E2 and an assortment of prime lenses.

 

BRILLIANT!

 

Nice and light so I take it out with me and image quality from the primes is superb...

 

Some samples on my flickr stream:

 

[MatthewL]

I'm not happy with everything I've taken recently hence why I started looking.

 

I am off into have a play on Friday afternoon and see what I think to both and going to go from there.

 

I do like my Sony but feel a little let down by it now.

[plexer]

But will what you take with another system be any better?

 

Ben

[unixman_again]

I'm in a similar boat to you, whilst on holiday last week my Canon 40D finally gave up the ghost.

I'd be appalled if an 8 year old camera died, mind you with these new fangled digitals I'm not surprised. I'm glad I've stuck with film. As I said above, my newest camera 35 years old and the oldest is 60. Both still going strong with regular use. I fully expect the Exakta to be snapping away long after I'm pushing up the daisies - it really is built like a tank.

[LosOjos]

I'd be appalled if an 8 year old camera died, mind you with these new fangled digitals I'm not surprised. I'm glad I've stuck with film. As I said above, my newest camera 35 years old and the oldest is 60. Both still going strong with regular use. I fully expect the Exakta to be snapping away long after I'm pushing up the daisies - it really is built like a tank.

 

I shoot film too and you're right, they were built to last. I mainly shoot an OM2N, which wasn't even one of the more rugged SLRs, but it still works fantastically. Also have a Bronica ETRSi for medium format, not so much of a tank but a good shot with that blows my digital out of the water - just a shame film is so expensive to shoot now!

[LosOjos]

I'm not happy with everything I've taken recently hence why I started looking.

 

I am off into have a play on Friday afternoon and see what I think to both and going to go from there.

 

I do like my Sony but feel a little let down by it now.

 

Don't fall in to the trap of thinking buying a more expensive camera will make you a better photographer; it won't. If you were happier with the IQ on shots you have taken on another camera then fair enough, but (assuming you don't just shoot in automatic) the shots are ultimately down to your own skill.

 

I'm not saying this to offend, it's just a trap many fall in to that ends up costing them a great deal of money. There's not a fat lot of difference between the internal components of many of the manufacturers amateur/semi-pro range, what you're paying for much of the time is ruggedised and weather proofed casing, alloys rather than plastics. Lenses make much more of an impact on IQ.

 

Rather than a new camera, why not book yourself on a couple of day courses in particular areas of photography you're interested in? Or look for local photo walks and meetups where you can chew the fat with other photographers - I found that much more valuable in improving my photography* than any of the various camera bodies I've owned.

 

Oh and as we're talking about photography, the inevitable link to my flickr stream! Flickr

 

* I'm by no means an excellent photographer but I definitely saw improvement

Edited April 14, 2015 by LosOjos

[ChickenDhansak]

I shoot film too and you're right, they were built to last. I mainly shoot an OM2N, which wasn't even one of the more rugged SLRs, but it still works fantastically. Also have a Bronica ETRSi for medium format, not so much of a tank but a good shot with that blows my digital out of the water - just a shame film is so expensive to shoot now!

 

I bought a second hand Petri TTL SLR when I was 21 and 3 decades later it still takes a decent pic altho' as you say, film is expensive now and trying to find a local shop that can give you a decent turnround is not easy. (especially B&W)

[jinnantonnixx]

Developing your own B+W film is dead easy and quite cheap. You don't need a darkroom, just a changing bag, tank and chemicals. I know @LosOjos does this as I sold him some of my old stuff!

 

I had best results from a very old-tech recipe. Iflord HP5 (400 speed) in Agfa Rodinal at 50:1. Lovely negs that were smooth and easy to print.

Personally, I've given that up as I can't be bothered with the hassle, but it is an enjoyable pass-time.

 

P.S. I still have some old printing stuff up the loft. A Meopta Axomat enlarger, some accessories, a 10x8 easel. They're full of dust, but if anybody wants them, PM me.

Edited April 14, 2015 by jinnantonnixx

[woodham]

at the beginning of the year I ditched all my cannon kit including some nice l glass and moved the whole lot over to a Fuji xt-1 and xf lenses. why? well it was just too bulky I have twins aged 3 1/2 and on a day out all there kit + my camera kit was just too much. the Fuji is a quarter of the cannons weight, smaller has an improved sensor and is capable of reproducing some stunning images.

 

the main thing is the weight it means that ill pick up my camera when we go out rather that leaving it at home. and it handles like my old film slr

[jinnantonnixx]

Did you consider the mirror-less Canon EOSs? I must say I like the look of the Fuji.

[woodham]

I did but when you facto in the weight of a 24-70 L or other high end canon lens any weight and space saving is lost

for comparison look up canon 24-70 mk1 950 g pics and Fuji xf 18-55 310g

 

the evf is very good on the Fuji im not going to claim its as good as an ovf but it is bloody good and they have some fantastic glass I'm currently loving my 10-24 lens its easily as good as my old canon 17-40L and soo much lighter